I’LL GIVE YOU WHAT I HAVE
Acts 3:1-11
GETTING STARTED:
- At the close of chapter 2 – there is a powerful description of the culture of the early church. Let’s look at it in Acts 2:42-47. They are sharing fellowship, teaching, prayer, and worship. The Lord is doing great miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a church you where you want to attend.
- Now at the start of chapter 3 – Luke will give specific examples of their faithfulness to pray – and of a great miracle that was done. Luke is a researcher and clearly this account feels like he got it directly from Peter.
WE HAVE SOMETHING AMAZING TO GIVE.
- There is a man lame from birth – we know from Acts 4:22 that he is more than 40 years old. This means that Jesus likely had walked past this man – but he did not think to ask for healing. He probably did not even think that it was possible for him to walk. But Ephesians 3:20 tells us that we serve a Lord who is able to do infinitely more than we might ask or think.
- Peter looks at this man who is asking for money – and changes the conversation. We don’t have money – but I will give you what I have. Then he powerfully invokes the name of Jesus with the command to get up and walk.
THE LESSON: We have what people need more than anything else. We have the
power of God that has saved us – filled us – and equipped us. When we immerse
ourselves in the culture of faith – fellowship – the word – miracles and signs and wonders – We will begin to minister in a new boldness that meets the needs of hurting people.
A PICTURE OF WHAT SPIRITUAL GIFTS LOOK LIKE IN OPERATION. Acts 3:7-8
- This is such an amazing miracle – but it causes me to ask – where does the boldness come to do something like this. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 of spiritual gifts that continue the ministry of Jesus. In this occasion we see 2 of them in operation. The gift of faith – a spiritual impartation to believe for something amazing that gives God glory.
- The second gift in operation is the working of miracles. This man not only is healed – but he also instantly knows how to walk and run. Not just a single miracle – but miracles. WE have the same Holy Spirit in us.
SIGNS AND WONDERS AND MIRACLES GIVE GOD GLORY. Acts 3:9-11
- Not only is this man walking – he is praising God. God is about to get all the glory. What comes next – that we will look at next week is Peter’s powerful declaration about who did this miracle.
- Jesus said in John 10:38 that miracles cause people to believe. He inferred that if you can’t believe because of me – believe in the evidence of the miraculous works. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTINUES THE MINISTRY OF JESUS.