Pastor's Points Acts 3

Acts 3
The beginning of chapter 3 is the story of the crippled man by the Beautiful Gate. He was put at the gate everyday. He had probably been in the same spot for a long time. Peter and John had passed him before. Some even say Jesus passed by him at this gate. But now something unbelievable was going to happen.

The man asked Peter and John for money just like he always did. Peter said, "Silver and Gold I do not have, but I have I give to you. In the name of Jeuss Christ of Nazareth, walk."

What did Peter have? Power! Looking back to chapter 1 do you remember that the disciples wanted worldly power and Jesus wanted to give them Real and Lasting Power.

Peter had the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 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."

Peter had the gift of healing.

1 Cor 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,

Peter had authority in Jesus' name.

Mat 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

I was wondering how many times I have tried to solve problems through natural means when God wanted to do something supernatural.

Pastor's Points Acts 2

Acts 2

Pentecost always changes people. In chapter 1 the disciples were concerned about worldly power. When they received the true power at Pentecost we never see them craving worldly power again. When you receive the real thing nothing else compares.

Look at Peter. He was boisterous and often bumbling. He made a great confession of Christ when asked "who do you say I am." Then he denied this same Lord when pushed by a slave girl. When confronted by the enemies of Christ he picked up a sword and chopped off the guard's ear.

Yet, who was it that preached the first Pentecostal message? Peter. When the true Power comes. People are changed!

Pastor's Points on Acts 1

Having just completed a 1.5 yr study of the book of Acts I want to do a quick review for each chapter based on my personal thoughts.

Chapter 1 - Power

The disciples had one idea of power. Their's was based on worldly, political or military power.
Acts 1:6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

Jesus had another.
Acts 1:8 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."

Jesus' power was based on submission to the will of God.

Throughout Jesus' earthly ministry the disciples were interested in power. Who would be the greatest? Who would sit as His right hand?

Jesus lived something different. The greatest would be servants.

Phil 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Phil 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
Phil 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Phil 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Phil 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
Phil 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Phil 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Sunday Sermon "I Am"

Here are some of the thoughts I shared Sunday Morning June 6th.

I Am Accepted in Christ
Rom 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

I am God's child
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--

I am Christ's friend
John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

I am Justified by Faith
Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
MSG Rom 3:24 God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

I Am Bought with a Price: I belong to God
1 Cor 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

I am a member of Christ's Body
1 Cor 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

I am a saint
Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

I am Adopted as God's child
Eph 1:5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--

I am able to go to God myself
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

I am redeemed and forgiven
Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

I am complete in Christ
Col 2:10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.