Raise Your Expectations
Acts 3:1-9 (NIV)
The Unstoppable Force, The Church 03 | Debbye Turner Bell | leadership development pastor | first aired on 06.20.2021
Read Scripture
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 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. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
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.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, —Acts 3:1-9
Introduction
After an outpouring of salvation in Acts 1, and the appearance of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the events of Acts 3 are the natural progression of what happens when we receive the Holy Spirit and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
l. The lame man came to the right place (the Beautiful Gate of the temple) for help but he was asking for the wrong thing. He was asking God for something to sustain him in his current situation.
A. He’s become so accustomed to his circumstances, he has no expectation that they will change. He’s just trying to survive in the way things are.
B. The man looks at Peter expecting alms but the scripture shows us his expectation was too low.
C. Verse 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.”
Peter was full of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit completely changes the man’s situation.
II. Have you been in your
A. Has your circumstance persisted so long that you don’t expect it to change?
B. We have the authority to command the mountain to move!
- Mark 11:23 says “whoever says to this mountain, be removed and be cast into the sea. And does not doubt in his heart but believes those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”
C. What is your level of expectation of God? Are you expecting miracles? Are you asking for miracles?
- Eph. 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”
III. Miracles are not an historical artifact. God is still able and willing to perform the miraculous in your life through His Spirit.
A. The healing of the lame man led to an opportunity for Peter to preach the gospel of Jesus.
B. People listened to the message of the Gospel because of the miracle.
C. The sermon led to people being converted
IV. We see in the Bible that miracles are not necessarily for our benefit; although we benefit from them.
A. Miracles reveals the identity of Jesus and glorifies God.
B. Miracles lead to, and accomplish, the will of God.
C. Miracles lead to the building of God’s Kingdom, and the fulfillment of His purposes.
D. The miracle is not just about us.
E. Because of the miracle….the people were listening when Peter said, “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,” (verse 19)
V. We serve an Almighty, All-loving, All-powerful God who can do anything. There is no
A. But we sometimes lower our expectations of Him or have no expectations at all, in an effort to avoid getting hurt, or disappointed.
B. But God has made many wonderful promises to us. Here are just a few of those promises according to scripture:
In Psa 62…“He has promised to be our rock, salvation, defense, and refuge.”
In Deut. 31:6…He’s promised to never leave you nor forsake you.
In Psa 103, Matt. 8, Ex. 15, to name a few…He’s promise to heal you of all your infirmities.
In Prov. 3 and Prov. 16….He’s promised that He will direct your path.
Matt 11….He’s promised to give you rest for your soul.
VI. Raise your
A. Raise your expectations to match God’s kindness
B. Raise your expectations to match God’s ability
C. Raise your expectations to match God’s promises
Call to Action:
1. Make a decision to believe God for the impossible.
2. Act on your faith by asking God to perform a miracle in your life.
3. Expect the miraculous from God.
4. Trust God. Trust His purpose. Trust His plan. Trust His timing. Trust His faithfulness.
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