Sermon of the Quarter

Look to the Church!!!

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk." And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.[Acts 3: 1-10]

 

There are three questions to consider:

1. What is the world’s perception of the church?

2. What is the church’s perception of the world?

3. What can your church give to the world?

Introduction:

Our text for this morning finds John and Peter about to enter the temple to pray during the three o’clock worship and prayer experience. As they approach the beautiful gate of the Temple, they encounter one of God’s children whom had been lame from birth that indeed was in need of the mission of the church. This gentleman was carried daily by his associates to sit at one of the gates to the temple and beg for money to support those whom assisted and cared for his daily sustenance and maintenance. The world’s landscape is replete with the hurt and hurting, the lame, the blind, the poor, the lost, and the dying. Many don’t have persons who are willing and can help them as this certain lame man in our text did, and yet that is a blessing; isn’t it –to be in proximity of ordinary people who are willing to help. It is so rare in our world today –to find people who are willing to selflessly give of their time, possessions, and money to help others and to expect nothing in return. Furthermore, this man had seen many persons that day pass him by trying to ignore him, pretending that they don’t see him, to get into the Temple to pray. How ironic people willing to overlook a potential blessing to get into the Temple to pray, that is to say in many instances to beg God for a blessing! Only when the believer is willing to deny himself—that is to be free of envy, jealousy, bitterness, and self pity, will he or she be able to see the true blessings of life as they present themselves. This certain lame man spots Peter and John, he observes them as they approach the beautiful gate of the temple, and Peter and John notice the lame man. There are people right now just sitting back and observing, watching the church. The man has his hand outstretched; he is a beggar. Peter wants the man to know that the church might be penniless, but the church is not powerless. Peter and John concur and say, "WE don’t have silver nor gold, but what WE do have WE give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk."

Our Lord spent the last three and one half years of His life training the disciples for situations just like we encounter in our text this morning. The majority of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ was devoted to seeking out those who could not help themselves. As our Lord encounters these type individuals, He endured great pain to see that these persons were changed for the better after meeting the King of Glory. The message that Luke is presenting to us today involves the disciples continuing the work of the living Christ, but it also puts forth an ultimatum to the church. You are the Body of Christ and those of the world who are in need will look to the church, so be prepared to help. Someone has been watching the church and that certain person is going to come by here one day. In this day in which our role models are being destroyed for political gain and ambition daily, give out but don’t give in, look to the church. In this day in which our heroes are failing us and falling by the wayside daily, give out but don’t give up; look to the church. In this day in which our cultural expressions are being perverted by pornography, sexual harassment, and prostitution, we must yet be willing to look to the church. Our scattered masses have looked for that missing essence and drive of life in the secular world, in entertainment, in music, in the opposite sex, in wine and drugs; only to discover that their problems were still there after the effects of those other shallow things have faded away. They are now ready and willing to look to the church. Our purpose for today is to analyze the scene that Luke describes regarding the healing of the lame man in our text, in order to, discern the relevant theology concerning healing and restoration. It is my prayer that the exegesis of our text passage for today will remind you that as a member of the Body of Christ you should be an instrument through which God might bring about healing to those who suffer and to motivate you to be involved in the restoration of all whom are willing to receive God’s free gift. We shall accomplish our objective by discussing potential answers to three rhetorical questions. What is the world’s perception of the church? What is the church’s perception of the world? What can your church give to the world?

I. What is the world’s perception of the church?

This certain lame man who was carried by concerned persons and set at the temple’s beautiful gate is representative of the world that the disciples were prepared by Jesus to minister unto. This man’s name is not mentioned by Luke and it is not that his name is unimportant, but that he is representative of any person who suffers from any ailment physical, mental, or spiritual. In fact the Greek phrase used by Luke, tis aner tis aner, is often translated a certain man, which indicates that the author is either distinguishing a child from an adult or talking generically about adult males or females or both male and female. Furthermore, this certain man is lame and cannot do anything for himself other than beg for money at the beautiful gate of the Temple. There were several gates to the Temple; however, this particular gate was referred to as the beautiful gate. This is indicative of the fact that God knew in eternity past, that Christ knew in eternity past, and that the Holy Spirit knew in eternity past that this particular man would be setup right there on that particular day in time to meet Peter and John. Therefore, the Holy Spirit moved Peter and John to enter the temple through the beautiful gate on this specific afternoon. Luke does not mention any other persons only this certain man identified in our text. This man, Luke points out was born with a particular birth defect that rendered him unable to walk. We are informed that this man was constantly surrounded by ordinary people, but they were caring and compassionate and they took it upon themselves to carry him to one of the gates of the temple every day, so he could ask those going into the house of the Lord to assist him. Finally, these people had come to an understanding that if this man was to receive help then religious people would certainly share with him. These people were just ordinary people trying to help one who was not as blessed as they were. The world looks to the church to help and not just be willing to help, but the world looks to the church to help the helpless. The world perceives the church’s central mission as one of helping the helpless.

