Join us as Pastor Ryan preaches from Acts 3!

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Transcript:

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Introduction

SLIDE 1: ACTS

Acts chapter 3 today. Crack your bible open and let’s jump right in!

SLIDE 2: Beautiful

I’m calling today’s message: Beautiful.

Story

SLIDE 3: <BLANK>

Acts 3:1-2

Acts 3, verse 1,

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

The ninth hour, that’s 3pm. Peter and John are two of Jesus’ disciples. Remember Acts is the story of the early church. The previous chapter, chapter 2, told about when the church was filled with the Holy Spirit.

² And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

SLIDE 4: Temple

Temple

If you can see the screen, we’ll get that model of the temple up. This is known as Herod’s temple because it was Herod the Great that commission the lavish expansion of the Second Temple starting in 18 BC.

This rebuild continued until 65 AD – so throughout Jesus’ lifetime and at the time of our story today (around 33 AD), the work was still in progress. The central temple building was complete by this time, but work was continuing on the outer courtyard and surrounding structures.

Later, in 70 AD, as Jesus had foretold, this temple was destroyed by the Romans.

Beautiful Gate

So, you have the temple, that huge building (inside it’s divided by that curtain that was torn in two when Jesus died).

Directly around the temple is the Priests’ Courtyard.

Walking away from the temple (to the East), you have the Women’s Courtyard. These two courtyards are separated by the Gate of Nicanor. In the Women’s Courtyard, leading up to the Gate of Nicanor, the Levite Choir would have sometimes sung on those curved steps.

On the East of side of the Women’s Courtyard, was another gate. This is most likely the Beautiful Gate.

In our slide it’s the golden coloured door built into the outside wall there.

So, that door there is likely the gate that this man was laid at.

Acts 3:3-10

Carrying on in Acts 3, verse 3,

³ Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. ⁴ And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” ⁵ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸ And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Friends, this is awesome! Everyone that had entered the temple courtyards had seen this man begging. Now he’s leaping and praising God!

<look away from beggar>

A few weeks ago, I told you about the hard times I sometimes have with people asking for a bit of help on the median in Calgary: I’ll be in my car, stopped at a light. I’ll see that guy with the cardboard sign, and then, look away because… oh yeah, I just need to adjust my tunes.

Or, if you see that guy on the sidewalk… don’t make eye contact…

Right? That guy often makes us feel uncomfortable. I suspect that was the case here as well, “All the people… recognised him…”

SLIDE 5: <BLANK>

Peter & John

But how did Peter and John react when they saw him? Did they look away? Did they make sure they were deep in conversation? Did they fiddle with their tassles?

No! “…Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John…”

Now, I don’t know how this worked. Did Peter already know this man was going to be healed? Had the Holy Spirit somehow given him the heads-up?

I don’t think so. I suspect that both Peter and John, full of the Holy Spirit, didn’t feel insecure around this guy. I suspect it wasn’t until he started speaking that the command formed on Peter’s mouth, “…In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Following? If you have the Holy Spirit (that is, if you’re a Christian), if you believe that God is in control, if you believe it isn’t your responsibility to fix the world, then you don’t have to be scared to engage with that guy.

<phone escape>

Or, how about this example: We’ve become super bad at engaging when things get awkward. Picture this: you’re at the restaurant with a few friends and nobody says anything for 15 seconds / you’re walking down the street and that guy is there / you’re in a social situation and someone starts saying some stuff that is not okay or acting in a way that is not cool… What do you do? <pull out phone, start fiddling>

Friends, whatever your escape method. Figure out what it is: is it the phone / is it busyness / is it making a joke… ditch the escape and instead engage.

Trust that the Holy Spirit will give you whatever you need to. He won’t usually bring miraculous physical healing, but He might. It might still be uncomfortable – good, we can be embarrassed for Jesus!

Acts 3:11

Continuing at verse 11 then.

Watch the people’s reaction. Maybe you can see a little bit of that relief. I don’t think they’d been mean to this guy. I mean, his friends brought him out everyday.

But, they just didn’t know what to do with him. Peter and John led the way – the people followed.

We need to engage in this way. We need to show people how to interact with the tough or embarrassing situations we all experience.

¹¹ While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.

[Acts 3:11 ESVUK]

Solomon’s Portico

Solomon’s Portico. A portico is a roof or porch held up by pillars. Check this next drawing of the Temple Mount.

SLIDE 6: Temple Mount

North is up, East is to the right. The wall or portico to the East is Solomon’s Portico. So, it seems, by this point in the story, Peter and John and the guy that had been healed, are back outside the temple.

Now, Solomon was a king hundreds of years before this and the bible says he was super-wise. I wonder if Luke, when he was recording this account, didn’t include some of these details to give a bit of direction to the reader: The healing occurred at the Beautiful Gate (“Watch this awesome, beautiful thing.”). Then it’s explained by Peter at Solomon’s Portico (“That was beautiful, but what does it mean? This requires wisdom, come over to Solomon’s Portico to have it explained.”).

But later on in Acts, we learn that the Believers regularly met at Solomon’s Portico – it seems this became a meeting place. (That’s Acts 5:12.)

