1. The Spirit-filled Church What should we look like?

2. Luke has a story to tell…  Acts 2:43 “Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.”  But Luke tells the story of only one wonder in particular. Why?

3. Luke wants us to learn…  This miracle is the catalyst for a second sermon by Peter  The miracle & sermon were cause of 1st church persecution. Tension between church and Jewish religious is stirred.  Arrest of Peter & John, death of Stephen.

4. Power came down…  Turns despairing doubters into dynamic disciples  Energized them to be witnesses to Jesus Christ and the gospel  God shows Himself to be Healer

5. Literal & symbolic healing  Man had suffered for 40 yrs  His life is a picture of the tragedy of the human condition  He sat in the Gate Beautiful  We all need a heavenly touch from God

6. We Impart Expectancy (v3-5)  He sat there in the “ninth hour.” (same hour Jesus died on cross)  He expected to get something from those going to pray to God  “Look at us…” quickened his faith

7. We impart healing (v 6-7)  Peter admitted his bankruptcy in material things (silver & gold I have not…)  Peter demonstrated his amazing adequacy in the spiritual realm  1 Pt 1:4 – partakers of the divine nature

8. We impart Joy! (v8)  The man was not only changed; not only healed; but joy flooded his soul.  Someone cared. God loved him.  “If 1/10 of what you believe is true, you ought to be 10x as excited as you are.” Sir Walter Moberly, “The Crisis in the University”

9. We impart Wonder (v9-10)  Acts 3:9-10”…they were filled w/wonder & amazement at what had happened to him.”  People were convinced God was at work; this miracle had been done in name of Jesus; they were prepared to listen to the explanation.( Peter’s 2 nd sermon)

10. We impart a witness  The lame man lived his life out of the main stream of religious activity. So do most other people.  God works; we explain what God did; God works again on a new heart.

11. The challenge  Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?  Are you the lame man, settling for “survivor” mode?  Are you satisfied with just getting by, especially spiritually?  Are you maintaining status quo?

12. Be blessed!  And they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit…