I'm Not Staying at the Gate

Bible Passage: Acts 3:1–11

Acts 3:1–11 “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 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 of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they…”

Summary: The lame man stayed at the gate because he felt hopeless in his condition. He relied on others to help him get to the place but no one could fix his condition.

Many believers find themselves at the gate. the gate represents that place where the presence of God could be seen or felt but they do not want to go into His presence because that requires a change in their comfort zone.

1. Perceive Opportunities Around

Acts 3:1–2 “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 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 of them that entered into the temple;”

A certain man was lame from birth and was brought to the Beautiful gate on a daily basis by friends and family.

The Beautiful Gate was 75 feet high and separated the Court of Gentiles from the court of women. It was a place where the lame beggar could receive charity from people going into the temple and those who were gentiles and could not enter.

The gate was a place where the church folk could help him

The gate was a place where the world would look at him

His condition was not something he received because of his circumstances. He did not have an accident. He was not deprived of his legs through illness. He was born this way.

Although we go through many challenges in our lives because of our circumstances, we are still born in sin and shaped in iniquity. Every challenge we have can be traced back to our sin nature.

He could not get to the gate on his own but had to rely on others to help him. They would take him to the gate daily and would come get him in the evening. Sometimes, in our troubles we rely on others to help but can they truly help?

How come none of his friends ever took him to Jesus?

2. Proclaim His Powerful Name

Acts 3:3–5 “Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.”

Peter and John coming into the temple was not a chance encounter but a divine appointment.

As children of God, we have to look for the divine appointments in our lives.

How come the friends never took him to Jesus?

In order to receive a miracle, you must expect a miracle. The man was expecting to receive something from Peter and John. Peter then gave a command for the man to look at them.

A person who was begging did not look their benefactor in the eyes. This was to save themselves embarrassment for their condition. it was also a sign of respect for someone in a greater financial position.

When Peter said look at us, this moved him to a state of vulnerability and humility. There are times in our lives when God wants to move on our behalf but He can’t because we allow pride to get in our way.

But God says Look at Me. Throughout the Bible, the word ‘Behold’ is found constantly. It is a word that when spoken it means to look and pay attention. It is a word that God used frequently when He wanted to move a person into their next level.

It is a word used 1,527 times in the Bible. In contrast to that, the word faith is used 247 times, blessing is used 67 times, and salvation is 182 times. In other words, if you are going to receive salvation, operate in faith, or experience a blessing you need to pay attention to what God is doing!

When you pay attention, you acknowledge the expectation that God is going to do something!

3. Provide Lifting Hands

Acts 3:6–8 “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”

The power of the right hand signifies authority. So when Peter takes him by the right hand, he removed his embarrassment and shame and placed him in a position of healing and authority.

4. Praise His Glorious Work

Acts 3:9–11 “And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.”