Day of Pentecost

• 1^st – Daily Prayer… vs. 1
  • 1^st – Ordinary men…
    • Now Peter and John!
    • PETER and John were going up to the TEMPLE…
    • The same PETER that has been the focus of the first THREE chapters of Acts…
    • From the decision to choose Matthias as the TWELFTH Apostle [arguably a mistake]
    • To the PREACHING on the Day of Pentecost – that gave birth to the church…
    • It would be easy to start thinking that PETER was someone SPECIAL…
    • But there is an interesting THIRD party [NOT as obvious] who was with them…
    • He [τὸ αὐτό] was upon [ἐπί] Peter and John – who is the He [neuter]
    • There is NO question it is the Holy SPIRIT – who was FILLING [ἐπί] them…
    • Meaning that EVERYTHING that happens after – is a result of the work of the SPIRIT!
    • There is a difference between a CHEAP zinc battery – and an EXPENSIVE lithium battery…
    • Although they look the same on the OUTSIDE – what is INSIDE is VERY different…
    • Which is why one will last for a few HOURS – the other one for MONTHS!
    • People tend to focus on the OUTSIDE – they look at WHAT someone does…
    • But we forget the more important question is HOW are they doing it…
    • If we are relying on our POWER – then we are NOT going to be able to do much…
    • But when we are instead filled with the Holy SPIRIT – we have UNLIMITED ability…
    • Because there is no such thing as an EXTRAORDINARY [Godly] man or woman…
    • Only ORDINARY men and women – that God uses in EXTRAORDINARY ways!
  • 2^nd – Daily Routine…
    • Up to the Temple…
      • [They] went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer – the ninth hour!
      • PETER and John went up [imperfect] to the TEMPLE every day to PRAY…
      • They would go on the NINTH hour – which is THREE in the afternoon…
      • They did NOT just pray ONCE – they made a habit of PRAYER – it was their DAILLY routine…
      • I imagine they were praying to be filled EVERY day with the power of the SPIRIT!

• Filled with the Spirit…
  • Luke 11:13 -“Your heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.”
  • God gives us the POWER of the Holy SPIRIT to live our lives for Jesus…
  • The key that God has given us to access this POWER is PRAYER…
  • How often should we be PRAYING to be FILLED with the SPIRIT!
  • When Peter stood up on PENTECOST – he was FILLED [aorist] with the Spirit – Acts 2:4
  • When Peter was before the Sanhedrin – he was FILLED [aorist] with the Spirit – Acts 4:8
  • When the church prayed after being persecuted – they were all FILLED [aorist] – Acts 4:31
  • When Ananias prayed for Saul – he was FILLED [aorist] with the Spirit – Acts 9:17
  • When Saul was renamed PAUL – he was FILLED [aorist] with the Spirit – Acts 13:9
  • Being FILLED is a SINGLE [aorist] occurrence that happens when we NEED it…
  • Therefore we need to be CONSTANTLY refilled – to stay be effective for the Lord…
  • It is not something we need occasionally – we need PRAY to be filled DAILY!

• 2^nd – The Opportunity… vs. 2-5
  • 1^st – Lame Man… vs. 2
    • His Sin…
      • A certain man lame from his mothers womb was carried!
      • There was a man had been BORN lame – he had NEVER been able to walk…
      • It is natural to wonder – WHY did God allow this man to be born with a DISABILITY…
      • Did God know he would be a BAD man – and PUNISH him beforehand!
      • This is a HARD question – because sometimes babies are born with DEFECTS…
      • While it is true that before SIN – there was NO pain and sickness [it was good] – Genesis 1:31
      • And that SIN is the root cause of ALL suffering and disease [the curse] – Genesis 3:17
      • That DOES NOT mean that God PUNISHES babies for the SINS they will one day commit…
      • What it does mean is that God has a PLAN that we do NOT always understand…
      • A PLAN that is NOT focuses on this life – but on ETERNAL life with God in heaven!
    • Parents Sin…
      • If this man was NOT being PUNISHED for his SINS…
      • Then was he born lame as PUNISHMENT for the SIN of his PARENTS!
      • There is a common teaching called Generational CURSES…
      • That states we are CURSED because of the SINS of our PARENTS – GRANDPARENTS!
      • Exodus 20:5 – “I the LORD your God am a jealous God – visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations.”
      • We are NOT responsible for the sins of others – NOR are they responsible for ours…
      • If a father sins the children are affected because of EXAMPLE – but they are NOT responsible…
      • If a child sins – the parents are AFFECTED – but are NOT responsible…
      • Everyone will stand before God one day – accountable for their OWN actions…
      • We CANNOT blame others for what we have done – others CANNOT blame us!
      • Ezekiel 18:20 – “The child will not be punished for the parents sins – and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins.”
    • No Sin…
• Sickness is NOT necessarily related to SIN – sometimes God ALLOWS it to do a work in us!

