Pastor Joe's Sermon Notes for Sunday, August 30, 2020

 

“Bringing Beauty to Our World”

August 30, 2020, Carrollwood Baptist Church, Dr. Joe Alain

Acts 3:1-10

¹ One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ² Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

 

⁶ Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ⁷ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹ When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

 

In Acts 3 we are introduced to a man who had a great need for health and salvation but what he wanted was not going to meet his need. Fortunately, Peter and John did not give him what he wanted but something far better, what he needed – the love of Jesus (3:6). As a result, a beautiful transformation occurred at the gate called “Beautiful.” In this passage we see how God meets our greatest need, the need of transformation in Jesus Christ. And when God’s people love others in the name of Jesus, beautiful things do happen.  

 

Going to Pray (3:1)

The believers were still attached to the temple and to the traditional hours of prayer (see Ps. 55:17; Dan. 6:10; Acts 10:30). We often see Peter and John together. They were partners in the fishing business (Lk. 5:10); they prepared the last Passover for Jesus (Lk. 22:8) and they ran to the tomb on that first Easter morning (Jn. 20:3-4).

 

Needs at the Door of the Church (3:2)

Peter and John met a man in great need. He is unnamed but we are told that (1) he “was lame from birth,” (2) he was “carried to the temple gate called Beautiful” on a daily basis, and (3) he was there to “beg from those going into the temple courts.” There were nine (9) gates that led from the court of the Gentiles into the temple itself and this entrance was probably the “Eastern Gate” that led into the court of women.

 

Seeking a Temporary Solution (3:3)

The giving of alms was an important part of the Jewish faith so what better place to receive money and compassion than from worshipers going into the temple. The man saw Peter and John and asked them for money because that is what he thought he needed (temporary solution), but what he really needed was healing and salvation.

 

Sharing the Hope and Love of Jesus (3:4-7)

There was the spoken word (“In the name of Jesus”) and the compassionate deed, he took him by the hand, “he helped him.”

 

What they gave was far more than what money could buy for they gave their attention, their time, their encouraging words of hope in Jesus, and their help in a practical way.

 

 A Beautiful Change of Heart and Health (3:8-10)

“Now that he could stand, there was no question where this man stood!” Wiersbe

Life Application

1. Only God can supply what we really need.

 

2. When God’s people love others in the name of Jesus (word and deed), beautiful things do happen.

Pastor Joe's Sermon Notes for Sunday, August 23, 2020

 

 

 

“This Is Church!” Part II

August 23, 2020

 

Introduction: “An ideal is a model of something perfect or without equal. As an adjective, ideal describes this ultimate standard for excellence.” All of us have ideals about what life should look like, there is an “ideal” church too and in Acts 2:42-27 Luke provides for us what that looks like.

 

Last week, I spoke about “Becoming a Believer” from the pattern that is evident from Acts 2:37-41.  

Becoming a Believer (2:37-41)

1. Hearing the Gospel (2:37)

2. Conviction of Sin (2:37)

3. Repentance of sin (2:38)

4. Baptism as a profession of faith (2:38)

5. Joining the fellowship of believers (2:41)

 

Being the Church (Acts 2:42-47)

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 

“Devoted” has the idea of “steadfast and single-minded fidelity to a certain course of action.” Devotion to the Lord characterized the early church. There were four areas that the believers were devoted to.

The believers were devoted to . . .

1. Discipleship (2:42). “The apostles’ teaching.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

 

 

2. Fellowship (2:42, 44-45). “The fellowship” (ESV).

 

 

3. Worship (2:42, 46-47).

²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.   Hebrews 10:23-25

 

 

4. Prayer (2:42).

The early church was known for their praying and references to “prayer” are frequent in Acts (cf., 1:14, 24; 4:24-31; 6:4, 6; 9:40; 10:2, 4, 9, 31; 11:5; 12:5; 13:3; 14:23; 16:25; 22:17; 28:8).

 

 

As a result of the believers being devoted to the Word, the fellowship, worship and prayer there was a great sense of “awe” and God was working mightily, and “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (2:47).

 

God honors our “devotion” to Him but not much happens through indifference, or lack of concern. Will I embrace the “ideal” and strive to be the church in practical ways in my life? Will I be devoted to discipleship, the fellowship, to worship, and to prayer?

Pastor Joe's Sermon Notes for Sunday, August 16, 2020

 

 

“This Is Church!”

August 16, 2020

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:37-47                                 Series: This Is Church!

 

A Summary of Peter’s Message on the Day of Pentecost (2:20-40)

1. Jesus is God (2:22).

2. The death of Jesus was God’s plan from the beginning; nevertheless, the people were still guilty of putting Jesus to death (2:23).

3. God raised Jesus from the dead (2:24-36). A statement of fact (2:24). Old Testament Scriptural evidence is given to support the resurrection (2:25-31). Peter and others were personal witnesses of his resurrection (2:32). And the ascended and exalted Jesus is the one who has poured out the Holy Spirit they have just witnessed (2:33-35).

4. In view of the confirmation and truth that Jesus is Lord (2:36), if this is true, then we should acknowledge Jesus, repent of our sins, and be baptized as an expression of our confession of faith (2:37-39).

 

BECOMING A BELIEVER

 not a step-by-step detailed plan, the following are present in every conversion to Christ.

1. Hearing the Gospel (2:37) “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17, ESV).

 

2. Conviction of Sin (2:37) They were “Cut to the heart.” The message “Moved them deeply,” TLB; “They felt guilty,” NCV.

 

3. Repentance of sin (2:38) To “repent” is make an about face, a 180 degree turn away from sin to God. 

 

4. Baptism as a profession of faith (2:38) Baptism is your profession of faith.

 

5.  Joining the fellowship of believers (2:41) The baptized believers “were added to their number.”

 

 

BEING THE CHURCH

1. Teaching and fellowship (2:42). “Teaching” is “doctrine” (NKJV).  

 

¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right. ¹⁷ Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be capable, having all that is needed to do every good work.                                (2 Tim. 3:16-17, NCV).

 

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us” (Msg.).

 

2. Observing the Lord’s Supper and prayer (2:42).

 

 

 

3. Sharing together, meeting needs (2:44-45).

 

 

 

4. Sharing table fellowship together (2:46).

 

 

 

5. Praise and worship (2:46-47).

 

 

 

6. Evangelism, sharing the Gospel (2:47).