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December 16, 2019 8:00 am
The gates of hell will not prevail against my church, my believers, those who trust in me, because I'm the rock and he instituted the gathered church so that the scattered church has got a rock to stand on. So what did they do, they gathered together that vibrancy is done for sake the gathering of yourselves together. So what is the devil want us to do be unchurched. It's the new movement church. Are you kidding me church. I'm too busy church man I just commend you for being part of the gathered church. My greatest prayer for you today is that at the very least on the authority of God's word you are going to be fortified because your part of the gathered church going to be a somebody sometimes it's the nobodies that make the greatest difference lesson today as we discover that together. Welcome to The Encouraging Word, featuring the Bible-based preaching of Dr. Don Wilton, and today's message when a nobody came to church building God's word to the book of acts in just a few moments.
Chapter 3. As a matter fact, but as we prepare for this time will study with Dr. Wilson know that were available for you each and every date is our joy to connect to pray to spend time opening our hearts towards what's going on in your life so you can pray specifically for you at 866-899-WORD. That phone number again is 866-899-9673 if you like. Let's connect online TW online.org is our address that's DEW online.org. We love to connect with you now Dr. Don Wilton I want you to open your Bibles to one of the most remarkable passages found in the book of acts and chapter 3 the book of acts and chapter 3.remember that we are starting to see living in the 11th hour want to speak to you today on the subject. When a nobody came to church but nobody I do not mean that he was valueless or worthless by nobody. I just want to say that there is something about this man that tells me something about you and about me something very special happened. Let's read it. I'm in acts chapter 3, not Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer being Vermont all and a nobody man. For some reason we not even given his name a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called beautiful, great loss.
All of those entering into the tank and see John about going to the temple. He began to beg and off for help as theater director, these guys at him as the drawn and said hello. Nobody look at us and he fixed his attention on them expecting to receive something from them, but to see I have no Subaru goal. But what I do give to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk and he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and knees, ankles were made strong, and he, leaping up, stood and began to walk and he entered into the church with them, walking and leaping and praising God and all the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who sat at the beautiful game of the temple. Austin for help and they were all filled with wonder and amazement at what happened.
Everybody's looking for something you looking for something right now. I know we all actually it's it's really not with the room, not our team is going to win a bowl game. That's what we enjoy and we certainly root for. But that's not what people are really looking for. You know that you know that deep down inside of you. You know you cannot perpetually stand in the rain and water bowl game. The final whistle always blows. That's why I'm so glad that that you came to church. Jesus knew that that these people were living in a very difficult world and he was showing something here he was saying something about a lot of things, but in the middle of that he was putting the church and the people who are part of the church and those who come to church and what happens at church and what should happen at church and when this doesn't happen. It's not the church it's just another football club it's just another program is just another downpour. It's just another temporary measure. It's just another momentary escape. It's just another pom-pom with this man came to church. I just want to show you something that just God has shown me and I want to share this with you today because they somebody they somebody listening right now that this is it. When he came to church there are couple of things that I noticed someone he came because the church wasn't prayer I you know that first Peter and John went up to the temple at the hour of prayer. Now I understand I understand that he was way beyond the limits of the prayer meeting, but God's trying to tell us that what was going on at the church is that they were people talking to God that great thing it's any accident that the church that he came to was a praying church. I'm just one person but I just want you to know I've been I've been talking to God about you and because of that and because he already knows. He knows about you before you even get but he also came to church because someone bothered to bring right here in this verse, yet it sees a lame man from birth was being carried. Do you know that people who stand in the rain and collated not watching a bowl game. But that's not really what they looking for will not get here unless somebody bothers to bring them. Do you know the majority of people who will be in church when the weather is bad will most likely only be those who are able to carry themselves there. The faithful ones hurting people are less inclined to take themselves to church, hurting people respond to love and care all somebody who's hurting needs to hear is, I'll go with you. I'll take you. You want to come with me I'll pick you up. I'll sit with you see, people don't get intimidated going to bowl game. You can be the loneliest, most hurting person in the world and a bowl game wouldn't matter one bit because it's just a madhouse.
Nobody knows and nobody actually cares. You just get lost in the crowd but not in church, you cannot get lost in the crowding church and the lost finger hurting person wants to do is to actually be recognized in a crowd.
I don't want to someone who's going through health problems, marriage problems, every kind of spiritual problem. The lost place. They won't take themselves is where they think they may be singled out somehow. Oh by the way this man. The Bible says was lame from his mother's womb so he could neglect even if he wanted to know. He could probably cold day, but most people have to call to get somewhere actually opt out the Kroll, have you noticed by the way when people go through difficult times in the church.
