"The Miracle Model Church", by Pastor Kevin Lynch

Acts 3:1-8 (AMP)

(1) NOW PETER and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (three o'clock in the afternoon), (2) [When] a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple [which is] called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple. (3) So when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them to give him a gift. (4) And Peter directed his gaze intently at him, and so did John, and said, Look at us! (5) And [the man] paid attention to them, expecting that he was going to get something from them. (6) But Peter said, Silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you: in [the [a]use of] the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! (7) Then he took hold of the man's right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady, (8) And leaping forth he stood and [b]began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

The new found boldness of Peter and John. It's exhilarating to read and meditate on!

Here in this first post-Pentecost miracle I believe we see the miracle model of the Church. Not just the "early" Church, but the Church for today as well.

It's not about well meaning fundraisers. It's not about letting our money do the talking. It's not about merely praying for someone.

It's about butts out of the seats and into the streets (so to speak)!

Here's what generally happens:

(Telephone rings, John Q. Churchgoer answers): "Hello.

(Person with prayer request, Wilomina Weakintheknees begins): "Hi John, I was wondering if I could ask you a favor?"

John: "Certainly".

Wilomina: "I have this close friend who is the hospital and is undergoing some surgery. I was wondering if you would pray for her."

John: "Sure, I would be glad to. Would you like me to ask my pastor if he would make a visit to her to pray with her?"

Wilomina: "Oh John, that would be wonderful. The more praying the better!"

John: "No problem. I'm all over it."

Wilomina: "Thanks so much. I'll see you in Church!"

There you have it. I'm not saying it's particularly wrong to do that, but it is NOT the biblical Miracle Model Church.

The model is to engage where we find it and do the work that needs to be done!

Not call your pastor, not pray over the phone, not start a prayer chain, etc. Again, these things are not wrong to do IN ADDITION to or INSTEAD OF when for instance there is too much distance to traverse to get to a person, or if one is hindered from physically being there.

The norm however is to make contact and transmit the Power of Christ to the person in need (Law of Contact and Transmission). Peter and John were acting not just like Jesus would act, they were actually "being" Jesus to that crippled man by using the Power of Attorney of Jesus' Name! (Jesus gave us that authority while He was still on earth).

It's always "In the Name of Jesus!" It's always applying the physical energy of laying upon, lifting up, touching, pushing, pulling, etc. to the spiritual command to be healed.

You can't carry out God's best model by shirking your responsibility and passing it off to someone else who probably won't do anything either.

Is is really any wonder why there is so much sin and sickness in the Church and its associated extended families today?

The model has been working for those who utilize it over the span of centuries. There's no magic there. It's simply the method Jesus used and has given to us to use until He returns. We are His Body. What is it we don't get about that?

We'll look more closely at this tomorrow.

Until then, be the Power of Christ to someone today. Take hold of someone's right hand in His Name!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><