In Jesus, we have the power to change.
Let’s read the encounter of 2 disciples of Christ – Acts 3:1-10. And Paul’s words - Phil 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection…”
We see here two very confident disciples Peter and John.
• They saw a man in need, a crippled man – on their own they were unable to help. “Silver or gold I do not have...” Peter said.
• But then he went on, “…but what I have I give you.” That’s the Person of Jesus Christ.
• I cannot help you but I know One who can and that’s Jesus. He is alive and He is able to help you.
• “In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Before that, Peter said, "Look at us!" He wanted this man to pay attention. He is going to introduce to Him the Name of Jesus.
This man trusted that Name Jesus. How do we know?
• Later on we see Peter explaining to the crowd what had happened. And this is what he said in verse 16: “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”
Where did Peter and John get that kind of faith? Why were they so confident?
• They saw with their own eyes the resurrected Jesus. He is alive, not dead.
• And He has given them the commission to go preach this good news, urging people to put their trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin.
• They know the Lord is with them. And when they call out to Him, they are able to experience His help.
This wasn’t the Peter we know 7 weeks ago. When Jesus was arrested, Peter was afraid.
• He and the rest of the disciples went into hiding. He was not at the place Jesus was crucified.
• In fact, Peter denied knowing Jesus 3 times. He did not want to be associated with Jesus.
But now we see Peter proclaiming the Name of Jesus openly, and with courage and faith.
• Why? Something has changed. He saw the resurrected Christ. Jesus appeared before His disciples after His resurrection.
• Now they know He is not dead. He is alive and He is with them.
• When Peter said, “In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” he is not calling for a dead man’s help.
• Jesus is alive today, and therefore we can experience His presence and His power. Just as Paul said in Phil 3:10 – we can know Christ and the power of His resurrection.
RUNNING TO A CROWD OR THE CEMETERY
Supposed you are being chased by a madman, and you had the choice of running either to a mall full of people or a cemetery, where would you run? I think we would all run to the mall, where there are living people who can help you, and not to the cemetery where the dead rest. No one is going to response to your cry for help.
No wonder Peter and John were so confident.
• They were not overly surprised by what had just happened. They know the Lord can do wonders, as they had seen Him doing wonders for over 3 years.
DOES NOT LOOK REAL ENOUGH
An elderly woman made her living selling artificial fruits. A customer always complains that her fruits do not look realistic enough.
One day this customer came again. She pointed to an apple, saying it was too red, too round and too big to be a real apple.
At that point the artificial fruit lady picked up the apple and proceeded to eat it.
Once you see her eating the apple, you have nothing to say.
The crowd saw the miracle and they were surprised. Peter tells them about Jesus.
• Read Acts 3:12-16. Peter tells them they made a big mistake in rejecting Jesus – He is our God. He urged them to repent and put their faith in Jesus.
• “Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (v.12) He was healed because he puts his faith in Jesus.
Acts 4:4 tells us “many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.” And this was only the beginning.
• Since then, for more than 2000 years now, believers like you and me believe in Jesus and experience His reality in our lives.
• We pray and we experience His power. We worship Him and experience His presence.
• That is why someone wrote the song BECAUSE HE LIVES – because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is gone. Because I now He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives.
CROSSING THE RIVER (Max Lucado in SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY tells this story:
A missionary in Brazil discovered a tribe of Indians in a remote part of the jungle. They lived near a large river. The tribe was in need of medical attention. A contagious disease was spreading across the village. People were dying daily.
A hospital was not too terribly far away — across the river, but the Indians would not cross it because they believed the river was inhabited by evil spirits. And to enter its water would mean certain death.
The missionary explained how he had crossed the river & was unharmed. But they were not impressed. He then took them to the bank and placed his hand in the water. They still wouldn’t go in. He walked into the water up to his waist & splashed water on his face. It didn’t matter. They were still afraid to enter the river.
Finally, he dove into the river, swam beneath the surface until he emerged on the other side. He raised a triumphant fist into the air. He had entered the water & escaped. It was then that the Indians broke into a cheer and followed him across.
Jesus crossed the river of death and conquered death. Today, we have this same hope and future.
Paul said, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection…” (Phil 3:10)
• He saw the resurrected Christ in an unusual way. He was on the road to Damascus - to persecute and arrest Christians - but the Lord appeared to him in a bright light (cf. Acts 22:6-9).
• That changed him completely. He became a preacher of the very message that he was against.
Dear brothers, a dead man is not worthy of our worship. But He lives today, hallelujah!
• If He is alive, then He is listening in to us today. When we pray “in the Name of Jesus”, we can expect His response and help. He lives and hears our prayers.
• Man can give you good advice, but only Jesus can give you’re the power to change. Trust Him.
THE HYMN: HE LIVES!
On Easter morning, as he was preparing for church, Alfred flipped on the radio as he shaved and was astonished to hear the broadcaster say: “Good morning, it’s Easter! You know, folks, it really doesn’t make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not. As far as I’m concerned, His body could be a dust in some Palestinian tomb.”
Alfred was angry. “It’s a lie!” he exclaimed. His wife rushed into the bathroom, asking, “Why are you shouting so early in the morning?”
“Didn’t you hear what the broadcaster said?” Alfred replied.
“Listen here, Alfred Ackley,” his wife said at last. “It’s time you did that which you can do best. Why don’t you write a song about it and then maybe you’ll feel better?” Alfred is a musician and composer.
Alfred went to his study, began writing the words to "He Lives". A few minutes later, he was at the piano putting it to music.
I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
Refrain: He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
