Sunday | 02-15-2026 | Acts 3:1-20 | Silver or Gold I Do Not Have

The holy spirit must illuminate Scripture and reveal Christ for the Bible to move from ancient text to living power. The holy spirit empowers miracles but, more importantly, creates the miracle of changed lives when people meet the resurrected Christ. A clear contrast emerges between mere provision and gospel proclamation: material help comforts, but naming Jesus and calling people to faith brings lasting transformation and freedom. Acts 3 provides the paradigm—a lame beggar receives more than relief; Peter and John give him faith in Jesus’ name, and the healing becomes a lifelong testimony that points everyone back to God.

The narrative explores three perspectives. The beggar carries a lifetime of dependency and, even after healing, instinctively clings to his benefactors; the crowd marvels and mistakes human agents for the source of power; the apostles redirect attention to Jesus, insisting that faith in his name produces the healing. That reorientation prevents exploitation, rescues the healed man’s freedom, and calls on witnesses to repent and turn to God so that sins are blotted out and times of refreshing arrive.

Practical applications surface plainly. Christians must meet physical needs without stopping there: speaking Jesus’ name and calling people to faith honors God’s ultimate purpose. Avoid forming unhealthy attachments to spiritual moments, leaders, or sensations; every divine touch should deepen personal faith in Christ rather than create dependence on a person or an experience. Repentance remains central—miracles function as signposts that urge hearts back to God, producing renewed joy and the ongoing presence of Jesus.

Stories from worship conferences and personal testimony underscore that healing often strengthens faith rather than only altering circumstances. When the holy spirit stirs, the proper response centers on faith and repentance, not on idolizing the moment or the minister. Prayer and boldness to name Jesus accompany the call to minister to needs, so that mercy and gospel together invite people into a lasting relationship with Christ and times of refreshing from the Lord.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith, not human power Peter insists that the healed man stood by faith in Jesus’ name, not because of apostolic charisma or personal holiness. Faith reorients dependence from people to the risen Christ, turning a one-time miracle into a lifelong witness. The real gift the man received was the assurance that Jesus is present and active—an anchor for future obedience and testimony. [59:32]
• 2. Give more than relief Meeting physical needs without naming Jesus treats symptoms, not sin. Material mercy must accompany clear gospel proclamation so recipients can move from dependence to new life in Christ. Provision opens doors; faith in Jesus fills them with purpose and freedom. [72:57]
• 3. Don't cling to experiences A single powerful encounter should deepen trust in Christ, not create dependence on the moment or the minister. Clinging to people or atmospheres replaces Christ with memory and stunts spiritual growth. Let each touch from God seed lasting faith that sustains in ordinary time. [70:33]
• 4. Repent for times of refreshing Miracles call for repentance that leads to forgiveness and renewal, not envy of spectacle. Turning fully to God invites ongoing refreshment and the presence of Jesus into daily life. Repentance aligns the heart to receive what the miracle points toward—the restoration only God gives. [55:48]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [12:30] - Holy Spirit and Miracles
• [13:43] - Get in Touch with the Resurrected Christ
• [14:38] - Announcements and Invitations
• [20:58] - Call to Worship (Hebrews 12)
• [49:36] - Church of Fire: Acts Overview
• [52:04] - Reading: Acts 3 (Beginning)
• [56:08] - Thailand Worship Testimony
• [58:37] - The Lame Man Healed (Acts 3)
• [63:42] - Three Perspectives on the Miracle
• [71:25] - Repentance and Refreshing
• [74:38] - Prayer and Closing Blessing

Based on the sermon summary and transcript provided, here is a Bible study discussion guide.

Bible Reading
Acts 3:1-20 (ESV)
> 1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
> 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
> 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.”

Observation questions

1. What did the lame man ask for from Peter and John, and what did he actually receive from them?
2. How did the crowd react when they saw the healed man, and what incorrect conclusion did they seem to draw about Peter and John? [01:02:24]
3. According to Peter's explanation in verse 16, what two things were the actual source of the man's healing?
4. What three things does Peter tell the crowd to do in response to the miracle in verse 19?

Interpretation questions

1. Why do you think the healed man, even in his new freedom, instinctively clung to Peter and John? What does this reveal about human nature after a powerful spiritual experience? [01:01:17]
2. Peter redirects the crowd's awe away from himself and toward God. Why is it so important that miracles point people to Jesus and not to the person through whom God works?
3. The sermon stated that the ultimate purpose of God's touch is to turn hearts back to God in repentance for times of refreshing. [01:11:56] How does repentance lead to a sense of refreshment and renewal in a person's life?
4. Peter says he gave the man what he had: faith in the name of Jesus. [01:07:01] How can faith itself be considered a greater gift than physical healing or provision?

Application questions

1. When meeting a physical or material need, what are practical ways to ensure you are also "giving more than relief" and pointing people toward faith in Jesus? [01:12:57]
2. Is there a spiritual experience, moment, or leader you find yourself "clinging to" in an unhealthy way, rather than clinging to Christ Himself? What would it look like to transfer that dependence fully to Jesus? [01:10:33]
3. The story from Thailand illustrated a healing of faith that was more significant than physical healing. [56:40] What perceived "disability" or limitation in your life do you need to ask God to strengthen the "feet and ankles of your faith" to overcome with joyful praise?
4. Peter called the crowd to repent so their sins could be wiped out and times of refreshing could come. What area of your life might God be calling you to turn from in repentance right now to experience His renewal and refreshment? [01:14:02]
5. How can you cultivate a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture and reveal Christ to you, so the Bible moves from an ancient text to a source of living power? [13:02]
6. The apostles saw their interrupted prayer time as a divine appointment. How can we develop a greater awareness and willingness to be interrupted in our routines to minister to someone in need? [01:04:26]
7. The real gift the man received was the assurance that Jesus is present and active. How does holding onto that assurance provide an anchor for obedience and testimony in your ordinary, daily life?