The Impact of A Church With Pentecostal Power!
During this season of Pentecost, I want us to rediscover the purpose of the power made available to the Church. In describing the ministry of Jesus, Apostle Paul said, Ac 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
These disciples were commanded to wait for the power from on high, and there in an upper room they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. The book of Acts often speaks of the many wonders and miraculous signs that were done by the apostles. Now, in Acts 3, we are given a detail account of the lame man who was healed at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. We not only are called to witness the great miracle but we are also called to listen to Peter’s second sermon.
On the Day of Pentecost, the power of God turned despairing, fearful men into dynamic disciples. They had received the Holy Spirit and were clothed with power from on high. But why was the power given? The power of God seemed to have had two purposes. The first was power for personal transformation, power to become sons of God and secondly, power to assist in kingdom building, to be effective witnesses to the entire world. The power of God energized them to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit enables his disciples to reach out and touch human needs and share the message of the Gospel. Pentecostal Power enables us to reach out and touch others.
In our text today, Acts 3:1-11 we will notice how the power of God working through the disciples brought healing to a human life. We observe that persons who have been touched by the power of God were able to touch others in His name. Let’s carefully read the text again.
“Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,[a] get up and[b] walk!” 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John..”
This is the story of an underprivileged lame man trapped by a physical malady, who begged by the gate of the Temple which was called Beautiful. In this passage we see a valid example of the power of God to heal. This man was healed physically, but the message of this text is not limited to physical healing in any way. This passage deals with human predicaments on every level of life. Those who find themselves trapped in their own personal hellish condition. They find themselves outside of the mainstream of life with no way to get themselves up.
The Scripture tells us that this forty year old man was physically crippled from birth. He had never been able to stand or walk, to run or play as the other children. Now, as an adult, he must be carried by his friends everyday to the Temple grounds that he might panhandle for a living. There had never been a day in his life when he had not been a burden to somebody. He was born that way and he had never known the freedom of going anywhere without the assistance of others to carry him there. This man really symbolizes all humanity as we struggle with tragedies of life. Everywhere we look there is human hurt, human suffering, and human tragedy. Sometimes it maybe physical affliction, mental turmoil or spiritual barrenness, but it is all around us. But a Church with Pentecostal Power can make a difference!
How many people do we pass everyday that are crippled by economic situations, their job seems to be hanging by a thread? How many people do we pass by who struggle with relationship trauma, they don’t know what to do with their children; they don’t what to do about their marriage? How many are struggling with emotional issues, low self-esteem, guilt or depression? Behind every door there is human need. Every person has a story to tell. We’ve all been injure or damaged in some way. We’ve all experienced ill-treatment and abuse. We’ve all been disappointed and experienced failure at some level. Many who feel victimized are in constant search for healing. They search for and will try anything that they believe will ease their pain and misery. They really need to experience the love of God as manifested through Jesus Christ—and that’s the prevalent need that everyone has.
The Church was empowered at Pentecost to help people receive a touch from God. Every day this crippled man was brought to the Temple grounds to beg. The generosity of the worshippers was the most he could hope for. He was living on the sideline of life. He had never heard the good news. He couldn’t get into the church, and he probably thought, “All church people are good for is a hand out!” Unfortunately, this is the attitude of many people today. They hurt, but they hurt in silence, and the church is the last place they want to go. Many of them view the church as building full of self-righteous people who care nothing about their plight. Those who have a more favorable view of the church seem to lack the motivation necessary to get out of bed and attend a Sunday morning worship service. Others who attend the worship service have a low level of expectation. Can the Church help me? Can God help me? There are five things I believe a church with Pentecostal power ought to do. First, I believe a Church with Pentecostal power ought to raise the level of expectancy in those they encounter.
A Church with Pentecostal Power Raises the Level of Expectancy
At the hour of prayer, Peter stopped and said to him, “Look at us!” And verse 5 said, “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.” The man fastened his eyes on them expecting to receive something from them. He did not know what he was going to get. He probably thought it would be money, but his faith was quickened by Peter’s words. Expectation is necessary us to be used by God and for us to receive anything from God. I believe we should all raise our level of expectation.