• Job was a righteous man – but God allowed him to become very SICK…
• To the point he was covered from head to toe with terrible boils – Job 2:7
• The reason was for Job to get to KNOW God through his TRIALS!
• Job 42:5 – “I had heard about you before – now I have seen you with my own eyes.”
• We often assume BAD things only happen to BAD people – you get what you deserve…
• But the truth is God lets BAD things happen to INNOCENT people…
• Because it is in the HARD times of life we cry out to and draw close to God!
• II Corinthians 12:9 – “He said to me: My grace is sufficient for you – for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
• Glory of God…
  • Peter and John KNEW this because they had seen it BEFORE!
  • When the DISCIPLES had passed by and saw a BLIND man they asked Jesus…
  • Who SINNED – this man or his parents – that he was born BLIND!
  • John 9:3 – “‘Not because of his sins or his parents sins – Jesus answered. But so the power of God could be seen in him.”
• Too often we limit God with our OPTIONS – assuming God has to use our CHOICES…

• God has PLANS we would never have imagined – His ways are NOT our ways…
• When we assume God is LIMITED to our options – we will either be CONFUSED…
• Or we will MISS out on the OPPORTUNITY that God has put in front of us!
• Isaiah 55:8-9 – “‘My thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways My ways!”

• 2^nd – Gate Beautiful… vs. 2
  • Historical…
    • They laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful!
    • People carried [imperfect] the LAME man every day to the TEMPLE…
    • They LAID [imperfect] him down next to the GATE called BEAUTIFUL [Ὡραίαν]!
    • This is only original GATE still standing today from Jesus time – also called the GOLDEN Gate…
    • The Greek word for BEAUTIFUL [Ὡραίαν]was mistranslated in Latin Vulgate as GOLDEN…
    • The is also ONLY Gate into the city of Jerusalem from the EAST [the Mount of Olives]
    • Making the Gate the most impressive – and most important in all of Jerusalem!
  • Meeting Jesus…
    • The Lame man was brought daily to THIS Gate – in the hope he would meet Jesus…
    • Because this is where Jesus came into the city on Palm Sunday…
    • He entered this gate when He came down from the Mount of Olives – Luke 19:37
    • But this will also the GATE He will come through when He RETURNS again!
    • Zachariah 14:4 – “His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives!”
    • Muslims sealed the GATE and put a cemetery [unclean] in front of it – Leviticus 21:1
    • In an attempt to try to keep Jesus out of the City when He RETURNS!
    • How can we help those in NEED – physically – spiritually – emotionally…
    • We can BRING them to CHURCH – where they can meet JESUS…
    • God may NOT heal them immediately – but that does NOT mean we give up…
    • We KEEP [imperfect] bringing them to where they can meet the Lord!
    • Romans 10:15 – “How beautiful [Ὡραίαν] are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace. Who bring glad tidings of good things.”
• 3^rd – Looking for Money… vs. 2-5
  • Mercy… vs. 2
    • To ask alms from those who entered the temple.
    • The LAME man was at the GATE so he could ask for ALMS…
    • ALMS – from the root word [ἔλεος] – meaning to give [present] MERCY…
    • The TEMPLE was a busy place – LOTS of people coming in and out…
    • And they were there to WORSHIP God – so were inclined to HELP those in NEED!
      
