Date: August 15th 2010
LAUGH 'N LEARN |
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An Encouragement Ministry
of Verde Valley Christian Church
Of Cottonwood Arizona |
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Issue # 384 August 15, 2010 |
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LAUGH |
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How Many Bricks...While visiting Annapolis, a lady tourist noticed several students on their hands and knees assessing the courtyard with pencils and clipboards in hand. "What are they doing?" she asked the tour guide. "Each year," he replied with a grin, "the upperclassmen ask the freshmen how many bricks it took to finish paving this courtyard." When they were out of earshot of the freshmen, the curious lady asked the guide: "So, what's the answer?" The guide replied: "One."
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LEARN |
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Jim's Manuscript August 15, 2010 "Jumpin' Jehoshaphat!" "Acts" Series Chapter 3
Miracles still happen!!
Today we will be studying a notable miracle recorded in Acts 3 that got the attention of a large crowd. Before we study Acts 3, let's do a rapid review.
In Acts 1 the disciples were told to wait for the Holy Spirit who would empower them to be witnesses. In Acts 2, they received the Holy Spirit with power, and Peter explained the strange phenomena.
We also saw a pattern in chapter 2 that went like this: 1. Look For the Miracle You Are Praying For 2. Explain The Miracle 3. Look For Responsiveness, 4. Then Help Them Develop A Devoted Life
That pattern repeats itself today, in chapter 3. Acts Chapter 3 divides nicely into two parts, the first part being a notable miracle when Peter tells a lame beggar who was crippled since birth to walk, and the is exactly what happens. The cripple walked. Actually, he doesn't just walk, he went walking, then leaping, and praising God all through the temple courts. This miracle got everyone's attention.
We are not told what this guys name was. For all we know, his name could be Jehoshaphat. It is a good Jewish name. "Jumping Jehoshaphat"!!! Maybe that's where we got that expression from. Probably not!
Actually, If you really want to learn about Jehoshaphat, a good place to read would be 2 Chronicles 20, but that's a different study.
Anyway, a crowd gathers, because they know the man, "Hey look, that's Jehoshaphat! I can't believe it. He's walking, and jumping"
"Jumpin Jehoshaphat!"
And so our expression comes to us today. Not really. But it makes a good title. We really don't know the guys' name. This expression is an exclamation of amazement today. And that is what we read about the reaction. The crowd was filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him. (3:10)
In the second half of Acts 3, Peter preaches, explaining what happened. He explains that the miracle is made possible by faith in Jesus, and he explains who Jesus is. He calls people to turn back to God, to Repent, and acknowledge who Jesus really is.
Our focus this morning is this:
Focus: Christ is better than crutches.
Acts 2 left off with this thought. The church was growing leaps and bounds, and the apostles were doing many notable miracles.
Acts 2:43 (NIV) Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. These miracles weren't just miracles. These were signs. And what are signs? Signs tell us stuff. They point the way. Signs tell us where we'd like to go.
Why is this study important to us? 1) First of all we all appreciate it when God answers our prayers with a miracle. He is still in the miracle business, and there are things we can learn here. 2) This particular miracle teaches us some things again by way of a pattern. And 3) There are many other lessons to be learned from the perspective of the cripple, from the perspective of the witnessing believer, and from the perspective of those in the crowd just doing their thing, kind of oblivious to what God was doing.
So Luke then picks one of the miracles as an example out of the many to show us how the miraculous act is a sign that points us to something. Peter therefore explains the sign.
Before we get going on the chapter, I would like to state one disclaimer. We can't determine when a miracle should take place; that is up to God. I want you to realize that this lame man was lame since birth. He made a living begging at the temple. I believe it is very probable that during Jesus ministry, Jesus saw this crippled guy and did not heal him. Why? This man's healing was waiting for God's timing. Jesus let this one go till later. After all the puzzle pieces were in place and the timing was perfect for this occasion with Peter and John.
God doesn't always give the miracles when we want them to come. His timing is best.
Another thing I want us to see before we read this miracle story about a crippled man who was healed miraculously is this. We see in it hope for ourselves. Many Are CrippledCripples of Cottonwood
Many Are Begging For HelpMany Clutch Their CrutchesWhy are there so many cripples?
Let's read Luke's description of the miracle.
Acts 3:1-10 (NIV) 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. "Jumpin Jehoshaphat!" is an expression of amazement!
Faith In Jesus Can Make Us Whole
Peter didn't operate from what he didn't have, but from what he did have. · I don't have Money for you · I don't meds for you. I have something BETTER · It is from What I do Have that I can give to you: · I have the love of Jesus · I have the authority of Jesus · I have the resources of Prayer · I have a fellowship of caring people · I have meaning and purpose · I have a better way, the principles of life · I have freedom · I have forgiveness · I have a Savior! · And My Savior can heal you! "What I have... I give..."If you have it, Give ItFaith in Jesus can Made him well He was walking... (It works!!!! Obeying God works!!!) And jumping... (It makes me happy!!! I can't believe it!!! ) And praising God... (Thank You GOD!... I. Lean Before You Walk (3:7-8, 11)Faith in Jesus can Made him well, He was "walking, and leaping, and praising God! (NAS) (v. 8) He was walking... (It works!!!! Obeying God works!!!) And jumping... (It makes me happy!!! I can't believe it!!! ) And praising God... (Thank You GOD!...
Peter learned to lean in order to walk. It was a tough lesson for him. But once the lesson was learned, he got it. And what he had, he was able to give.
Now the cripple was learning how to lean. He is first leaning on Peter's faith. It wasn't the cripple's faith that was strong, but Peter's. The cripple was leaning on the stronger faith. But understand this. There is power in such leaning. The cripple while leaning feels things changing inside.
Peter took him by his right hand and lifted him to his feet. (3:7)
Acts 3:7 (NIV) Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.
I picture him wobbly at first, and leaning on Peter. But something happens. While leaning, he felt something change. While leaning and walking, he learned how to walk.
He was walking... (It works!!!!
Obeying God works!!! But sometimes you need the help of someone with a stronger faith than your own, someone else who has learned how to lean. Lean so that you can learn how to walk. Sometimes it takes leaning to learn and become convinced that obeying works. This is learning the walk of obedience. It is not an easy thing to learn how to walk, when we have had a life time of clinging to sin, and clutching our crutches to make our life of sin workable.
Acts 3:11 (NIV) While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. Q: Why did the beggar hold on to Peter and John? Is he still wobbly on his feet? Did he lose his balance in his exuberant walking, and leaping and praising God? Or is he merely so grateful to these two that he is clinging to them? Is it because now everybody is staring at him, that he wants the shift of focus to go to these two who brought about his miraculous healing?
Whatever the reason, he is holding on to these apostles, and this is a good thing. They will help him receive more than merely a physical healing. His life is about to change spiritually also.
When we lean on those for help in our obedience, it won't be long till we also will be walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Right now I'd like for us to sing a song. It is probably familiar to you. It wasn't written as a Christian song. But I want us to sing it from a Christian perspective, within the context of what we just learned here.
Sing the Song: "Lean on me" by Bill Withers
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
Lean on me, when you're not strong
Please swallow your pride
Lean on me, when you're not strong
If there is a load you have to bear
So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
Lean on me when you're not strong Lean on me... Lean before you walk.
Peter learned to lean on Christ. He is passing on something he has gained from what he has learned. He doesn't have money, he doesn't have crutches. He has something better. He helps this man learn how to lean on Christ. This man leans before he can walk. He clings to his new friends. Peter and John teach him how to lean. You don't learn how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in a vacuum. You learn how in relationships with others who have learned how to lean on Jesus Christ.
Lean before you walk. II. Look Before You Leap (3:4, 8)He was "walking, and leaping, and praising God! (NAS) (v. 8)
Acts 3:4 (NIV) Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" Peter said, look at us...(3:4) Peter got his attention. Peter raised his expectation.
Peter himself had learned to look to the Lord. He remembers looking to Jesus, while walking on water. He also remembers taking his eyes off Jesus, and sinking. Matthew 14:28-30 (NIV) 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" This too is a miraculous walking story. Is the Acts 3 story much different than walking on water? The man has never walked! Peter had never walked on water. It was looking to Jesus that made it possible. Peter says, look at us. He gets his attention, raises expectation, but doesn't leave the focus on themselves. In looking at Peter, Peter raises the eyes of faith to Jesus. Peter has the man look at what Peter has. It isn't money. It is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and the Authority of Christ.
