Phil spoke from Acts 3 and 4 about Peter and John healing a lame beggar in Jesus's name.
Gospel with power
Introduction
• Religion - mans pursuit of God ?
• Most would say Religion seems to be about rules and regulations to somehow make us acceptable to God
• Jesus came and took upon himself all that was needed to make us acceptable to God
Jesus came to give us life and freedom not burden us with rules and regulations.
Look at a story from the New Testament
Acts 3 - Story do the lame man begging at the temple gate called beautiful.
Acts of the Apostles 3:4-8
https://www.bible.com/116/act.3.4-8.nlt
Peter saw the opportunity and shared the good news of the kingdom
In chapter 4 we find that the religious leaders confronted Peter and John
And arrested them because what they did and preached did not line up with their religious practice which had no life in it only rules and regulations.
They could not deny the healing of the lame man it was obvious as he had been lame from birth and they would have seen him at the gate begging daily.
Paul write to the Corinthians
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/1co.4.20.niv
There is power in the name of Jesus,
To forgive sin
To bring freedom from guilt and shame
To heal sickness of the mind, body and soul
To release those who are oppressed and captive to bad habits
To those who don't know Jesus
It's not about choosing to follow a religion its about choosing to have a relationship with Jesus who can do all those things and give you life
You can find out more by joining the Alpha course
Before the religious council Peter again took the opportunity to speak of Jesus
“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.””
Acts of the Apostles 4:12 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/act.4.12.nlt
To Christians
Peter saw the opportunity
1. To bring healing and demonstrate Gods goodness in healing (Jesus himself possibly passed by this same man)
2. To share the good news of Jesus and in
“But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.”Acts 4:4 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/act.4.4.niv
Conclusion
After Peter and John had been released they returned to the believers and told them all that had happened
They then pray together and I think God loves this kind of prayer
Acts of the Apostles 4:29-31
https://www.bible.com/116/act.4.29-31.nlt
The result of this prayer was they were filled with the Holy Spirit and preached the word of God with Boldness.
Maybe this is the greatest opportunity we have had in our lifetime so far, so may we too be bold enough
1. to pray this way
2. Like Peter see the opportunity for the Good news of the kingdom, whether in action or word.
After all he is still the same Jesus, the way the truth and the life to all who chose to believe.
Questions
What are your expectations in sharing the gospel
What opportunities have you had for the gospel over the last 3 months?
Is lack of boldness and courage a hindrance to sharing the gospel? How and why? What needs to change and how can it?