Covenant Baptist Church
Sermon Guide for October 28, 2018
Acts 3:1-10 NASB1995
What do you most often, most naturally and joyfully give to others?
What about that makes it so natural and joyful to give away?
Vs 1-2: Peter and John are on their way to worship when they encounter a man who had been paralyzed from birth, sitting at the gate to the temple asking for charitable gifts.
Vs 3-5: Peter and John are willing to stop and engage the man who is initially expecting a financial gift. Peter tells the man He is not able to give him silver or gold but can and will give him what he does have. Peter said …but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene – walk!
What Peter had was an unflinching, unwavering confidence in Jesus.
Peter was declaring the gospel when he said…"but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-walk!"
Vs 7 tells us that in the same instant that Peter declared the gospel of Jesus in the face of this man’s seemingly impossible situation that Peter reached down and firmly took hold of the man’s hand and lifted him to his feet.
The very next thing we are told is the man who was, only moments before, incapable of walking or even standing, stood up with a leap.
Vs 9: And all the people saw him walking and praising God…
Vs 10: …they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
When the kingdom of God breaks out among us, lives are quite literally, and at times quickly, transformed.
What exactly was Peter saying when he said “…what I do have…”?
Peter is speaking of a present, powerful and available reality that had become his life, not just his theology or spiritual belief system.
Notice Peter did not say …what I do have, I tell you about… or …what I do have, I explain to you…
Peter spoke to the man from a place of complete faith and confidence in the present and powerful reality of Jesus Christ. This is what He gave the man that day.
It is important to be honest enough to explore whether or not if what you truly have is the present, powerful reality of Jesus.
The fact that the man could once again walk was a visible indication of the invisible reality and power that had invaded his life that day. The Kingdom of God had come upon them.
We cannot declare the gospel with this kind of certain faith unless we are experiencing the gospel in certain ways.
Steps to living confidently in Jesus:
● Having Jesus in a way that compels us to confidently give Him away to others arises out of experiencing Jesus personally and corporately.
● Experiencing Jesus is a result of confident dependence on Jesus. This is an active dependence rather than passive or intellectual.
● Confident dependence on Jesus is active obedience to Jesus.
● So…
● We practice being obedient to Jesus’ teaching. We can know we are trusting Jesus when we do life according to His teaching.
● Jesus said it simply: If you love you will keep My commandments. John 14:15 Trust is an implicit and central part of loving Jesus.
● A good starting place is an area of your life that is painful or unsatisfying. Take time to discover what the teaching of Jesus has to say about it. Then identify ways you can be obedient to Him in this situation.
● It is most often a good idea to allow others in on this process. Trusted friends or mentors will often help you gain clarity and give great encouragement as you align your life with the teaching of Jesus.