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People Need the LordPeople Need the Lord
A Story…A Story…
There once was a There once was a
Goldfish namedGoldfish named
Su-she….Su-she….
Su-she never was satisfied…She Su-she never was satisfied…She always wanted more.always wanted more.
You could feed her 3 times a day, You could feed her 3 times a day, and she wanted fed 4 times…and she wanted fed 4 times…
You could buy her new gravel, and she You could buy her new gravel, and she wanted marbles…wanted marbles…
You could buy her a new house to put in You could buy her a new house to put in her bowl, and she wanted the castle..her bowl, and she wanted the castle..
But the one thing Su-she dreamed But the one thing Su-she dreamed about…about…
Was…Was…
Living outside that bowl!Living outside that bowl!Day by day she watched people through her little Day by day she watched people through her little
glass window… glass window…
They could walk from room to room,They could walk from room to room,
They could talk to each other..They could talk to each other..
They could walk out the door..They could walk out the door..
And she could hear them talk about going to the And she could hear them talk about going to the mall.mall.
And there she was…And there she was…
Stuck in a bowl…Stuck in a bowl…All she could do was swim All she could do was swim
in circles! in circles! AlthoughAlthough
On Sundays she would pretend she was On Sundays she would pretend she was her favorite NASCAR Driver, her favorite NASCAR Driver,
Tony Stewart… Tony Stewart…
She loved the color of Tony’s Car!!She loved the color of Tony’s Car!!And she couldn’t wait until Sundays…And she couldn’t wait until Sundays…As the race was going on, she would As the race was going on, she would
pretend she was Tony…pretend she was Tony…
She would go around and around until She would go around and around until she hit the side of the bowl!!! Then she she hit the side of the bowl!!! Then she
would try to blame someone else!!! would try to blame someone else!!! But ANYWAYBut ANYWAY
One day she devised a plan…One day she devised a plan…
She heard her owners She heard her owners talk about going to the talk about going to the mall…mall…So she thought to herself….So she thought to herself….
””Today I am going to be a free Today I am going to be a free fish!!!, no longer will I be shackled fish!!!, no longer will I be shackled to this bowl full of water… If they to this bowl full of water… If they can be free, I deserve to be free can be free, I deserve to be free also… So when they leave…I am also… So when they leave…I am out of here!!”out of here!!”
Sure enough…Sure enough…
Within the hourWithin the hour
The owners left to go to the mall…The owners left to go to the mall…
Su-she thought to herself, Su-she thought to herself, “Here’s my “Here’s my chance!”chance!”
So she backed up as far as she could go So she backed up as far as she could go into the lower corner of her bowl…into the lower corner of her bowl…
Then as fast as she could, she swam Then as fast as she could, she swam towards the top of the water…towards the top of the water…
Then….Then….
Up and out of the bowl Up and out of the bowl she flew!!! she flew!!!
Su-she felt the exhilarating feeling Su-she felt the exhilarating feeling of flying for the first time in her of flying for the first time in her life…life…
She began singing, She began singing, “Free at last, Free at last, “Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty, I’m free Thank God almighty, I’m free at last!!!” at last!!!”
But then…But then…
Ka plunk!!!Ka plunk!!!
Su-she hit the floor!!Su-she hit the floor!!
There she lay gasping for air!There she lay gasping for air!
And what she thought was And what she thought was freedom…freedom…
Was actually Death!!!Was actually Death!!!
She forgot about one thing….She forgot about one thing….
The Cat!!!The Cat!!!
The Text today: Acts The Text today: Acts 3:1-83:1-8(1) Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the (1) Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the
hour of prayer, hour of prayer, [being][being] the ninth the ninth [hour][hour]..(2) And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was (2) And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was
carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;temple;
(3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple (3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.asked an alms.
(4) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look (4) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.on us.
(5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive (5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.something of them.
(6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I (6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.up and walk.
