10-7-2007
Look on Us
This morning we will be looking at two
Passages of scripture.
The one that we just read (Heb.12:1-4)
And as we step back in history we find
That like a sequel to a movie, we find that the book of Acts picks up the action begun in Luke's gospel.
Some refer to the book of Acts as "The Acts of the Holy Spirit," because it focuses on the coming of the spirit on God's people, the Church, in a new and powerful way.
As we refer to chapter 3 may we behold, look, take notice, observe and
See how revival comes not by human effort but by the " Power of the Holy Spirit."
This same Spirit is alive , active, operative, today.
Heb. 13:8 , Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.
LOOK ON US !
What an expression, does the church of America want the world to really"Look on Us?" What do you think ?
We have heard of the healing of the lame man in the 3rd chapter of Acts.
We notice how the miracle and the message coincided.
You see, miracles were never performed
Either by Jesus or His Apostles simply
to amaze the people.
These signs came to manifest the grace of God.
So as we go to God's Word.
The first word that we see is NOW.
Now - - t this present time.
After--Jesus had questioned Peter.
The Bible says in John 21:14,
After Jesus had risen from the dead.
Peter was being questioned by Him.
NOW !! AT THIS PRESENT TIME…
After Jesus had shown Himself alive by
Many infallible proofs.
After--He had commanded them to wait for the promise of the Father…Holy Ghost.
After--Jesus was taken up into heaven
Out of their sight but not out of mind.
After-- Peter Stood up…and begin to remind the 120 that the scripture must be fulfilled.
As David had spoken concerning Judas.
In the Old Testament. Another must take his place.
After--nominating Barsabas, & Matthias…
prayed.
(Acts 1:24 KJV) And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen,
(Acts 1:25 KJV) That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Voted
(Acts 1:26 KJV) And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias;
3.And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
After.. The Holy Ghost came ..
After.. The Power came Peter's 1st sermon
Peter & John---Temple
Hour of Prayer, time of sacrifice.( Prayer Meeting).
Morning -- 9:am.
Afternoon-3:pm.
Evening - Sunset.
Devout Jews & God fearing Gentiles..
Temple was still standing It was to remain another 40 Yrs.
Even though the veil was rent (torn)
Even though the old dispensation had come to an end.
The temple ( the church) was still the place where people gathered together to worship God at the regular hours of prayer.
These sacrifices had no real value at the temple.. BUT we find these two
Men of God wending their way to the
Temple to pray.
NOW , AT THIS PRESENT TIME,
NOW , AT THIS EXACT MOMENT,
Acts 3:1
Verse 1.…Peter & John went up together, into the temple at the hour of Prayer.
Poor Lame ( cripple, without strength, no ability to stand, unable to walk and WORK ).
Carried and laid daily, at the gate
This man was Born lame from his mother's womb.
Lame -- not by accident.
Beggar--must live upon ALMS…
ALMS..
Kind deeds, arising out of compassion,
Mercy, pity for the unfortunate.
14 times in Matthew, Luke, Acts…
!. Alms of the dish… Food & money received daily for distribution.
Alms for the chest… coins received on the Sabbath for widows, strangers, & the poor.
Deut.15:7-11--2 Cor.9:7-11,Matt.6:1-4 Matt. 7:7-11,
James 2:15-16…
(James 2:15 KJV) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
(James 2:16 KJV) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
As we look at him, we are reminded of the fact that everywhere we look there is human hurt, human suffering, and human tragedy.
Sometimes it manifests itself through a physical affliction such as this man had, but more often it goes unseen to human eyes.
For every one who is crippled physically, there are literally tens of thousands who are crippled emotionally.
And there are hundreds of thousands who are crippled spiritually. The message of this man is --that there are needs to be met in human lives everywhere.
And some people have those same needs in their lives even though it looks like everything is going along wonderfully. Many people in the non-Christian world view the church as a judgmental society of self-righteous hypocrites anyway.
But even if they have a good view of the church, there's not much to motivate them to drag their tired bones out of bed on a Sunday morning in order to come on to Church services.
This crippled man may have been like that.
Who would bring him a heavenly touch
Acts 3 Verse 2- 3
THE METHOD OF THE CURE
This lame man sat and begged at the gate called "Beautiful."
Someone CARRIED HIM , DAILY..
SOMEBODY laid him at the gate daily.
THIS BEAUTIFUL GATE
Entrance to the temple.
Opening.
Legal business, conversation, bargaining ,news or reading of the law
From historical accounts, we know that this gate was indeed an impressive sight. Much of it was made from Corinthian bronze.
It was inlaid with ornately decorated gold. As the sun would shine upon it, its glistening brightness could be seen for miles.
Yet, we find that the man sitting under its magnificent beauty, was a suffering human being.