Acts 3:12

This is where, in today’s story, Peter explains what this healing is all about. Acts 3:12, All the people were gathered in Solomon’s Portico around this guy that had been healed,

¹² And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

[Acts 3:12 ESVUK]

Jesus

SLIDE 7: <BLANK>

Then, Peter continues his sermon, basically the message is this,

Verse 16,

¹⁶ And [Jesus’] name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. [Acts 3:16 ESVUK]

This is how God sometimes works. He’ll do some amazing signs and wonders (in this case, a guy that everyone knows as unable to walk is suddenly leaping!). But, signs and wonders don’t convince people. Signs and wonders don’t lead us to repentance. Signs and wonders don’t make us love God.

The signs and wonders attract us. Then we need to be taught.

Peter teaches: this healing, Jesus did this! Put your faith in Him. He can and has done much greater things.

Maybe this is you: you’ve seen some amazing signs & wonders. You know it’s a miracle. Maybe it’s a restored relationship. Maybe you found something that was lost. Maybe it was a miraculous physical healing.

What does it mean?

It means Jesus loves you. That miracle is a sign that was given to draw you to Him. Don’t wander off again.

Put your faith in his name. That is all that he is and has done.

Where do you get this faith from? This faith is through Jesus.

Pattern

But, let’s backup a little bit.

Alright, we’re in Acts chapter 3 (and a little bit into chapter 4) today, but note this: there’s a pattern here:

First, a miracle happens. (The guy that can’t walk is now leaping!)

Second, Peter explains its significance. (“This is Jesus!”)

Third, we see the consequence on the church. (That’s more in chapter 4 of Acts which we haven’t read today.)

This same pattern occurs both in Chapter 2 (which we studied last week). And here in our passage for today, Chapters 3 to 4.

Watch this:

First, a miracle happens.

First, a miracle happens:

In Acts chapter 2 (verses 1-13), we see the Holy Spirit fill the Believers.

In Acts chapter 3 (verses 1-10), we see a lame man leap and walk.

Second, Peter explains its significance (Acts 2:14-41 and Acts 3:11-26)

Next, Peter explains this miracle’s significance:

In both cases (in chapter 2 and here in chapter 3), Peter reminds those gathered that they killed Jesus. “But God raised Him from the dead and,” he says, “we [the apostles] are witnesses of this!” (Acts 2:22-24, 32; Acts 3:13-15)

In Acts chapter 2 (verse 33), Peter explains that it is this Jesus that poured out the Holy Spirit on the Believers.

In Acts chapter 3 (verse 16), Peter explains that it is faith (that comes through Jesus and that is in His name) that healed this man.

In both chapters, Peter then calls the people to respond:

Acts 2:38,

…“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 ESV)

Acts 3:19

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” (Acts 3:19 ESV)

This is a call to you too today:

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Third, we see the consequence on the church.

Finally, we see the consequence on the church.

In Acts chapter 2 (verses 42-47) we see a Spirit-filled church that learns, worships, shares, and witnesses.

In Acts chapter 4 (verses 1-38) we see a church that is persecuted, that prays, and that shares.

Let’s Do the Same

Brothers and sisters, there’s a pattern here that we are to replicate.

Miracle

It starts with a sign or a wonder. God does something. Maybe it’s miraculous. It’s something different.

If Jesus had checked with Peter in advance, Peter might have pushed back, “That seems a little inconvenient.” Or “I’m not qualified to explain that.” Or “No. How do I even know You’ll show up?”

I think that’s sometimes our response. Let’s not do that anymore. In these early chapters, it seems the apostles were just living in the moment. Not making big plans, just following the Holy Spirit’s leading at the instant He led.

“This man you’re looking at, tell him to get up.”

The Holy Spirit might not work the same miracles in our lives; but we do have the same Holy Spirit and He will work miracles in our lives. Are you willing to take a risk?

Explain it

When he does though, we can’t stop it there. People watching will be asking, “Whoa, what is up with that?!”

We’ve got to explain it. This is simple: GIVE THE GLORY TO JESUS.

“Give the glory to Jesus” doesn’t mean hide out so that people don’t get distracted by you. No! That means, you’re first processing, “How does this give glory to Jesus?” Usually that’s asking yourself the question, then BAM you know. Not so much because the Holy Spirit spoke to you, but because He just somehow made it clear in your mind.

Then, explain it. Some people will reject that. For some people, their eyes will finally be opened!

Watch what happens to the church

What’s the outcome? Well, the church at Jesus’ ascension was pretty tiny; not much bigger than us. Then Acts 2, it grows by 3000. Acts 4, it grows by 2000.

Conclusion

We’re going to wrap up here.

In the following chapter, chapter 4, we see the outcome for the church. In this case: persecution, prayer, and community. We might not like that persecution idea, but it seems God is better able to bless the persecuted church than the comfortable church.

I think persecution, deeper prayer, and richer community would be beneficial for AGC. Maybe we’ll talk more about that next week.

For now, let’s close in prayer.

• Pray