SPENDING TIME WITH JESUS
ACTS 4:1-22
Key verses are 4:13, 23-31
INTRODUCTION:
The first recorded miracle of the church takes place in chapter three of the book of Acts. Here is one of the most familiar stories of the New Testament, the story of the healing of the lame man at the gate of the temple.
Peter and John had just been in the upper room where the baptism in the Holy Spirit was poured out on the 120 who were there praying. From this place of power and the manifestation of the very presence and majesty of God, they walked out into the world of suffering and shame that they lived in. A phrase struck me this week, ... they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
I know that they wanted to stay in His presence, in that place of blessing and power, but life doesn’t leave us in those places. Sooner or later we must face the realities of everyday life with all of its struggles, troubles and problems.
I can’t help but think that Peter and John would have wanted to live in that place of peace, but that’s not why the Holy Spirit came into the upper room.
Dan Campbell: SERMONCENTRAL.COM “Who Have you Been With Message”
Spending time with Jesus Effects you and Causes you to do something.
Lets read v23-31 and look and see what it has done for Peter and John this day.
1. IT CAUSES YOU TO TELL OF HIS POWER v7-10
A. HIS WONDERFUL NAME v10
1. It heals the impotent man in v9
2. All can see his healing openly v14
3. Not only did he give Praise to the Lord in the Temple 3:8
4. He also Praised Him in Streets and any Prison 4:1-3
When you have been touched by the Mighty hand of The Lord Jesus Christ, you have no care where you are, who you may be with, and who sees and hears you….. You just have to tell somebody
2. IT CAUSES YOU TO TELL OF HIS CRUCIFIXION v10
John Phillips in His book “Exploring Acts” pg.87 says it this way…..
There was Individual Guilt: by both Herod and Pontius Pilate
Herod Antipas, who was a king of the Jews, mocked Jesus; (Israel)
Pontius Pilate, A Gentile ruler, murdered Jesus. (Gentiles)
Herod scorned Him because he was angry
Pilate sentenced Him because he was afraid
The motive for rejecting Christ is different, the result the same
There was Corporate Guilt: the Gentiles, and the people of Israel
Pilate and the soldiers who executed his sentence represented the whole Gentile world
The people of Israel were represented by their leaders and the ob that howled for the death of Jesus
When you have spent time with Jesus its not Ignorance that people hear from you, but the Crucifixion
3. IT CAUSES YOU TO TELL OF HIS RESURRECTION v10
Not only has the Lord Jesus Christ been Raised from the dead
Not Only has the Stone been rolled away from the Tomb
Not Only has the Tomb been vacated
Not Only have the Grave clothes been left behind
Not Only has the Tomb been left open, but we can go and see that He is Gone
In His resurrection He has brought us Hope, Joy, Grace, Justification, Sanctification, a new Vision of Heaven and lost people, Power, Love, Eternal Life, Joy Unspeakable and full of Glory, Relationship, Fellowship, Acceptance, Place in the Family, Place at the Table, Place in the Lamb’s Book of Life
What do you think it was that they offered to the lame man laying at the gate of the Temple called Beautiful.
What they offered him, the Lord Jesus Christ is offering to you here today.
4 IT CAUSES YOU TO TELL OF HIS SALVATION v12
There is no other man, or no other power and authority at all;
It is used in this way….We all think we know someone of authority. (Amen) Weather its your boss, a police man, a politician, a judge, a dignitary, a senator, etc; and when the time is come we think that we can drop their name to help us or to get us out of a situation. (amen)
Peter and John not only tell of His Power, His Crucifixion, and His Resurrection, but they drop in there is NO other way to be SAVED then by the same Jesus Christ whom they have Crucified, and has been Resurrected from the Dead…..I LOVE IT
Spending time with Jesus, telling of His Power, His Crucifixion, His Resurrection, and His Salvation has and Effect on people.
5. IT CAUSES OTHERS TO PROCLAIM HIM v15-18
They were Convinced, but not Converted They were Silenced, but not Satisfied
They Marveled, but not Believed They were full of Admiration, but far from Faith
In their rebuke of what Peter and John were preaching, and what has happened to this impotent man, they were confirming the text (v13) they all had been with Jesus, and He has touched the life of this impotent man
CLOSING:
It is not just the fact they (had) been with Jesus. (a lot of people have been close to Him and His blood, His cross, have heard His voice, seen His Wonder Working power, and have left with no change)
It is those that know him, not just know of Him that the Lord uses to bring His message of the Hope of Glory forward to a lost and dying people.
I’m asking you today, is there any evidence that you have been with Jesus. It great that you have come to church, its great that you have carried your Bible, its great that you sung in the choir, its great you brought in a visitor, but do you know that you have been with Jesus. Spending time with Jesus will be known by others by the change in YOUR life.
For the Cause
Rev. Jerry Stepp
5/8/11
