06/24/2024
Your Greatest Need
Acts 3: 1-11
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
3 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
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.
1. He was broken (Acts 3:2)
“Our salvation begins with us being honest about our brokenness and that we need God”
Nothing else and no else is able to help us from any wounds such as past and our future sin. Only God can heal us.
2. He was bankrupt (Acts 3:2)
“Sin is like a debt that we could never pay back”
Only Jesus Christ himself can pay our debts *sin* by dying on the cross
3. He was beyond (Acts 3:2)
“ …. he was put beside the Temple gate”
~ What keeps you from being in the beyond (away from God)?~
4. Nevertheless …. He was made brand new. (Acts 3:3 -4)
“Therefore, if anyone as in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
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. (Acts 3: 6-7)
Summary:
The lame beggar faced many challenges that he needed to accept and overcome, both emotionally and physically. He thought that begging would resolve all his pain and problems, but that was not the case. It wasn't until two people, Peter and John, disciples of Jesus, showed up and offered real help that his situation changed. They knew firsthand that true healing comes through God.
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
