Pentecost Message - "The Power of the Spirit" (Acts 3:1-16)

Introduction

Does anything strike you about this incident???

The Holy Spirit was at work! Peter and John were able to bring a ministry of healing to a lame man with instant results. These results were not just strengthened feet and ankles, and the walking and the leaping. But there was also the praising God, the entering of the temple, and the reaction of the gathered crowd. This incident led to worship, developing spiritual community, and witness to Jesus.

The Holy Spirit was working in the lives of these disciples (Peter & John), so that the lives of others could be transformed toward an active relationship with God. We know that the Holy Spirit was at work, because the achievements of these disciples were well beyond mere human capacity.

Can you describe the Holy Spirit???

·        Third member of the Trinity (Community of God)

·        Comfort, peace, guidance, presence of God/Jesus (“I am with you always”)

·        Gifts, fruit, transformation

·        Communication, witness, mission, healing

Background

This is the first recorded time where the disciples stepped out in ministry following the ‘Day of Pentecost’. So let’s approximate … that this was maybe around 55 days after Jesus’ crucifixion. Was does this mean in terms of Peter?? It was only around 55 days ago that Peter denied even knowing Jesus (three times). Now he is involved in healing the lame (in Jesus’ name)! Something outstanding has happened to Peter over this short period – well actually a few things have happened.

First there was Jesus’ resurrection; although Peter was slow to accept this, it became fully real to him when Jesus took him through a very personal process of forgiveness and recovery concerning his earlier denials. Then Peter was entrusted to re-enter a ministry to the community, when Jesus said to him three times, “Feed my sheep”. Peter may have still wondered though, with all his weakness and past failings, and with all his impetuosity and lack of clarity, how he would be able (in any way) to pull off such a ministry.

At the time of Jesus’ ascension, the disciples were told to hang around in Jerusalem together, and be ready to receive the gift that God had promised. Jesus said to them, “… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). And in this they were not disappointed! There was a dramatic scene of wind and “tongues of fire”, and suddenly the disciples could communicate in ways that they had never been able to before. This was symptomatic of being empowered and enabled by a force beyond them – that we know to be the very Holy Spirit of God.

This was never to be just for personal gratification … the Holy Spirit was also not given just for the fun of it – what had Jesus said to them?? “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. Whatever gifts came through the Holy Spirit were to point to Jesus and be utilised for the “common good”.

Peter preached his heart out that day (Acts 2:14-36), and about three thousand people responded and were baptised (2:37-41). All the believers became wholly involved in house churches, gathering around the apostles’ teaching, sharing in prayer and communion. They ate together, gave to those in need, worshipped God, and grew in number – experiencing many “wonders and signs” in their midst (2:42-47). These people had been enabled to live lives that unmistakably pointed to Jesus.

John was part of all this too. John didn’t have the same roller-coaster ride that Peter had had with Jesus. John may have been Jesus’ best and most reliable friend. This is why Jesus entrusted his mother to John at his crucifixion. Unlike other disciples, John was stationed at the foot of the cross when Jesus uttered all those words of love and forgiveness. For John, this act of sacrifice by Jesus would have been given ultimate meaning in the resurrection and Pentecost experience – new life for all, and God’s Spirit through which to make it all happen.

The Healing

Now, Peter and John were out there, actively looking for opportunities to share the good news about Jesus. Because of this, they were absolutely ready to respond when an opportunity of ministry opened up. In this, they did not have to rely on their own devices, but rather in the power of the Holy Spirit. An opportunity presented itself here, and Peter and John were sure to be at the right place at the right time. [There is a necessary sensitivity to God involved here.] When they heard another human being call out in need, and despite the fact that he was looking for money, they didn’t turn away or look for an out … they engaged, and gave this man their complete attention.

Sometimes an opportunity to serve the needs of another just naturally comes across our path. Sometimes we will feel compelled to pray for someone or phone them up to encourage them. Sometimes we sense that we should meet up with some person (to have a needed conversation), but don’t quite know how that will happen – we may have to make a move believing that the Holy Spirit will guide us. We might just need to put ourselves out there a little more, to connect with others in Jesus’ name. God is waiting to use us mightily.

We note that Peter and John didn’t give this lame man what he wanted and asked for. Peter and John were travelling light and didn’t have any money to give. However they didn’t just shake their heads – quite the opposite … they engaged warmly with this man (v.4), showing that they were truly interested in his welfare. We read: “Peter looked intently at him, as did John …” – was this possibly experienced by the lame man as the (loving) gaze of God? Certainly this caring attention made an impact (on the lame man)! In response, “he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something” (v.5). Had the lame man already moved beyond money? This man was quick to praise God when his healing was complete (v.8)! We also note the personal ministry touch involved (in verse 7).

Sometimes it might be appropriate to give money, other times not … wisdom required again. Sometimes it might be other material goods or practical help that is needed; sometimes just friendship and a sense of belonging is being sought – there is often a process involved before we actually get to share the name of Jesus in words. We should take the time to listen to the Spirit and act accordingly – facilitating what God wants to bring about. The point of this … is seeing what God wanted to give this man this day! What did God want this man to have?!

‘Discernment’ is the word – knowing what to do in a particular situation when there are multiple options – having necessary insight, keen perception; to distinguish between lesser and best options. Some people are especially gifted with this, the rest of us have to work hard at it, or more to the point – be open enough to gain it.

Sometimes there will be a direct connection between what we have to offer and what another person needs – not only the right place at the right time, but the right person as well. What God has given us, is exactly what someone else needs us to share. We do whatever we can with what we have. Peter, in verse 6, says, “… what I have I give you”. This would be on many occasions something of our own personality, our experience of life, and our testimony of what God has been doing for us – where the Spirit in one speaks with the Spirit in another. Don’t let any of us think about what we can receive, but rather what we can give, and leave the receiving bit to God’s economy.

In this particular case, in Acts 3, on this day – what God had for this lame man was healing … such that he could walk (and for the first time). The disciples, Peter and John, did for this man what Jesus would have done if he had been there. In fact, Jesus was there, as Peter and John said, “in the name of Jesus … stand up and walk” (v.6). Like was the case for Peter and John, the greatest gift we have to give to another is our experience of the living God coming into our lives (through Jesus)! We would have a natural concern and compassion for those missing this gift. Later in verse 11, we read that this formerly lame man “clung to Peter and John”, which is code for becoming a believer and joining them with their ministry.

There is also here a little encouragement as to what our response might be when we get some healing (refer verse 8)! ?!?The formerly lame man walked quietly away in a self-satisfied fashion?!? NO!! He entered the temple with the other worshippers (so excited because he hadn’t been able to before), “walking and leaping and praising God”. He had gained more than he could ever have imagined! Likely he would never have to beg again. And, he would never have to wonder again what it is like to worship with everyone else. Praise God!

The Impact

There were those who had sought to help the lame man by taking him to the ‘temple gate’ where he might get some charity – perhaps good-heartedly even wanting to do more, but not being able to find a way. And, as it was emphasised in the narrative (verse 2), this man had been lame “from birth”, so it was certainly a difficult situation. Then when Peter and John came along, the gathered crowd would not necessarily be expecting anything exceptional, because they would have seen or known Peter and John as just normal human beings. No wonder the people there that day were all amazed at this turn of events (v.10).

Following the healing, there was a big reaction to this extraordinary display of mobility and joy: “wonder and amazement” (v.10), and, the people ran to Peter and John (v.11) “utterly astonished”. There was probably some good feelings around … about the improved situation for the former lame man, but also confusion about the source of this turnaround. The way had been opened for further explanation. Any act of kindness, or remarkable change of fortune, offers the opening for interpretation.

Peter explained (from verse 12 onwards), that, as one might understand, this great outcome could not have happened purely through human endeavour or goodness – this was Jesus!! You might think that his crucifixion was the end, but actually it was just the beginning! Faith in Jesus, receiving the Holy Spirit, responding to need, changed outcomes!

Whose faith?? We should remark that, it was the faith of Peter and John (in Jesus), that took someone right out of left-field into a totally new experience of life! “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk” (verse 6b)! We can’t expect people to necessarily find faith … without us injecting faith into their situation.

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit so transforms lives and brings healing, that there is the capacity for us to have this level (or depth) of ministry into our community. This we would best offer together in a unified way, bringing together all the gifts of the Spirit that God has made available to us. No egos, no competiveness, no personal agendas – just service! [These other dynamics (should) have been left at the foot of the cross.]

We will not always be together when we serve, as we are dispersed as the church into a variety of different forums of activity during most of the week. However we can remain united in vision and purpose while we serve other people wherever we are. And we would quickly discover that we all have roles and involvements in community groups (or that connect us to community) through which a ministry can (and should) take place. We can picture where we are (in community) and what we do, and then also picture who we are in Christ, and how we are accompanied by the Holy Spirit.

We each receive the Holy Spirit when we bow down in repentance to Jesus, and give our life over to him. The Spirit of God is given so that we might experience complete healing from the burdens of our previous life. The Holy Spirit is given also … to bring evidence that Jesus saves – that Jesus is the way, truth and life. The Holy Spirit energises our faith with giftedness to show the works of God. So many people have not yet encountered Jesus, or have previously dabbled with Jesus but not gone on with him. The Holy Spirit enables us to re-present Jesus as a real and viable option … through our daily lives.