The first thing they do is they stop going to church. I have watched people in my own church and I'm speaking symbolically here, front and center serving the Lord and something happens.
Marriage problems some problems, they moved to the middle to the back out to the street.
Why but you won't have any problem finding them at the ball game next Saturday because they get lost in the crowd. The very thing that they need most is what hurting people run away from most women. Nobody came to church. He came because the church wasn't prayer. There was people just praying for themselves and for one another came because someone bothered to bring him but he also came because they were people I actually love that because the Bible tells us right here in this passage in the second part of verse two. It seems that he sat right at the entrance of the church to encounter all the people entering the he came because they were people there David Lee.
He understood that if you could put a whole bunch of people away somehow somehow in a strange kind away that people can do something that he wasn't quite sure what it was that becomes evident he was just lame but he knew that they would people lay he said okay will just take me because all these people are going to church just put me there. They people that I'm going to weigh the people all now this is ironic, and by the way, he still is not. So I am going to go in the church. But I'm going to sit right outside that door. Do not how many people they are all that are sitting at the door of churches across America just because of people like you and me all day. I wonder how many of us just toss them by succumbing to church and I love this party came to church because he needed help. That's a good one. The Bible says you and Bruce re-seeing Peter and John about to go to the temple. He he began to Bay. He needed help this man. I think it's pretty BECAUSE the Bible tells us he was lame from his mother's womb. Now back in his day.
We know that they didn't have the amenities in the facilities in the medical wherewithal to be able to help them. I mean this man was doing. The only thing that he could do in order to survive he needed. Somehow, he still had to live couldn't work. He was immobilizing couldn't get around. He was regarded somewhat as an outsider even as the scourge of society. We know from these things how they people with all kinds of problems become ostracized, so he came to the church but I think he made a really good choice. That's the way the church should be. He came because he needed help, but he also came because he had heard about the preachers forgive the interrupted will be back with the rest of today's message when nobody came to church by Dr. Wilton in just a moment Dr. Don Wilton remind you that as we board what eight days away from Christmas as we round the corner of this holiday season. We want to help not only celebrate the Christ of Christmas, but make that a part of who we are. Throughout every day of 2020. You can sign up for a number of things that will help you be more disciplined your quiet time, including the daily Encouraging Word email or perhaps the very special book doctor tell you more about the inputs are broadcast today, but a leather bound daily devotional that we love to put in your hands just to give you a tool to study God's word on a regular basis. You can cough your copy at 8668866899673 or email us at online@tewonline.org that's T EW online.org and coming up the next few days. We are just excited about some special Christmas messages that you do not want to miss every day on the broadcast of The Encouraging Word after The Encouraging Word broadcasters over there still a wonderful place to connect 24 hours a day. It's The Encouraging Word.org. You can visit our message archives download Dr. Wilton sermons or sign up for our weekly podcast of favorite button on our website is the prayer request, but you can share a prayer request or personal need. You have a praise report or testimony. Let us know so we can rejoice with you as well. You can also sign up for our daily Bible guide and have devotion sent to your email every single day. If you have a question about your salvation perhaps questions about how to share your faith with a friend. Let us walk you through the steps to a personal relationship with Jesus and the ability to share that with others you're looking for a book from Dr. Wilton or maybe a CD or DVD.
We have resources ready to send to you at the click of a button. No matter what the reason we hope you'll connect with us today online@theencouragingword.org� Today's message with Dr. Wilton.
I got a sightless I want to try and get around this I couldn't get around this is by no means let me give you disclaimer this got this is not about me.
I'm not trying to say something about me accepting not going to say something about me because it's the Bible and the Bible says that he heard about Peter and John. They were the preachers. I think that preachers and teachers and spiritual leaders are held to a far higher level of accountability than anybody I got to always fall on my face before God and awesome God.
Lord, please help me because you know what I also it can also stop in October and also like chocolate cake and doughnuts are not also did little little but upset to be non-again and I cannot so you know say silly things and I also you not reacting the wrong way and also keep the dog in the Humane Society comes off the me and also you know I'm also a human being.
I get tired and and and grumble and listen. Anyone want to join with me in this little pity party right now you see all proverbial you know the loss of my sons and my daughter just tickled me know and you want to go eat with me and my sons and my daughter to any restaurant you name in this entire region do not.
