Transformative Faith: Healing, Repentance, and Empowerment

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in Action: Living a Transformative Life

The story of the healing of the lame man in Acts 3 is a vivid illustration of faith in action. This miracle was not just a display of divine power but a testament to the transformative nature of faith in Jesus Christ. The apostles, Peter and John, did not rely on their own abilities or righteousness to heal the man, but on the power of Jesus' name. This act of faith not only changed the life of "Lame Leon" but also served as a powerful testimony to the onlookers, redirecting their amazement towards God. True faith is not passive; it compels us to act, to live in a way that reflects the transformative power of Christ in our lives. Our actions, inspired by faith, should point others to Jesus, just as the healing of the lame man did. [01:06:59]

Acts 3:16 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you can actively demonstrate your faith in Jesus. How can your actions today point others to Christ?

Day 2: Readiness to Share: Genuine and Transparent Witness

Peter's readiness to share the reason for his hope is a powerful example for all believers. When the crowd was astonished by the healing of the lame man, Peter seized the opportunity to address them, redirecting their wonder towards God and explaining that it was through Jesus that the miracle occurred. This readiness is not about having a rehearsed speech but about being genuine and transparent about one's relationship with Jesus. It involves sharing how Jesus has impacted one's life and being prepared to do so whenever opportunities arise. This kind of witness is authentic and compelling, as it comes from a place of personal experience and conviction. [01:11:44]

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: Consider a recent conversation where you could have shared your faith. How can you be more prepared to share your personal testimony of Jesus' impact on your life in future interactions?

Day 3: Repentance and Refreshing: Turning Towards Renewal

Repentance is a crucial aspect of the Christian faith, serving as a gateway to experiencing God's refreshing presence. It is not merely about feeling sorry for one's sins but involves a sincere turning away from sin and towards God. This transformative turning allows God's grace to renew and restore us, leading to times of refreshing from the Lord. Repentance is an ongoing process in the life of a believer, continually drawing us closer to God and allowing us to experience the fullness of His grace and mercy. [01:33:57]

Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you need to turn back to God. What steps can you take today to repent and experience His refreshing presence?

Day 4: Relational Faith: Cultivating a Deep Connection with Jesus

Faith in Jesus is not about following religious rituals or rote practices; it is about cultivating a deep, personal relationship with Him. This relational faith is the foundation of spiritual growth and empowers believers to live out their faith authentically. A genuine relationship with Jesus involves spending time in His presence, listening to His voice, and allowing His love to transform us from the inside out. This kind of faith is dynamic and life-giving, enabling us to experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers. [01:29:07]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. What practical steps can you take to deepen your connection with Him this week?

Day 5: Equipping Others: Empowering Spiritual Growth

As believers, we are called to equip and empower others in their spiritual journeys, just as we are equipped by God. This involves teaching, encouraging, and releasing others to live out their faith actively. Equipping others is a hallmark of a healthy Christian community, where members support and uplift one another in their walk with Christ. By empowering others, we not only help them grow spiritually but also strengthen the body of Christ as a whole. This mutual equipping fosters a vibrant and dynamic community of faith. [01:01:21]

Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who could benefit from your support and encouragement. How can you actively equip and empower them in their spiritual journey today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound narrative found in Acts chapter 3, where Peter and John encounter a lame man at the temple gate. This story is not just about a miraculous healing but serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. The lame man, whom we affectionately named "Lame Leon," was healed not by the apostles' own power or godliness, but through faith in the name of Jesus. This healing astonished the onlookers, providing Peter with an opportunity to address the crowd and redirect their amazement towards God, emphasizing that it was Jesus who performed the miracle.

We delved into the importance of being ready to share our faith and the reasons behind our hope, as Peter did. This readiness is not about having a rehearsed speech but being able to genuinely share the impact of Jesus in our lives. We also discussed the concept of repentance and how it leads to times of refreshing from the Lord. Repentance is not merely about feeling sorry but involves a transformative turning towards God, allowing His grace to renew us.

Furthermore, we touched on the significance of faith being relational rather than mechanical. Faith in Jesus is cultivated through a deep, personal relationship with Him, not through rote practices or religious rituals. This relationship is what empowers us to live out our faith boldly and to experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers.

As we concluded, we were reminded of the importance of being equipped to do God's work, rather than relying on others to do it for us. Just as I shared a personal story about equipping someone to use a remote control, we are called to empower others in their spiritual journeys. This equipping is a hallmark of our community, where we strive to teach and release each other to live out our faith actively.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith in Action: The healing of the lame man in Acts 3 illustrates that true faith in Jesus is not passive but active, leading to transformation and testimony. Our faith should be evident in our actions and the way we live our lives, pointing others to Christ. [66:59]
2. Readiness to Share: Like Peter, we must be prepared to share the reason for our hope whenever opportunities arise. This involves being genuine and transparent about our relationship with Jesus and how it shapes our lives. [71:44]
3. Repentance and Refreshing: Repentance is a gateway to experiencing God's refreshing presence. It involves a sincere turning away from sin and towards God, allowing His grace to renew and restore us. [93:57]
4. Relational Faith: Faith is not about following religious rituals but about cultivating a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. This relationship is the foundation of our spiritual growth and empowers us to live out our faith authentically. [89:07]
5. Equipping Others: We are called to equip and empower others in their spiritual journeys, just as we are equipped by God. This involves teaching, encouraging, and releasing others to live out their faith actively. [01:01:21]
** [61:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[56:18] - Saturday Night Church Update
[57:49] - Ashford Sings Project
[59:02] - Bible School Announcement
[59:57] - Equipping Others
[61:21] - Personal Story: Remote Control
[63:00] - Personality Types and Equipping
[64:59] - Introduction to Acts 3
[66:09] - Healing of the Lame Man
[68:13] - The Power of Jesus' Name
[69:05] - Astonishment and Opportunity
[71:01] - Peter's Address to the Crowd
[73:19] - Conviction and Truth
[78:37] - The Upside Down Kingdom
[79:20] - Love and Conviction
[80:07] - Group Reflection Exercise
[87:07] - Faith and Relationship
[92:20] - Repentance and Refreshing
[96:09] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Sermon Clips

By faith in the name of Jesus. This man, whom you see, lame Leon, and know, was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him. As you can all see. Now, fellow Israelites. I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. [01:07:03] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Repent then. And turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out. That times of refreshing may come from the Lord. And that he may send the Messiah who has been appointed for you. Yes, even Jesus. [01:07:23] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Peter's prompt to speak to the people was, Oh, suddenly I've got some people who are listening. This wasn't a planned preach. He hadn't worked up hours of overnight sweat and toil into a talk. He gave an explanation for when people were open-mouthed. If ever you see someone open-mouthed at something God is doing, that's an invitation. [01:11:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes to him that's completely healed him, as you can all see. Now, I just want to very quickly tell you, sometimes just a bit of info can go a long way. [01:27:07] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

If you want to begin to trust, rely on, have faith in, believe in everything that a person is, you need to hang out with them. You don't get this level of faith in a drive-through or out of a microwave. You get it by relationship and relationship only. [01:29:43] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Jesus is coming again. It's not even a maybe. It's not God's conditional will. It depends how well you do. It depends on this. It doesn't depend on anything. Jesus is coming back. It might be in my mind. It might be in my lifetime. I hope so. That'd be amazing. [01:35:22] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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