Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

HOOK

TURN OFF CALENDAR BREAK

TURN OFF CAFFEINE

DO NOT FORGET TO UNMUTE

It’s WEDNESDAY the 23rd day of September

Yesterday right here at “The Message”, we saw how the fellowship of believers started after the first sermon of Peter— we saw how the church of our Lord Jesus was born— we saw how the 5 unchanging biblical purposes of the church was practiced right from the beginning of the church— and we learned the following:

THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING

THE CHURCH STARTED IN HOMES

HOME CHURCH IS BIBLICAL

Before we begin— DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE GIFT OF HEALING?

Today we will start with chapter 3 of the book of Acts— The first miracle following the birth of the church, the inauguration of the Christian community was Peter’s healing of a lame beggar— before we look into the accounts of what happened— Let me take you to MATTHEW 10:1

Now open your bible to ACTS 3:1-10— once you get there, type “Let’s begin chapter 3!”

When reading in advance, whenever you’re studying God’s Word— look for words that defines that CHARACTER of God, COMMANDS to obey, PROMISES to claim, good EXAMPLES to follow and bad examples to avoid, ENCOURAGEMENTS & CHALLENGES to keep you going, reasons to be THANK GOD for, PRAYERS to pray

READ ACTS 3:1-10

BOOK

Acts 3:1–10 NLT

1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!

WHAT: Healing of a Lame Beggar

WHEN: One day after the church was born— at a 3pm prayer meeting

WHERE: At the temple [SHOW IMAGE OF TEMPLE]

WHO: Peter, John, Lame Beggar and crowd of people

WHY: To display the gift of healing

LOOK

SILVER AND GOLD I DO NOT HAVE, BUT WHAT I DO HAVE I GIVE YOU

You cannot give what you do not have— give what you have

IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, WALK

Peter was careful to note that his miracle is truly done by Jesus— in doing so, he expresses Jesus’ nature, character and power

WALKING AND JUMPING AND PRAISING GOD

The lame man attributed his healing to God— testifying to divine power of Jesus

THEY WERE FILLED WITH WONDER AND AMAZEMENT

The crowd recognized him as the lame beggar who’s been in that condition for forty years— ACTS 4:22—they’re familiar with the man

The people in the temple clearly grasped that a miracle had taken place— there was no doubt about its authenticity

This takes us to what James [the half brother of Jesus] said in JAMES 5:14

Like “Speaking in Tongues”— healing is another gift of the Holy Spirit— 1 CORINTHIANS 12:9

Do we all have the gift of healing? NO— 1 CORINTHIANS 12:30

It is the Holy Spirit that distributes these gifts— 1 CORINTHIANS 12:11

TOOK

I CANNOT GIVE WHAT I DO NOT HAVE— I’LL GIVE WHAT I HAVE

HEALING IS A GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

SING

Bethel Music— Glory to Glory