Some things are more important than gold and silver. Learn what is important from Peter.

1. Silver and Gold
Acts 3:1-18
1 Now Peter and John went up together to
the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth
hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his
mother's womb was carried, whom they
laid daily at the gate of the temple which is
called Beautiful, to ask alms from those
who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing
Peter and John about to go into the temple,
asked for alms.

2. The Ads
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Have you seen all the ads – selling gold and
silver – coins and bars?
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G. Gordon Liddy – Watergate convict
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“I have found within myself all I need and all I
ever shall need. I am a man of great faith, but
my faith is in George Gordon Liddy. I have
never failed me.”
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BUT – He does place faith in gold and silver.

3. Contrast
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Contrast the attitude of Liddy (and many today)
with people of faith in the New Testament.
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Peter has the proper perspective.
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In Acts 3 he meets a lame man at the temple in
Jerusalem.

4. Some see; Don't see
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Acts 3:3-5 3 who, seeing Peter and
John about to go into the temple,
asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes
on him, with John, Peter said, "Look
at us." 5 So he gave them his
attention, expecting to receive
something from them.

5. Some see; Don't see
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He “saw” Peter and John
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He saw a source of alms
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He did not see apostles of Jesus
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He did not see what Peter wanted him
to see.

6. Some see; Don't see
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He expected something
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How often have we lowered our sights
and focus on what man can give
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We should focus on what God can
give to us

7. Peter did not have it
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Acts 3:6-8 6 Then Peter said, "Silver and
gold I do not have, but what I do have I
give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, rise up and walk." 7 And he
took him by the right hand and lifted him
up, and immediately his feet and ankle
bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping
up, stood and walked and entered the
temple with them--walking, leaping, and
praising God.

8. Peter did not have it
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No exaggeration
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Matthew 19:27 Then Peter answered and said
to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You.
Therefore what shall we have?"
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Paul – Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count
all things loss for the excellence of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and count
them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

9. Peter did not have it
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Material things were less important to Peter
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If he had any money, he would have given it
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He had something more valuable than coins
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He offered the gift of healing instead of a few
coins

10. Avoided Self-promotion
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Acts 3:9-12 9 And all the people saw him
walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew
that it was he who sat begging alms at the
Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were
filled with wonder and amazement at what had
happened to him. 11 Now as the lame man who
was healed held on to Peter and John, all the
people ran together to them in the porch which
is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. 12 So
when Peter saw it, he responded to the people:
"Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or
why look so intently at us, as though by our

11. Avoided Self-promotion
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Popular today - “selfies”
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People saw what had happened
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They ran to Peter and John
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Peter could have made money from this
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He choose the treasure that does not rust or
decay (Matthew 6:19-20)

12. Avoided Self-promotion
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Peter did not seek the attention for himself
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He sought to focus on the source of the power
that healed the lame man
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Peter knew the real power came from God

13. Look at the true focus
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Acts 3:13-15 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant
Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the
presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let
Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the
Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to
you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God
raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

14. Look at the true focus
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Acts 3:16-18 16 And His name, through faith in
His name, has made this man strong, whom you
see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through
Him has given him this perfect soundness in the
presence of you all. 17 Yet now, brethren, I know
that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things which God foretold by the
mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would
suffer, He has thus fulfilled.

15. Look at the true focus
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Focus on:
– God
– Jesus, the Son of God
– His plan
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The purpose in healing was not for:
– Personal attention
– The convenience of the one healed
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BUT: To bring attention to Christ

16. Conclusion
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Peter was not interested in gold and silver
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He was less interested in self
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He sought to promote Jesus Christ
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He sought to preach salvation
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Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out, so that times
of refreshing may come from the presence of
the Lord