(7) And he took him by the right hand, and lifted (7) And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him][him] up: and up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
(8) And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with (8) And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Acts 3:6Acts 3:6
6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold 6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold
have I none; have I none; but such as I but such as I have give I theehave give I thee: In the : In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.rise up and walk.
Let’s look at what we Let’s look at what we have as Christians:have as Christians: Jesus….Jesus…. Forgiveness Forgiveness Eternal LifeEternal Life HealingHealing ComfortComfort Peace Peace JoyJoy A purposeA purpose
True loveTrue love SafetySafety ContentmentContentment Hope Hope Ability to see the Ability to see the
supernaturalsupernatural RelationshipsRelationships PrayerPrayer
GraceGrace 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 KJV2 Corinthians 12:7-9 KJV (7) And lest I should be exalted above (7) And lest I should be exalted above
measure through the abundance of the measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
(8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.that it might depart from me.
(9) And he said unto me, (9) And he said unto me, My grace is My grace is sufficient for thee: for my sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in strength is made perfect in weakness.weakness. Most gladly therefore will I Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.of Christ may rest upon me.
What is Grace…What is Grace…
The UNMERITED Love of God…The UNMERITED Love of God…
You can’t earn it!You can’t earn it! It is a gift…It is a gift… Ephesians 2:8-9 (8) For by grace are Ephesians 2:8-9 (8) For by grace are
ye saved through faith; and that not of ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: yourselves: [it is][it is] the gift of God the gift of God::
(9) Not of works, lest any man should (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.boast.
These are some things These are some things all Christians have…all Christians have… But sometimes we take them for But sometimes we take them for
granted..granted..
Sometimes we are like the fish in Sometimes we are like the fish in the bowl…the bowl…
We look at others and wonder We look at others and wonder why they have it so good…why they have it so good…
Or …Or …
Grass is always greener Grass is always greener on the other side of the on the other side of the fence!fence! Or at least that is what we think…Or at least that is what we think…
That is why we have so many divorces…That is why we have so many divorces… That is why people are in so much debt...That is why people are in so much debt... That is why people are never satisfied…That is why people are never satisfied… They mistakenly think “IF ONLY… ______”They mistakenly think “IF ONLY… ______”
And as Christians…And as Christians…
We have everything!We have everything!
Consider these Consider these verses…verses…
Ephesians 1:3Ephesians 1:3 Blessed Blessed [be][be] the God and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly heavenly [places][places] in Christ: in Christ:
Ephesians 1:20Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set when he raised him from the dead, and set [him][him] at his own right hand in the heavenly at his own right hand in the heavenly [places][places],,
Ephesians 2:6-7Ephesians 2:6-7 And hath raised And hath raised [us][us] up up together, and made together, and made [us][us] sit together in sit together in heavenly heavenly [places][places] in Christ Jesus: (7) That in in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come he might shew the the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in exceeding riches of his grace in [his][his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
As a Christian As a Christian you have you have
everything you everything you need!!need!!
We just need to We just need to remember this...remember this...
When Life throws us a curve…When Life throws us a curve…
When Satan attacks…When Satan attacks…
When others let us down…When others let us down…
When we let ourselves down…When we let ourselves down…
Just remember who you Just remember who you are!are!
Let’s look at our main Let’s look at our main text again…Acts 3:6text again…Acts 3:6
6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold 6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold
have I none; have I none; but such as I but such as I have give I theehave give I thee: In the : In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.rise up and walk.
Let’s look at our main Let’s look at our main text again…Acts 3:6text again…Acts 3:6
6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold 6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold
have I none; but such as I havehave I none; but such as I have
give I theegive I thee: In the : In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.rise up and walk.
Why did Peter give Why did Peter give what they had to the what they had to the man?man? Simple…. The man didn’t have it! And Simple…. The man didn’t have it! And
he needed it!he needed it!
Listen Closely…Listen Closely…
People Need the People Need the LORD!!!LORD!!!
