Unstoppable – The Point of Our Need
10/8/17
Acts 3-4
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon. 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. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 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.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went w/ them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled w/ wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:1-10
Thomas Aquinas once called on Pope Innocent. Entering the room, the Pope was counting a large sum of money given to the church. The Pope said, “See Thomas, the church can no longer say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’” Aquinas replied, “”True Father, but neither can she say, ‘Stand up and walk.’”
I fear Aquinas was correct. It would appear the more wealth the church has amassed, the less it has relied on the H.S. The powerful it has become the more the church thinks it can be accomplished through human ability/ingenuity.
A few weeks ago we started a series of lessons in the book of Acts entitled Unstoppable. As I’ve mentioned every week, when something is unstoppable – it can’t be stopped. It is indomitable, unbeatable, and invincible.
This is God’s call upon the church. We learn in Acts 1:8 that from its inception, God intent/calling on the church was that it was to be an unstoppable movement of the H.S. to take the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection into the world so all mankind might be rescued from sin and restored into a right relationship w/ the Creator.
Remind: You will receive power when the H.S. comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the world. Acts 1:8
When the H.S. showed up – He showed out! On the day of Pentecost – the H.S. blew in, came upon the disciples giving them an ability to speak other languages, anointed Peter to proclaim the Gospel – and over 3,000 accepted Christ and the church was born. In Acts 3, the story continues.
Let me recap the story. Shortly after Pentecost, one day Peter and John are in Jerusalem walking into the Temple through the Beautiful Gate. As they approach the entrance, they lock eyes w/ a crippled man who was panhandling.
You have to know that as soon as this man saw Peter/John he was hopeful they were going to give him some money. This man had been crippled since birth. Meaning he had been an outcast his entire life. He was accustomed to people walking by him, ignoring his existence. So when he actually had someone attention – there was hope for help.
How disappointing it must’ve been to hear – “We don’t have any money…” THEN WHY STOP! I don’t need your pity – and I don’t want your advice.
Have you ever been in need but instead of getting help you got advice or sympathy… Thx but no thx.
But that’s not where the story ended. They had more for the man than advice. Led by the Spirit – they met this man at the point of his need and met his physical/emotional need and also his spiritual need by becoming instruments of healing giving this man a completely new life.
This encounter spawned a 2nd opportunity for Peter to proclaim the Gospel – and he stepped up once again and delivered the truth – and the H.S. moved.
Only not everyone in the audience was quite as receptive as on the Day of Pentecost. The religious had them arrested. BTW – that’s when you know the H.S. is at work and God is on the move. As they’re being hauled to jail for preaching the Gospel – 5,000 people are coming to Christ.
I SEEK the Lord
All ministry begins and ends w/ God and the H.S. Walking in step and in tune w/ God is the starting point of ministry.
II SEE the Need
Walk w/ your eyes open to the need and your ears open to the H.S. – God will direct you to the miracle.
III SEIZE the Opportunity
This is about having a courageous faith. Believing God can most often is the determining factor in our faithfulness.
IV SPEAK the Truth
Acts 4:12 – Salvation is found in no one else.
V STAND Your Ground
Carl’s Memorial – Romans 1:16
