What's in a Name? (Acts 3:1-10)

Introduction

In Acts 3:1-10, we are told the story of the lame beggar who gets healed. In the story, Peter and John are on their way to the temple. As they did so, a lame man "from birth" was being carried to the temple gate so that he could beg for money of those entering the temple.

In those days, if you were disabled in some way and did not have the ability or strength to do work, then you couldn't earn money to survive. Often, you were left to beg from people. So, as a result, it seems this lame man would come to the entrance of the temple to beg.

Now, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he begged for money.

In response, Peter and John look straight at the lame man and ask him to look at them so that he has their full attention.

Acts 3:4–5 “And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.”

At this point, the lame man probably thinks things are looking really good. You see, usually, people would have walked right past him, paying no attention to him or the many others begging for money.

But now Peter and John were willing to stop and pay attention to him. "What do they have to give me?" he would've thought. When he pays attention to Peter and John, Peter says in v6, "Silver or gold I do not have,”

Hearing this, the lame man would've thought, they have nothing to give me, so what are they talking to me for? Are they going to be wasting my time? Then Peter continues using the word "BUT," stating there is something else.

"...but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

Peter takes him by the right hand and helps him up, and instantly, the man's feet and ankles become strong. He jumps up to his feet, begins to walk, jump, and praises God, going into the temple courts with them. All the people who see him are filled with wonder and amazement. Amen!!

This is a fantastic story about Jesus Christ working through His disciples to heal a man who had been lame from birth. This was the resurrected Christ continuing His kingdom work through His disciples—the same Jesus of Nazareth who was recently crucified.

The same Jesus that did many miracles and healed many, this same Jesus is no longer dead, but He is alive. Amen!

The question is that, in today’s world, do we sometimes doubt that Christ is continuing this amazing work? Sometimes we may question and ask where these amazing miracles are in today’s world, and we only associate that Christ is working only when we see such things happen.

The truth of the matter is he is indeed working mightily amongst His people. He is gifting salvation to many people all over the world, that they may know Christ.

Another example is Jerra church which is a church plant, which is now growing and another avenue to bring the healing of sin to many by the preaching of the word, and to be outward focused., etc.

When Peter and John went to the lame man, they didn't have anything that the lame man would have found valuable; in other words, there was no earthly material of value they had to give as alms.

Instead, they offered the lame man something far more significant than silver and gold. Not only were they going to provide healing, but they were also revealing through whom this miracle was being achieved and what the real gift was.

I believe in this section of scripture, the heart of the story comes right down to those words, "in the name of Jesus of Nazareth". Praise God!

In this world, we value money, houses, jobs, etc. They give us wealth; with it, we can buy ourselves a dwelling place; with it, we can feed our family; with it, we can become comfortable, and with it, we think we can find happiness and fulfilment.

We might imagine the best thing the disciples gave was the healing itself. It was a magnificent healing no doubt, and the lame man was so joyous of his healing that he could now walk and jump, and as a result, he praised God.

But above the healing itself, Christ was now revealed to Him.

The same can apply to you. Even if you don’t have much wealth, status or popularity you still have something to offer people that they need more than anything else – Jesus.

While this event becomes the launchpad for Peter’s speech to the religious leaders which we will hear next week, it’s important not to skip the fact that a miracle has happened here.

Which’s why it’d be good for us to spend some time looking at what we can learn from the miracle before we get to the speech that refers back to it next week. Because this week’s passage has so much to say to us. For miracles give us hope that sin, disease and suffering isn’t how things will always be.

To do so we will be looking at the following points:

The Name of Jesus

We Were Once Lame

Christ Raised Us Up

Go and Tell k

The Name Of Jesus

What's in a name? More specifically, what's in the name of Jesus Christ?

I am sure you would have asked this question yourself because I know I have. In fact, we are commanded to do many things in the name of Jesus, right, but what does that really mean? Is there some mystical power when the name of Jesus is spoken?

For example, when we pray, we pray in the name of Jesus. At other times, when we present the gospel to someone, we tell them that anyone who believes in the name of Jesus shall be saved, we praise in the name of Jesus, and we are to be baptised in the name of Jesus.

Is it like a "magic" word we can use to initiate some sort of power? No, not at all. In fact, there is an example in the book of Acts where a Jewish priest named Sceva and his seven sons in Acts 19 tried to use the name of Jesus in this manner.

Seeing the Apostle Paul cast out demons in the name of Jesus, they, too, began to invoke the name of Jesus to drive out evil spirits. They used this as a formula for personal gain.

As they did this, the evil spirit said we know Jesus and recognise Paul, but who are you? Then the evil spirit leapt on them instead, overpowering the sons of Sceva, and they fled naked and wounded.

As a result, the passage goes on telling us that fear fell upon the people, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. And also, many people who practised magic arts brought their books together and burned them all.

