The Lame Beggar Healed

Intro

Begin with the story and song in Pigeon English from Quest when I was in grade 1.

This is our story today; the lame beggar being healed in Acts 3:1 - 4:22.

A short story of immediate healing

A long story of the fallout from this healing

Why the fallout? Because everything was done in the name of Jesus

In the Name of Jesus

Read Acts 3:1-10.

The scene of this story is quite normal in the rythym of Jewish worship

Hour of prayer/ninth hour = 3 PM

Time of the afternoon sacrifice (performed by priests and witnessed by worshippers), followed by prayer by the congregation

Naturally, a crowd would gather for the burnt offering or prayer

Peter and John were part of this crowd (still participated in temple worship)

This made it a perfect time for those needing charity to ask for alms (like the lame beggar)

Show picture of second temple

The beggar in this story was lame from birth

We are told in Acts 4:22 that he was over 40!

Make some 40 year old jokes

EVERYONE who made this normal journey to worship at the Temple would recognize the beggar and recognize his disability

He asks Peter and John for alms… and that is where the normalcy of this day ends

Peter and John don’t have money, they have something BETTER; the life-giving power found in the name of Jesus

Re—read Acts 3:6-7.

This really is the Acts of Jesus (Part II)

Even after He has died, rose again and ascended into heaven, the book - the church - is ALL about Jesus

There is power in the name of Jesus

Names carried significance, meaning and power back in the time of the early church

Power of names used in ancient magic to assert power and authority

No magic here: Jesus is the name above all names; ultimate power, ultimate authority

And the ability to heal someone with a lifelong disability

There is STILL power in the name of Jesus

Cf. John 14:12-14.

Peter and John proving this saying of Jesus to be true

Not limited to the apostles… “whoever believes in me”

Cessationism vs. continuism

Faith is a part of this process

Look ahead to Acts 3:16.

Not just about throwing the name of Jesus around, but believing in it. Trusting it.

Briefly share Hermann’s story

Does this mean not receiving healing shows a lack of faith?

Talk about my constant prayers for Mom

Faith is necessary, but God will ALWAYS decide what works to do

When we encounter the power of the name of Jesus, how do we respond?

Many important reactions recorded in our story

Walking and Leaping and Praising God

First, the lame man who was healed in the name of Jesus responded by walking and leaping and praising God

And wouldn’t you! Is there any other appropriate response after being able to walk for the first time in your life?!

Not only could he walk, but he could enter the temple to worship

Always on the outside looking in; he is now a full participant

The works done in the powerful name of Jesus should lead us to praise Him

It is easy for us to take the many blessings of God for granted

Not extreme like the lame beggar; we get used to things and it can hinder our praise

Share about moments of feeling completely blessed

Wonder and Amazement

As people watched this man walking and leaping and praising God, they recognized him

No doubt: he was the one who for years sat by the Beautiful Gate and asked for alms. We KNOW he was lame from birth and we KNOW he is healed

This leads to a response of wonder and amazement (v. 10)

To the point of being “utterly astounded” (v. 11)

How can this be? An irrefutable miracle; God is at work and it is utterly astounding

In our experience with God, do we leave room for wonder and amazement?

There is danger in comfort, routine and expectation

Sometimes, we only see what we expect to see, when God desires more (wonder)

Talk about MLB stadium vs. Goldeyes stadium; refer back to danger of cessationism

Not just openness to signs and wonders, but to recapture the wonder and amazement of the Gospel

Share about lunch with Andrew and his response

Do we live out our faith so that those around us are left in wonder and amazement?

It makes no sense to claim to follow a miracle-working saviour and then live the same way as the world

Actions the same, words the same, priorities the same, use of money the same, relationships the same

There is power! And the world can glimpse that power through YOU! Are you open to it?

Greatly Disturbed

As the crowd gathers at the sight of the healed man, Peter uses this opportunity to preach again

VERY similar sermon to Pentecost (Jesus is the Messiah and resurrected Lord; repent!)

So much goodness here, but we don’t have time today

The religious leaders were “greaty annoyed” because of this teaching

Read Acts 4:1-3.

“Greatly annoyed” = deeper -> “greatly disturbed”

Why? Because of the teaching that Jesus was resurrected from the dead

Sadducees (named in particular) didn’t believe in the resurrection at all

As a group, the religious leaders were worried the disciples would stir up this story (remember the account in Matthew)

The leaders also see the irrefutable evidence of the lame beggar healed; they have to know HOW

Read Acts 4:7-12.

There is power in the name of Jesus! But the religious leaders react differently because it threatens their own power

They were the conduit between God and His people

They held authority and amassed wealth

All of the teaching of Jesus and His followers undermined this

How much of our reaction to the name of Jesus is also based on maintaing power (or as we may call it: control)

To acknowledge the power of the name of Jesus is to give up control and power on our own… and this is difficult

Share about giving up dreams of a Mustang… only to find HO with one

Compulsory Boldness

So the religious leaders try some damage control; they can’t refute the miracle, so they try to keep it under wraps

Read Acts 4:15-20.

No more speaking in the name of Jesus!

They are trying to stop a wildfire from spreading by trying to blow it out like a candle (already at 5,000 believers)

Peter and John give us our final reaction: compulsory boldness

“We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (v. 20)

We can’t help it! We can’t stop! We are compelled to keep preaching because we know the truth of Jesus Christ

Like singing along to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”; refer to comic

Do we feel the same compulsion to share the good news of Jesus?

We talk about it as a discipline, as a strategy, as a matter of obedience… but does it overflow out of us?

Conclusion

Make no mistake: There is power in the name of Jesus

Trusting in the authority of Jesus has the power to heal, and so much more

What is your reaction to this power?

Does it lead to joyful praise of God like the beggar?

Wonder and amazement like the crowd?

Bold preaching like the apostles?

Or great annoyance and disturbance like the religious leaders?

The name of Jesus Christ is powerful, and that never changes

But your reaction and response is up to you

Pray