Welcome Home everyone
Good morning and Welcome Home
Today we are starting Acts Chapter 3. This is where the Disciples begin to get into some hot water.
My big Idea for today is the will of God is at work around us. My prayer for us today is that by hearing this message we might align our expectations and our resources to the divine will of God in this world. If you have your Bibles today you can join me in Acts chapter 3, verse 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 who was lame 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.
Acts 3:1-10
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do 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.
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into 3 sections or points.
POINT #1: Divine Appointments
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 who was lame 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.
Acts 3:1-3
Peter and John did not set out that day to find a disabled person to heal. These were men devoted to prayer and this day they went to the temple at the same time as they did most days. The man they encountered had been there every day of his life begging for money. Everyone in the neighborhood knew him and knew his story (he was born disabled). He was about 40 years old. So, for almost 40 years, everyone in Jerusalem passed him by. Some took pity on him and gave him money. The Pharisees were powerless to help and generally unconcerned. Why was this day different? I believe that when we allow ourselves time and are willing to hear from the Holy Spirit, He will present Divine Appointments. But why this day as opposed to the week before or the week after?
God’s perfect will requires His perfect timing.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5(ESV)
This Idea of Perfect will and timing is seen in the cross-section of 2 words. Chronos & Kairos: they are both translated as time however, they have different meanings. Chronos speaks of sequential or chronological linear time. Kairos denotes the right, critical, or opportune moment. A moment for the disabled man that would change his life and eternity forever. When God is ready to enact His perfect will and this man’s faith is aligning with God’s will and a messenger full of the Holy Spirit is all coming together. There may be God ordained divine opportunities all around us and we find ourselves oblivious. Are we allowing God the authority over our schedules? Are we allowing the Holy Spirit complete access to our hearts and our thoughts? Are we in a place spiritually for God to even use us? Or are we missing divine opportunities?
Everyday Pastor Julia and pray that God will lead us and guide us into His perfect will. Sometimes things don’t seem to be going our way. Does that ever happen to you? Nevertheless, we have grown to understand that God is aligning us with His purpose In the Fullness of His timing (Chronos/Kairos). Many of you know that this past week Pastor Julia was in the hospital. During these times we began to pray in 2 different directions. 1. Heal my wife. 2. Allow her divine appointments in the hospital with doctors, nurses, and other patients. So, for 3 days as the treat Julia’s infection, she was ministering the word and prayer to everyone she was in contact with. I came to visit her, and all the nurses are having their breaks in Julia’s room and talking about Jesus. So, I brought in Dutch Bros. coffee for the nurses and for Pastor Julia’s roommate. We planted seeds and God sets the stage for the next Divine Appointment.
I’ll move on to my next point.
POINT #2: Divine Expectation
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.
Acts 3:4-10
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do 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.
There are 2 levels of expectation. Peter & John expected a Holy Spirit intervention. And the man expected that he would receive from them. Imagine the implications of telling this man who was lame from birth, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk.” By faith with an expectation of signs and wonders, Peter and John were out on a limb for God. We can expect God to do something, but when we step out in faith and put our faith or expectation to work. We put everything on the line believing that the Holy Spirit will come through, meeting us right where we are. Are you putting your faith to work? In these divine appointments, are you putting your faith to work and truly expecting to encounter God in a miraculous way?
Peter didn’t say get up or don’t, he followed through with encouragement and compassion by helping him up.
This man had probably heard every negative comment there was, after all he had been lame most of his life.
The example of Christ to his disciples was not just to fix a problem, but to restore and reconcile. When we operate in the expectancy, we can certainly be an agent of healing, but we can restore hope, and dignity and foster reconciliation.
I’ll move to my final point.
POINT #3: Divine Partnerships
Peter and John… they had become partners in their ministry. Jesus sent out His disciples in pairs.
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
Mark 6:7
There are many reasons this was a good idea. We teach our Royal Rangers to use a buddy system.
Two are better than one,
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
In our marriage we use accountability protocols that we have developed over the years to protect our union and our ministry. And as a result, it has grown a tenderness between us and a trust tha is very strong. Your marriage partner is a natural ministry partner. But sometimes you will need to identify your ministry partners. When Paul and Barnabas parted ways, they needed to identify new partners that would be suited to the next season of ministry.
God gives us so much in the way of instruction and examples of how to live and how to do ministry that it doesn’t need to be complicated. Navigating divine appointments and divine expectations an divine partnerships leads us in to alignment for appropriate Christian service (connected to authentic relationship in Jesus).
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values. This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ. Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. But God has a plan! He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late. It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here.
Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me?
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’