  • Limited Help… vs. 3
    • Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple – asked for alms!
    • As the LAME man saw PETER and John going into the TEMPLE to PRAY…
    • He asked them MANY times [imperfect] to GIVE him MONEY…
    • He was ONLY thinking about what he could get from THEM…
    • But no amount of MONEY was every gone to HEAL him – CHANGE his life…
    • He could NOT even IMAGINE that was a possibility!
  • Godly help… vs. 4-5
    • Fixing his eyes on him with John – Peter said: Look at us.
    • So he gave them his attention expecting to receive something from them!
    • Peter FIXED his eyes on the LAME man – gave him his FULL attention [ἀτενίζω]
    • And he commanded him to LOOK [imperative] at them…
    • So the LAME man waited [imperfect] EXPECTING them to give something…
    • He was hoping for a little MONEY – perhaps a few spare pesos…
    • But God wanted to do much more than just give him a little MONEY!
    • The church in Himamaylan – uses Jana Alayra songs for the KIDS worship…
    • One time when we were visiting the STATES – we attending one of her concerts…
    • I spoke briefly with her afterwards and asked if she had ever been to the Philippines…
    • I did NOT know her – we had NEVER met – but God used that question…
    • She ended up coming on Missions trip – her FIRST concert was in the BUKID…
    • The kids from the mountain – ended up TOURING with her as her backup dancers…
    • They are now in one of her music videos that has been viewed MILLIONS of times!
    • Ephesians 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think – according to the power [δύναμις] that works in us.”
    • God loves to AMAZE us – if only we would be willing to step out and BELIEVE…
    • God loves to do the IMPOSSIBLE – things we NEVER imagined we could ever do!

• 3^rd – Step of Faith… vs. 6-10
  • 1^st – Ordinary day… vs. 6
    • Why this day…
      • JESUS had passed by this man COUNTLESS times as He went into the Temple…
      • Yet Jesus had NEVER healed this poor LAME man…
      • Peter and John came DAILY to the Temple – they saw the LAME man EVERY day…
      • And Peter did NOT know God was going to heal the man THAT day…
      • He did NOT wake up that morning and say – today is DIFFERENT – SPECIAL…
      • What Peter did was grab the OPPORTUNITY – as he was led by the SPIRIT!
    • Any day…
      • When was the last time we did something CRAZY – believed in the IMPOSSIBLE…
      • Share Jesus with someone – maybe they so NO – but maybe they say YES…
      • Asking God to heal – maybe NOTHING happen – maybe they are HEALED!
      • We do NOT know when God wants to do a work though us…
      • The only way to find out is to step out in FAITH…
      • That is how we find out whether the Lord is in something or not…
      • ONE thing is for certain – if we do NOT step out – NOTHING will happen!
    • Apathy…
      • It is easier NOT to step out in faith – but then we NEVER grow… 
      • Like a muscle that atrophies when it is not used – faith needs to be exercised!
        
