2008 » June - New Life Community Church of Carlisle, PA

Do you like surprises?
¹One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer–at three in the afternoon. ²Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. ⁶Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. ¹¹While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. ¹²When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. ¹⁴You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. ¹⁵You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. ¹⁶By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. ¹⁷“Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. ¹⁸But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. ¹⁹Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus. ²¹He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. ²²For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. ²³Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.’ ²⁴“Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. ²⁵And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ ²⁶When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” Acts 3:1-26 (NIV)
THE QUESTIONS…

Peter addresses the crowd by asking them two questions.

1. Why does this SURPRISE you?
2. Why are you LOOKING at us?

“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.” Isaiah 35:5-6

Why do we resign ourselves to life as it is?

• We don’t understand the LOVE of God.

• We are more convinced of our UNWORTHINESS than His WORTH.

• We doubt that God will work through ORDINARY people.

• Our INABILITY takes on greater focus than HIS ABILITY.

• We GIVE UP much to quickly.

Peter says in VS 19-20 that when we repent and turn to God three things happen…

1. Sins will be WIPED OUT.

2. Times of REFRESHING will come from the Lord.

3. Jesus Christ will RETURN.

Are you surprised that Jesus still heals today?
Is there an area of your life where the healing power of Jesus is needed?

God In Clear Sight: As Seen in The Book of Acts

What kind of gifts are worth waiting for? What in your world is worth waiting for?

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Acts 1:4 (NIV)

He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ Acts 1:7-8 (NIV)

ACTS 2:1-21

What is the Day of Pentecost?

PROPHECY & PROMISE FULFILLED

Jesus was no longer just PRESENT WITH THEM, he would now take up RESIDENCE IN THEM by the Holy Spirit.

John 14:15-26

There is a danger though:
Jesus AUTHORITY and POWER was now available to them.

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 (NIV)
How is the Holy Spirit Involved in the Life of Christ Followers Today? What difference does Pentecost make in our lives?

Arthur T. Pierson “Church of Christ! The records of these acts of the Holy Ghost have never reached completeness. This is the one book which has no proper close, because it waits for new chapters to be added so fast and so far as the people of God shall reinstate the blessed Spirit in his holy seat of control.”

John Stott “Without the Holy Spirit, Christian discipleship would be inconceivable, even impossible. There can be no life without the life-giver, no understanding without the Spirit of truth, no fellowship without the unity of the Spirit, no Christlikeness or character apart from his fruit, and no effective witness without his power.”

1. The Holy Spirit is instrumental in our coming to FAITH IN CHRIST and in our becoming more LIKE JESUS.

2. We are never ALONE. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in everyone who puts their Faith in Jesus Christ.

3. Christ Followers are EMPOWERED to make a difference in our community. The Holy Spirit leads us and speaks through us as we live out the life of Christ in our homes, jobs, recreation and community.

4. We are GIVEN SPECIAL GIFTS for ministry in the Church.

“Being filled with the Spirit is not so much a matter of our getting more of the Spirit as it is a matter of his possessing more of our lives.” Millard J. Erikson
Is there evidence of the Holy Spirit in your life?
What have you done with Jesus?
What are you doing with the life you’ve been given?

Feeling Empty- Be Filled Today!