There's Power In the Name

Acts 3:1-10

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!

A Hopeless Situation

Today’s narrative begins with Peter and John going to pray at the temple and they see a person in need.

This man was carried to the temple every day and laid by the Beautiful Gate to beg from those attending services.

Verse 2 tells us that this man was lame since birth and we can read later in Acts 4:22 this man has been suffering with this physical condition for more than forty years so it is reasonable to conclude that he had given up hope on his situation every getting any better.

This man’s life is very difficult. In antiquity not having the ability to walk meant that he was completely dependent on other people to take him to the temple gate just to have the opportunity to beg.

There is no doubt the man did not desire this life for himself yet out of no fault of his own he would be made to suffer for decades. Little did he know at the time but his suffering would be used to glorify God and help encourage multiplied millions of people in their Christian walk.

Hear me today you may be going through difficult times. It may be something that you had no control over like the lame man in today’s text or it may be a series of bad life choices that you’ve made. But either way your life is not an accident and the Lord does not want you to suffer or live with pain or difficulty. Just put your faith in Jesus today and you can have hope for a better tomorrow and know that whatever you are going through can be used to help lead and encourage others to Christ.

A Call for Help

Verse three tells us that when the lame man saw them he asked for money as he would normally do to anyone walking by.

Peter answers the man and instructs him to look at himself and John.

This reminds us that when we are asking for something from the Lord we need to focus on Him alone and not be distracted. No doubt this man was probably used to people walking past him or perhaps if they did give him money there was just a passing smile or comment. But this time was different the men of God told him to focus. What is really happening here is that God the Holy Spirit is speaking through Peter to tell them man to focus on him for a moment.

Verse 5 says the man eagerly looks and pays attention expecting some money. However Peter tells him that while he does not have money to give him, He will give what he has.

You see the man had completely given up on being healed but was actually happy with whatever someone else would give him.

Needing to beg for money was the symptom but his physical condition was the cause.

You see so many times we are looking for the resource to treat the symptom because we have all but given up on curing the cause.

Peter is telling the man I won’t give you what you are asking me for but I will give you what I have which is of greater value.

Listen I understand there are seasons we need to ask for help or specific resources just to survive. I have been there several times in my life as well. But never loose hope at something better than just surviving.

The Lord is good and will meet the need as I can testify but what He really wants for us is cure the cause of our situation.

Said simply, be grateful for all that God does for you but never put limits on His power or provision because just when it seems all hope is lost that’s when Jesus can make a way where there seems to be no way! Glory to God.

There’s Power in the Name of Jesus

Acts 3:6–11 ESV

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. 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.

There are things you have been dealing with for a long time.

You are tired of fighting or like this man have just accepted that things won’t get better.

But hear me today there is power in the name of Jesus to give you victory in any circumstance.

If you need a healing, call on Jesus.

If you have a financial need, call on Jesus.

If you are suffering with depression or anxiety or anything else, call on Jesus.

Listen there are great resources available to use and you should but nothing I mean nothing can do for you what Jesus can do for you.

I just a moment of time by the power of His word and the power of His Spirit you can have complete victory in both the supernatural and the natural. Just trust Jesus, walk in His ways and do not give up until you receive your blessings

Prayer