The Message

We find this man in Acts chapter three, verses 1-8. The first thing we see is Peter’s encounter with a lame man who begs for money. This man probably thought that money was what he needed. Money, for most people, means security—the ability to buy food, clothes, and other things they need.

Peter says, “Look at me! I don’t have money, but I have something much better.”

The man must have felt discouraged when he heard the first part of Peter’s statement: “I don’t have money.” Peter could have stopped there—he didn’t have money. This man had probably been waiting for healing for years. Perhaps he had hoped to meet Jesus face to face and receive healing.

Peter wasn’t Jesus. This man may have thought his chance at healing was forever gone, and now only asked for money—for the financial security that he could gain. Peter didn’t have security in the standard sense, but he had something better: the power given by the indwelling of Christ. And this power healed the crippled man.

Let’s start reading in Acts chapter 3, verses 9-10 [read verses 9 and 10]. The healing of this man affected other people. When Jesus uses you to help one person, it creates a ripple effect that spreads to many others.

If you have Jesus, you have everything you need. This man wanted money; instead, he received what God knew he needed. Just like this man, so often we cling to what we think we need, rather than letting God work His will in our lives. His will is so much better than what we can plan for ourselves.

During the rest of this chapter, Peter is boldly preaching about Christ: convicting multitudes of their need for repentance.

Now look at verses 12-13 [Read verses 12-13]. Peter is declaring that this miracle was done by Jesus’ power and not his own. He is giving all the glory to God.

As the priests listen to Peter’s message, they become greatly disturbed and want to do whatever they can to stop Peter and John from stirring up the people. They have Peter and John arrested and put them in jail until the next morning.

Let’s continue on in chapter 4, verses 5-7 [read these verses].
Do you notice anything interesting about the men sitting in front of Peter and John? These are the very same men we read about in Matthew 26, when Peter denied Jesus three times.

Peter used to be afraid of these people—even though he had walked with Jesus for years! You know what? You can’t learn enough to make yourself unafraid. Peter hadn’t learned enough during those years to be unafraid when he was put under pressure. But now things had changed—while before, the most important things to Peter were safety, security, and the approval of people around him, now Christ was most important.

Let’s read on through verses 8-12 and see how Peter responds this time.

[Read verses 8-12.]

Peter is accusing the high priest and elders of killing the Messiah! He used to be afraid, but now he stands boldly before them and states the truth.

What has changed?

Peter has completely surrendered and committed his life to following Jesus. He has given up all of his earthly cares, so his interests are now eternal. Peter has given Christ everything. He is no longer filled with himself, but instead he is filled with the Spirit of God.

What about you and me? Can we have this kind of change? What would happen if you give Christ everything? You will be filled with His Spirit: unashamed, unafraid.

Let’s take a look at how the priests reacted to this new Peter. Look at verse 13 with me [read verse 13].

What if you give Christ everything? You will be recognized as someone who has been with Jesus.

Let’s keep reading until verse 19 [Read verses 14-19].

Peter and John ask a simple question: “Should we obey you or God?”

There is no middle ground when it comes to following Christ. Peter and John can not simply say, “Okay, we will stop telling people about Jesus so that you won’t threaten us.” No. Their lives certainly would have been easier had they said this, but they have a different purpose in mind. They have surrendered themselves to God’s plan.

Next, we find Peter and John returning to the other believers, praying and praising God together. Then something spectacular happens. Look at verses 29-31 [Read vs. 29-31].

What if you give Christ everything? He will radically pour out His Spirit in your life.

God has so much that He wants to do in your life. When you give yourself and everything you have to Jesus, you open yourself up for His plan to take place. He has so much that He wants to give you. Look at the lame man who wanted money; he thought that money was security. He didn’t even know that healing was available. When you try to control your own life, you miss out on what God can do with you, for you, and through you.

Date: 2015-02-16; view: 485