Giving You the Best that I Got

As we continue in our series in Acts I would like to bring your attention to Chapter 3 3 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. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (Ac 3:1–10).

It was in September of 1988 that the Songtress release one of my favorite songs by her.

Ain't there something I can give you In exchange for everything you give to me Read my mind and make me feel just fine When I think my peace of mind is out of reach

The scales are sometimes unbalanced And you bear the weight of all that has to be I hope you see that you can lean on me And together we can calm a stormy sea

We love so strong and so unselfishly And I tell you now that I made a vow I'm giving you the best that I got, baby Yes I tell you now, that I made a vow I'm giving you the best that I got, honey

This title track would be Anita Bakers highest peaking song on the Hot 100 peaking at number 3. It solidified her pop billboard presence even though many of her previous would peak at number 1 on the R&B charts this single had capture a whole new audience.

Giving you the Best that I Got!

If someone asked you for the best you got what would you offer them.

Hopefully you would be able to offer them what Peter and John offered the 40 year old lame man.

Such as I do have I offer you. In the name of Jesus arise and walk.

Acts Chapter 3 picks up on the activity of the early church. Peter and John are on their way to House of Prayer. It was prayer time.

Three in the afternoon. Remember the success of the early church included prayer. The sweet hour of prayer was important to the early church. We know from chapter 2 the apostles were doing many signs and wonders.

So the backdrop for the miracle is a man who is lame from birth who was brought to a location called the Beautiful Gate to ask for handouts. The Bible uses the term alms. In modern day terms he was asking for money. Can you spare some change? Do you have a dollar?

This was daily activity for the lame man. It was likely was his only means of support but also the support of those who brought him there. This was not uncommon. It was something about the saints that others who were in need would seek them.

Its likely because they had been taught to be merciful to the needy.

You recall John 9 where the blind beggar encounters Jesus and the disciples, Jesus makes spittle and instructs the man to go wash in the pool of Siloam.

When folks saw him after he was able to see said isn’t this the man who sat and begged.

So here this man was hoping to receive money but Peter and John had something way better to offer.

First you will always get more than you expected when it comes to Jesus 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. (Ac 3:5–7).

How many know that He will do more than you ask or think? Ephesians 3 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, on (Eph 3:20).

We must recognize that God will surpass any request. When you know they Bible you can be assured that God is working on your behalf. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (2 Co 9:8–9).

We have to expect great things from God. He has a way of not only supplying our needs but will multiply. He does that not just so we can say He came through for me its to do ministry. So we can be blessing to others. Its in that same book of Cor that he said, 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God (2 Co 9:10–12).

Which leads me to my second point

Second, Its only right to praise Him 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Ac 3:8).

The man leaps to his feet. When you encounter the power of God you will do as Isaiah said 6  then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. (Is 35:6).

The Lord will put running in your feet. This lameness represent more than a man physically lame. Many are spiritually lame. The are stuck because they have not truly encountered God. The King Jmaes version of the Bible calls it such. That Godly presence is still available today. God wants you to have a conversion to the point that your praise with be spontaneous and undeniable. This man had reason to praise God! Forty years lame. From the time he was able to beg being brought to the Temple and laid at the gate begging. Depending on the kindness of others. Now in a moment your life changes. Yes it would be a good time to praise the Lord!

Thirdly What God does in your life will astound others

10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. (Ac 3:10–11).

Those who saw the man were astounded! Don’t be shocked. You will run into someone who knew the old you and they will be amazed. They will be shocked.

Yes when you are in Christ you are a whole new creation. The old things have passed away all things become new! Yes we have had a transformation! We are walking in our newness. How many can testify that folks in your old life would not recognize the new you.

You temperament is better, you have patience with people. You can walk away from conflict. You have embodied the fruit of the Spirit.