Peter has the Lord leading him. He is looking before he leaps here. He has had to walk on water before, and now calling forth this miracle is not much different. He has watched Jesus do this before, and Peter is following his Lord, and looking to his Lord, but let's not minimize what is happening here. Peter is stepping out of comfortable quietness. He is stepping out into the storm after Jesus again. He is calling forth a miracle. Peter is looking to the Lord, before he leaps out of the safety zone. He leaps when he calls for a miracle. He didn't do this on his own. His faith is looking to Jesus even as he asks for this miracle. He is led to call the miracle into place. He commands the man to walk. He has looked before he leaps. He is resting his entire expectation on Jesus Christ. He is leaping out of the comfort zone. He isn't just staying in the boat, he is stepping into the storm, when he tells this man to walk. There is going to be a battle between the forces of darkness and this fallen world, with the forces of light and the kingdom that will capture the hearts of men, and lead them out of darkness. Peter looks before he leaps. Peter asks this man also to look at him. He gets his attention. He raises his expectation. He prepares the man to lean, which of course must come before he can leap to his feet. However, in no time at all, He was walking and jumping and praising God.
III. Love Him Before You Leave (3:8,19, 22-23, 26)He was "walking, and leaping, and praising God! (NAS) (v. 8) 1. Repentance (3:19)
Acts 3:19 (NIV) Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, What is repentance?A Sunday School teacher once asked a class what was meant by the word "repentance." A little boy put up his hand and said, "It is being sorry for your sins." A little girl also raised her hand and said, "It is being sorry enough to quit." -- Donald Grey Barnhouse
Why We Need To Repent? Every Sin Is Personal!
You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,
Q: Haven't we each disowned him every time we sin. They disowned him before Pilate--when we sin, in front of whom do we disown him?
though he had decided to let him go. {14} You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. {15} You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
Q: Every time we willfully sin, aren't we asking that the murderer, the accuser, the enemy of our souls, the enemy of our lord Jesus Christ to be glorified, and released to do more damage?
Peter calls his audience to the turnaround from the path of rejecting Jesus, to the path of accepting Jesus! This means changing from life according to your own will and desires to a life that matches God's will and desires.
Object Lesson: White Board unveiled with a representative listing of sins all over like graffiti. Sin is bad news and God takes it personal. There are no "victimless" sins.
But here is the good news. IF we repent, our sins are "Wiped Out." (3:19)
God sent his son (pull out a clean white wiper board cleaner sheet) who was the spotless, sinless, lamb of God. He came to "wipe out" (3:19) our sins. He did this by absorbing them. He who knew no sin, became sin for us. See the stains. He was crucified for us.
How does this work? Say "I Will"A woman was having trouble understanding the way of salvation. She just could not comprehend what it means to receive Christ. When she told an evangelist about her perplexity, he asked her this question: "Your last name is Franklin, isn't it?" When she answered, "Yes," he said, "How long has it been that?" She replied, "Ever since my husband I were married 30 years ago." "Tell me," the preacher continued. "How did you become Mrs. Franklin?" "It happened at the wedding," she responded. "The minister asked me, `Will you have this man to be your lawful, wedded husband?' and I said, `I will.' With those words I became his wife, and his name has been mine ever since." The evangelist went on to ask, "Didn't you say, `I hope so,' or `I'd like to,' or `I'll try to take him as my husband'?" "No," the woman answered, "I said, `I will,' and that's all there was to it." The minister explained that God wanted her to take Christ as her Savior. Then he posed this question: "What should you say to that?" The woman finally saw the point and exclaimed, "How simple!" At last, wondering why she hadn't said"I will" long before, she accepted Christ as her Savior. Believing what the Bible says about Him-- that He died for her sins--she placed her trust in Him for salvation.
2. Refreshing
There's no Refreshing Apart From Repentance
The divine design of Grace is to turn us from Sin
If you only want deliverance from the penalty or consequences of Sin, and not sin itself, this is not repentance.
What do you believe will make you happy?
The Gospel Good News is that you will be happy when you turn from sin, and to Christ. You will be leaping for joy!
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(C) Jim Hammond
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