You see, the name of the Lord is to be honoured and revered.

So what the "name of Jesus" is NOT is that it is not a magical word or a formula to gain something out of a selfish attitude.

In fact, the name "Jesus" was quite a common name in the first century for a Jewish male, and it was the most common Greek version of the Hebrew name Joshua (or Jehoshua, Jeshua). The meaning of the name is "The Lord saves" or the "Lord is my help.”

Instead, the power in Jesus's name really rests in the person behind the name. Names were more than just identifying a person; they revealed something about their work, achievements, and status—some for good and others for evil.

For example, when I mention the following famous names, think about what immediately comes to your mind.

Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, Changing Twitter to X

Dwayne Johnson: The Rock (ring name), well-known actor and WWE wrestler

Robert Downey Junior: If you like Marvel movies, then Iron Man and as an actor

Adolf Hitler: This is a change of tone here, right? When you hear the name Hitler you think of the mass atrocities committed during WWII and his role in the Holocaust.

Now, whenever the Bible uses the Name Jesus, here’s some of the things it wants you to know, experience feel….

Salvation…(pause)…. Salvation means He saves you from the eternity in hell your sins deserve so you get to hang out with Him in heaven forever…..

Redemption…(pause)….Redemption means God Who’ll judge all sets you free from slavery to your sins and addictions because Jesus paid the price of your freedom through being treated like a criminal…(pause)...

Healing is on point here because this man was healed and there’s healing for you in Jesus Name too…. And while you may not be healed of your condition or illness this side of heaven like the man in Acts 3 was, you will be healed at the coming resurrection. So thanks to Jesus and the power of His Name it’s not a case of IF but WHEN, which means hang in there church…

Resurrection, if you wanna rise from the dead, friend there’s only one way – through the power of Jesus Name….

These are the things you should know, experience and feel whenever you hear His Name…….

In fact, scripture teaches us that His name is above every other name. Philippians 2:8–11 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

So, when Peter told the lame man, silver and gold have I none "BUT" in the name of Jesus, they were really saying:

in the authority of,

in the power of,

in the person of the resurrected Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!!

Without this Jesus, they would have no power or authority to give the man a healing miracle. Without Jesus, there would be no hope. Without Jesus, there will be no future.

The truth is, just like the unnamed lame man, we all need help at all times.

We Were Once Lame

Acts 3:4–5 “Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.”

At one point, we were outside the temple, separated from God or, in other words, separated from God because we were maimed by sin; we were born in sin and dead in our sin.

We didn't pay attention to the creator of all things; instead, we were quite content to enjoy and find satisfaction in our sins.

It was only because of the grace of God, and His love poured out through Jesus who made a way, came by us, and by His Spirit enabled us to look at Him and to pay attention to Christ, and we received something far more significant than silver or gold, Amen!

You see, the focus of the lame man was to get through the day and receive money to support himself. Sometimes, our focus can be the same, too.

We can sometimes come to God's temple or to Christ to fulfil our personal needs only. We may not really seek His person, but seek what He has to give, what can be gained through Him.

That is because our focus can sometimes be very material and worldly rather than setting our eyes on Christ Jesus, who is the real prize.

Sometimes, we take the focus of Christ, and we want more of what the world has to offer when we already have the best thing we could ever have.

Are we joyful in the fact that we have Christ, no matter what the situation is around us? Are we content in Christ when things are not easy and we do not have the silver and gold of this world?

Yes, Christ can heal, restore, renew, and meet our every need and perform all things according to the counsel of His will. Should we pray for healing and for God to meet our daily needs. Yes, we must, and we must have faith in Christ to be our provider.

So, what are your needs today? What are you going through in your life? It may be health-related, and you need healing. It may be addictions in your life that you want released from. It may be issues in relationships. It could be your job.

Whatever it may be, bring it all to the throne of grace and to the one with all the power and authority to provide for your every need, the one whose name is above every name. He will answer according to His will and purpose.

But when we want all of that above Christ, and we do not find fulfilment in Him, we become spiritually "lame" metaphorically. We want less than what we have. Our treasure is no longer Jesus Christ of Nazareth; instead, it is something else that eventually becomes our idol.

Illustration

A vacationing American businessman watched as a young Mexican fisherman docked his small boat with several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the fisherman and asked how long it took to catch the fish.

"Just a few hours," replied the fisherman.

"Why don't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the businessman.

The fisherman replied, "I have enough to meet my family's needs."

"But what do you do with the rest of your time?" the businessman asked.

Smiling, the fisherman said, "I sleep late, play with my children, watch ball games, and take siestas with my wife. In the evenings, I visit friends, play the guitar, and sing."

The businessman, eager to advise, said, "I have an MBA from Harvard. If you fish longer, you can sell more, buy a bigger boat, then more boats, and eventually own a fleet. You could cut out the middleman, open your own cannery, and control the entire process. You could move to Mexico City or even the U.S. and become very rich."

