Sent – Week 5 – From Brokenness to Breakthrough

Acts 3:1-10

Expectation

1: Need for Transformation

    • The beggar at the temple gate desired something, even if it was merely alms, he just knew he couldn’t do anything without someone’s help.
    • Peter had his eyes open to do God’s work.
    • “True expectation is not a result of what we know but who we know in faith.”

2: Faith in God’s Power

    • Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
    • Faith brings expectation; the man’s outstretched hand represents the hope that God could do something extraordinary through His people.
    • “Faith is not merely the willingness to receive but the readiness to believe.” – E. M. Bounds

3: God’s Timing

    • Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”
    • Though the beggar was daily at the gate, his encounter with Peter and John shows how God works at the appointed time to fulfill His purpose.
    • “God’s timing may be delayed but is never denied.”

Transformation

1: Healing Through Faith

    • James 5:15 – “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”
    • Peter’s command in Jesus’ name reflects the apostles’ faith in the power of God to bring instant transformation.
    • “When God’s hand is present, transformation is evident.”

2: Renewal in Christ

    • 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”
    • Transformation goes beyond physical healing; the beggar’s entire life trajectory changed as he experienced God’s renewing power.
    • “God doesn’t just heal; He makes all things new.”

3: Witness to Others

    • Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
    • The transformed beggar leaping and praising God caught the attention of all who knew him, pointing others to the power of God.
    • “A transformed life is the most powerful witness to God’s goodness.”

Glorification

1: Praise as Response to God’s Work

    • Psalm 103:2 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
    • The beggar’s praise was not just a reaction to physical healing but a recognition of God’s goodness in his life.
    • “When God moves, our only response should be praise.”

2: Pointing to Christ, Not Self

    • Acts 3:12-13 – Peter directs the crowd’s amazement to Christ, not his own power.
    • Peter and John did not seek glory; their actions and words directed others to Jesus.
    • “Miracles are signs pointing to the Savior, not to the servants.”

3: Faith that Leads to Worship

    • John 4:24 – “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
    • The beggar’s transformation became a worship experience, as his new life of walking and praising glorified God continually.
    • “True worship flows from hearts that have encountered God’s power firsthand.”

Conclusion: Leading into Communion

  1. Expectation – Like the beggar who looked up with hope, we approach God with a faith-filled expectation, trusting that He has the power to transform our lives.
  2. Transformation – Jesus doesn’t just heal; He renews, restores, and redirects our lives entirely. The beggar’s life was changed forever, and so is ours when we meet Jesus.
  3. Glorification – As the beggar’s joy overflowed in praise, so too should our lives point back to God, giving Him glory for all He’s done.

This miraculous transformation wasn’t just about physical healing; it was about bringing this man from the margins into the community of God’s people. And today, communion reminds us that God has done the same for us. Jesus took our brokenness upon Himself at the cross so that we could be made whole and brought into relationship with Him and one another.

As we come to the table, let’s bring with us that same expectation. Let’s remember that the bread and the cup represent Christ’s sacrifice—a sacrifice that transformed our lives. His body, broken for us, and His blood, poured out, are our symbols of hope, healing, and community. In this communion, we don’t just remember His sacrifice; we participate in the power of His love, grace, and presence among us.

In every situation, God calls us to be expectant, to receive His transforming power, and to let our lives be testimonies that glorify Him. The power of Acts 3 reminds us that our God is still in the business of bringing breakthrough to our brokenness.

 

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