Peter and John knew what they had received and they expected something to happen. They were expecting God to use them as He had used Jesus. They had been sent forth just as Jesus had been sent forth. John 20:21 “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” They had received the Holy Spirit’s power in the upper room and where expecting God to manifest Himself. I wonder how many believers really expect God to use them. Peter and John were in a state of high expectation. Now, they must raise the man’s level of expectation. Those who have received God’s power ought to expect to be used. We must help those we encounter to raise their level of expectancy. God seems meet us at the level of our expectation. Jesus always raised the level of expectation of those he encounter. Jesus made bold promises. He raised their expectation with statements like “Follow me and I will make you…” “This day you shall be with me…” “Shall receive an hundredfold in this life, and shall inherit everlasting life in the world to come.” Even though we may not be able to promise instant miracles, we can promise people that Jesus Christ will change their lives. We can assure them that God loves them and cares about their predicament. Through faith and prayer, something good is about to happen to you! A church with Pentecostal power ought to raise the level of expectation of those it encounters.
A Church with Pentecostal Power is an Instrument of Healing
When Peter got the man’s attention, the first thing he did was to admit that he might not have what the man wanted, but he believed he had something to help. Acts 3:6 “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” The crippled man probably thought that silver and gold was his greatest need. It was all he ever asked for. Peter and John understood they could not give what they did not have. Neither can we give what we do not have. They had received God’s power and were “partakers of His divine nature.” God used them as instruments of the healing power of God in the life of the crippled man.
Peter could only give out what he had. And so it is with us. If we do not possess a living relationship with Jesus Christ, we will never be instruments of his power. You can only give what you have. The apostles didn’t have silver and gold, but they had the power of God. How different this story might have been had Peter and John had money. It is also noteworthy to mention that they did not allow what they did not have to keep them from using what they did have. The church must not allow financial difficulties, small membership or personal issues to keep us from reaching out to others. God can and does use cracked pots and broken vessels to do his great work.
Once when he was to preach at the University of Sydney in Australia, John Stott lost his voice. He says: “What can you do with a missionary who has no voice? We had come to the last night of the evangelistic campaign. The students had booked the big university hall. A group of students gathered around me, and I asked them to pray as Paul did, that this thorn in the flesh might be taken from me. But we went on to pray that if it pleased God to keep me in weakness, I would rejoice in my infirmities in order that the power of Christ might rest upon me.
As it turned out, I had to get within one inch of the microphone just to croak the gospel. I was unable to use any inflection of voice to express my personality. It was just a croak in a monotone, and all the time we were crying to God that his power would be demonstrated in human weakness. Well, I can honestly say that there was a far greater response that night than any other night. I've been back to Australia ten times now, and on every occasion somebody has come up to me and said, "Do you remember that night when you lost your voice? I was converted that night."
Meditate on the simply prayer that was written by an unknown Confederate soldier;
“I asked God for strength, that I might achieve: I was made weak that I might obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things: I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy: I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men: I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life: I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I received nothing that I asked for, but all I had hoped for. My prayer was answered, I am most richly blessed.”
The Church must never allow material lack to keep from using the Spirit’s power. We can make a difference without great possessions, but we cannot make a difference without God’s power. His power working through the church brings people into the presence of the living God who can save, heal and deliver. His power working through His church should reach out to people and lift them up out of their tragic circumstances and give them hope and healing, friendship and fellowship. Verses 7 say, “And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” Only God can heal, but His church must be willing to extend our hands and lift people up. Notice that Peter used his right hand. The right hand is known as the hand of great strength and ability. The church must be willing to reach out and do all that we can to lift people. Peter did what he could do and God did the rest. A church with Pentecostal power must be courageous enough to raise the level of expectation and must reach out and lift people up as instruments of the healing power of God.
A Church with Pentecostal Power Is a Source of Great Joy
Acts 3:8 “So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.” The man who had never walked in his life stood up with a leap and he didn’t quit leaping. The man was changed. Not only was he healed, but joy flooded his soul. The Scripture says, "Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God." There was great joy because someone cared enough to reach out to him in the name of Jesus. The crippled man’s life was completely transformed. Peter and John lives were transformed in the process. Whenever we are used by God help others get up and get out, it is causes great joy for all those involved.
Now this poor man could move into the mainstream of life. He could walk, run, leap, work and live a full life. He knew somebody cared. He knew God cared enough to heal his life in every way. He was so excited, he could not contain himself. The disciples were equally excited. On the day of Pentecost, they had felt God’s power and witnessed its movement. But now they had been personally used to perform a phenomenal miracle in the name of Jesus. They were excited and it’s OK to be excited.
