READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l God wants to move us into a deeper walk with him, a deeper experience of His grace and a deeper manifestation of His power. Instead of dwelling on what we lack, let us embrace the potential of what we possess. Our God is a God of movement (Genesis 1:2, Acts 2), but we often feel stuck, leading to frustration.
God will strategically use interruptions as invitations for a miracle
‘one day’ (Acts 3:3) altered the lame man’s life trajectory. Like him, we need interruptions. For God, interruptions are necessary and unavoidable and used as invitations for a miracle. The man was lame for 40 years and dropped off at the temple gate daily. While Jesus, who was at the temple daily (Luke 22:53), likely saw him, he was not healed. Despite not understanding why, we should believe in God’s healing power and pray for others’ healing.
Doing something for God on His demand
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit’s arrival after His departure. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, the disciples can heal and restore people on His demand. We, too, can serve God if we allow Him to use us. However, our sin and busyness disrupt our connection with God, causing missed opportunities to be conduits for His glory.
Contradiction vs Collaboration
Peter and John were walking together when they perceived the man and were moved to do something (Acts 3). Even though Peter and John were opposites, God used them collaboratively to do a miracle. To move deeper as a church, we need to work collaboratively for God’s glory even in places of contradiction and avail ourselves to serve God together.
One thing can affect everything
The lame man’s whole life was affected by his immobile legs. Sometimes we feel everything is wrong, but fixing one key thing can solve everything. God wants to deal with the one issue impacting our life.
i. Keep looking up
The lame man’s begging behaviour stems from his lameness and had underlying feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Without hope, we stop looking up. God wants us to keep looking up, even in tough times.
ii. Discerning what we need
The lame man probably hoped to be given money (Acts 3:5) but what he needed was healing. Let us reflect on what we really need.
iii. Not giving up
The lame man probably felt disappointed that they did not have money. When we are faced with disappointments, do not give up because sometimes it is after our disappointments that God does the miracle.
iv. Being connected
Peter instructed the man to walk in Jesus’ name. Peter and John were disciples deeply connected to that name. Let us deepen our connection to the name.
v. Holding onto hope
‘Nazareth’ comes from the Greek word ne’tser, which means branch or sprout. Peter used ‘Jesus Christ of Nazareth’ perhaps to tell the man there is hope. We need Peters or Johns in our life that demand we move deeper with God.
vi. Being in community
Peter not only healed, but also helped the man up. That is the role of the church. Moving deeper means connecting with a community, being accountable and not letting our issues define us. We need people to help us see ourselves through God’s eyes and remind us to look up.
That man’s ‘one day’ is also a ‘one day’ for the community. His transformation from begging to walking (Acts 3:8-10) was a testament to God’s goodness. Our past shame can become a platform to declare Jesus’ goodness.
To move deeper with God, let us keep showing up and availing ourselves to serve.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- How has the Holy Spirit spoken to you through the preaching of God’s word?
- Do you have any questions? (or How would you summarise the message of this section or story?)
- What are the implications for us through this message?
- What are the personal implications (for you)?
- What are the communal implications (for our gospel community)?
- What are the missional implications (for those we want to reach for Christ)?
