Silver and Gold
Text: Acts 3:1-11
Introduction
1. Illustration: Mark Roberts wrote of a time when he visited the Capitol as a guest of Congressman John Campbell. If he was with the congressman, he could walk freely around the Capitol, entering many areas that were reserved "for authorized personnel only," reserved for members of Congress and their guests. He could enter those places, not because of who he was or because of what he had done, but because of who Congressman Campbell was. The name "Congressman John Campbell" opened doors. So, it is when we come before God in the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus opens doors!
2. As you read the NT, one thing becomes very clear, the early church was always looking for open doors to share the Gospel.
3. As a NT church ourselves, there are certain things we should always expect…
a. Expect an open door
b. Expect a miracle
c. Expect people to notice
4. Read Acts 3:1-11
Proposition: We should always expect God to open the door for us to share the Gospel.
Transition: The first thing we should expect is…
I. Expect An Open Door (1-3).
A. Peter and John Went to the Temple
1. Luke begins this section with the apostles living out their daily routine. In v. 1 he says, “Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.”
a. The Jews had three hours of prayer in the Temple, 9, noon, and 3 in the afternoon.
b. This shows that Peter and John were still living as faithful Jews, but now they had a new mission and purpose.
c. But it also shows that God presents us with opportunities to share the Gospel in our daily lives.
d. Peter and John were doing what they normally did and God opened up a door for them.
2. Again, we see God opening a door with everyday events. In v. 2 it says, “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.”
a. Beggars would routinely sit at places of high traffic like well-traveled roads, in large cities or like this instance at the main entrance to the Temple.
b. This beggar had been lamed from birth, so, he survived at the generosity of those coming into the Temple.
c. Notice that this was something he did “each day.” This was his life, and he knew nothing else.
3. This is where Peter and John enter the story. Luke tells us, “When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.”
a. He was doing what he always did, day after day, but this day was going to be different because God put Peter and John in his path.
b. He asked them for money, but they were going to give him something much greater than money.
c. Peter and John were going to use this everyday occurrence to change this man’s life forever!
B. Keep Your Eyes Open
1. Illustration: Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
2. Expect God to open doors, but we need to be ready to walk through them.
a. “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks” (Lk. 12:35-26).
b. One thing we know for certain is that the Lord wants us to share the Gospel with people we meet.
c. And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mk. 16:15).
d. So, if the Lord wants us to share the Gospel with all the world, don’t you think he’s going to open doors?
e. Do you think he will open doors for you at work?
f. Do you think he will open doors for you at school?
g. Do you think he will open doors with your family?
h. Do you think he will open doors at the grocery store or the gas station?
i. The question isn’t is God going to open doors for us, but are we willing to walk through them?
j. The problem is as Thomas Edison described, “it looks like work!”
k. Wait for the door to open, and then run through it as fast as you can!
Transition: The next we should do is…
II. Expect A Miracle (4-8).
A. Get Up and Walk
1. Now this is where the story gets interesting. In vv. 4-6 it says, “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, get up and walk!”
a. Rather than just giving the man money or just ignoring him and walking by Peter gave the man his undivided attention.
b. He then asked the beggar for his attention, and the man gave it.
c. Of course, the man was hoping for money, but Peter made it clear that he had something better in mind.
d. Peter tells the man, “I don’t have silver or gold for you. But I will give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
e. Peter tells him that he doesn’t have any money for him, but he then offers him something better.
f. He tells him in the name of Jesus get up and walk. You’ll notice that Peter uses the name of Jesus.
g. In Peter’s society, a person’s name expresses the very nature of that person. So, the persons authority is present at the mention of their name.
h. Peter is making it clear that he is not going to heal him, but Jesus will!
