What I Have I Give To You Series

Introduction

I. I heard a neat story at PBU on Wednesday, told by a pastor from Calvary Church at Souderton.

A. The pastor told of how nine years ago, as a student in a bible college down south, he had been required to perform a ministry, as all students were.

B. He decided that, even though he didn’t know how to roller skate, he was going to go to the local roller rink, and in the midst of falling down, share the gospel as God would allow.

C. He told of an e-mail he had recently received,

1. It seems that a young lady had tracked him down by Googeling his name.

2. This lady had gone to this extent, in order to say “thank you”.

D. It seems that those many years ago, she had been one of the people he had shared the Christ with.

E. She wrote

1. At the time she had not accepted Christ as her savior, BUT, she did remember what he had shared.

2. Some time later, in large part to his efforts she had become a believer in Christ.

3. She also wrote, how God had then begun to change her life.

a. It seems that she was now very committed to Christ herself,

b. She had just returned from a short terms missions trip, and was very involved in sharing the Good News of Salvation with anyone that would listen.

F. The point of the Pastor’s sharing on Wednesday was to encourage the students at PBU to get involved, because even when you don’t see the results, God is faithful to do His good pleasure.

II. As I listened, I wondered how many people this pastor had shared Christ with, during his skating days.

A. And I thought, that in all liklihood very few if any actually accepted Christ in that ministry; probably very few, if any.

B. Sometimes, we never know how God will use our faithfulness.

III. Perhaps he thought at times that, as a ministry, he wasn’t very successful.

IV. I could only imagine how he must have felt to know that his faithfulness was to be rewarded, only later, and yet God would allow him a glimpse of his service.

V. Not all of us are bold enough to share with complete strangers, but if we are convinced that Christ is the only way to salvation, all of us can be bold enough to share with someone in need.

VI. Acts 3 relates the story of the Apostles Peter and John, and a beggar crippled from birth, that faith made whole.

A. Maybe Acts 3, verse 6 should be our verse of inspiration when we come across the opportunity to share what Christ is capable of.

B. “...Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to 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 become strong.”

C. Silver and gold, we do not always have, but what we do have is Jesus Christ.

D. The lame man walked, and all the people in this public place were amazed.

VII. Acts 3 16 is our anchor verse this morning - “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

VIII. In order for us to understand Peter’s statement in verse 16, we must first look at the beginning of chapter 3.

The Setting For a Miracle (vs. 1-3)

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.

2 And a certain man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.

3 And when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.

I. The church of Jesus Christ has just been born.

II. Prior to his ascension, Christ had told the future church to wait in Jerusalem until they had been empowered by the Holy Spirit.

III. You may also recall that chapter two contains the story of the believers assembled in the Upper Room, in obedience to that command.

A. The Holy Spirit came, and annointed the 120.

B. That church then committed themselves,

1. To prayer

2. The Apostles teaching,

3. Breaking of bread

4. Fellowship, and

5. Worship

C. Peter was annointed to preach his first sermon, and 3000 came to faith.