Bible Study - Unstoppable (4) - Unstoppable Opportunities - Acts 3:1-10 - November 6, 2016

Bible Study – Unstoppable (4) – Unstoppable Opportunities – November 6, 2016

This is lesson four (4) in our series of study entitled “Unstoppable Gospel.”

Our focus scripture is Acts 3:1-10.

We intersect daily with people who need CHRIST.

As Christians are we looking for an opportunity to minister to others as we go 

through our day? Do we believe that GOD can manifest HIS power through us as we obediently serve HIM? Do you recall the verse I shared with you several months ago as written in Acts 13:36:

36 For David, after serving his own generation in God's plan, fell asleep, was 

buried with his fathers, and decayed.

GOD has a plan for every Christian. We are born for a purpose. We are not here upon earth at this particular time by accident but by design. We often expect the spectacular but JESUS taught that it may be a cup of cold water offered in love to another.

In our lesson we read that two of the apostles Peter and John were going to the temple to pray but they encountered an interruption. How do we react when we encounter an interruption in our plans? Or is the interruption part of GOD’S plan? Let’s explore!

Let’s read Acts 3:1-4:

Healing of a Lame Man

1 Now Peter and John were going up together to the temple complex at the 

hour of prayer at three in the afternoon.

The Apostles Peter and John were going to the temple complex at three o’clock in the afternoon to pray.

Keep in mind that Peter is the disciple who denied JESUS three times before JESUS was crucified. Peter repented and we see that GOD is using him in a mighty way. This gives hope to all of us who have failed to obediently follow our LORD but when we confess and repent, GOD forgives and restores. We no longer have an excuse to not obediently follow the will of our Father, GOD as directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

John is likely the brother of James and the author of the gospel of John, 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation.

At three o’clock in the afternoon sacrifices would be offered which meant that a large crowd would be present at the temple.  

2 And a man who was lame from his mother's womb was carried there and placed every day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so he could beg from those entering the temple complex.

Peter and John encounter a man who was born lame at the gate called Beautiful. Bible scholars are not sure which gate this was but it was likely a very busy gate. The lame man was carried to this gate every day so he could ask for support.

How old was this lame man? We read in Acts 4:22:

22 for the man (lame man) was over 40 years old on whom this sign of healing had been performed.

This means that the man lame since birth was likely at the temple gate when JESUS was at the temple. Why didn’t JESUS heal the lame man? We must keep in mind that JESUS was 100% obedient to GOD’S instructions. GOD had a plan for what was about to take place through HIS power which was demonstrated and manifested through Peter and John. That is why we, as Christians, must wait upon the LORD and withhold our desires. GOD’S timing is always perfect and with purpose.

3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple complex, he asked for help.

This lame man supported himself and likely others in his family by asking for help. The Jews going to the temple to worship believed that part of worship was helping the poor. It was common for the Jews to place their donations into a container at the temple. These donations would go into the temple treasury and in turn be distributed by the temple priests to those in need.

4 Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, "Look at us."

Both Peter and John stopped and glazed at the lame man. What do you think was going through their minds as they gazed at the lame man? Were they praying and seeking guidance from GOD? I think so. We need to stop and pray about the issues we encounter each day.

Notice that they said “Look at us!” Why do you think they told the man to look at them? The lame man depended upon the donations of others. Could it be that he was looking at the crowd of people and was focused on who else might give him alms? Most likely. Peter and John wanted the lame man to focus on them because they were about to give him a gift that all the money in the world could not give him.

Let’s read Acts 3:5-8:

5 So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them.

The lame man responded to their command. The lame man expected to receive something but he did not know what he was about to receive. The command to look at them was likely stern and with authority.

6 But Peter said, "I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have, I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!"

“but Peter said” is an interesting statement. Was the lame man expecting a lecture or some form of rebuke? We do not know. To me the use of the word “but” implies that the lame man was expecting one thing from Peter but received another and what another it was. WOW!

Do you think the lame man’s hope for a handout dropped when he heard “I have neither silver nor gold.” Did the lame man’s imagination run wild in a few second before he heard the rest of the statement from Peter? Most likely. 

What are some of the things that may have gone through the lame man’s mind before hearing the words “In the name of JESUS the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Another chicken, or eggs or soggy sandwich or and the list goes on. 

Isn’t it wonderful when what we expect is beyond our imagination.

What did Peter have? Do we, as Christians have what Peter had? What made Peter so confident that his command would happen? Did he have absolute confidence that JESUS would heal the lame man? Do you think the Holy Spirit prompted Peter to speak in the name of JESUS? Was it the power of Peter or the power of GOD working through Peter that restored the lame man? When Christians allow GOD to manifest Himself through them is there anything GOD cannot do? NO!

What was John doing? Was he praying?

When two Christians are involved in the LORD’S work prayer is essential. I think John was praying. For certain, Satan did not want this event to take place and neither does Satan want Christians to effectively serve our LORD today. So bathe all efforts in prayer and build the right relationship with GOD through JESUS. The world depends upon it.

7 Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong.

Faith in action. The right hand is the hand of power. At once healing took place and the lame man was physically restored. How about Spiritually? Let’s read on.

8 So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them-walking, leaping, and praising God.

The lame man jumped up and began to walk, leap and praise GOD.

Yes, the lame man was restored physically and Spiritually. He praised GOD for what had happened to him in the name of JESUS, the Nazarene Who had been crucified and raised by GOD from the dead. It is likely the lame man knew what had happened to JESUS. Now he knew the power of JESUS in his life. He was a witness to all the people at the temple that day and days to come.

Is our life a positive witness for what JESUS has and is doing in our lives? Are we being the salt and light GOD desires for us to be?

Let’s read Acts 3:9-10:

9 All the people saw him walking and praising God,

This event got the attention of all the people in the area of the temple.

10 and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple complex. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.

The people recognized that the man walking and leaping was the very man they had seen for years sitting at the gate called Beautiful. As a result of the miracle, those observing were filled with awe and were astonished. What was going on? Whatever it was it was spectacular.

The miracle established an opportunity for ministry and spreading the Gospel of JESUS.

Can GOD still manifest Himself through Christians today or was that only for the Apostles or Christians at that time period? I believe GOD is still GOD and HE is still in the miracle business.

JESUS did not perform a miracle, heal a person or raise a person from the dead on a whim. JESUS only did as the Father directed HIM. Could that be a clue for us today? It is all about having an intimate, personal, loving relationship with GOD through our relationship with JESUS.

John 5:19:

19 Then Jesus replied, "I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does these things in the same way.

John 12:44-50:

44 Then Jesus cried out, "The one who believes in Me believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me.

45 And the one who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.

46 I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness.

47 If anyone hears My words and doesn't keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

48 The one who rejects Me and doesn't accept My sayings has this as his judge: the word I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

49 For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak.

50 I know that His command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me."

GOD speaks today, are we as Christians listening and obeying?

Blessings!!!