Miracle Power From Above - Part 1

Acts 3:1-3:10 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.  And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 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.

This last Sunday, we were blessed by guest preacher, Missionary to Africa, Pastor David Zavalla. Pastor Dave explains that power from above enables us to be witnesses for Jesus Christ and to be used mightily by the Lord. But, are we ready to go seek the Lord in prayer at given times or are we expecting to receive something, like the lame man in today’s lesson from the book of Acts? God knows the miracle that we really need. Our greatest need is to know the Savior of the world. We are like the lame man, in that we have no power or strength to save ourself. Repenting, grieving for what is past; contrition for sin, willfully turning from going away from God, turn 180 degrees and start walking towards and praising the Lord.

Acts 3:11-3:17  Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Pastor Dave highlighted three things that we should be doing while waiting for a miracle. (1) Hang out with God’s people. The way to grow in righteousness is to surround yourself with like-minded Christian brothers and sisters. (2) Praise God for what He will do. Tell God, “Thank you for saving me!” Thankfulness is a trait of a faithful believer. Ungratefulness is a sign of unfaithfulness. (3) Share how Jesus is working in and through your story. See His mercy in your life as you turn from sin. Our personal testimony really happened to us. It really happened and it is really powerful.  

Let's finish Pastor Zavalla's message on "Power from above" tomorrow.

In Christ, Brian