Scriptures to Read and Ponder

1. Acts 3:1–8 – The healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate.

2. Acts 2:1–4 – The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

3. Acts 2:17–21 – God’s promise to pour out His Spirit on all people.

4. Acts 1:8 – Receiving power through the Holy Spirit to be witnesses.

5. John 16:7 – Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as the Advocate.

6. Acts 3:16 – Faith in the name of Jesus brings healing.

Sermon Recap

1. The Miracle at the Beautiful Gate

• Peter and John encounter a lame man outside the temple.

• The man asks for money, but Peter offers something far greater: healing in the name of Jesus Christ.

• The man’s healing is both a physical restoration and a message of God’s power and compassion.

2. The Backstory: The Power of Pentecost

• Mission begins with power, not just activity (Acts 1:8).

• The Holy Spirit equips believers with dynamis—God’s supernatural enabling.

• Pentecost transforms followers into fearless witnesses.

3. God’s Heart for the Outcasts

• The lame man symbolizes those marginalized and excluded.

• God calls His people to align their hearts with His, reaching those “outside the temple.”

• The healing is a timely act of God’s grace (Greek: hōraios, meaning “beautiful” or “timely”).

4. What Do We Have to Offer?

• Peter declares, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you” (Acts 3:6).

• Believers carry the presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, enabling them to be conduits of His power and love.

5. The Role of the Church: A Beautiful Gate

• The church is called to be a “Beautiful Gate,” a place where God’s presence and power invite the broken into fellowship and restoration.

• The name of Jesus brings healing, hope, and transformation.

Memorable Quotes

• “Some miracles in the Bible are not just miracles—they are messages!”

• “Mission begins with power, rather than with activity.”

• “The Holy Spirit doesn’t fill buildings; He fills His people so His people can fill the world.”

• “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.”

• “The ‘Beautiful Gate’ is a picture of God’s open door for all people to encounter His beauty, wholeness, and acceptance.”

Questions for Discussion

1. Reflect on Acts 3:6—What “silver and gold” do we often prioritize over the spiritual power we carry through the Holy Spirit?

2. How does Pentecost (Acts 2) shape our understanding of the church’s mission today?

3. In what ways can Living Waters Church become a “Beautiful Gate” for our community?

4. Have you ever felt “outside the temple,” marginalized, or unseen? How does this story speak to those experiences?

5. How can we practically align our hearts with God’s heart for the outcasts?

Prayer Points

1. Thanksgiving

• Praise God for His Spirit that empowers us to be witnesses.

• Thank Him for the transformative power of the name of Jesus.

2. Intercession

• Pray for those in the community who feel “outside the temple” and marginalized.

• Ask for boldness to share the Gospel and minister in Jesus’ name.

3. Petition

• Request a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit to ignite our mission.

• Pray for Living Waters Church to be a beacon of hope and restoration.

4. Personal Reflection

• Ask God to reveal areas in your life where you can offer what you have, in His name, to bless others.

Closing Reflection

May the Living Waters Church family be filled with the fire of Pentecost, empowered to lift up the broken and usher them into God’s presence. May we be a “Beautiful Gate” for our city, reflecting His love and glory.

Sermon: Silver and Gold I Do Not Have