The Greek is lucid in pointing out that this man was setup there every day by whomever he could get daily to carry him to the temple site to ask for money. There are a lot of people in the world who need the mission and the work of the church in their lives. Clearly this man’s associates thought that religious people who claim to serve a God of love would have pity on this man in his condition. When persons look to the church they look to the image of a merciful God who loves humankind because the church represents God in the world active, living, and caring. This certain lame man had no idea that he would meet disciples of Jesus the Christ on this particular day. Luke writes, "When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple he asked them for alms." Moreover, Luke’s use of the Greek word horao horao hor-ah’-o, which is translated he saw, indicates that this man considered something in his soul or that he was moved as a result of seeing Peter and John. The church is supposed to conduct the business of Christ, such that all persons will be comfortable and confident when they experience the call to service, as well as when they are in need of the ministry of the church. The world perceives that the church should be about the business of God in trying to redeem lost souls. It is ashamed that many times the first picture that many persons see of the church is the face of jealous individuals who think they are God’s gift to the church. It is ashamed that many times the first picture that many persons see of the church is the face of envious individuals who are always prying into someone else’s life trying to turn up something negative that they can gossip about. It is ashamed that many times the first picture many persons see of the church is the face of an angry person who calls himself or herself a Christian and he or she is still mad at someone for some mistake that person made years ago. It is ashamed that church people will not deny themselves like Christ requests, and forgive and forget what people have done to them intentionally or unintentionally. The world perceives the church as an army of believers who shouldn’t get angry with anyone because they personally know the Lord. The church knows that this Old World is not our home and that believers are time travelers just passing through on their way home. The world perceives the church as on her way to heaven.

II. What is the church’s perception of the world?

The world to the church is a temporary proving and testing ground, which allows the church to exercise her steadfast faith in the King of glory. The church is fully aware that she will leave this temporary home one-day to enter eternal bliss so that she may be with her Lord forever. How the church views the world is related in a large sense to how the church perceives herself. This certain lame man in our text is so representative of the world that the church has been placed in to minister unto. The words of Luke in our text state, "Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’" The Greek word used in this passage, atenizo atenizo at-en-id’-zo, means to stare at someone. Peter and John saw a man who was born with a defect that had hindered him all of his life. They knew that the Lord had instructed them to preach release to captives, and this certain man was imprisoned by physical limitations placed within his own body. Peter and John saw a microcosm of the world in this man. We are all human souls with the ability to soar beyond the finite plane of this universe into the infinite, but our souls are captives inside of a corruptible mortal body of flesh. Furthermore, every human being is born into this world spiritually dead and incapable of communicating with God. There is nothing that any member of humankind can do to overcome the sin factor, which separates humanity from the eternal God. This certain lame man is so representative of the spiritual condition of humankind. He was born lame. He came into the world as an infant, but he would never learn to walk because of his birth defect. The man could not go to the bathroom by himself. This man could not prepare for bed and get into bed by himself. Everywhere this man would go in life someone had to carry him. This man was hopeless, and it seemed that he was helpless, until the church saw him. Finally, when the church expressed that she could see him then he looked to the church. You know attitude means a whole lot and one of the reasons that the church is incapable of performing many of her missions in the world today is because we have so many grouchy, hellish, evil-like attitudes in our churches. Nobody feels comfortable coming around some church folk asking for anything, if every time you see those in need coming toward you and your face starts contorting and you start frowning.

