Scripture:
Acts 3:1-7 ESV
[1] Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. [2] And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. [3] Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. [4] And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” [5] And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. [6] But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” [7] And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
Observation:
I know I have written about this portion of scripture before, but I hope to take a little different path today. Peter and John were 2 of Christ’s disciples they were in the group we spoke about yesterday that had been rebuked for their unbelief. The book of Acts is kind of a continuation of the gospel in a sense. What it really boils down to is that these are the acts of the apostles. Let me paint a picture for you. A little over a month ago, Jesus had been crucified, risen from the dead, and had appeared to HIS disciples rebuking them for their unbelief. Now, here is Peter and John going to the temple for prayer time. They were walking together, so more than likely, having some conversation. Maybe that conversation went something like this. Do you think that we can heal people, John… I don’t know for sure Peter, but you remember what HE said. Has HE ever lied to us? No… no HE hasn’t that was made clear when HE appeared out of nowhere a few weeks ago…that day made a real believer out of me John in fact I’m sure it did you as well. So what do you think we should do? I don’t know. Let’s just see where HE leads us in prayer. Continuing their walk to the temple. An opportunity arose to put faith into action. A lame beggar who had gotten carried to the gate called Beautiful every day for most of his life was sitting there. Why should we wait for prayer? John here is an opportunity right here. Do you remember what HE said? Don’t you? These are the signs that will follow. This guy needs healing. As they got closer, the lame man who had seen them coming lifted his hand and asked for a little money, thinking that as long as he could eat today, things would be OK. Due to the shame of his inability to take care of himself, he couldn’t even look at them. Peter knew what was about to happen, looked at him, and asked him to do the same. Breaking through the shame and reaching into the man’s heart. His words were carefully chosen. Silver and gold, I do not have. But what I do have I give to you reaching for the man’s hand he says in the name of Jesus rise and walk. Pulling him to his feet as they were instantly made strong.
Application:
The Bible tells me that YAHWAH is the same today as HE was yesterday, and HE will be the same tomorrow. So again, my only question drawn from these to SOAPS is, do you believe? The question may be a little confusing, though. Because it doesn’t refer to do you believe in miracles. In fact, it refers to Do you believe the gospel, are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you believe that HE is the very son of GOD sent here to give us an example of how to lay our lives down for others? Only to be risen to new life with GOD the Father. Referring back to Mark 16, that was the question that Jesus was making clear. HIS statement about the miraculous signs followed a rebuke for unbelief. Now I have been asked many times… Why do you think we don’t see miracles as much today? My only answer is because I believe we think GOD has changed. We think HE did those things back then, but HE won’t do them now. Or there may be some kind of doubt that HE would use us to do something like that. Or we might even be questioning our very own salvation. Listen, I have no choice but to believe the Bible is the only truth I need and the only truth I have ever heard. If the bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it. GOD does not change. HE is not a shifting shadow. HIS promises never fail. If HE says I can well… then I can. I watched miracle after miracle in life recovery and all around the city of Ada. Not to mention the surrounding areas. The fact is this. The Bible says these are the signs that WILL follow those who BELIEVE… and I believe. I believe Jesus is the very son of the living GOD who was sent to the earth to show me how to live and give my life for others. Because HE gave HIS life for me. I believe HE has risen from the dead and showed HIMSELF to not only HIS disciples but more than 500 others. I believe HE is coming back one day, and I want to be found using everything HE gave me for HIS glory. So let me answer the question… why do we not see so many miraculous signs today… because we put an eternal GOD in a little box. We say stuff like those were things that happened, and then that can’t happen now. Oh, but they can in the book of James we see him directing us to pray for wisdom. In those directions, he says. Pray without a doubt because why would GOD answer a prayer if the person who is praying doubts that HE can? We have to stop putting GOD in a box, thinking we can understand an unlimited Holy Father. Let’s believe in the impossible and pray for it. Not to pit GOD to the test, but because WE BELIEVE HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS.
Prayer:
Father, we believe your word. We know you wrote it through the Holy Spirit using men’s hands to do so. We believe every dot and every tiddle. We know that they are in place for a reason and that you placed them there. You are a holy and righteous Father. You tell us we have not because we ask not. So we are asking you this morning if there is any doubt in us remove it if there is something deep inside us that says you can but not for us to change that. We are all in. We don’t want a GOD with limited power that we hold in some box on a shelf. We want more of you, GOD. Shape us and mold us to be the ones who believe your word so much that it shows in everything we say do and touch. We are willing and we want to be used by you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen