Subject: Do We Have What They Had
by Rick Welborne
Acts 3:1-11 (NKJV)
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."
5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."
5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6 Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.
--Last week as we started this series “Such as I have” many of us were stirred to look inside ourselves and ask…do we really have what they had? We heard many of the Connect Groups had great discussions.
--There is not one of you here today who could convince me that the “such as I have” that Peter was talking about was none other than Holy Spirit.
--You would have to take these verses out of context to try and say that this supernatural healing was anything other than a result of them being filled with Holy Spirit power.
--We looked at the Promise of the Father in Luke 24, we looked at the Promise of Jesus in Acts 1, and we looked at the prophecy of Joel 2…all were saying Holy Spirit is coming…He came!
--Holy Spirit was just doing what He does when He comes…one of the gifts of Holy Spirit is healing so the lame man was healed.
--I guess we could just end this series now if no one is interested in having the same Holy Spirit power that John and Peter had. I truly believe there is a remnant here who want everything God has for them…is that you?
--Sometimes when you preach to a large group of people you just have to pray that the seed will fall on good ground…I am aiming at those who are hungry for more in their lives…again, is that you?
--I want to be one of those believers who discovers what it truly means to be baptized in Holy Spirit power and to walk in Holy Spirit power every day…is that you?
--Today we will look at possible reasons we do not have what they had and why we cannot do what they did. By saying we do not have what they had, I do not infer we are not saved or do not have Holy Spirit.
--What I am saying is that we are not operating at the same level they were because of certain hindrances in our lives.
--Today I want us to look at those hindrances, hunger, and the lame beggar.
1. Hindrances can hold back Holy Spirit power in our lives.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
--The writer of Hebrews is warning us here that there are things that could be in our lives that would hinder our relationship with God and hinder us from being heroes of the faith…Heb.11. Thus, hinder Holy Spirit power.
--Notice that he makes a distinction between things that hinder and sin…what are you saying, Pastor Rick? I am saying there are things that we do that stagnate Holy Spirit flowing thru us.
Psalm 101:1-6 (NCV)
1 I will sing of your love and fairness; LORD, I will sing praises to you.
2 I will be careful to live an innocent life. When will you come to me? I will live an innocent life in my house.
3 I will not look at anything wicked. I hate those who turn against you; they will not be found near me.
4 Let those who want to do wrong stay away from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.
5 If anyone secretly says things against his neighbor, I will stop him. I will not allow people to be proud and look down on others.
6 I will look for trustworthy people so I can live with them in the land.
1 I will sing of your love and fairness; LORD, I will sing praises to you.
2 I will be careful to live an innocent life. When will you come to me? I will live an innocent life in my house.
3 I will not look at anything wicked. I hate those who turn against you; they will not be found near me.
4 Let those who want to do wrong stay away from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.
5 If anyone secretly says things against his neighbor, I will stop him. I will not allow people to be proud and look down on others.
6 I will look for trustworthy people so I can live with them in the land.
--Can we get real just for a moment? Are we careful to live an innocent life (blameless) in our house? I mean, when no one else is looking…are we blameless? Remember, do we want what they had…Holy Spirit?
--I will not look at anything wicked…I will refuse to look at anything vile or vulgar…I will set nothing wicked before my eyes…the psalmist says this before TV, before Net Flicks, before internet. We are bombarded.
--Do we want what the Peter and John had? What are we setting before our eyes…what are we allowing into our spirits thru the gates of our eyes?
--We think…no one sees but can I tell you the One Who baptizes in Holy Spirit and Fire is watching…do we really want what they had?
--We say we want people healed…we want God to answer our prayers:
1 Peter 3:7-12 (NLT)
7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”
7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.
9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”
--Husbands…actually spouses, treat your husbands or your wives with understanding and honor…why? So your prayers will not be hindered…so your prayers will be answered.
--We will not have the “Such as I have” if we do not honor our spouses…actually everyone. He goes on and says be like minded, be sympathetic, love each other, be tenderhearted, be humble…repay evil with good.
--Listen to verse 12 again: The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”
--If you are baptized in Holy Spirit power, if you are walking in the Holy Spirit, and if you are treating your family and others in true Christian love…you will be able to say “Such as I have”.
--There is definitely a reason 1 Cor.13 is between chapter 12 where it lists the gifts of Holy Spirit and chapter 14 where it gives instructions on the operation of the gifts of Holy Spirit. At the end of chapter 12:
1 Corinthians 12:31 (NKJV)
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
--Maybe there are some things we need to work on before we can say “Such as I have”. When I pray for the sick, the lost, the broken…I do not want my prayers to be hindered because of my junk.
2. Hunger plays such an important part in Holy Spirit flowing in our lives.
--As I said last week Peter and John had just been filled with Holy Spirit and had witnessed great power.
Three thousand people were saved and signs and wonders were manifested…wind, fire, tongues.
Acts 3:1 (NIV)
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon.
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon.
--Unfortunately there are many in the Kingdom of God who believe that everything works on a once and you are done principle. We are filled with Holy Spirit so we are good. Really?
--Acts 2 they were baptized in Holy Spirit, Acts 3 they were on their way to prayer for more, Acts 4 persecution was coming so they were refilled (place shaken), Peter was locked up…they prayed.
They had been filled but they felt there was more Holy Spirit power that could be received…It was time for prayer and they were hungry so they were going for more. God help us want more of God.
--I have Him so how could I have more? Maybe ask Paul:
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NKJV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
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,
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
--Let me share a verse with you from the Beatitudes and please get this principle:
Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
--Even though this is speaking about righteousness, the principle is the same, you will get what you hunger for…you will receive the desires of your heart.
Deuteronomy 4:29 (NKJV)
29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
--Jesus told the 120 to go and wait for the power of Holy Spirit so they waited, they worshipped, they expected and they were filled with the Spirit.
--Where is your hunger for Holy Spirit? Where is your persistence to wait on Him? He wants us to have Holy Spirit more than we want Him…Seek Him!
Luke 11:9-13 (NKJV)
9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
3. Let’s confess that we are at time lame beggars.
--The beggar in Acts 3 was just doing what he had always done…he would ask for help…for silver and gold. We are so lame that we ask for stuff that has no eternal value.
James 4:2-3 (NLT)
2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.
3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.
3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
--Hear me. This is going to sound over simplified but it is God’s truth to having “Such as I have”
Romans 8:26-27 (NKJV)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
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