Rise Up... And Walk - Greg Hendricks

This Memorial Day weekend, we saw a video reminding us of the sacrifices made for our freedom. Pastor Greg spoke of John 15:13, that great love sacrifices his life for his friends. Today we remember the commitment of soldiers and their families who gave up so much, reminding us of Jesus sacrifice for us.

Pastor Greg said that Faith Chapel is a house proclaiming Jesus! He said he was here to “feed” us so that we receive what the Lord as in store for us. As the verse says, “the truth shall set you free”. We can be free from the past, from shame, guilt and depression, and all in the fullness God has for us.

What does it mean to “Rise Up and Walk” as a Christian? Physically and spiritually,

how are you different with Christ in you?

The book of Acts has 30 recorded miracles – 29 outside of church and 1 at the gate of the church. As a believer, know that miracles happen inside and outside of the building.

Acts covers a 26 year period. God doesn’t move in a linear fashion, but leads you to where you need to be, in His timing.

As we study and interpret scripture, it is “orthodoxy”. When we practice what we are reading and live what we learn, it is “orthopraxy”.

Leading up to our lesson in Acts 3:1-10, Peter denied his Savior 50 days earlier and gave his first sermon. The church is growing. As we study the Acts 3 story, read yourself into the story. Where are you in the story?

In Acts 3:1-10, Peter and John are 2 broke preachers, going to the temple to pray.

Though very different temperaments, they were partners, as fishermen and throughout their ministries. They came together to pray and serve.

A lesson to us: when time to pray, put temperament, race and age aside and come

together. People outside the church walls need to see Christians come together. Prayer isn’t about you, but about Him. When we focus on Him, he focuses on you!

The Beautiful Gate is a 75-foot-high gate in front of the temple. A lame man has been carried there for forty years to beg. The church wasn’t helping. A sick church is focused on the wrong things. In a sick church, people grow Biblically ignorant and spiritually dead. People leave the same as when they came. They may be trapped in tradition.

They have hope but no holy ghost. At Faith Chapel, sinners find Jesus, saints are

edified, redeemed are justified and the devil is horrified!

Peter says just 27 words to the lame man. In the Bible, the number 27 means preaching of the gospel. It is also the number of books in the New Testament. With just 27 words, Peter was preaching! Peter didn’t have money. No pennies for pain, but power for purpose. Money can be empty. Money is temporary happiness. Jesus is eternal joy. For 40 years, people threw money at the lame man’s condition, but not Christ at the crisis.

How do we Rise Up and Walk?

1. Establish your spiritual standards. The standards you establish in your spiritual

walk empower you to grow past the obstacles that hinder your growth. Adopt

Jesus’ standards to get His promises. His life is the inspiration for our standards.

Jesus died to be our Savior. He lived to be our example.

People seek happiness in money, sex, drugs, alcohol, relationships – but what

they need is the Holy Spirit. Have you been that lame man? Have you been the

man that reached out and offered Jesus?

There will be seasons in life of suffering. Don’t allow a season to become a cycle.

Peter had seasons of suffering but moved forward with Christ. Don’t allow past

failures to determine future fulfillments.

2. Determine your divine disciplines. “A person without self-control is like a house

with hit doors and windows knocked out.” Proverbs 25:28. We need discipline.

Prayer should be part of your DNA. Fast – give up your phone. Instead of tracking

with GTP, track with GOD!

You discover your destiny in God, by developing your discipline in your willingness to obey Him!

Your discipline in Christ displays your discipleship to the world. Do you treat your

family & others right? Do you show the world Jesus when they see your life?

Your discipline today is the bridge you are building towards tomorrow’s victory.

Don’t prepare tomorrow for what you want to see tomorrow. Prepare today.

3. Be consistent in displaying what you’re saying. Peter said, “I don’t have money,

but what I do have I give to you”. Give what you have in the name of Jesus.

I Cor. 11:1 “Be Imitators of me as I am of Christ.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and

walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a

fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”.

Your level of consistency will always reveal a depth of authenticity! Your witness

should speak not just about what you know, but how you live out what you

learned! Your knowledge of scripture is useless in a life that can’t consistently

display what is read. The acquisition of doctrine can just be memorization. Live

out what you know. What you read should be how you lead.

Pastor Greg pointed out that disciples of a rabbi in the Bible followed and even

lived their teacher. Jesus said come and follow me. He chose them and He

chooses us.

You believe in Jesus, but do you follow Him?

The lame man in Acts had been by the temple gate for 40 years. Jesus saw him

when he went to the temple, yet God healed him through Peter and John. God

wants to work in you and give you power to serve.

The lame man rose up, walking, leaping and praising God. He was physically

healed, so he walked. He was emotionally healed, so he leapt. He was spiritually

healed, so he praised God. We need to Rise Up & Walk, walking, leaping and

praising God, because Jesus saved our lives!

Who are you in this story? If you are the lame man, there is hope for you. If you

are Peter and John, look around you. God will work within you to reach people.

Today’s message and worship wasn’t the most important thing. What is important

is your response with: standards, discipline and consistency. As the Holy Spirit

works in you, Rise Up & Walk.