The Miracle and the Message

Notes: Valor-The Miracle and the Message
October 14, 2014
Harvest OC - Valor Mens Study
Jonathan Laurie
Acts 3

Jonathan Laurie speaking about going up to Skid Row. Handing out water bottles, the people swarm to get water. They invite everyone back to the Mission for a meal and to hear the Gospel. He is talking about how they always feed a great meal, that attracts people so they feed them the Word and then the food.

He is talking about leveraging what they have to help spread the Word.

Acts 3:1-11-26 NKJV
[1] Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. [2] And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; [3] who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. [4] And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." [5] So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. [6] Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." [7] And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. [8] So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them-walking, leaping, and praising God. [9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God. [10] Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. [11] Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. [11] Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. [12] So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. [14] But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, [15] and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. [16] And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. [17] "Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. [18] But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. [19] Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, [20] and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, [21] whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. [22] For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. [23] And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.' [24] Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. [25] You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' [26] To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."

This man healed was described in the verse below.
Acts 4:22 NKJV
[22] For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

This was a man that was there for 40 years.

We can often decide not to share the Gospel with people. We don't know when we can spread Gods loving Word and heal someone with their struggles.

In these verses, this was a miracle sent from God that everyone could witness. Peter didn't know that he was going to heal that man, but Peter put his faith in Christ and a miracle occurred through Him.

Jonathan is talking about the time the apostles were on the Sea of Galilee and when Peter got out and walked on the water when Jesus called him.

That was a miracle, Jesus did the miracle but it was channeled through Peter.

Healing Miracles from God seem to have these factors:
1. You always want to make sure it is Gods sovereign choice.

2. It is done so Jesus is glorified.

3. It is instantaneous.

4. It is complete.

John 15:11 NKJV
[11] "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Peter used this miracle and leveraged it. It was a miracle done to spread Jesus' name.

There are fake miracles done today, magic done by others to promote themselves. You must be cautious of these fakes.

Matthew 9:37 NKJV
[37] Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Becoming a pastor at Harvest is simply a recognition of what the pastors here are already doing.

We should all be spreading Gods word and helping others.

Acts 3:14-15 NKJV
[14] But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, [15] and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

Peter called out these sins, but then he gives them the answer to make up for what they have done.

Acts 3:19 NKJV
[19] Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Forgiveness of sin comes by confessing it and asking for forgiveness!

Jonathan is talking about he couldn't easily confess his sins and was stuck in them for years. He talks about all the guilt he felt from those things. Once he owned his sin and asked for forgiveness, he then was released by that bondage.

Acts 3:20 NKJV
[20] and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,

Jonathan says whenever we have the opportunity to let others know that they can be freed from sin we should take it!