December 29, 2024
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

I. Friends that stood together in the past should pray together in the present

Acts 3:1
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

II. God uses ordinary interruptions in our day to reveal His plan

Acts 3:2-3
And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

III. See others and choose to engage them from God’s point of view

Acts 3:4-6
And Peter directed his gaze 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 and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Sharing Jesus requires the courage to bring God up in conversations.

IV. Choose to walk with those who follow Jesus

Acts 3:7-10
And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

V. Give Jesus credit when others notice God at work

Acts 3:11
While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I choose to see interruptions as opportunities.
• I commit to give God credit when others take notice.

Deep Dive

1. Do you ever feel that following Jesus is routine and boring?
2. Do we feel so busy in our day that we don’t have enough time in our day to step into divine appointments?
3. God uses small acts of obedience and multiplies them to show His power. Share an example from your life where God used obedience to open an unexpected door to share Jesus.

Springboards

1. Read Mark 1:1-4. How do you prepare the way for someone? What was John’s message to prepare the way of Jesus?
2. Why does Mark begin his gospel with a reference to prophecy? What does this reveal about Jesus’ ministry?
3. What does John’s role as a “messenger” tell us about God’s plan for salvation?