Acts 2:42-47
What do you devote yourself to daily? Anything that would pass for a daily devotion?
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What did these 3000 converts end up doing in Acts 2:42-47? How is God with them?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- How is your church fellowship like and unlike the fellowship here? How could you help your church be more like this? How will this example affect how you get involved in your church?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar
Acts 3:1-10
Describe a time when you found yourself without money?
Text Graphic
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- The Jews had three set times for prayer each day. How disciplined are you in your personal spiritual life? What benefits have come to you from the spiritual disciplines?
- What does this passage say about why we should love God's people?
- What were Peter and John unable to give the crippled man? What did they give? How did the crippled man react to the miracle? If you were the cripple, what would you write as a diary entry for a typical day? When Peter grabs your hand? After the healing?
- How did the people at the temple respond to Peter and John after they heard about the miracle? What opportunity did this miracle provide for Peter?
- How did Peter explain the healing of the crippled man?
- Who did Peter attribute this healing to? Explain why it is important to “give credit where credit is due.” What dangers could Christians fall into if they accepted the praise God deserves?
- What was the relationship between physical healing and spiritual salvation in Jesus’ work and teaching? (See Luke 4:18-19, 5:17-26, 7:20-23, 9:1-2.)
- What purpose did the physical healing serve here? Why did Peter and John heal the beggar physically instead of just giving him money or offering him spiritual salvation?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- How is Jesus healing some crippled area of your life?
- Would you do the same thing as Peter did or would you ask John for a dime? Why? Could God heal through you? Why or why not?
- What excuses do Christians use to keep quiet about their faith?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Miracles in Acts
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Peter
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Paul
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―many
wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles‖ (2:43)
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Paul and Barnabas (the apostles)
did many miracles and signs in Iconium (14:3–4)
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Lame Man
from birth (3:1–10)
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Lame Man from birth (14:8–11)
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Earthquake
ends a Prayer meeting (4:31)
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Earthquake ends prayers sung to
God (16:26)
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Curses
Ananias and Sapphira (5:1–11)
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Curses Elymas (13:8–12)
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Healing
with a shadow (5:15)
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Healing with a handkerchief
(19:12)
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Peter
grants miraculous gifts through hands (8:17)
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Paul grants miraculous gifts
through hands (19:6)
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Raises
Tabitha from the dead (9:40)
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Raises Eutychus from the dead
(20:9–12)
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Peters
chains loosed (12:7)
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Paul‘s chains fell off (16:26)
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Devotional Thoughts:
Works of Christ
Longfellow could take a worthless piece of paper, write a poem on it, and instantly make it worth thousands of dollars -- and it's called genius.
Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth millions of dollars -- and it's called riches.
A mechanic can take material worth only five dollars and make it worth five hundred -- and it's called skill.
An artist can take a fifty-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it, and make it worth thousands of dollars -- and it's called art.
Jesus Christ can take a worthless, sinful life, wash it in His blood, put His Spirit in it, and make it valuable to God -- and that's called sanctification.
The Lord is in the business of taking rough, raw material and using it -- transforming men by His power to be the extension of His work in the world.
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Self-Examination
DAILY AFFIRMATIONS
The following have been suggested as some ineffective daily affirmations:
- I have the power to channel my imagination into ever-soaring levels of suspicion and paranoia.
- I assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are someone else's fault.
- I no longer need to punish, deceive or compromise myself. Unless, of course, I want to stay employed.
- My intuition nearly makes up for my lack of good judgment.
- I can change any thought that hurts into a reality that hurts even more.
- I honor my personality flaws, for without them I would have no personality at all.
- I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all those censorious, self-righteous people around me.
- I need not suffer in silence while I can still moan, whimper and complain.
- The first step is to say nice things about myself. The second, to do nice things for myself. The third, to find someone to buy me nice things.
- All of me is beautiful and valuable, even the ugly, stupid, and disgusting parts.
- Only a lack of imagination saves me from immobilizing myself with imaginary fears.
- Today I will gladly share my experience and advice, for there are no sweeter words than "I told you so."
- A good scapegoat is nearly as welcome as a solution to the problem.
- Just for today, I will not sit in my living room all day watching TV. Instead I will move my TV into the bedroom.
- I will find humor in my everyday life by looking for people I can laugh at.
- To have a successful relationship I must learn to make it look like I'm giving as much as I'm getting.
- I am willing to make the mistakes if someone else is willing to learn from them.
There's obviously not a single one of the affirmations above that provides a foundation for successful living. So what can we "affirm" daily that will give us the strength we need to face the difficulties that each day bring? Allow me to share with you two affirmations from scripture:
"[The accusers] had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive." (Acts 25:19)
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works." (Acts 3:8)
If we will affirm daily (acknowledging God's power) that Jesus Christ was not left in the tomb, but is a risen Savior, and if we will affirm daily (acknowledging our responsibility) that we ought to live lives of obedient faith, then we truly have the foundation to meet whatever life sends our way.
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Could talk about "Power"
God's math
Most people would say that math is no fun. We tend to think of it as the subject in school that was just there to bring down our GPAs or cause us unnecessary stress.
But math is important—especially in God's supernatural equation. And God's math is much more exciting than anything we may have done in school. But his math also gives us reason to pause, because it may not be what we think.
Addition – We like addition = praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47
4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 2 Peter 1:4-6
Multiplication – This is mature stuff – maturity brings multiplication
Multiplication is a fascinating concept to most third-grade students. It's a new level of math that, in a way, serves as a rite of passage to "big kid math." It gives them a boost of confidence to know they are advancing to a better, more exciting level of math.
Jesus also has a unique way for us to experience a new and exciting level in our walk with him. No matter where we are on the globe, we can participate in the greatest mathematical concept known to man. And it all has to do with multiplication. We can multiply the kingdom of God by identifying people to share Christ with.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
Maybe it's a family member, co-worker, or neighbor. No matter who the person is or what role they play in your life, they deserve a chance to hear the greatest news of all and make the choice to follow a Christ. But don't worry if you don't have a seminary degree or a theological background.
Sometimes something as simple as a positive comment about someone's smile or a reference to current events can spark an opportunity for us to share your story of how Christ has impacted you.
Think about the people in your life today. And ask God to show you an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with someone who needs him.
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Acts 6:1
Division – This one sounds like sharing, but maybe it is most evil kind of spiritual math.
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 1 Corinthians 1:10-11
Subtraction – This one sounds bad, but maybe it is the best.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away (subtracts) the sin of the world!" John 1:29
For example, subtraction doesn't have the same meaning it did for us in school. We think of subtraction as a loss. But in God's equation, subtraction is the one thing that actually allows us to have a connection with him.
Jesus' sole purpose for coming to earth, living a perfect life, dying a sacrificial death and rising again was to subtract the sin from our lives. He came to take away those things that keep us from a relationship with God. And if we are going to grow as believers, it is vital that we understand God's subtraction equation.
Think about your life today. What is God telling you to subtract from your life? Whatever it is, he wants you to subtract it so that you can grow. Turn to him, allow him take away the sins in your life and enjoy the life that God has set forth for you to live.
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Humor:
One Who Misunderstood Arms For Alms
Asked to receive an alms" (Acts 3:3) The minister was being entertained at the home of one of the elders. While they were at dinner the little daughter of the house said to the minister, "I heard you preach today." "You did?" said he. "Can you tell me, then, what I preached about?" "Yes," answered the little girl. "You preached about a man who asked for arms, and got legs."
The Kingdom Unleashed - Part 2 from North Boulevard Church of Christ on Vimeo.
The Kingdom Unleashed - Part 3 from North Boulevard Church of Christ on Vimeo.
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