Such As I Have

by Joseph Perrello
Published March 27, 2009

PREMISE: WE HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER A LOST GENERATION THAT IS NOT FIRST RECEIVED BY US THROUGH PRAYER!!

TEXT: Acts: Chapter 3:1-11

We must permit the Lord to endow us with spiritual sensitivity to the needs of suffering humanity, and to endue us with the ability to offer Christ’s solutions to the problem of human suffering. And it all begins with prayer!!

NOTE: ALL THAT ANY OF US HAVE TO OFFER TO A LOST GENERATION IS THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT COME THROUGH PRAYER ALONE!

NOTE: EVEN AFTER RECEIVING THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, PETER AND JOHN DID NOT NEGLECT ATTENDING DAILY, EVENING PRAYERS AT THE TEMPLE!

INTRODUCTION:
A.) Through the years, I have preached on this chapter scores of times. Mostly I approached the text from the theme of physical healing -- as though what Peter had to offer to this lame man was only the healing power of Christ. However, Peter had much more to offer these who were suffering. AND SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN REDEEMED -- BUT THIS COMES ONLY THROUGH PRAYER.

B.) THOSE OF US WHO MAKE A REGULAR PRACTICE OF BIBLE STUDY HAVE READ THIS PASSAGE OFTEN.

1.

THIS PASSAGE CARRIES WITH IT A TEACHING ON REGULAR CORPORATE PRAYER.

Verse one implies that Peter and John routinely observed the scheduled prayer times of the temple.
(a)

Luke refers to this time of prayer as “the time of incense.”

Luke 1:5- 11 “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years. 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.”

(b)

King David refers to this time as the evening sacrifice.

Psalm 141:1-2 <A Psalm of David.>
“LORD, I cry unto thee: make hast unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. 2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. ”

So, the ninth hour was evening time -- the time when incense was offered to God with the evening sacrifice. The people stood in prayer (according to David they also lifted their hands to God) in the temple court, while the priests burned incense before the Lord, together with the evening sacrifices.
**Example: To King David the incense offered at the hour of prayer typifies the prayers of God’s people.

**To David the lifting of our hands in worship to the Lord is comparable to an evening sacrifice.

(c)

It is essential that every Bible believing fellowship have a time of offering the incense of prayer before the Lord.

This means times of regularly scheduled, united prayer to God. It means setting aside that time as a church to offer the sacrifice of the incense of prayer to God.

NOTE: SATAN WILL ALWAYS SEEK TO HINDER US FROM THESE TIMES OF UNITED PRAYER. DON’T PERMIT HIM TO SUCCEED!

(d)

The hour of prayer, with its offering of incense was a daily event in Bible days.

The implication seems to be that Peter and John regularly attended the evening prayers at the temple.

C.) IN JOINING TOGETHER TO OFFER THE INCENSE OF UNITED PRAYER, WE ARE FOLLOWING THE PATTERN OF HEAVENLY PRAYER RECORDED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION.

Revelation 5:1 “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.”

End of Study

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