MADE FOR MISSION

“Being Ready For Mission”
Pastor Doug Heisel – March 26, 2023

Acts 20:24 — The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me - to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.”

Today’s Story: Acts 3:1-10

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. — (vs 1-3)

Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. — (vs 4-7)

He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. — (vs 8-10)

What I Learn About my Mission From This Story

1. The “upper room” is the FUELING station for my mission on “the streets.” (See Acts 2).
   
   Acts 1:8 — But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
   

2. A divine APPOINTMENT is often disguised as an inconvenient INTERRUPTION. I need to LISTEN for the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
   
   Acts 3:1 — One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer —at three in the afternoon...he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. …Peter looked straight at him, as did John.
   

3. Don’t let my LIMITATIONS keep me from GIVING something that I have, in Jesus’ name. Offering to PRAY for someone is a powerful application of this.
   
   Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.
   

4. Mission is not only about the multitudes. Often it is about stopping to connect with the next “ONE.”
   
   When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.