At the Beautiful Gate

In the Sunday Evening Service, I preached a sermon entitled "Gait Restored at the Beautiful Gate" based on Acts 3:1-10. You can listen to the sermon through the player at the bottom of the blog.

Please notice 4 aspects of this miracle.

I. The Occasion: The Dedication of Peter and John (1-3).

"Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer,..."

Peter and John were faithfully going to pray at the temple. If they had not gone to the temple at this time, they would not have encountered this needy paralyzed man. Each day someone carried this lame man to the temple so that he could beg for help.

Symbolically, the man's physical condition pictures our spiritual situation.

He was...

1. Lame from birth.-We are all born sinners.
2. Limited in mobility.-Apart from Christ we can do nothing.
3. Located outside the church.-We are separated from God.
4. Longing for satisfaction.-We are empty without Christ.

II. The Opportunity: The Desperation of the Lame Man (4-6).

"Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk (Acts 3:6, NKJV).'”

While the man desired a monetary gift, Peter gave him what he really needed. Peter was used by God to impart a miracle that would do so much more than a few coins. The Bible teaches us to be generous. However, we much never forget that spiritual needs are more pressing than physical challenges.

III. The Occurrence: The Deliverance of the Man (7-10).

"So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God (verse 8).

Twice in this verse the man is described as "leaping." This is significant. The Hebrew Scriptures talked that following the coming of the Messiah a the Kingdom of God would be established. Isaiah the prophet spoke of some signs that would be visible upon the establishment of the kingdom: "Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert (Isaiah 35:6)." This miracle was a big deal for it communicated a special manifestation had occurred to bring glory to God and to Israel.

IV. The Outcome: The Discernment of the People

"And all the people saw him walking and praising God (verse 9)."

Since the people were Jews who were familiar with the prophecy in Isaiah, they were amazed at what they were seeing. The man that most of them had scurried past day after day was now healed and celebrating by leaping in exuberance. God's kingdom was established.

Questions For Me

1. How often do I walk past people that need the power of God in their lives?
2. Am I content with throwing money at problems that really need a supernatural moving of God?
3. Am I seeing a movement of God in my life personally, corporately, and communally?