Synopsis: There was a man, known to be lame, begging for money outside of the gates of the temple. Peter and John, on their way inside the temple to pray, look upon this man and heal him in Jesus' name. This public healing provided Peter and John with an opportunity to bear witness to the power of Jesus Christ; the same man they executed without cause. Peter continues to inform the people of their need to repent.
Teaching Points
No excuses
There is an old adage that says time heals all wounds. Despite popular belief, time is neither a healer nor an ally of wounds. Time serves only to dull pain and allow for infection. Without proper care, time is the worst enemy of a wound.
When Peter and John spoke to the crippled man at the gate, verse 7 says that his feet and bones received strength immediately. When we look at the instances when Jesus healed we see see a similar timetable. In John 4 we read that a noble man realized that his son was healed at the exact hour that Jesus said he would live. When Jesus healed Peter's mother in law Luke 4 says that she immediately rose. In Luke 5 Jesus heals a man lowered through a hole in the roof and he immediately. As Jesus heals others including Lazarus and the woman with the issue of blood you will notice that their recovery was immediate.
Jesus does not need time to heal us. Not only that, but his immediate haling comes with a beckoning to repent and come to God. When we receive Jesus' healing we are no longer restricted by our ailments. When Jesus calls us from a life of sin, we do not need time to repent and turn to God. Our repentance needs to be immediate; matching the healing Jesus has provided.
When God delivers us from sin we need to turn to God with a sense of urgency and immediacy. God's healing is immediate and we can't be comfortable returning to what God has delivered us from. Often we want to use time to indulge our carnal nature and reason with phrases like, "God knows my heart", or "He's not through with me yet." God calls us to live our lives with a sense of purpose; a purpose centered around His will. We're not called to meander through life dabbling between the flesh and the Spirit. The first step to living a Spirit purposed life is to purpose yourself in the Spirit.
Most of us, if delivered from our most severe physical ailment would not dream of returning to our physical limitations. The same should be true of our spiritual deliverance.
Most of us, if delivered from our most severe physical ailment would not dream of returning to our physical limitations. The same should be true of our spiritual deliverance.
Moving in Christ with Confidence
In Acts 3 the Jews of the time are celebrating Pentecost, the first major feast after Passover. It was during that Passover that the Apostles had seen Jesus crucified. In less than 2 months after seeing the Jewish leaders crucify the Lord Peter looks at this lame beggar and in full confidence instructs him to get up and walk. The bible makes no mention of Peter wondering what would happen if the man was not healed. What would that have done to his ministry. Moreover, what would healing the man do for his life?
In Acts 3 the Jews of the time are celebrating Pentecost, the first major feast after Passover. It was during that Passover that the Apostles had seen Jesus crucified. In less than 2 months after seeing the Jewish leaders crucify the Lord Peter looks at this lame beggar and in full confidence instructs him to get up and walk. The bible makes no mention of Peter wondering what would happen if the man was not healed. What would that have done to his ministry. Moreover, what would healing the man do for his life?
All Glory to God
After the man gained strength in his ankles Peter addressed the crowd as asked them, "Why do you look so earnestly on us? Before there was a chance to heap glory upon him and John, Peter immediately directs an amazed crowd back to Jesus who they had crucified.
This is an important point to understand as we attempt to do things for Christ. When God uses us for His purpose, it sometimes leads to personal glory and accolades. In James 4:10 God instructs us that when we humble ourselves He will lift us up. Remaining humble on the way up can provide a challenge. Many a testimony has been ruined by pride as a result of misplaced praise. Everything we do for God should result in Glory to God. Any glory paid to us should be directed to God.
Next Level Question
In what practical ways are we to move in Christ with confidence?
After the man gained strength in his ankles Peter addressed the crowd as asked them, "Why do you look so earnestly on us? Before there was a chance to heap glory upon him and John, Peter immediately directs an amazed crowd back to Jesus who they had crucified.
This is an important point to understand as we attempt to do things for Christ. When God uses us for His purpose, it sometimes leads to personal glory and accolades. In James 4:10 God instructs us that when we humble ourselves He will lift us up. Remaining humble on the way up can provide a challenge. Many a testimony has been ruined by pride as a result of misplaced praise. Everything we do for God should result in Glory to God. Any glory paid to us should be directed to God.
Next Level Question
In what practical ways are we to move in Christ with confidence?
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