In his book The Crisis in the University, Sir Walter Moberly tells professing Christians, “If one tenth of what you believe is true, you ought to be ten times as excited as you are.” God’s word is true. His promises are sure. He did not leave the Church powerless. The church should rejoice that we have another comforter who promised never to leave us alone. Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend: "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians--and I am one of them."
A Church with Pentecostal Power ought have great joy and be the source of great joy and excitement over all that Christ has done and is doing. It is the kind of joy that was express by Sarah after Isaac was born. The kind of Joy expressed when the prodigal son returned home to his father. This kind of joy the church possesses and shares because we know who we are and to whom we belong. A Church with Pentecostal Power Ought To Raise the Level of Expectancy; A Church with Pentecostal Power Ought To Be Instruments of Healing Power; A Church with Pentecostal Power Ought to be cause of Great Joy; and
A Church with Pentecostal Power Experiences Signs and Wonders
Acts 3:9-10 “And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” (NKJV)
There was an immediate two-fold effect. The people were convinced that this miracle was a sign that God was at work, and that this miracle done in the name of Jesus. It gave credibility to both the ministry of Jesus as the Son of God and His disciples as those empowered to carry out His ministry. When people are convinced that God is at work, and they will listen to His message. Peter preached the rest of the evening and no one left. God was working with them confirming their words with signs and wonders. People still need to experience the immediate presence of God.
The church today, still need God to work with them confirm their message with signs following. I know this is a touchy subject. Many theologians believe miracles have passed away. I believe God is the same God, doing the same things and working miracles in our present world. I believe His miraculous power is limited only by our present day unbelief. Carefully read the verses below.
Mark 6:4-6 “But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.”
Our world today is in a missionary situation. Our society is filled pluralism and relativism. Relativism means that many believe there is no objective truth, and everyone can believe as he or she wants to believe. Pluralism believes that any truth can be seen in various ways. There is no one way to truth or one understanding of truth. Theologians seem to agree that miracles were needed in the past because the church was in a missionary situation. I contend that the church today is in a missionary situation. Yet, we are called to make disciples of all nations in the present age. In a recent article, The Condition of the Church in America, Pastor to Pastors Ministry compiled by Andy McAdams, release the following key statistics:
1. 1,400 pastors in America leave the ministry monthly.
2. Less than 20% of churches recognize or appreciated their pastor in some way annually.
3. Only 15% of churches in the United States are growing and just less than 5% of those are growing by conversion growth.
4. 10,000 churches in America disappeared in a five-year period.
5. The number of people in America that Do Not attend church has doubled in the past 15 years.
6. No more than 38% of the population attends church at all and that's in the Bible belt. The next highest is the Midwest at 25%, West 21% and the Northeast 17%.
7. Though the Bible Belt still boasts the highest percentage of church attendees, yet many of those churches are filled with legalism or extreme liberalism.
8. The vast majority of churches have an attendance of less than 75.
9. In 70 % of the churches in America, the pastor is the only full-time staff person
10. There are almost 100 million un-churched Americans, 11-20% of them claim to be born-again. They have either left the church or never connected for some reason.
11. The median adult attendance per church service in 1999 was 90 people, which is slightly below the 1998 average of 95 adult attendees and in 1997 it was 102. There seems to be a slight gradual decline.
12. Only 1/5 of the adult population attends Sunday school or some sort of Christian training.
13. 23% of church attendees say they attend a small group for growth and accountability.
14. Only 65% of Americans donate to a place of worship. Evangelicals however 85% donate to their church yet only 9% tithe.
15. 20-25% read their Bible consistently, 59% attend church weekly, 16% listen to Christian radio, 7% watch Christian TV, and 11% are held accountable to someone.
16. Only 60% of Christians say they are deeply committed to their faith, yet 85% of evangelicals make this claim.
17. Among the 71% of those who have heard of spiritual gifts, 31% can name a spiritual gift they believe they possess.
18. One in four have a place in the church where they serve.
19. Less than 50% say that the Bible is totally accurate, yet 60% of those that claim to be born-again.
20. 1/3 of church attendees believe they have a personal responsibility to share their faith with others.
21. 56% of the population believes salvation can be earned. Shockingly, 26% are among evangelicals.
22. Giving to charities increased in the past decade yet giving to local churches is declining.
23. Out of 100,000 churches in America less than 2% are considered mega-churches, (1,000 or more).
24. In his book, "Who Shall Lead Them", Larry Withham said, "20% Of US Churches Have No Future"
25. 1 out of 4 church attendees is considered church hoppers.
