Acts Of The Apostles (4 Of 39)

We can probably safely assume that Peter must have made a big impression on Luke, because in chapter two he recorded Peter's first message, and in chapter three he records Peter's second message.

In Acts chapter three, we see three things we want to consider, such as:

I. THEIR ENTRANCE

Look at verses 1-6. We read, “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 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; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 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.”

In these verses we see a marvelous miracle. Look how it took place, first let’s look at-

A. THE PAIR

The Bible tells us it took place when Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer.

Most likely, this never would have happened had they not been going to the temple to pray.

Illus: Only God knows the things that have never happened because Christians did not go to church.

• Perhaps some never would had taken an over-dose and taken their life if they had only went to church.

• Perhaps some never would have become backslidden, and drifted back into sin had they gone to church.

• Perhaps some would have received encouragement in their marriage, and that divorce never would have taken place had they gone to church.

• Perhaps a young person would have met a very special person in their life, that would have led to a good marriage if they had only gone to church.

And most likely, this marvelous miracle never would have occurred had not these men gone to the temple at the hour of prayer. HOWEVER, THEY DID GO!

LOOK WHAT HAPPENED ON THE WAY!

Peter and John did not have anything in common, but they are worshipping together. You could not find two men who were any more different from each other than Peter and John.

Illus: For one thing, Peter was loud, and John could hardly be heard. But notice this ODD PAIR, we read, "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer... "

People do not have to be exactly alike to be able to worship together. In fact, a church should be a mixture of all kinds of people.

The people of God's church are not held together by their differences, but by our common love for the Lord Jesus.

Notice that these two different personalities, "...went up together into the temple” to pray.

They were not going there to express their differences, but to express their love for the Lord.

As they are going, we see THE PAIR, but let us now look at-

B. THE PLEA

Look at verses 1-3, we read, “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 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; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.”

As they are walking together, a man who had been lame from birth, and who was carried daily to the gate of the temple, was on the road side begging. But the beggar was no dummy. He knew that if anyone would be compassionate toward him, it would be people who went to the temple.

But notice, he could tell Peter and John were not just ordinary people on the street. He singled them out as worshippers. Look at verse 3, we read, “Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.”

People today ought to be able to tell we are worshippers of the Lord, but that is not always the case.

Illus: A rather pompous-looking deacon stood before a Sunday School class of young boys one day, stressing the importance of living the Christian life. He very proudly asked the boys of his class, “Why do you think people call me a Christian? " There was a long silence, then one little boy who was known for speaking his mind said, “It could be because they don't know you like we do."