Greater Things Than These

Focal Passage

Acts 3:1–10 “Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 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. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 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. 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!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 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.”

Acts 3:1 ESV

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

9am, 12pm, and 3pm

3pm, The hour Jesus died

Things are going well, prepare for difficulties

Acts 3:2 ESV

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.

The Beautiful Gate

One gate, the Corinthian Gate, Josephus describes as fifty cubits high and forty cubits wide, overlaid with Corinthian bronze and fine art which exceeded even the silver and gold plated gates

What was his expectations?

He is 40 years old Acts 4:22

What are our expectations?

What do we expect in a given day?

Acts 3:3 ESV

Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

Acts 3:4 ESV

And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”

Never make eye contact with someone begging

Acts 3:5 ESV

And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

Acts 3:6 ESV

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!”

We impart what we have

Acts 3:7 ESV

And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

Personal, physical contact

“Immediately”

Medical terms - feet and ankles

We impart healing

Acts 3:8 ESV

And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

What is your response to God in your life?

Acts 3:9–10 ESV

And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 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.

We impart joy