      • The danger in the Christian walk is we become COMFORTABLE…
      • We believe in Jesus – we are going to heaven – we go to church – we read our Bible…
      • We come to a place where to feel like we are safe – NO need to go any further…
      • Yet part of growing in God – is CONTINUING to step out in FAITH – doing NEW things…
      • The moment we STOP stepping out – our FAITH begins to ATROPHY…
      • We run the risk of losing our excitement – falling into an EMPTY routine!
  • 2^nd – No Money… vs. 6-7
    • Being poor… vs. 6
      • Then Peter said: Silver and gold I do not have!
      • Peter was honest – he did NOT have [present] any MONEY…
      • And when we have NO money – we assume there is NOTHING we can do…
      • We do NOT look to the POOR for HELP – we assume they NEED help!
      • The church of Philippi was known for their deep POVERTY – II Corinthians 8:2
      • Yet in spite of how LITTLE they had – they were the MOST generous church…
      • When the saints in Jerusalem needed help – they gave more than ANYONE!
      • II Corinthians 8:3 – “I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford – but far more – and they did it of their own free will.” [NLT]
      • Giving to God is in NO way limited by how much MONEY we have…
      • Our TIME – our TALENTS – are much more important than our MONEY…
      • Because God does NOT need colorful pieces of paper [He created everything in one Word]
      • What He wants is our hearts – He wants us to LIVE for Him!
      • Matthew 6:21 – “Where your treasure is – there your heart will be also.”
    • The command… vs. 6
      • What I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth – rise up and walk!
      • Peter had something FAR better than MONEY – he had JESUS…
      • And he was more than willing to give [present] what he did have to the LAME man…
      • He commanded him [imperative] – in the name of Jesus Christ – STAND and WALK!
      • I can imagine there might have been an awkward moment here…
      • Perhaps the LAME man look perplexingly at Peter – he was LAME – from BIRTH…
      • Not only could he NOT walk – he had NEVER walked – and did even know how!
      • It takes over TWO hundred different muscles working together in unison to WALK…
      • It is a complicated coordination that takes years to learn 
    • The Action… vs. 7
      • [So Peter] took him by the right hand and lifted him up.
      • And immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength!
      • So [καί] Peter SEIZED [πιάζω] the man by his hand and picked him up…
      • IMMEDIATELY [παραχρῆμα] – with [παρα] money [χρῆμα]
      • The idea perhaps being: those who have MONEY [ironic] get things done FAST…
      • That is when the LAME man was given [passive] strength to his FEET and ANKLES…
      • Note it did NOT happen with the COMMAND – it was not until there was ACTION!
      • Do not miss that in Christ – was are NOT called to TALK about FAITH…
      • We are called to WALK [present] in FAITH – it takes ACTIONS – II Corinthians 5:7
      • We all have family and friends who do NOT know Jesus…
      • They may KNOW the name – but they have NEVER met Jesus personally…
      • We INVITE them to church – and they consistently tell us NO…
      • They do NOT think it will help – they do NOT see their need for the Lord…
      • NO is not an acceptable answer – sometimes we just have to PICK them up and go!
  • 3^rd – Healed… vs. 8-10
    • Leaping for Joy… vs. 8
      • So he leaping up – stood and walked and entered the temple with them.
      • Walking – leaping – and praising God!
      • The man did NOT just walk – he LEAP [ἐξάλλομα]
      • Like a soda bottle that has been thoroughly shaken – he exploded to his feet…
      • A man who had NEVER stood up – NEVER walked in his life…
      • Was WALKING [imperfect] – and LEAPING [present] his way into the TEMPLE…
      • As he was continually [present] giving PRAISE to God!
      • There is a Jewish tradition that the LAME and BLIND were not allowed into the TEMPLE…
      • It comes from a statement that King David made – II Samuel 5:8
      • Meaning it is possible this is the FIRST time the LAME man had ever been inside!
      • People might HESITATE to come to the Lord – avoid coming to church…
      • But when they finally get to come inside the House of the Lord…
      • The moment they meet Jesus – and He touches their lives – everything changes…
      • People who were BLIND – can now SEE the God who LOVES them…
      • Those who were LAME – and would NOT come to church…
      • Are now in the in FRONT row leaping and singing His praises!
    • Praising God… vs. 9-10
      • And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
      • Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple.
      • And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him!
      • EVERYONE [πᾶς] in the TEMPLE saw the formerly LAME man…
      • And they KNEW really well [ἐπιγινώσκω] exactly who he was…
      • He had been sitting at the GATE Beautiful for FORTY years – Acts 4:22
      • They had ALL seen him MANY time – on the OUTSIDE of the TEMPLE…
      • Yet here he was WALKING [present] and PRAISING [present] God – INSIDE the TEMPLE…
      • And the TESTIMONY of how God healed him – would lead to FIVE thousand being saved…
      • Why did Jesus NOT heal the LAME man before – it would only have saved ONE…
      • Why did the SPIRIT lead Peter to reach out on this day – because it saved THOUSANDS!
      • When we take the time to PRAY – ask God to fill us DAILY with His SPIRIT…
      • We are going to see the needs of those around us – OPPORTUNITIES to share Jesus…
      • And as we step out in FAITH we will see lives transformed…
      • And countless people affected as the POWER of God is shown through our lives!