2. Next, we see Peter doing something very important. In vv. 7-8 it says, “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.”
a. Peter shows his faith in the power of Jesus name. In an expression of that faith, he grabs the man by his right hand and helped him up. Peter didn’t just hope the man would be healed, but he believed, he knew the man was healed.
b. The result of Peter’s faith was that when the man stood up, something he had never done before, because remember he had been lamed from birth, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened.
c. Peter had taken a step of faith, and now it was time for the beggar to literally take a step of faith.
d. Notice what the man does. He doesn’t just stand up; he jumps up and stood on his feet for the very first time.
e. Then he began to walk. But that wasn’t enough for this man, and he went from walking to leaping!
f. Knowing that this was an act of God himself, the man began praising God! Hallelujah! Praise the name of Jesus!
g. Then he did something else he had never done; he went into the Temple.
h. You see, as a cripple he wasn’t allowed to enter the Temple proper.
i. So, for the first time in his life he went into the Temple to worship God.
B. Everyday Miracles
1. Illustration: There once was a pastor in a community that was experiencing a sever draught. He announced one Sunday, that the next week they were going to have their morning worship service outside, and they were going to pray for rain. Well, the next Sunday rolled around, and the pastor got very upset with his congregation. Do you know why? Because he was the only one who showed up to church with an umbrella!
2. Expect God to work a miracle through you!
a. “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (Jn 14:12-14).
b. God is still in the miracle working business! I’m talking about medically verified, disease curing miracles. I’ve seen it and experienced it!
c. But there are even greater miracles than these. Every time a sinner repents and accepts Jesus as savior and Lord, it’s a miracle!
d. Every time a prodigal son comes home, it’s a miracle.
e. Every time someone is changed and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, it’s a miracle!
f. And God wants to use you to make that miracle happen!
g. Again, when he opens the door, will you walk through it?
Transition: We should also…
III. Expect People to Notice (9-11).
A. They Were Absolutely Astonished
1. As you might expect, this miracle raised quite a stir in the Temple. In vv. 9-10 Luke tells us, “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!”
a. Now remember, they all knew this man. They had seen him sitting every day at the entrance of the Temple. They knew he had been lamed his entire life.
b. And now they not only see him standing and walking on his own two feet, but he was jumping, leaping, and entering the Temple.
c. As you might imagine, “they were absolutely astounded!”
d. There could be no doubt about what had happened to the man. They couldn’t say it was fake, or that it was some elaborate rouse.
e. They knew this man, and they knew that the only way he could be walking, leaping, and praising God was because God had done a miracle in his life.
f. They all stood up and took notice!
2. Then Luke tells us that the scene became even bigger. In v. 11 it says, “They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.”
a. The beggar like a small child, as he clung tightly to Peter and John.
b. People started flocking out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, which was a covered porch with large columns which was just east of the entrance to the Temple.
c. You’ll notice that amazement of the people at what they saw. It may have reminded some of them of the words of Isaiah,
d. “The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.” (Is. 35:6).
B. The Wow Factor
1. Illustration: Jim Cymbala shares in his book, "Fresh Power": "But just as there are people who watch from the bleachers and never know the challenge of competing on the court, we have millions of churchgoers who sit in pews every week without ever entering the game. They sacrifice nothing, strain toward no ministry goals, never agonize in prayer for one soul, but pass judgment on how well the contest of faith is being played. Often, they act as if 'they know.' It looks easy from where they're sitting, but then again, they have never really attempted much for God." (Page 140, 141).
2. Are you ready to get off the bench and into the game?
a. “For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Rom. 10:13-14).
b. At one of the churches that we pastored in Arkansas, there was a family that lived right down the road from the church. I tried for a long time to get them to come to church, and they knew every time they saw me, I was going to invite them to church. Finally, I told them, “The only way to get me to shut up is to show up!” So, they did!
c. People notice what you do and what you say.
d. Are you going to be the person that always invites people to church, the kind of person who always shares the Gospel with people?
e. Or are you going to be the kind of person that people never knew you were a Christian because you never mentioned it?
f. Be the person who won’t shut up until they show up!
Conclusion
1. As you read the NT, one thing becomes very clear, the early church was always looking for open doors to share the Gospel.
2. As a NT church ourselves, there are certain things we should always expect…
a. Expect an open door
b. Expect a miracle
c. Expect people to notice
3. What’s the point preacher? If we want to be a NT church, we need to start telling people about Jesus! So, let’s get off the bench and into the game!
