Disabled Healed

Acts 3:1-10

8/4/22

The New International Version (Chapter 3)

1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.(Peter Speaks to the Onlookers)

Hook: What is prayer? Traditional 3 pm? What happens in prayer meeting? Should we stop, focused? People more important than task.

Acts 2:42

The New International Version Chapter 2

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Rev. 21:4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ u or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Lame birth- loneliness, outcast, self-worth, helpless, no hope, real need? felt need? Aches and pain, reliant on others, family? no friends, religious outcast. Wheel chair, handicapped/disabilities, glad for benefits for caregivers

Jesus healed lame men in Jn. 5:8; Mat. 9:6; 12:13

Acts Chapter 3

Whom they laid daily. That is, his friends laid him there daily. He would therefore be well known to those who were in the habit of entering the temple. Among the ancients there were no hospitals for the sick, and no alms-houses for the poor. The poor were dependent, therefore, on the charity of those who were in better circumstances. It became an important matter for them to be placed where they would see many people. Hence it was customary to place them at the gates of rich men (Lu. 16:20); and they also sat by the highway to beg where many persons would pass, Mar. 10:46; Lu. 18:35; Jn. 9:1–8. The entrance to the temple would be a favourable place for begging; for (1) great multitudes were accustomed to enter there; and (2) when going up for the purposes of religion, they would be more inclined to give alms than at other times; and especially was this true of the Pharisees, who were particularly desirous of publicity in bestowing charity. It is recorded by Martial (i. 112) that the custom prevailed among the Romans of placing the poor by the gates of the temples; and the custom was also observed a long time in the Christian churches.

Acts Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar / 3:1–11

The Jews observed three times of prayer—morning (9:00 A.M.), afternoon (3:00 P.M.), and evening (sunset). At these times devout Jews and Gentiles who believed in God often would go to the temple to pray. Peter and John were going to the temple at 3:00 P.M.

Eye contact- Look at us, children, spouse, importance of full attention

Did P & J love neighbor? Teachers- How do on report card?

Dispensational? Can God do miracles? limitations? J healed- who shared the gospel? Many other gods of the day (Muslim, Buddha ) Plant seeds, family spiritual influence.

Close link between physical and spiritual health, healing often seen image of salvation in Christ.

Prayer: Ask God for healing? Can God heal? Perfect healing one day.

Sick- tired, strength? Hope for future, life.

APP: The crippled man asked for money, but Peter gave him something much better—the use of his legs. We often ask God to solve a small problem, but he wants to give us a whole new life and help for all our problems. When we ask God for help, he may say, “I’ve got something even better for you.” Ask God for what you want, but don’t be surprised when he gives you what you really need.

APP: Giving alms

An Exegetical Summary of Acts 1–14 3:3–5

which the initiative rests with the giver, but the focus of attention in the transfer is upon the receiver [LN].

QUESTION—Was it common to ask for alms at the temple gate?

The giving of alms in Old Testament Israel and in New Testament Christianity was a practice expected by God of his people. Giving alms was a responsibility that Judaism took seriously as an expression of compassion that God honored [BECNT]. It was a meritorious act [EBC, TNTC]. The three pillars for the Jewish faith were the Torah, worship, and the showing of kindness or charity. Almsgiving was one of the main ways to show kindness and was thus considered a major expression of one’s devotion to God [NAC].

APP: This verb means to leap or to jump into the air [LN]. It means to make a quick leaping movement. He was showing by slow and fast movements that he was really healed [BDAG].

QUESTION—What had happened to the lame man?

A miracle had happened, the lame man had been healed instantly. He was not only able to stand, but also able to walk and leap into the air. He was filled with joy and praising God [AB, EBC, NICNT, PNTC, TNTC]. Not only had he received physical healing, but he has found spiritual acceptance as well. For the first time he was deemed worthy to enter the house of worship [NAC]. ‘Praising God’ does not mean that the healed man has yet identified Jesus as the one who has healed him, but Peter’s words were clearly designed to help him and all those standing by to make that connection and to acknowledge Jesus as Messiah and Lord [PNTC, TNTC]. The now healed man knew that God had been at work through Jesus [BECNT]. In some languages, an expression such as praising God must be put into direct discourse, for example, ‘he said, God is wonderful’ or ‘he declared, how great God is!’ [TH].

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary a. The Healing of a Lame Man (3:1–10)

1. The story provides an example of the wonders and signs mentioned in 2:43 and takes place in the context of the visits to the temple mentioned in 2:46. The ninth hour, 3.00 pm, was the time of the afternoon sacrifice which was accompanied by prayer by the congregation (2:46 note).

