The Reason And Result Of Witnessing Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 4

The Reason and Result of Witnessing

Acts 3:1-26

Dismiss children for nursery (under 4) and children’s church (ages 4-7)

Food train still avail for Will Skelton and Donna Stewart (FB page)

No Wednesday night for adults this week – couple weeks off

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- Might ask, “Why Acts?” Keep this in mind throughout this series:

-- We’ve already unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)

-- And looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)

- However … in order to get to Revelation – we have to focus on the NOW

-- The “NOW” is found in Acts – it is the things we must be doing as the Church

-- It is the example of what the Church should follow in order to reach the world

- Last week we saw the response and calling of believers who know Jesus

-- Greatest limitation of the Spirit is the refusal to do what we MUST!

-- Result of the Spirit’s arrival is a turning point: Witnessing for Christ had begun!

-- What the crowd “heard” (result) was the “wonderful things God has done” (v11)

- Today, we are going to focus on the call to witnessing – what it looks like

-- Understand this, you don’t have to be a theologian to be able to share

-- If Jesus has done something for you – then you can tell what that is!

- Read Acts 3:1-26 / Pray

- TR: Another great proclamation, with an even more impactful message …

Point 1 – How should we witness for Jesus?

- This is the first recorded miracle of the NT church – a healing of a crippled man

-- But see this: It is the wonderful work of God that enables this

-- APP: God shows His power if we are willing to do what we are told

-- Peter’s declaration is simple – it is the power of Christ that he shared

- Cause: Four wonderful results come from being willing to simply testify:

1. Jesus works through those who are faithful in prayer (v1)

-- We know the disciples spent great time in prayer – were faithful to prayer

-- Have no power? Not seeing God in your life? How is your prayer life?

2. Jesus works through those who look for the needs of others

-- Consider, how many years had this man suffering? 20, 30 40?

-- Peter saw that this man had a great need that required an answer

3. Jesus works through those who look to fulfill others needs

-- The man calls specifically for help – Peter replies: “Look at us!” (v4)

4. Jesus works through those who reach out to meet the need (v6)

-- Peter stepped in to fill what this man desired; but it wasn’t money

-- Sure, money would have helped for a day … but for a life? He’d need more!

- So, when the man asked for help, Peter’s response to this man is heartfelt

-- Silver and gold are not what you need – even though you ask for it

-- For Us: What you need is not found in the earthly things that you are asking for!

- Peter saw this man for what he truly lacked, he truly saw this man (OT example)

-- 1 Samuel 16:7, “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

- Yes - as God looks at mankind, He sees the need of our heart – not our wallet

-- Peter saw it too … the man needed Jesus – not another trinket / coin

-- Peter says, Silver and Gold have I none …

- Effect: The man was completely changed – everything about him

-- Not only can he walk, but he could shout! He could dance! He could worship!

- Something to see here …. WHERE were they going? See v1 (temple)

-- The man went in praising God and rejoicing for the good work of the Lord

-- Much like the disciples when they proclaimed the work of God in Ch 2

- But notice what the reaction of the people gathered was …

-- They were surprised – after all they knew this man, yet now he’s different

-- GR: ekstasis; bewilderment

- But there is more here: Note: They were on their way to church

-- The crowd was there to offer daily prayer/offering/worship to God

-- So when God shows up … and they are … astonished? Without words?