TEXT: Acts 3
“Money has never made man happy, nor will it; there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants.”¬ – Benjamin Franklin
*Everyone will come to a place in life where they realize that money is not the solution.
I. THE MIRACLE
*Healing was not a gift to believers to make them better. It was a sign to nonbelievers to convince them to believe the message of the gospel.
II Corinthians 12:7-10
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
*God may not heal you to keep you humble.
*God may not heal you to keep you close to Him.
*God may not heal you so that you might better help others.
*The biggest need in your life is not to be healed from your “issue” but to be made spiritually whole through salvation in Jesus Christ!
II. THE MESSAGE
Colossians 2:14
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”
*Repentance, Refreshing, and Restitution.
I Peter 2:24
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
1. Contrition
2. Confession
3. Commitment
4. Confidence
II Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
*There is no refreshment and no restoration until there is repentance.