Acts Chapter 3

 Acts 3:1-26  - not sure how many days after Pentecost this took place.

Apostles did many miracles ... Question:  Why this one recorded?
Ans.  - Probably because of the stir it created!!  (Chap. 4 - next week)
Crippled man = not just faking it. 
Glorify = make His glory known.  Same way the moon glorifies the sun.  Moon has no glory of it's own but reflects the glory of the sun even though the sun is not visible.

Today ... Will examine/illustrate 3 areas of Christian Life>

I)  Miracles:  definition:  an event that is un-common, un-usual, INEXPLICABLE (unexplainable) apart from God's intervention.    Generally unnatural.

            The purpose?  1 primary purpose = show God's approval (affirmation) of a message or messenger. 
Examples:  Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Apostles
Rom. 1:4 - the Resurrection.    Therefore, a miracle = both a sign and a wonder.

            The Prevalence?  = NOT the usual, normal, common ... but = ON occasion, AS GOD DICTATES!!
Examples:  Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Apostles

            The passing?? - We see fewer miracles AS the church age progresses.
Why?  Because the Gospel message was sufficiently confirmed??  (Whatever the reason, it = GOD'S CALL!!!  Not ours!!)

Some say "fewer miracles because there's less faith"
BUT, (1)  John the Baptist - John 10:40-41 - Jesus said was not a man born of woman greater than John the Baptist, yet he never worked a miracle.
and   (2)  every age has faithful and unfaithful followers!

Question:  How effective are miracles in converting people to Christ??
Answer:  On one hand, CAN be very effective!!
              However, not all who see/experience miracles turn to God!!  (example:  majority of the Sanhedrin!  They affirm the miracle but don't turn!)  Miracles are signs to seekers!

Extreme example:  Rev. 16:10-11

Point = Application for today:  WHEN God reveals 'SELF/Glory to you... (by whatever means ... miracle, sense of Presence, Holy Spirit's conviction, etc.) THEN you  must decide, choose ...

Either  1)  Recognize/admit & allow 'self to be drawn to Him...
or       2)  Resist, refuse, pull back from God
example:  "casts out demons by power of Satan!"
Bible presents 2 paths only!!!  No neutral ground!!!
And..... choices don't end with salvation!!

II)  The Role of Faith in healing
God heals ... often through a person ... and faith has a part. 
BUT whose faith?  the healer?  or the healed?  example:  Peter and John, or the cripple?

On one hand, answer not always clear - examples:  Lazarus - dead?  have faith?  Legion - possessed  (have faith?)
But what we DO KNOW is: 
#1)   FAITH MATTERS
Often see "your faith has made you whole, healed you"
Also see Acts 14:8-10 (did Peter and John see his faith?)
Contrast Mark 6:4-6

So.... faith matters!!
BUT  #2.  Faith Alone (no matter how pure) does not guarantee healing.  (faith doesn't heal.... GOD heals!)
Hence:  Epaphroditus (Phil. 2) "ill and almost died"
            Trophimus (2 Tim. 4) "left sick ant Miletus"

Point/Application:  (1)  You don't always get what you pray for - (no matter how pure your faith)
                    BUT (2)  sometimes you do!!  (even with a faulty faith!!)

Faith does NOT make miracles a certainty, BUT Faith does make miracles a possibility!!

So... (1)  believe and pray - James 5:16 b
  But (2)  accept GOD'S answer/will - 2 Cor. 12:7-9

Another thing ... we read Chapter 3 and focus (naturally) on the Miracle, but Peter and John focus on the person, work, Resurrection of Christ...

ie:  III.  The Miracle of Salvation
Acts 3:19 a "... wiped out"
in essence saying ... "what God has done physically for this cripple ... He can/will do for you... a Spiritual Cripple!!  (primary meaning of ... 1 Pet. 2:24.  healed spiritually.  May get healed physically.

Note  Acts 3:17 - "done in ignorance..."
BUT ... NOW no longer ignorant!  NOW must make an INFORMED Decision!!
ie:  move toward Christ .... or pull back from Christ!!!

Question:  What IF cripple said "not interested"??? 

Question:  Was he healed when Peter spoke the words?
OR, when he tried to get up?? 

WRAP UP

(1)  Is OK to want miracles,, but don't Wait for one!!
whenever God makes Himself known ... Accept, Respond...

(2)  Is OK to pray for healing ... but determine to serve Him regardless!!

(3)  Although miracles and/or healing is sometimes His will... Salvation is Always His will (AND, you are no longer ignorant!!)

And, (as salvation is always His will), so is Sanctification!!  ie:  Spiritual progress, growth toward Spiritual maturity!

Therefore, pray for and accept (receive) any miracle God has for you (great or small)
BUT ... don't wait for a miracle ... to do what you now is the RIGHT THING!