26. On average, just 7% of new church attendees are formally un-churched.
27. Leading church analysts Lyle Schaller, George Barna, and Mike Regele stress the alarming truth that over 80% of American Protestant churches are in plateau and/or decline.
28. The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that's 61% female, 39% male.
This gender gap shows up in all age categories.
29. This Sunday almost 25 percent of married, churchgoing women will worship without their husbands.
30. As many as 90 percent of the boys who are being raised in church will abandon it by their 20th birthday. Many of these boys will never return.
31. 88% of children from Evangelical churches will leave the church after High School.
32. And estimated 15 to 20 million people now in America have said they are Christians but they simply don't want to be a part of the church.
33. Only 4% of America's churches will ever plant a daughter church.
Although church experts differ on the exact percentages, the basic trends are the same. The church today finds itself in a missionary situation. The world needs to see the God who works in a mysterious way. They need to witness the visitation of the God who does wonders.
Although the people did not witness the miracle performed by God through Peter and John, they witnessed the evidence of a change life. They were filled with wonder and amazement. This man needed the same thing that all people need a touch from God. The power of Holy Spirit working in the life of believers made it available to him. The church was filled with Pentecostal power to be instruments used by God to lift fallen humanity who are hurting in silence, crippled in pain and do not even realize what they need. So they sit on the sideline of life asking for alms of silver and gold. The church must help them find the immediate presence of God. A church with Pentecostal power ought to raise the level of expectancy; ought to be an instrument of God’s healing power; ought to be cause of great joy; and ought to be a place that experiences signs and wonders because of the immediate presence of God.
A Church with Pentecostal Power Is a Credible Witness for God
This story reveals a remarkable pattern for what a Church filled with Pentecostal Power ought to be doing. We are called to be witnesses to a lost world. The lost world is made up of people in desperate need—someone who has hit bottom, a wretched sinner who has nowhere to turn, who’s flat on his back. And it also made up of those who live in our neighborhood, who may be mobile and affluent, who seem to have everything they need. The kind of people I’m speaking of all have nice houses, manicured lawns, at least two nice cars, fine clothes, children who are doing well in school, great jobs, and plenty of money. What more could they need? The truth is, things are not always what they seem. The down-and-out and the up-and-out have at least two things in common: They are both human and they both have deep needs. Inside every one of those nice houses sitting on their manicured lawns are people who hurt, people who have unmet personal needs. Many of those people have their own story of human tragedy, which they could tell, and every one of them needs a touch from God. The church is the change agent that God has chosen to use.
A Church with Pentecostal power ought to raise the level of expectancy; be an instruments of God’s healing power; be the cause of great joy; cause the unbelieving world to experience awe and amazement as the witness God’s signs and wonders and finally, and ought to be a credible witness for God and His kingdom.
Peter and John modeled for us a pattern for witnessing. Biblical witnessing always follows this pattern: (1) First God works: God does something. God changes a life. God does something that only God can do, and something that man cannot do. (2) Then People will always marvel and wonder at what God has done. (3) The witness explains what God did: The person tells what happened, he saw, what he experienced and demonstrates the results. The Witness becomes the basis for others to experience God’s power for themselves. This is why Peter says, "Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and courtesy," (1 Pet 3:15).
Are you like this lame man? Perhaps you have been lying at the gate looking for help, and you don’t expect any more than a friendly handout, or a little help along the way. But God has more to give you -- so much more -- if you will raise the level of your expectation, you can receive something more from that amazing name, the name of Jesus -- all that God has, wrapped up in that one name and made available to you. You too can rise up and walk. But more than that, you too can begin leaping and praising God.
If you are one like me that has been lifted, you have a story to tell. Remember, you may not be a Bible scholar who can quote all the verses of Scriptures. You may be young in the faith and inexperienced in faith sharing, but don’t let that stop you. Don’t allow what you do not have to stop you from using what you do have. Most people simply want to know if you have personally met Him. What did He do for you? How did he change your life? Do you think He can help me make sense of my life? John 9, tells a story a blind man giving his testimony. He said, “I met Jesus. He made clay and put it on my eyes and told me go wash!” The Jewish leaders questioned the Theology of Jesus. They questioned the loyalty of Jesus. They even questioned the parents of the blind man. The blind man kept saying, “Blind – Jesus – Washed – Now seeing, you figure out!” He knew his condition and he knew the difference Jesus made. Live your life so people you encounter can see the change Jesus has made in your life. Then share your story with them. A church with Pentecostal power ought to be a credible witness for God and His kingdom.