"How long will this take?" asked the fisherman.

"About 15-20 years," the businessman calculated.

"And then what?" asked the fisherman.

"Then you could retire, move to a quaint coastal village, sleep late, play with your grandchildren, watch ball games, take siestas with your wife, and enjoy evenings with your friends," the businessman said.

"Isn't that what I'm doing now?" the fisherman replied.

Like this businessman, we sometimes fail to see the value in what we already have, namely Christ. The businessman's aim was the silver and gold, to achieve fulfilment through those things.

Meanwhile, the poor fisherman valued what he had and was fulfilled in it, and everything else was secondary.

Sometimes, we have all in Christ, yet we want more of what material things this world offers us and to find satisfaction through that. Christ will provide our needs daily, let us enjoy Him in the time we have, rather than in all these other things.

It does not mean we do not need to work or do any of these things or aim for higher things in this world, but it becomes a problem when we find joy and fulfilment in them rather than in Christ.

May our attention not be on the silver and gold of this world but rather on the "name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Christ Raised Us Up

Acts 3:6–7 “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.”

Through the authority and power of Jesus, Peter was able to bring healing to this man, and immediately, his feet and ankles were made strong.

Likewise, while we were bound in our sin and had no way to get up and out of it on our own, Jesus Christ breathed new life into us through the work of His Holy Spirit.

He lifted us up out of the kingdom of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of light, and we are adopted as His children in His house. We became children of Father God. Not only did He heal us of our sins, but He adopted us and made us a member of His family. How awesome is that?

All this is far greater than just eternal life and forgiveness itself, becuase it now means we become family with God.

Acts 3:8 tells us “He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

So now we can approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12). The sin that separated us from God has been removed. Amen.

In the O.T., those in the lineage of the Levites who were to be priests who were lame or blind could not enter the temple for the offering. Leviticus 21:18 “No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed;”

Likewise, we couldnt enter God’s presence with sin in our lives. Now through the healing of Christ for our sins, we can enter his presence, and we are in fact, and even further we are made a royal priesthood." 1 Peter 2:9 says “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

We ought to love Him beyond anything else because of the extraordinary grace He has poured out on us. We out to shout with joy, walking and leaping and praising God for His goodness and for giving us eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Go And Tell

Finally, in verses 9-10, we are told, Acts 3:9–10 “When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

The people were filled with wonder when the lame man praised God for what he had done. This opens up a big door of opportunity for Peter to preach the gospel in the name of Jesus. In fact that is what we see later on in this chapter.

Likewise, we are to use a changed and transformed life to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all around us. Amen! Wherever we get an opportunity, may we shout it out that it is Jesus who changed my life,

Our whole sinful life changes, our passions change, our desires change, and our heart is transformed, and people around us will see the change in our lives,

We can declare, once I was a sinner, once I was addicted to the things of this world, once I was under the temptations and lusts of this world, once I was after the silver and gold of this world, once I searched out meaning and love in all the wrong places, but I was always left unsatisfied.

Then Jesus came by me; he lifted me up from my sorrow, healed me of my sin, and helped me live for him daily. Even when I fail, His grace keeps me in Him. When I feel discouraged, he lifts me up with His word.

My eyes are set on him, and now I have peace.

How can we not share this fantastic news of Christ saving and renewing us? I encourage you to share your faith to bring healing into someone's life.

Just like the lame man who sat at the temple entrance waiting for alms. Just like Peter and John, taking this message wherever they walked, we too, as disciples of Christ, are to take this message wherever we go.

In our schools, in our workplaces, in our homes, to our families, to our friends, to neighbours, and people we deal with every day,

Like the man in this story, are they noticing that while we are the same man, we’re no longer the same. Matt 5:14-16 is a possible reference to say would we keep a light under the bowl, crazy right yet we do it all the time.

Conclusion

If you are here today, the truth is that there is power in the name of Jesus. Yes, Jesus still heals today; we can still approach Him by faith. He is still our provider, healer, and restorer. Seek Him for all your needs, and for His will to be done in your life.

But above all this, may our focus be on the person of Christ. Even if we lose the whole world yet, I have Christ my Savior. May this be our cry?

If you do not believe in the name of Jesus, now is your chance. Call upon His name, and He will save you from your sins. He will take you from that place outside the temple where you are still dead in your sins, and gift you salvation, cleansing you from all sin, making you a part of His family and giving you new desires and a new life with which you can be reconciled to God and able to enter His presence with all freedom.

If you are a believer, Have faith in the name of Jesus, that you can talk to Him and bring every need before your Father in Heaven who will hear your prayer and who provides and delivers us according to His will.

May this Jesus of Nazareth be your ultimate love and treasure, so that you can truly say that rather than silver and gold, and even if i loose the whole world, if I have Christ, then that is all I need. Amen!!