The story is about a goldfish named Su-she who was never satisfied living in her small bowl and dreamed of freedom outside. One day when her owners left, Su-she jumped out of the bowl to freedom but quickly realized she forgot about the cat and died on the floor from being out of water. The passage then discusses how people may seem to have everything in this world but without Jesus they will be lost. It encourages Christians not to envy non-believers and to share the gospel so that people will find true freedom and salvation through accepting Jesus.

1. People Need the Lord

2. A Story… There once was a Goldfish named Su-she…. Su-she never was satisfied…She always wanted more. You could feed her 3 times a day, and she wanted fed 4 times…

3. You could buy her new gravel, and she wanted marbles… You could buy her a new house to put in her bowl, and she wanted the castle.. But the one thing Su-she dreamed about…

4. Was… Living outside that bowl! Day by day she watched people through her little glass window… They could walk from room to room, They could talk to each other.. They could walk out the door.. And she could hear them talk about going to the mall.

5. And there she was… Stuck in a bowl… All she could do was swim in circles! Although On Sundays she would pretend she was her favorite NASCAR Driver,

6. Tony Stewart… She loved the color of Tony’s Car!! And she couldn’t wait until Sundays… As the race was going on, she would pretend she was Tony… She would go around and around until she hit the side of the bowl!!! Then she would try to blame someone else!!! But ANYWAY One day she devised a plan…

7. She heard her owners talk about going to the mall… So she thought to herself…. ” Today I am going to be a free fish!!!, no longer will I be shackled to this bowl full of water… If they can be free, I deserve to be free also… So when they leave…I am out of here!!” Sure enough…

8. Within the hour The owners left to go to the mall… Su-she thought to herself, “Here’s my chance!” So she backed up as far as she could go into the lower corner of her bowl… Then as fast as she could, she swam towards the top of the water… Then….

9. Up and out of the bowl she flew!!! Su-she felt the exhilarating feeling of flying for the first time in her life… She began singing, “Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty, I’m free at last!!!” But then…

10. Ka plunk!!! Su-she hit the floor!! There she lay gasping for air! And what she thought was freedom… Was actually Death!!! She forgot about one thing….

11. The Cat!!!

12. The Text today: Acts 3:1-8 (1) Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] 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 of them that entered into the temple; (3) Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. (4) And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. (5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. (6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: 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) And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

13. Acts 3:6 6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee : In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

14. Let’s look at what we have as Christians: Jesus…. Forgiveness Eternal Life Healing Comfort Peace Joy A purpose True love Safety Contentment Hope Ability to see the supernatural Relationships Prayer

15. Grace 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 KJV (7) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

16. What is Grace… The UNMERITED Love of God… You can’t earn it! It is a gift… Ephesians 2:8-9 (8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God : (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

17. These are some things all Christians have… But sometimes we take them for granted.. Sometimes we are like the fish in the bowl… We look at others and wonder why they have it so good… Or …

18. Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence! Or at least that is what we think… That is why we have so many divorces… That is why people are in so much debt... That is why people are never satisfied… They mistakenly think “IF ONLY… ______”

19. And as Christians… We have everything! Consider these verses…

20. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places] , Ephesians 2:6-7 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

21. As a Christian you have everything you need!!

22. We just need to remember this... When Life throws us a curve… When Satan attacks… When others let us down… When we let ourselves down… Just remember who you are!

23. Let’s look at our main text again…Acts 3:6 6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee : In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

24. Let’s look at our main text again…Acts 3:6 6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee : In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

25. Why did Peter give what they had to the man? Simple…. The man didn’t have it! And he needed it! Listen Closely… People Need the LORD!!!

26. They may have… Their health Good jobs Great relationships The finest house The dream car Good children Money to pay their bills Extra money to do whatever with Friends But if they don’t have Jesus…all these things are worthless…

27. One day they will all pass away… They will burn 2 Peter 3:10-12 KJV (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (11) [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness, (12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

28. Now look what happens when they lose everything…

29. Revelation 20:11-15 KJV (11) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

30. Or.. Revelation 21:8 KJV (8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

31. God is not playing Games… He means what He says…

32. Don’t envy the Lost… Although it may seem they have everything.. This is the only “Heaven” they will know… Unless they accept Jesus as Savior…

33. I am going to close with a song… Pay attention to it…we will sing it together as an invitation song in a few minutes…The song: People Need The Lord

34. People need the Lord… Everyday they pass me by I can see it in their eyes Empty people filled with care Headed who knows where On they go through private pain Living fear to fear Laughter hides the silent cries That Only Jesus hears

35. Chorus: People need the Lord People need the Lord At the end of broken dreams He’s the open door People need the Lord People need the Lord When will we realize People need the Lord

36. We are called to take His light To a world where wrong seems right What could be too great a cost For sharing life with one who’s lost Through His love our hearts can feel All the grief they bear They must hear the words of life Only we can share

37. Chorus: People need the Lord People need the Lord At the end of broken dreams He’s the open door People need the Lord People need the Lord When will we realize That we are called to give our lives For People need the Lord

38. Let’s Stand and sing this song as an invitation…

39. Everyday they pass me by I can see it in their eye Empty people filled with care Headed who knows where On they go through private pain Living fear to fear Laughter hides the silent cries Only Jesus hears Chorus: People need the Lord People need the Lord At the end of broken dreams He’s the open door People need the Lord People need the Lord When will we realize People need the Lord We are called to take His light To a world where wrong seems right What could be too great a cost For sharing life with one who’s lost Through His love our hearts can feel All the grief they bear They must hear the words of life Only we can share