Acts 3:1-11 A Wonderful Interruption I. Introduction A. Today we will see that things were going along, business as usual, for the Apostles, a lame beggar, and a crowd of worshippers until God wonderfully disrupted their routine and manifested His power and glory. B. As we move on through this book, we will see how God continued to work in the world through the Church as they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. C. In our first story, we will see how the miracles that were part of the ministry of Jesus continued under the hand of the Apostles. II. Acts 3:1-3 The setting of the miracle Acts 3:1 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. A. We are told that this takes place at the 9 th hour at the temple gate, Beautiful, and there are a few things we should note about these details. 1. It was a busy time. 2. It was a busy place. The gate itself was of unusual size and splendor." Its other name, "Corinthian," refers to the costly material of which it was constructed-- Corinthian bronze. Josephus gives many interesting particulars about this gate, which, he tells us, greatly excelled in workmanship and value all the others (BJ, V, v, 3). It was larger than the other gates; was 50 cubits in height (the others 40); its weight was so great that it took 20 men to move it (BJ, VI, vi, 3). (ISBE) 1
3. It was a place where generosity could be found. a) In the gospels, we see people lying on the busy highways begging, near the temple and at homes of rich people. 4. It is quite easy to imagine a large crowd busily making their way into the temple, hearing in the background a man calling out Alms for the poor! a) I can imagine the monotone drone Alms for the poor! and the crowd not responding, as the call was a familiar call to many. b) Some would have answered the call with a few coins, and some would have strategically positioned themselves on the other side of the crowd so as not to be confronted with it, or at least would have been out of position to easily give. B. This was a daily routine for the lame man. 1. He would come to the temple, yet never go inside 2. He could see the worshippers, talk with the worshippers, hear the worshippers and even smell the sacrifices on the altar as the animals were offered to the Lord, but he himself never entered into worship. 3. All he had known his entire life was to be placed at the gate and beg for his sustenance. III. Acts 3:4-11 The healing of the lame man 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. A. 3:4 A familiar scene with an unfamiliar response. 1. It is both reasonable and likely that Jesus and his disciples passed by this man many times before. 2
2. Yet on this day, the Lord had a plan. 3. John and Peter s familiarity with this scene teaches us a few things. a) Jesus did not heal every person He saw, nor could the disciples wield the power of healing on command. b) The other teaching we derive from this story is that we should never count out God doing something amazing even in our most familiar tasks. 4. Could it be that today or tomorrow you will have an opportunity to share the gospel in a very familiar situation? 5. We must remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. a) Walk through the course of every day with one eye upon heaven and the other upon earth, asking the Lord what He would have you do or say. 6. For Peter, he was arrested by the Spirit of God in an instant and with faith, was used of God to perform a miracle. B. This man asked for MONEY, but he received MORE. 1. The man wanted a few copper coins, but instead he received the complete and instantaneous healing of his legs. 2. This miracle does not teach that God wants to raise every lame person up to full health, but it does teach us that God wants all of us to realize that His desires for us are greater than our own expectations. 3. You may be asking for a financial breakthrough, and the Lord is saying, But I want to make you free from the power of greed and materialism. I want to make you an example of my Divine provision on a daily basis. 4. This story teaches us to keep our eyes on the Lord for what He wants to do in our circumstances. 3
IV. C. Healing comes through faith. 1. This is such an interesting story, in light of the damaging teaching that is circulating through the Church which says if YOU have ENOUGH faith, God will heal you. a) Of course this is a damaging teaching and one that is not true. 2. Here we read a story of a man that did not have faith; he didn t even have the thought of healing. 3. Where was the faith? The faith was in the person praying. 4. It is true that when God sovereignly wills to heal a person, faith will be desired by God. a) Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), and it is true that miracles in Jesus ministry were often according to the faith of those in need. 5. But sometimes that faith was manifested in a second party. a) As in this story, or the healing of Jairus daughter, or the healing of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof of house to Jesus. D. A few things to consider about healing 1. God is the healer, and it is according to His will, not man s. 2. God does not heal everyone in this lifetime. 3. God brings healing through faith. Acts 3:8-9 The worship of the beggar 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. 4
A. This man left the sidelines of the temple gate and entered into the worship of the temple. 1. What is the bigger miracle: the healing, or the fact that the man has now come to the house of God to fellowship and worship the Lord? 2. Notice how God used Peter and John in this man s life. They took someone standing on the sidelines and brought him into the real meaning of being at the Temple. They each were at the Temple, yet for far different reasons. B. This miracle is truly amazing, and as this man experienced the strength returning to his feet and legs, God provided the balance to go with it. 1. He didn t have to learn to walk; God did a complete and instantaneous healing. 2. I believe God performs miracles of healing, but I also believe many so-called healings are not healings. a) There are reports of God performing miracles at church gatherings where regular tooth fillings were changed to gold fillings. b) That would be a partial healing. 3. Certainly God can work through the natural channels of doctors and through the body s natural abilities to heal itself, and God should be praised for such wisdom. But that is different than what we are reading about here. C. God has set up a perfect opportunity for the Gospel to be preached. 1. Everyone was familiar with the lame beggar. 2. We will read of this message next week. 5
D. Moving our attention away from the physical healing for a moment, consider how this man s worship is the greater miracle. 1. Have you been sitting on the sidelines of faith and worship? 2. May the same great work of worship be accomplished in your heart and life today! V. Acts 3:10-11 The wonder of the crowd 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. A. The people are aware that something amazing has taken place in their midst. 1. The lame man is leaping. 2. The cripple is whole. 3. The beggar is worshipping. B. Do people recognize we are whole-do they see us as worshippers of God? 1. Or do they see you as one who is incomplete, just like them, and one who never has anything positive to say? 2. Don't sit on the sidelines, but enter in with us to that sacred place of praising and worshipping God. a) Set aside the ailments in your life, and give God the glory that He is due. C. May God renew that work of wholeness in our life this morning. 6
VI. Conclusion A. May we be prepared for the Lord to break into our daily routine to perform works of glory. 1. To do more than we are asking or even thinking. B. May we be used to help draw people into worship of the Lord. C. May we be people of faith. D. May we recognize the work God has done in our life and worship the Lord with joy. 7