Jesus taught the disciples to preach the gospel, to heal the sick, to visit those who were in prison, and to make disciples out of all men that would believe in the Christ. The church sees the world as a great vineyard of the Lord, and the church perceives her mission is to testify to all that will listen what she has witnessed concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. However, if the world is to look to the church, then the church must recognize her mission as the most essential mission for the human race. The church should live in the light of this fact, and as long as the church is in the world she must project this image. The church’s mission reminds me of a story I read the other day concerning a young girl. Her family had a very beautiful vase that was a family heirloom. This little girl had been told, "it is our family treasure." One day there was a loud crash. The little girl began to wail. Her mother ran into the room and found her daughter crying and the vase broken. She asked her daughter, "What is wrong?" "I broke the family treasure," she cried. Her mother picked her up and said, "Yes, but you are alright." When the girl became a woman she was able to testify, "I found out that day that I was the real family treasure." The church perceives a world full of the hurt and hurting, but she knows that she is the world’s treasure, God’s great gift! When people are hurt and when they make mistakes like so many of us do, then the church must remind the people of the world that humankind is the world’s greatest treasure. The Psalmist declares, "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than Angels, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet [Psalms 8: 3-7]." Given this, which I take to be a fact we must live our lives in such a manner that we project to all whom are in need of the church and the mission of the church that we consider them to be the real treasure of the world. When the church actually sees the hurt and hurting of society like her Lord saw the hurt and hurting of society only then can the church effectively minister unto the needs of society.

III. What can your church give to the world?

Peter and John looked at this man who had never been able to do much for himself, and they had compassion on him. The man was asking for money, but Peter told him up front I don’t have silver and gold, no money whatsoever. This man ought to be glad that they didn’t have money that day because if they had some money then that’s all the man would have received. Isn’t it wonderful that God knows best? The Lord is always at work in the background or working amidst the periphery on the behalf of those whom He loves. That’s one thing I really love about the Lord; the Lord will not hesitate to bless His children, and give His own just what we need. Peter wanted this certain lame man to know that though the church was penniless she was not powerless. Moreover, the great tasks that the church often must face may seem impossible to accomplish, but we must remember that with God all things are possible. We can’t change the world in a day. We can’t witness to the whole world in a week. We can’t evangelize the whole earth in a month. What we can do is our part daily. One day at time, sweet Jesus, just give me one day at time; empower me one day at a time and I’ll do my part, one day at a time. It reminds of the story of an old man taking his usual morning walk along the beach. He noticed, at a distance, a young man throwing starfish into the ocean. After a while the old man caught up with the young man and asked, "Why are you throwing the starfish back into the ocean?" The young man responds, "Because they will die if the midday sun strikes them laying dehydrated upon the hot sand." The old man responds, "But there are thousands of miles of beach and thousands of starfish. How can your puny efforts make any real difference?" The young man stopped and looked at the starfish in his hand. After a moment, he threw it into the sea and said, "It makes a difference to that one."

What can your church give to the world? First your church must witness to the work of Jesus Christ in the life of her membership. Secondly, your church should act like the Lord Jesus Christ has changed the livelihood of her membership. Your church should act like the Holy Spirit has baptized her membership in the blood of the lamb. Your church should act like the precious Word of God has converted her. Your church should at least give the appearance that she cares about people. Moreover, your Church should seek to develop programs that will give a glimmer of hope to the hopeless. The church of Jesus Christ ought to be willing to give her very life that the cause of Christ Jesus might be manifested throughout the world. What can your church give to the world? Your church should be an oasis in the great desert of materialism, such that, whosoever looks to the church, shall be able to flee the desert and find rest and refreshment. Your church should be a cool breeze in the sweltering heat of violence and hate crimes, such that, whosoever looks to the church, shall be able to find comfort and protection. Your church should be God’s cure for the ills of this world, such that, whosoever looks to the church, shall be able to find healing and restoration. Your church should be first in service to the poor, the hurting, the underprivileged, and the underserved; such that, whosoever looks to the church, shall be able to find the bread of faith, the bread of hope, and the bread of love. Your church should be a missionary outpost, a mighty fortress to protect all that believe in the Lord from the fiery darts of the evil one, such that, whosoever looks to the church, shall be able to find peace of mind, rest for their weary soul, and the contentment to hold on and hold out until the Master returns.

Peter along with John said, "I don’t have any money, but what I do have; I give you in the name of Jesus." That makes all the difference in the world, doesn’t it? In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise, take your bed up and walk. The difference is they did it in Jesus name. When you stop to think about it, that’s the only thing wrong with many of our churches today. Many churches are not performing their mission in the name of Jesus, but they are seeking the glory all for themselves. When we start doing and working and preaching and praying in the name of Jesus; we shall see changes in the landscape of our society. Furthermore, look to the church; look at what they did. It was good that they didn’t have any money. Just because they didn’t have any money they had to use the creative resources that the Lord had planted deep within their souls. Understand if Peter and John had had some money, then they would have fed lame man for a day or two. If they had had some money, they would have paid lame man’s board for a day or two, since Peter and John didn’t have any money they had to consult Jesus. That is our major problem today isn’t it; we just have too much money! Always wanting to throw money at problems that we ought to be talking to Jesus about! Instead of providing for lame man’s immediate needs or this acute situation, Jesus fixed lame man’s chronic problem so that he could take care of himself for the rest of his life. Finally, the church must come to understand if we give a person a meal, then we have fed that person one meal for one day. If we teach a person to fish or train a person in a particular skill, then we equip that person and give him or her the tools to feed himself or herself for a lifetime.

Conclusion:

Our purpose for today was to analyze the scene that Luke describes regarding the healing of this certain lame man in our text, in order to, discern the relevant theology concerning healing and restoration. It is my prayer that our exegesis of this passage will remind you that as a member of the Body of Christ you should be an instrument through which God might bring about healing to those who suffer and to motivate you to be involved in the restoration of all who are willing to receive God’s free gift. The world perceives the church as God in the world, up close and personal. We must be ever mindful that we are God representatives on earth, because you and I are as close as some people will ever get to God. We must project the image that we love to help persons because God loves to help people; otherwise, we might be in that number that God tells on judgement day depart from me you workers of iniquity because I never knew you. Therefore, every chance we get we ought to be telling others of His goodness to us. The church perceives the world as God’s vineyard, and we have our orders to go into the vineyard and work until the day is done. The church doesn’t have to worry about winning the race, that is to say come in first; the church must be concerned with finishing the race. Finally, Beloved, the church must be willing to give its best to the world. Church folk are so used to giving what they don’t want these days, but each of us owes the Lord’s mission to the world no less than our best! We owe the Lord our best in terms of effort! We owe the Lord our best in terms of our talent! We owe the Lord the best in terms of our possessions! We owe the Lord the best in terms of our time! Too many so called Christians wait until they are old and decrypted, and can’t do anything else but give money, come to church, and sing a few hymns! Each of us in this building today owes the Lord our best, nothing more and nothing less than our very best!

Lame man saw Peter and John approaching him about three o’clock in the afternoon. So, he looked Peter and John over trying to figure out if they would be nice. You know we have a whole lot of grouchy old church folk! A whole lot of folk just hate to ask people for anything, and I tell you I have a problem with people whenever you ask them something –help or an opinion --they go to frowning up like what you are going to ask them will hurt them or even kill them. This is important; the church must show itself as caring because only then will the Lord’s lost children seek refuge in the church. Lame man stuck his hand out, and Peter and John looked at him, and they had compassion on this man. They said we don’t have money, but in the name of Jesus rise, take up your bed and walk." The man looked at his hand they were withered and drawn up. The man looked at his legs and they were twisted and bent out of shape. The man looked at his feet and they were crooked and contorted. The man said to himself, "it’s not going to work; my hands are withered, my legs are twisted, and my feet are crooked. It’s not going to work."

Peter said, "Give me your hand." The man said, "It’s not going to work." Peter said, "Oh, want you try Him, today." So Peter grabbed the man by his arm and said, "Oh, won’t you try Jesus, today!" The church must be willing to reach out to those in doubt by testifying of His goodness. Oh, Parker Chapel won’t you try Jesus today! The man said, "Oh, I believe I’ll try this Jesus fellow!" The church can only help when people have confidence in her and believe in the power of the church. People can only be helped when they believe in the power of the church. So the man gripped Peter’s arm solidly and he said, "Well, I going to try this Jesus fellow!" So the man tried to push himself up with his right leg, and he felt something moving on the inside of his leg. The man said, "Wow, I can feel something within. Somebody has touched me and I can feel something moving all over my legs." So the man said, "Well, I believe I’m going to try Jesus with my left leg." Sure enough, he could feel the power of Jesus moving in that leg to, and then he started walking around and he started shouting. He looked at his hands, and they looked brand new. He looked at his feet, and they did too. So he started running and jumping and saying, "Look a here now. Look at what the Lord has done for me!" He began to shout and to praise God and gave Him all of the glory. He said, "Look at what Jesus has done for me!"

 

 

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