The message from NRN today - Too Hot to Handle

“Too Hot to Handle”

INTRODUCTION:  Last week we took at short break in the teaching series AD the Bible Continues as Pastor Jordan shared with us. The TV series continued with a major shift in the Early Church.  James, the brother of Jesus – is used by God to create an open door for the Disciples to move out of hiding into an open expression of their faith. That created some disagreement between the disciples.

As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.  He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.                                                                            Acts 9:32-43

After describing Saul’s amazing conversion, Luke focuses again on the ministry of Peter.  As a medical doctor, Luke would have had a unique perspective on his miracles.  As a “pioneer missionary,” Peter would reach beyond tradition. He is transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work of the ministry.  God is in the business of transforming each of us, and by looking into Peter’s life we can gain insight into our own transformation.

God’s Preparation of Simon Peter:

•       Simon THE SEASONED FISHERMAN

•       Simon THE NATURAL LEADER

•       Peter THE RELUCTANT LEARNER

•       Peter THE HUMBLED FAILURE

•       Peter  THE RESTORED SERVANT

•       Peter THE PIONEER MISSIONARY

Here are three lessons we can learn from Peter in Samaria.

Lessons from Peter in Samaria:

1.  Peter was FOCUSED ON MINISTRY.    

As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.                                                                  Acts 9:32      

           

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.                                                                   Acts 9:36 

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."                      Acts 1:8 

                     

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.                                                                                    Colossians 3:17

2. Peter PRAYED WITH CONFIDENCE .

There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years.  "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up.         Acts 9:33-34

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead   woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up."      She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.                 Acts 9:40   

               

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.                                                                   Matthew 17:20b   

                                                  

3. Peter was LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.

  

(Tabitha’s resurrection) became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.                                     Acts 9:42-43

What I’m about to tell you is true. Anyone who believes in me will do the works I have been doing. In fact, they will do even greater things. That’s because I am going to the Father.                    John 14:12

Let us keep in step with the Spirit.        Galatians 5:25b