First, all we do is beg, if we don’t have Jesus. Acts 3:2, "And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple." We beg men for approval, beg for contentment, and beg at the market of Satan for spiritual things. Let no man think he’s sufficient without Christ. He doesn’t have holiness or joy. He has no communion with God. Everything he has will be rotted away by time. James 5:2, "Your riches have rotted, and your clothes are moth-eaten." The person without Christ meets God in judgment, and perishes.

Only those who have Christ have anything. Everyone else in this world is horribly hungry and naked, though they feel it not. Hosea 7:9, "Foreigners devour his strength, but he does not know it; gray hairs are sprinkled upon him, but he does not know it." Their families do not remember them after death, and they take NOTHING beyond the grave but their sin. They'll spend eternity in full regret!

Do not be deluded to think that having things, but having no communion with God - barred from his presence - is worth it. Bless God, if he's taught you the value of Christ above all else.

Secondly, the name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth; it is not our name or our power; it is God working because of Christ. The Acts 3:4, 6 - Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us…” But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”

"Look at us", means, “Look at us looking to Christ. See what he’s done for us? He will do the same for you. He freely saves sinners, and makes us holy. He gave up his own life to give us grace, and he gives contentment and peace. 'Look at us,' means, Do exactly what we do, which is look to Jesus, and rely on him.”

This is not us making ourselves great, or shining the light upon us in any way; it is using ourselves as an object lesson, like one born blind who now sees. He can tell other beggars and sinners where bread is.

Do you preach, “Look on me,” when you are preaching Jesus? Are you enjoying the gospel, and relying on him? Doing so is rewarded, and it is the only life that’s fruitful.

This is the false notion that many labor under: Many hear the gospel or see us, and they think that it’s us, instead of Christ. Acts 3:12, "When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: 'Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness?'" They see great power in a person or a fruitful ministry, and they say, “He’s the mighty power of God.” Acts 8:9-10, "Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, 'This man is the power of God that is called Great.'” They don’t recognize the Almighty blesses us ENTIRELY because of Christ! It has nothing to do with us.

God is not saying, “After Peter and John got their act together… after they really achieved more holiness…then I used them according to their strength and godliness.” No, it is the opposite: The man who has nothing relies upon Christ’s grace, and then God uses him, indeed. He looks to Christ as why God blesses sinners, even while he’s preaching, and power comes from the Lord. He expects blessings entirely because of Christ. Holy living and helping others is the result! This is the liberty of Christ’s gospel!

Thirdly, the resurrection proves God’s claims: it proves that Christ is the Son of God, and everything he says is true; it proves the atonement has been accepted, and all who believe upon him are saved. Acts 3:14-15, "But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses."

Have the resurrection in your ministry. Proclaim the fact of God’s victory. Use the evidence that God has given. The resurrection is calculated to set sinners free, and to make demons tremble; it is the fact of grace, the finished work, and power over sin!

Finally, faith is how we get involved in Christ’s work, and receive the benefits. Acts 3:16, "And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you." Faith is how we partake of the bread of life, until we’re full. Faith is how we thirst no more. Faith says, “What Christ has done…and who he is…is for me: I have the inheritance. I have forgiveness, I've been chosen, adopted, and I have the Spirit. God will stick with me to the end, never leaving me or forsaking me [Eph 1:3-14]. He’ll never break his covenant, but he’ll give me everything I need, including good works [Eph 2:8-10].”

Oh, faith is wonderful! It is reliance upon Christ’s grace, and not ourselves; it is reliance upon his power, goodness, and the righteousness of blood; it is relying on him to be why God works in you powerfully to heal you of sin and despair, and to give you the comfort of the Spirit.

All things are ours by faith, and no other way; it is not by works or feelings; it is by believing God’s word properly taught.