The New International Version Psalm 103

2 Praise the LORD, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Routines- set schedule, swimming, all days merge together?

Hope- healing from aches and pain, exercise, brain exercise, tai chi, yoga-

APP: What’s Crippling our lives? broken relationships? Forgiveness

Xavier Pfister’s son-

{Give the students the quarter.}

You, as a group, have one quarter.

{Ask:}

How much is that worth? (25 cents)Would you like to have something better? Something that is worth more? (Yes)

I have three cups in front of me. You don’t know what is under them. If you want to, I am going to let you choose which cup you would like, BUT you have to give me the quarter. You lose it when you give it to me. You do not HAVE to choose a cup. You CAN keep the quarter.

{If the group decides to choose a cup, take away the quarter, and here are the options for what to say. Allow the students to continue “trading” until all of the cups have been turned over.}

Empty cup– {If chosen first or after the $1 or $20 bills} You exchanged your (quarter, $1 bill, or $20 bill) and received NOTHING! Oh no! It was a risk you took and unfortunately it did not turn out well for you.

$1 cup – {If chosen first, or after the empty cup} This is better! Instead of (a quarter or nothing), now you have $1 bill! That is better. But is this the BEST that can happen? {If chosen after the $20 bill} Oh no! You already had the BEST thing! And now you lost it. Well, $1 is better than nothing or a just a quarter.

$20 cup – {If chosen first or second.} WOW! $20! That’s better than a (quarter, $1, or nothing). I wonder if this is the best you can do? What else could be under these cups? Do you want to keep the $20 bill, or choose a new cup? {If chosen as the last cup} WOW!! You now have the BEST! A $1 bill is better, but a $20 bill is best.

Bible Lesson for Acts 3:

After the day of Pentecost, Peter and John went to the temple to pray around 3:00 in the afternoon. At the same time, a lame man was being carried by some people and placed at his normal spot to beg for money, or alms. He was a poor man, lame from birth. The lame man saw Peter and John and asked for alms.

{Ask:}

What does God want to do for us? Give us something better? Or give us His best? (Give us His best)

The man called out for alms and Peter replied that he had no silver or gold. How disappointing for the lame man! He needed money so he could eat, and to have a place to live. Imagine how disappointed him might have felt. He didn’t even had a quarter to exchange. He had nothing!

{Hold up the cup that had nothing under it.}

Peter continued, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I will give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and WALK!” And Peter grabbed the hand of the lame man and pulled him to his feet. The bible says that strength came immediately to his feet!

{Hold up the one dollar bill.}

The lame man wanted something better than he had. He wanted money for his immediate needs. Peter could have given him a few coins, maybe enough for dinner that night, but then the next day the man would be begging again.

{Hold up the $20 bill.}

What Peter gave, what GOD gave, was something that was BEST! After being healed, he lame man could walk, fend for himself, get a job, and do everything any other person could do. The man was so overjoyed that he went walking and leaping and praising God all the way into the temple with Peter and John.

Everyone around knew who the lame man was and praised God with him. He had sat in that begging place for years and now he was healed!

Peter noticed how all of the people were in awe and he started to preach just as he did on the day of Pentecost. He taught about the Old Testament, Jesus, Jesus dying and being raised from the dead.

Life Application for Acts 3:

In the name of Jesus, Peter healed the lame man.

{Hold up the $1 bill.}

The lame man was seeking something better than what he had.

{Hold up the $20 bill.}

But God wanted to give the lame man what was best for him: healing.

Parent perspective having kids in mid 30’s.

Disabled- recognition of needs, elderly

Christian- care, concern, prevent from entering temple?

People outside the church/not knowing God, needing a helping hand, love, care, concern.

ILL: Receiving and Never Giving

What makes the Dead Sea dead? Because it is all the time receiving, never giving out anything. Why is it that many Christians are cold? Because they are all the time receiving, never giving out anything

ILL: A Personal Matter

“The life of Christianity,” says Luther, “consists of personal pronouns. It is one thing to say, ‘Christ is a Savior.’ It is quite another to say, ‘He is my Savior.’ The devil can say the first. Only the true Christian can say the second.”

ILL: You Can’t Improve On It

In 1956 Billy Graham conducted a crusade in Oklahoma City. One noonday he spoke to a joint meeting of the city’s civic clubs. Dr. Graham’s message was a simple sermon on salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

At the end of the meeting some of the men in attendance rushed forward to thank him for his message. One said, “I have been going to church all my life, but that is the first time I have ever heard that! It is the greatest thing I ever heard.”

Lord’s Supper- Acts 2: