Scripture:
Acts 3:1-10 NKJV
[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. [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. [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. [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.
Observation:
This has got to be my favorite chapter in the Bible, and to be honest, I have written about it several times, but as we were studying it last night at church I just fell in love with it all over again. The first several chapters in the book of acts are about the process that took place as the church was put together, after having been given the Holy Spirit. What an amazing time in history that must have been. Only 40 days after HIS ascension to heaven the helper appears and begins to make an impact. Within minutes of HIS arrival several thousand give their lives to Christ. All that had really happened at that point was tongues of fire speaking in different languages, and Peter speaking with boldness lacking the fear he had shown just a few short weeks ago. But now as they approached the temple to pray, all that was about to change. It was something that they had been doing regularly. But something else had been happening regularly as well. A man that had been lame from birth. Has been carried there by his friends. My guess is that was a regular stop for him. After all he had to eat somehow and after being lame all his life, I’m sure he had accepted this to be his lifestyle. He had chosen this spot carefully, right at the beautiful gate. As people would go in to pray and worship he would ask for just a little bit of change. In his mind that’s all he needed just enough for some bread for the day. But that day GOD had other plans, a divine appointment was about to take place. I’m not sure how many times they had seen each other, but as we have already determined. This was regular activity for all the parties involved. As he glanced up to see who was coming. He saw Peter and John who I’m sure were lost in conversation. As they discussed who was in need of prayer. I see it happening something like this,”Let’s not forget to pray for Mathis. You know he has been going through it after losing his grandfather, oh and Thomas every since the SAVIOR has gone to be with the father he has been acting different, we need him to have that fire back, so many needs let’s not forget those who are in prison as well,” as they continued to mow over the needs they probably had no idea that the lame man had taken notice of them. Although he would not lift his head to look at them due to the shame. His approach was subtle. I can see him sitting there watching all the people walking by…. Waiting for the ones who were just a little kinder than the rest. He had been sitting there for years, watching the sane people walk by doing the same thing. He had seen all the faces but something was different today, something that he was unaware of. The Holy Spirit had fallen on the church. Seeing John and Peter quietly approaching and fixing his attention on them. Without looking directly at them he asked for alms the shame was so heavy that it kept his eyes from reaching theirs, until Peter, having fixed his eyes on him, said look at us. This was the moment that would change his life fir ever. Expecting to receive what he had asked for. He responded to the request. As he did Peter’s statement had to deflate him somewhat, “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.” That act of faith that took place after that changed this man’s life forever reaching for the man’s hand Peter knew that his legs would be strengthened. Setting his feet to gain a little leverage he pulled the man to his feet, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he leaped up stood and walked into the temple with them moving from the mat that he had made a home of to an attitude of worship within seconds, walking, leaping, and praising GOD. All those who had seen him sitting by the gate for all those years saw him walking into the temple that he had sat in front of for so long. What an astonishing moment. No one could deny what had happened to him.
Application:
Can you imagine what one act of obedience could do in someone’s life? I have seen it first hand. Walking through home depot one day looking for some plumbing parts. I stopped to talk to one of their associates to see if he could direct me as to where to look. As our conversation took place there was a man who was in the middle of the aisle looking at some plumbing parts as well. Seconds later he collapsed knocking things off the shelf and falling to the ground. Laying there incoherent we ran over to him. At that point he was still somewhat responsive, but that was failing quickly. The associate and I tried to help him back to his feet, with no success. By that time people started gathering around. Another home depot associate had come and laid the man’s head on her lap. It was at that point that someone in the crowd that had gathered laid their hand on the man and prayed for him. What happened next still blows my mind today. He got up, after being completely incoherent, he got up… and walked out of the store. So I followed him, passing the ambulance that had been called, getting in his truck and driving away. What a breathtaking moment. One act of obedience, but there’s more. As I went back to my shopping. Finding the home depot employee that was helping me to begin with we talked about what had happened. Come to find out the man that had collapsed was Def he could not hear he comes in the store regularly, but something was different that day. The Holy Spirit was there, and a divine appointment took place. A home depot customer was obedient to what was told to them and a crowd of witnesses saw a man who could not hear the prayer that had been spoken over him get up and walk out as though nothing had happened. Now here is what that works out in my mind. Is it possible that there are people that come across your path every day that the Holy Spirit has spoken to you about and you have not done what was told to be done. What if you just listened and did it. What are the possibilities? You could be the one that GOD what’s to use to make changes in someone’s life. Tune your ear to hear HIM and act in obedience. Your faith can move the mountain that is in their life.
Prayer:
Father, you are so amazing, and I know as life continues, that you are not done. There is so much more that you want to do. All we can ask for is that you would allow us to not only be willing to obey but have the boldness to do so as well. We are not looking to be glorified in ourselves because we know that none of this is about us. Our lives have been bought with a price. The price you SON paid for us. Father, we love you, and need you to direct our path. We believe what the word says. These are the signs that will follow those who believe greater works than what HE did. That’s what you have told us. Allow our faith to be big enough to stand on what you have said you will do what your word say. It all depends on whether or not we believe you will or not. We want to thank you for the faith you have given us. What we are asking for is that faith to impact all those around us in a positive manner. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.