Walk with me

Miracles in Acts

Jesus ascended

Two Men in white clothes ?

The lot fell on Mathias. (Providence)

Holy Spirit indwelling believers:

Speaking in foreign tongues

Acts 3:1 NASB95

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

3 pm - Time for the evening sacrifice (accomplished by prayer by the congregation. )

Acts 3:2 NASB95

2 And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.

Lame since birth

Carried everyday to the temple

Everyone would see him

Beautiful

possibly the East Gate to the Temple

75 feet tall doors

covered in Corinthian Brass

Beg alms of those entering the temple.

Pius people going to pray

people wanting to buy favor with God

Acts 3:3–5 NASB95

3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 4 But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” 5 And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

Probably had his head down avoiding eye contact

I look at the people that have signs at intersections

The rarely look at people.

They don’t want to see the disgust and judgement in peoples faces.

Peter wants this man to look at him.

He wants him to see Christ’s love through him.

Acts 3:6 NASB95

6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”

Jesus instructions:

Matthew 10:9 NASB95

9 “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts,

Ezekiel 7:19 NASB95

19 ‘They will fling their silver into the streets and their gold will become an abhorrent thing; their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. They cannot satisfy their appetite nor can they fill their stomachs, for their iniquity has become an occasion of stumbling.

1 Peter 1:17–19 NASB95

17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

What Peter shared with the lame man is far more valuable than silver and gold. It is more valuable than the miracle of his healing. What he shared was Jesus.

Acts 3:7 NASB95

7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.

One commentator wrote: It was Jesus’ healing, but Peter’s hand.

Acts 3:8–9 NASB95

8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God;

Three times Luke tells us that he walked or was walking.

Acts 3:10 NASB95

10 and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

We will talk about the people next week, but this morning I want to focus and three people.

Peter - the lame man - Jesus.

In this miracle is everything you need to know about how to share the Gospel and make disciples.

This passage IS the presentation and application of the Gospel for believers to the world.

Peter shared what he already had.

The Gospel is like a smile. It fills the person that has it, but it’s power is made evident when it is shared.

Danny’s mom. Big old toothless grin when I told her the reason I was there.

The lame man responded to the Gospel

“seizing him” Have you ever tried to help someone up?

Example with Brandon.

The lame man responded.

Peter and John then discipled him

Vs. 8 he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

We were like the lame man

Outside of the communion with God

Have you ever been asked by a non-christian to pray for them?

It’s like begging for alms

The difference between a believer and non-believer is found in prayer requests:

Believer you are praying with them

Non-believer you are praying on their behalf.

Once you respond to the Gospel, you don’t need anyone to pray on your behalf.

The lame man, once he was able to walk, could walk into the meeting place with God.

Once you have the Holy Spirit you can enter fellowship with God through Christ.

He had magic legs. His healed legs were representative of him receiving the Gospel.

For us!

Receive the Gospel

Share the Gospel

Invite those that receive it to walk with you.