They may have…They may have…
Their healthTheir health Good jobsGood jobs Great Great
relationshipsrelationships The finest houseThe finest house The dream carThe dream car Good childrenGood children Money to pay Money to pay
their billstheir bills
Extra money to Extra money to do whatever withdo whatever with
FriendsFriends
But if they don’t But if they don’t have Jesus…all have Jesus…all these things are these things are worthless…worthless…
One day they will all One day they will all pass away… They will pass away… They will burnburn2 Peter 3:10-12 KJV2 Peter 3:10-12 KJV(10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief
in the night; in the which the heavens shall in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.be burned up.
(11) (11) [Seeing][Seeing] then then [that][that] all these things shall be all these things shall be dissolved, what manner dissolved, what manner [of persons][of persons] ought ye ought ye to be in to be in [all][all] holy conversation and godliness, holy conversation and godliness,
(12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of (12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?melt with fervent heat?
Now look what happens Now look what happens when they lose when they lose everything…everything…
Revelation 20:11-15 KJVRevelation 20:11-15 KJV(11) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat (11) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat
on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.fled away; and there was found no place for them.
(12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is another book was opened, which is [the book][the book] of of life: and the dead were judged out of those things life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their which were written in the books, according to their works.works.
(13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.according to their works.
(14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.fire. This is the second death.
(15) And whosoever was not found written in the (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Or.. Revelation 21:8 Or.. Revelation 21:8 KJVKJV
(8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, (8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.which is the second death.
God is not playing God is not playing Games…Games…He means what He He means what He says…says…
Don’t envy the Lost…Don’t envy the Lost…
Although it may seem they have Although it may seem they have everything.. This is the only everything.. This is the only “Heaven” they will know… “Heaven” they will know… Unless they accept Jesus as Unless they accept Jesus as Savior…Savior…
I am going to close with I am going to close with a song… Pay attention to a song… Pay attention to
it…we will sing it it…we will sing it together as an invitation together as an invitation song in a few minutes…song in a few minutes…
The song:The song:
People Need The LordPeople Need The Lord
People need the Lord…People need the Lord…
Everyday they pass me by Everyday they pass me by
I can see it in their eyesI can see it in their eyes
Empty people filled with care Empty people filled with care
Headed who knows where Headed who knows where
On they go through private pain On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear Living fear to fear
Laughter hides the silent cries Laughter hides the silent cries
That Only Jesus hears That Only Jesus hears
Chorus:Chorus:
People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord At the end of broken dreams He’s At the end of broken dreams He’s
the open door the open door People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord When will we realize People need When will we realize People need
the Lord the Lord
We are called to take His light We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who’s lost For sharing life with one who’s lost
Through His love our hearts can feel Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear All the grief they bear
They must hear the words of life They must hear the words of life
Only we can share Only we can share
Chorus:Chorus:
People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord At the end of broken dreams He’s the At the end of broken dreams He’s the
open door open door People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord When will we realize When will we realize That we are called to give our lives That we are called to give our lives For People need the Lord For People need the Lord
Let’s Stand and sing Let’s Stand and sing this song as an this song as an invitation…invitation…
Everyday they pass me by I Everyday they pass me by I can see it in their eye can see it in their eye Empty people filled with Empty people filled with care Headed who knows care Headed who knows where On they go through where On they go through private pain Living fear to private pain Living fear to fear Laughter hides the fear Laughter hides the silent cries Only Jesus silent cries Only Jesus hears hears
Chorus: People need the Chorus: People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord At the end of Lord At the end of broken dreams He’s broken dreams He’s the open door People the open door People need the Lord People need the Lord People need the Lord When need the Lord When will we realize People will we realize People need the Lordneed the Lord
We are called to take His We are called to take His light To a world where light To a world where wrong seems right What wrong seems right What could be too great a cost could be too great a cost For sharing life with one For sharing life with one who’s lost Through His who’s lost Through His love our hearts can feel love our hearts can feel All the grief they bear All the grief they bear They must hear the They must hear the words of life Only we can words of life Only we can share share
