TEARING DOWN 4 WALL THEOLOGY
TEXT: ACTS 3:1-11
BY PASTOR DWIGHT HORD
Into: I am sure everyone sometime in life has missed out on a great opportunity. We miss out on some fun or great adventure because we weren’t available to take a phone call or we were at the wrong place at the wrong time.
I was reminded about the man who worked for the famous record company Decca, who turned down the Beatles. Another company, Capital records booked them, and the rest is history. The birth of the most famous rock band in history.
It is easy to read accounts like the guy from Decca and chuckle, but we too miss great opportunities, sometimes daily; such as the opportunity to lead someone to Christ, or bring encouraging words to one who is going through hard times. In our text today we read of two men who made the most of an opportunity that was life changing for one man, and caught the attention of many.
Acts 3 :1-11… One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.
The stage is set.
• Notice in vs. 1&2 what exactly was going on.
• Peter and John were going to the temple for an afternoon worship service.
• A lame man was brought to the temple gates daily. (It says, He was carried there)
• He was strategically place so all could see and pass him.
The request made.
• The crippled man asked for money
An answer given.
• We do not have gold or silver, but I give you what we have.
An unexpected gift
• He received healing
• He received a hand to help him to his feet
• He received salvation
• He received freedom from sin and physical bondage
• He received an invitation to go to church
An obvious revelation.
• The people saw him
• They recognized him
• They came to see what had happened
• They saw a changed man
This truly was a great event in Biblical history. It was an awesome experience to see two of the close followers and friends of Jesus put their faith and God’s power into action.
As I read and studied this passage, God pointed out to me several important points that we need to see, and realize in our Christian walk.
• First: God put this crippled man in the exact place he needed to be so God could be glorified.
• Second: The crippled man was looking for a monetary hand out
• Third: The disciples recognized the real need of this man
It is important to note, the disciples realized that the man’s need was not for money but for healing both psychical, and spiritually.
They obeyed God right on the spot. They pronounced healing in the name of Jesus, and then gave him their hand to help him up. People need us to offer an out reached hand to help lift them up in times of need.
I can see in our society today we might have said something like this…“Well we don’t have any funds available to help you out, but we will put you on our church prayer list and pray for you on Wednesday night.”
Sound familiar? I’m sure this very thing plays out hundreds of times a week. We have compassion for those in need but we don’t seize the opportunity to show the love of Jesus to someone who so desperately needs to feel the touch of God.
We have become the church of 4 walls. If you come to our church, and if you join, if you come on a regular basis, and we see some real dedication, if you give extra to our building fund and become a “team player” then we can pray and help you.
We attach so many legalistic stipulations that it makes it nearly impossible for someone to cut through all these layers and chains of legalism.
We build mega million dollar church facilities with back breaking mortgage payments to attract new members, while the spiritual needs of our communities pile up like the fresh driven snow.
Our pastors have be come the Pharisees of today. “Look at us and what we are doing for God. Look at the huge membership we have. Look at how God is blessing our church, but don’t ask us to visit you in the hospital, or give you some of our valuable time. We have to run the business of the church you know.”
We try to bait people into our churches today with “Gadgets and Gimmicks”. Come to church and get a free meal. Come to church and get in on a drawing for a free ipad. Come to church and jump up and down on our inflatable’s, and enjoy a free pony ride. Come join our sports programs. Fun for the whole family.
I am truly amazed at the account in the book of Acts. There were 3000 on the Day of Pentecost who responded to Peter's preaching (Acts 2:41). They heard the gospel. No gadgets, no gimmicks… just The Gospel.
I believe we are missing many opportunities because we can’t see past the 4 walls of the church.
As I researched this message and spent time in prayer, God revealed to me a very important revelation. It was something I had never seen before in all my studies and teachings.
Not one single miracle Jesus preformed was preformed in the Temple.
All his miracles were done in the streets, market place or someone’s home. His miracles were all preformed where there were people in need. On the street! Outside the 4 walls of temple. No mega building. No give away. No sports programs. No gimmicks or gadgets, Just the Gospel.
God revealed to me in this scripture lesson that it doesn’t take gold or silver to move the hand of God. It doesn’t take a mega church building to touch and meet the needs of the lost. It doesn’t take a six figure salary to motivate the Holy Spirit to act on God’s behalf. Here is what it takes… Putting feet to our Faith! Get outside of the 4 walls. Get in the trenches where the war is ragging.
James makes this very issue clear. Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:17
We are told in 2 Timothy 4:2 preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
Did you notice Paul’s words to Timothy… Be Prepared! Be Prepared in season and out of season. Be Prepared in the church building and outside the church building. Be ready at any moment. Miracles and spiritual needs are not just met in church, but anywhere and everywhere. We need to go, to look, and be available to share God’s Word. We need to be prepared to encourage, correct the wrongs and injustices in the lives of our community where the Holy Spirit leads us. Rebuke where wrongs are being done, and show the right way- God’s way.
It is hard if not impossible to establish these things sitting in the pews of our churches.
God commanded us- the church, in Matthew 28:19…Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
So where is Go? It is outside the 4 walls of the church. We need to seek out and find those that God has waiting for us to give a prayer, a smile, a hug, or an encouraging word, or share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
BOTTOM LINE_________________
Jesus preformed 34 recorded miracles in the four gospels. Only 2 were done in the Temple. He went out and met those in need at the point of their need. He went out into their world. We need to follow the example of Jesus. Take it to the streets. We don’t have groceries come to us, we have to go out and get them and bring them in. It’s the same with those in need and, potential church members. Follow the lead of Jesus… Go out into all the world.
Pastor Dwight Hord
IM4HIM
