How Can We Do Ministry in Today’s Culture?

Well, today is not all that different from this passage in Acts. Let’s look at some stats for today.

It is estimated that as much as 59% of the world is unreached today.
In the United States today
- 363 million people
- 350 different languages spoken
- 14 recognized religions
In Virginia today
- 8.6 million people
- it is thought that about 7 million are lost
- for about 25%, English is not the first language
- Virginia has the largest population of Ehtiopians outside of Ethiopia

Now, let’s look at the text we are studying.

Acts 3:1 (ESV):

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

Who are the characters?
Where are they?
What are they doing?
When is it happening?

Acts 3:2 (ESV):

And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

What’s happening here?
- How long has this man been lame?
- Where is he?
- How’d he get there?
- What’s he doing?
- How often does he do this?
- What is this “…ask alms”?

Acts 3:3 (ESV):

Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

Do you see this Divine appointment occuring here?
Do you think God works like this today?
Have you ever seen anything like this? Tell us about it.

Acts 3:4–5 (ESV):

And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

Put yourself in this lame man’s place. What do you think he may have been expecting?

Acts 3:6-7 (ESV):

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

So, what does Peter do?
How soon was the lame man restored?
From where is Peter’s authority or power or source to tell this man to rise up and walk?

Thoughts for Reflection

Just like Peter and John, we can not do ministry in our own strength.
Lives can only be changed by the name of Jesus; He brings transforming power!

This lame man had spent his whole life being religious (going daily to the temple and depending on the Jewish religious structure) without seein any life changing power. His greatest need was for a Savior.

People today are no different; their greatest need is for a saviour. There is life-changing power in the name of Jesus.

Matthew 1:21 says “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

And Acts 4:10 “let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.”

Acts 3:8–9 (ESV):

And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God,

The lame man’s life was changed!
But, by whom or what was it changed?

The Holy Spirit takes hold of our hands, our lips, our hearts and allows us to participate in what God is doing!

Serve and minister in His power, not ours.

Ministry in Today's Culture