Everyday Witness
Acts 3:1-10
Surveys indicate that most Christians never make any attempt to share the gospel with another person.
“Whatever we do, we must not treat the Great Commission like it’s the Great Suggestion.” (Chuck Swindoll)
On their way to the house of God, Peter and John were given an “unexpected opportunity” to witness for Jesus.
- A Crippling Condition (Acts 3:1-3)
- His Physical Condition
- Spiritually, people are crippled by sin from birth.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. (Romans 5:12)
- Homes are disrupted by sin. Lives are disfigured by sin. Sin damages everything it touches.
- His Pleading Call
- All around us are cries for help.
I go about darkened, but not by the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help. (Job 30:28)
- People in our paths are pleading for help.
- discouragement and depression
- anxiety and fear
- sickness and addictions
- A Connecting Conversation (Acts 3:4-7)
- An Attentive Watch
- If we are spiritually sensitive, God will give us opportunities to witness for Him.
- An Appropriate Word
- Peter connected with the man. He talked to the man. He turned the talk to spiritual things.
- The crippled man did not need silver; he needed a Savior.
- An Amazing Work
- Peter became personally involved. He came down to the side of the lame man and touched him.
- Jesus needs our hands to work The power was Christ’s, but the hands were Peter’s.
“The church that comes down to the side of a wounded, weary, sin-sick world and extends a helping hand becomes the church through which Christ is doing his work.” (G. Campbell Morgan)
- A Captivating Conversion (3:8-10)
- An Instant Change
- In the time it takes the lame man to stand up, the man’s tendons attach, his muscles grow, and his sockets realign. Life fills his legs. He stands…He walks…He leaps.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. (Isaiah 35:5-6)
- Salvation in Jesus Christ provides an instant cure for sin and death.
- An Incredible Celebration
- Seeing lives changed keeps the church exciting and joyful.
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)
- Winning people to Christ keeps the church happy and healthy.
Everyday Witness Takeaways
“Christians ought to carry written in our hearts the solemn truth of how short our opportunity is to witness for Christ and live for Him.” (Billy Graham)
- Be a ready and alert witness for Christ.
- Open your Eyes
- Open your Schedule
- Open your Prayers
- Open your Hands
- Open your Conversations
- Live a BLESS life.
- Begin with Prayer - “God, give me today (1) an opportunity to speak with someone about Jesus; (2) the wisdom to see it; and (3) the courage to take it.”
- Listen to Someone - Listen to discover the needs of others and look for the places where God is at work.
- Eat with Someone - Share meals and spend time with people far from God.
- Serve Someone - Respond to the needs of others and help them in practical and impactful ways.
- Share your Story - Share the story of Jesus and what He is doing in your life with others.