REMEMBERING THE WORKS OF THE LORD Acts 3:1-9
INTRODUCTION • This is - Fast World • Outcome of Forgetting to remember • “Remember”- • -“Mnemoneuo”- to call to mind with an object. • -to keep in mind. be mindful. • -to remind and to make mention
Acts 3:1-9 • v-1 Now when Peter and John went up • together to the temple at the hour of prayer, • the ninth hour, • v-2-And a certain lame man from his • mother’s womb was carried, they laid daily • at the gate of the temple, which is called • Beautiful to ask alms from those who entered • the temple; • v-3- who seeing Peter and John about to go • to the temple, asked for alms.
Acts 3:1-9 • v-4- And fixing his eyes on him with John • and Peter said, “Look at us” • v-5-So he them his attention, expecting to • receive something from them. • v-6- Then Peter said, “ Silver and gold I do • not have, but what I do have • I give you, In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, • rise up and walk” • v-7-And he took him by the right hand, and • lifted him up, and immediately his feet and • ankle bones received strength.
Acts 3:1-9 • v-8- So he leaping up, stood and walked • and entered the temple with them- walking, • leaping and praising God. • v-9- And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
Acts 3:1-9- is the Launching Pad of • the message. • Where we draw a PRINCIPLE • Principle is: “The Work of the Lord • takes place”: • When Divine Resources, • Meet human needs, • Through loving channels • To the Glory of God
I. REMEMBERING THE • DIVINE RESOURCES • (human bankruptcy) • v-6-“.. In the Name of Jesus…”
I. REMEMBERING THE • DIVINE RESOURCES • The mindset of many believers- • “Manufacturers” • God- wants us to be • “Distributors”
I. REMEMBERING THE • DIVINE RESOURCES • Miracle of Christ’s Feeding • ( Matt. 14:15-21) • disciples advised Jesus to avoid the problem • - Philip admitted they don’t have enough budget
I. REMEMBERING THE • DIVINE RESOURCES • Analysis: • Multiplication- took place in Jesus’ Hands • Distribution- was the work of the disciples’ hand.
I. REMEMBERING THE • DIVINE RESOURCES • LESSONS: • We must accept that we are distributors in the work of the Lord. • We should not be afraid of new challenges in the work of the Lord • We will experience financial freedom
II. REMEMBERING THE HUMAN NEEDS • (Human Callousness) • Compassion to others. • Altruistic not Narcissistic • v-2: “ was carried daily to the temple..”
II. REMEMBERING THE HUMAN NEEDS • Principle: • Ministry takes place, when Divine • Resources meet HUMAN NEEDS
II. REMEMBERING THE HUMAN NEEDS • HOW TO RELATE TO THE NEEDS? • (In one way or the other) • We can be BLIND to them, and live our own lives • We can take ADVANTAGE of those needs to benefit ourselves. • We can KNOW the needs of others, BUT DO NOTHING.
REMEMBERING THAT WE • ARE TO BE LOVING CHANNELS • (NOT CISTERNS) • PRINCIPLE: • Ministry takes place, when Divine • Resources meet human, through • LOVING CHANNELS…” • V-6 “ Silver and gold I don’t have, but what I have I give it to you..”
REMEMBERING THAT WE • ARE TO BE LOVING CHANNELS • “ ERINACEUS” • Zoological term. • It describes a hedgehog person
REMEMBERING THAT WE • ARE TO BE LOVING CHANNELS • -These are the people, that you get • close to them, the more they stick • to you with their protective skills. • -If the motivation for our service is • anything less than our love • for Christ, then our ministry will not • meet Human needs.
REMEMBERING THAT WE • ARE TO BE LOVING CHANNELS • II Cor. 5:14: • “The Love of Christ COMPELS us”
REMEMBER TO GIVE • GLORY TO THE LORD (V.8-9) • PRINCIPLE: • Ministry takes place: • When the Divine Resources (v-6) • Meet Human Needs (v-2) • Through Loving Channels (v-6) • FOR THE GLORY OF GOD(vv:8-9)
REMEMBER TO GIVE • GLORY TO THE LORD (V.8-9) • HOW DOES GOD GET THE GLORY? • When people see the Lord and not the servant • When people see the Master, not the Minister • When our service produces FRUIT, notRESULTS.
REMEMBER TO GIVE • GLORY TO THE LORD (V.8-9) • 2 OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORK OF • THE LORD: • Opportunity to Glorify God, • Opportunity to Glorify Self
SUMMARY • The ministry takes place (Work of • the Lord) when: • Divine Resources, • Meet Human Needs, • Through the Loving Channels, • For the Glory of God.
