At The Gate Beautiful Series

“At The Gate Beautiful”

Acts 3:2-8

There is much said by commentaries about this text.

Most agree that this is the first miracle following the ascension of Jesus to heaven; but I disagree.

I believe that the greatest miracle that can happen is not that the lame walk, or the blind see, or even that the deaf can hear.

I believe the greatest of all miracles is when the dead are made alive and I mean that in the Spiritual sense.

Every healing that takes place can only be described as temporary.

Because the Bible reminds us in Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

Physical life on this earth is but a vapor and we certainly want a healthy body but I believe the greatest tragedy would be that a physical healing would take place and the person would never come to know the Lord as their Saviour.

I. The Divine Movement

Acts 3:1 “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.”

I am not going to preach again the message from last week but I am rejoicing with those who have decided that going to the Lord’s House is important.

I have said many times, “You can do what you choose to do.”

There can be many excuses’ that seem to be legitimate as to why one cannot be in Church when the doors are open; but I have just decided over 40 years ago that being in church is right and important, so I made it the highest of priorities in my families lives.

I do not have to wonder on Saturday what I will be doing on Sunday!

I do not schedule events that interfere with church attendance!

I do not make excuses to others, I simply go to church.

II. The Divine Meeting

Acts 3:2-3 “And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.”

This moment seems to be just a random moment in time; but we see that the Bible has revealed more than three (3) individuals that were involved.

Lame Man - We see that this man was lame from birth.

Since there are is no social security or hospitals for the lame, the only way to have money to buy food was to beg.

He was carried - We do not know who carried this man, perhaps brothers, or a father, or friends.

The only thing we know about them is that they did this daily.

Peter and John - We know that they were going at the hour of prayer.

III. The Divine Moment

Acts 3: 4-5 “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.”

We have a message that is so important, so significant, so imperative that we should find this same boldness as we share our faith with others.

As a child of God I have the inheritance of the Kingdom of God and I have NO reason to walk around ashamed of who’s I am.

I am a child of THE KING.

I am part of the Royal Priesthood

I have a home in heaven

I am saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and I should never be ashamed!

The lost world has somehow convinced so many that somehow we ought to remain silent; but not in Christ!

IV. The Divine Message

Acts 3:6 “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

There is still today a divine message

V. The Divine Mediation (intervention)

Acts 3:7 “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.”

The world needs to hear a message from those who have received the wonderful gift of salvation!

Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves.

I do not need to walk around looking for those who are lame.

Jesus said in John 4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

VI. The Devine Motivation

Acts 3:8 “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”

Imagine for a moment the change that took place in the life of this lame man.