How many of our co-workers or friends or neighbors appear outwardly to be doing OK, yet inwardly they are struggling?
They are over-extended financially.
They don't know what to do with their children. Their marriages are falling apart.
Their job is hanging by a thread. They've lost all self-esteem. They're guilty and depressed and don't know where to turn.
Behind every door there is human need. Every person has a story to tell.
We've all been hurt, we've all been used, we've all failed, and we all need healing. A-MEN?
We need Jesus-and that's the biggest need that anyone has. People need a fresh touch from God.
What this man needed, is what all people need , an anointed touch from God.
He needed the power of the Holy Spirit made available to him. But how was he to get it?
Every day he came to the Temple.
Every day he sat and begged.
You see He wasn't in the group at Pentecost.
He didn't know what was going on. He lived his life out of the main stream.
He was oblivious ( no clue) to the good news of God. He couldn't get to church, and I'm not sure he would have gone if he could.
Why should he go? What was there for him?Unfortunately, this is the same attitude that many people have today.
They hurt, but they hurt in silence, not being willing to share their deepest hurts with anyone else. And the church is the last place they want to go.
EXPECTANCY 4-5
It was the ninth hour, or three o'clock in the afternoon, which was the usual hour for prayer for the Jews. But it has special significance to the Christians.
Because it was the very hour on which Jesus had died on the cross .
The hour at which he had cried, "it is finished." (John 19:30)Peter stopped and said to him, "Look on us!"
According to verse 5 this man expected to receive something from Peter and John.
He did not know what he was going to get, obviously thought it would be money, but his faith was quickened by Peter's words.
This is very necessary to receive anything from God. You must expect something from him.
This man was expecting to receive from them. He had a real need.
Peter said to him. Silver & gold have I none-- But such as I have.
My Bros. & Sis. What do you have to give?
He gave him More than he asked for.
He gave him More than he expected.
He gave him what God had given him.
There is a song that we used to sing years ago entitled
What did You Come to this service For ?
Did you come to point a finger?
If you didn't come to praise His Name
Then you should walk right out that door.
He makes me do right when I could do wrong,
He makes my enemies leave me alone.
I've come to lift Him up,
I've come to Praise Him;
Cause I may not have this chance anymore.
HEALING vv. 6-7The minute that Peter had this man's attention he did two things;
First, he admitted he was bankrupt in material things. "Silver and Gold have I none." It was not that they were opposed to giving to the poor,
But they could not give what they did not possess.
Then, he demonstrated his Authority in the spiritual realm. "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise and walk."
Because the disciples were "partakers of the divine nature" (1 Peter 1:4) they could impart the power of Christ because they were full of Christ.
He could only give what he had. And so it is with us.
If we do not possess a living relationship with Jesus Christ, we will never be able to impart an anointed touch to others.
You can only impart what you have. It is important that we take care to develop our own spiritual life if we would impart spiritual life to others.
The apostles didn't have silver and gold, but they had the power of God. What we need are not possessions, but power:
Power to touch people's lives with the presence of the living God;
Power to reach out to people and lift them up out of their tragic circumstances and give them hope and healing, friendship and fellowship.
Unfortunately there are those, young and old alike, who turn off their minds when they get into a church service.
They start thinking of all kinds of other things, start taking mental trips and playing mental games.
Escape from the things at hand…
But unfortunately, as the life-changing truth goes out from the Scriptures they miss it. And it passes right by.
And they can sit here for years and never be changed."
Sit there and fail to receive God's revelations and the message of victory that He wants to impart to them.
Dr. Luke is very careful to make sure that we get the total impact of what happened next.
Verse 7 tell us, "And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength."
JOY v. 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.
As a result of this miracle. 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."
Because someone cared enough to reach out to him in the name of Jesus, his life had been transformed.
What did this mean to him?
It meant now that he could walk.
It meant that he could work.
It meant that he could live a full life.
But it meant more than that-much more.
It meant that somebody cared.
It meant that God loved him.
Now he could live in communion with God every day.
He had been healed in more ways than one. How could he help but rejoice? And that is exactly what he did.
He was walking and leaping and praising God. I'd say he was excited.
It's OK to be excited.
It's alright to be excited.
Ain't no harm in praising the True & Living God
Look at the metamorphosis of the man. There was a Vance Havner said, "Some dear souls think them-selves dignified when, really, they are petrified.
We have lost our leap." Well, we need to get it back.
Get your leap back!
Give God some Praise!
We stand at the Gate of Thanksgiving
There is only one entrance into the courts of Praise.
(This message was composed with the help of other Ministers whose sermons have impacted my life .I've gleaned from those who have blessed me and pray that it has brought Glory to God and Edified the body of Christ.)
Eldress M. Henderson- Pastor - Church of the Living God Athens, Texas
