A day to remember

 

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 26 JUNE 2023 PM

ACTS 3 VERSES 1 TO 11

A DAY TO REMEMBER

 

I am sure this was the most amazing day in this man’s life.  Is there a day in our lives we can go back to, where we heard the gospel message?  That we were sinners going out to a lost Christless hell.  Someone explained to us that God’s Son came into the world and on that middle cross he died for the atonement of our sin.  A tremendous day in the life of any man or woman.  Think of that woman with the issue of blood.  For 12 years she had suffered.  She tried everything but was none the better, just worse.  One day she pushed through the crowd and touched the hem of Jesus’ cloak.  It was a day of healing for her.  Or think of the woman who entered into the synagogue on the sabbath day.  She was bowed down, couldn’t straighten herself.  Jesus called her out and released her from the bondage of Satan.  Was there a day like that for you?  Here was a day that began like any other.  People would bring this man to the gate of the temple, and he would sit with his begging bowl.  He was ready to gain from those who passed by.  It was just like any other day but this day he would meet with Christ.  No longer carried home but walking home.  Imagine the excitement of those who knew him, who had carried him every day, of those who watched him sitting there every day.

 

Notice the place that he came to.  Verse 52.  At the gate of the temple.  The place where he was set down every day.  This incident is recorded for us for a reason.  Why?  That we might see it for ourselves.  He was lame from his mother’s womb, knew no strength in his ankle bones.  He could not depend on his legs to carry him any distance.  Just another day for this man.  We read later on that he was 40 years of age.  All those years never able to walk.  Such was the situation he found himself in.  He was left in a strategic place.  No doubt thinking of those who would pass by.  A day-to-day existence.  That is how sinners live – day to day with no real hope within or without.  Without God they have no hope in their lives.  Sometimes people will say “is it important what church you go to?”  The bible says, “where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst.”  It is very important. Imagine gathering not in the name of Christ.  He will not be there to bring saving power to them.  It is important to be in under the sound of God’s word.  Jesus said, “if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself.”  Many are endeavouring to lift up Christ’s name tonight.  Jesus came into the world to die for your sins.  This man was brought to the gate of the temple by his friends.  The best place.  The most strategic place.  He never thought he would have a life changing experience.  There are places in scripture that some people will never forget. For this man he would never forget sitting where he was when Peter and John passed by.  This was where he met with Jesus, and he was no longer lame.  Think of the tree in Jericho where Zacchaeus met with Christ.  Can we say that tonight?  Was there a place where you met with Christ?  Not churchianity or religiosity but a definite experience of saving grace.  When you realised you were a sinner in need of a Saviour?  That Jesus was that Saviour?  You needed to come to him.  To have him come into your life, forgive you of your sin.  This is a day to remember.  There is a place in Samaria, a well in Sychar where the woman came to draw water one day.  She wanted to fill her waterpot and return home again.  It was a day that changed her life forever.  The well became very important to her.  She realised in talking to Jesus he was the Messiah, that he was the sacrifice for her sin, and she was saved that day – a special place for her.

 

The people that he met.  There are those who come into our lives that act as signposts.  They point us to Christ.  John the Baptist was one of them.  He called the attention of men and women and pointed to Christ – “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.”  This man was simply begging.  He was lifting up his eyes and sees 2 men coming in a distance.  Maybe he recognised them or perhaps he knew there was something special about them, that stood out for them.  Men following Christ and preaching Christ.  They were 2 signposts for this man.  Maybe he heard them preaching not far from where he was.  Isn’t it wonderful to meet those people who have been a great influence on our lives, to bring us to Christ.  That is all these 2 men had on their minds – to point men and women to Christ.  They were walking down through the crowd.  This man spotted them.  Influenced him for God.  Think of the men of Samaria coming out of the city.  They met a woman who told them “Come with me and I will show you all things he told me today. Is this not the Christ?”  Is there someone in your life or someone you can be a signpost to?  Are you pointing men to Christ or pointing them away from Christ?  Think of the man in Acts 8 sitting   in his chariot.  He was coming from worshipping in Jerusalem.  A devout, religious man.  He heard something in Jerusalem.  He was opening up the scriptures at Isaiah and was very confused.  He was not sure what this message was all about.  Then he lifts his head and sees Philip standing there in the chariot.  He knew God had led him there.  He asked Philip to come up and explain the scriptures to him.  He began to preach Christ and he responded to the message.  In Acts 16 Lydia was found in that place where prayer was want to be made.  When she came and heard Paul’s words she believed on Christ.  Who have you influenced today?

 

The poverty that is presented.  This man depended on others to carry him about, to put the begging bowl in his hand, to carry him home at the end of the day.  He realised he never could do anything for himself.  He was dependent on everyone else.  His situation was hopeless.  Peter and John couldn’t help him either.  The man was looking for that which would help him to live the next day.  The man learned he was stuck in poverty when Peter said those words.  What a predicament to be in – that no man cared for my soul.  There was one who left heavens glory, took on himself the sin of the world.  It was hopeless – nothing could be done for him.

 

The presentation that is made.  He recognised there was nothing Peter and John could for him, but they presented the one who could – the Lord himself.  Only he could do anything for him.

 

The power that is shared.  Peter begins to share – “silver and gold have I none but such as I have give I unto thee.”  He began to speak of the power and authority in Christ.  The Holy Spirit begins to stir his heart.  If ever you are to be saved it will not be through the church or the preacher, it is the Holy Spirit taking your eyes to the middle cross of Calvary.  The man trusted in what Peter said.  Peter reached down and grasped his hand, and he got up to his feet.  He went into the temple rejoicing.  This was a day indelibly marked in his life.  Faith in Christ alone.  That resurrected this man, gave him strength for his life.  Only the Holy Spirit can bring that conviction.  “There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby you must be saved.”  Jesus said, “you must be born again”.  You cannot get into heaven without it.  Repent of your sin and trust in the Lord.  As this man did that, sitting at the gate called Beautiful he stood on his feet and followed after Christ.