They make me do they make me sick in the corner table with my face facing the wall all the time. My kids do that to me because they say to me that if we don't do that we don't get to eat out with you because everybody seems to know you. So what happens if I didn't go to the ballgame and I really told you what I thought of that referee. So what happens if I didn't play that game of golf and not doff my shop, which I'm inclined to do and I launched my golf club and turn it into a helicopter rotor blade. I just want to say this to you. He came because he heard about the preachers that such a challenge to all of us Sunday school teachers in life group leaders and discipleship leaders and moms and dads and parents and grandparents, but became number six because he expected to receive something so what happened when nobody came to church. I mean the Bible is just so very clear here. The Bible says in no uncertain terms in verse five that he takes good to receive something from them and I want to look at you today and I want to say to you. I'm so glad that you have come expecting to receive something I want to show you three things you that are very important.
Number one he came to church that has just so deeply grabbed my heart in this 11th as I watch an RC church is crumbling and people not interested in churches scrambling and competing and trying to invent new programs and come up with you soon. Try to do that and and he just he came to church but I want you to note in the second place that he shared his need not now watch this. Folks, this is this is fantastic shade. He's lead you not his need was.
He said I need some money that was easily, I want you right now to release from your heart. You need it doesn't matter what is joy, peace, happiness do you need money you need a job you need healing you need reconciliation you need forgiveness. What you need. He just said he's lead, God invites us to come to his house to share our need and when we come to a praying church where people are and where preachers and leaders are striving to share the love of Christ, and we just share around need, let me show you what happens. He was instantly healed today. That's the reason why I'm so glad.
Yep, we've come in from outside and we've gathered was sitting here were a mass of humanity.
God knows us and he knows every need in every circumstance you came your sharing your need and in the name of Jesus. You gonna receive instant healing. Perhaps the Lord stirred your heart have some questions about what it is to say yes to Jesus. Let us help discover those answers together in the Bible, God's Encouraging Word. You can call us at 8668 that number again is 866899673 or connect keyboard keyboard with us online@twonline.org that's T EW online.org before we get away. Perhaps these are the most important thoughts from a pastor, but this entire broadcast. Are you ready to give your heart of life to the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm so happy to hear that wanted to pray this prayer dear God, I love you love me very, very, and I know that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross so that I might be forgiven of my sin. Today, I repent of my sin. I can face my sin to you, and I invite you to come into my heart and into my life by faith in Jesus name I pray, if you prayed that prayer. Let me be the first want to welcome you to the family of God.
This is wonderful. I hope that you know how much I'm going to be praying for you and how very important this is for me. Call us so that we can talk to you and connect you in the right place so you can begin this wonderful journey every single time I get up and have the privilege of being able to shave God's word with you.
I pray for you and awesome God to allow me to see you soon. My spiritual heart because I know how much God loves you.
I just want you to know that it means a great deal to me that you would write to me that you would allow us to partner together. Your life is important. Important first of all to the Lord Jesus every step of every day. But it's also important to me because I'm part of your family. We are part of the family of God, so God bless you my friend. And thank you for letting me pray for you spoken to you this time. Once let us pray with you, let us put some resources in your hand. Our phone number is 86689. That's 866899673 or online@tewonline.org I remember I talked about this very special book to launch 2020 years Dr. Don with the rest of the details this year again I was placed to join with several pastas and Christian leaders from across the country in writing a brand-new 52 week devotional called the heart of worship. I want to make a copy available to you and for you to have copies that you can get to send to your families and friends at Christmas time. What a wonderful Christmas gift to give to those that you love. In fact, as we begin a new year, beginning with God. So thank you my friends for picking up the phone and calling to request the heart of worship devotional today. God bless you the number to call is 86689. That's 866-899-9673 or email us at online@tewonline.org, you know, these are such special times together. I'm so grateful my friends that we can worship together like this through the Encouraging Word broad cost ministry and you such a vital part of all that God is doing and I just love you and I want you to know that you know this ministry goes on 24 hours round-the-clock over time. We want to be involved in your life and we want to continue to pray for you. You can call us at any time you can partner with us all the time through prayer and through your giving. We know that you are 100% engaged as we are in sharing God's truth without searching world. That's what this is all about. We need Jesus Dunkley, and God is doing a great work and I love you today.
Thank God for you, pray for you. God bless you greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ brother Don I'm a prisoner here in North Carolina and I been listening to your preaching on the radio broadcasts each morning for quite some time. I really want to write you to let you know what a blessing you been to me. The word of God, how you love the Lord Jesus Christ has just truly touched my heart more than I could ever express.
I'm 42 years old and I was brought up in church have always had a deep love for Jesus Christ saved a young age got more empathic causing such morning and so I've been through pancreatic cancer and a lot of help with the Lord has blessed me to live and I know my heart is call me for purposes are getting released in just a few more years in my dream is to get into the ministry for Jesus Christ and deliver him. The rest of my when I preach and teach it just touches my heart certainly and I will meet you in person. One I look forward to hearing you on the radio each and every