Delayed Miracles

Delayed Miracles

Acts 3:1-10

(Antioch Baptist Church: Wednesday, July 30th, 2025)

On February 12, 2009, David Becony missed a flight from Newark-Liberty International Airport to Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Bad weather had delayed his earlier flight from New Orleans to Newark. This had to be a frustrating situation for Becony. Not only was he late, he was unable to get another flight. Even worse he could not find a hotel room near the airport. As a result he decided to camp out on a seat in the terminal. Becony's frustration turned to relief when he learned that the flight he missed ...Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed outside Buffalo, and killed all 49 people on board. As he watched television reports on the crash and its fiery aftermath he said, "It could have been me," ..."My wife would have been with all those families who had loved ones on the plane". He later proclaimed, "I'm still in shock, really… God was looking over me."

We don't like delays; Delays are at best inconvenient, most of the time they are irritating, and often they are downright infuriating. However, if we knew what we may have happened if we were on time we would be eternally grateful.

We have all cried out to the Lord at one time or another and He did not respond when or how we wanted Him to. At times this may cause us to become angry, frustrated, or even doubtful. In times such as these we must remember that we serve an all knowing and sovereign God who has a perfect plan for His children.

Our selected text covers the story of a man who was lame from birth. When other babies took their first steps he did not. When the other kids were running and playing he could not. When the teenagers began to work in the fields he was not able to help. And as a grown man he could not do what was needed to support himself.

Because of his condition, he was a poor beggar who sat at the gate of the temple and asked for "alms" of those who passed by. But one great day he encountered two men who would point him to the One who would change his life forever!

You may remember the old commercial for J.G Wentworth where the people would yell "It's my money and I need it now!” Many times this describes our prayer lives. We find ourselves in need of a miracle and like spoiled children we tell the Lord "it is my miracle and I want it now!!”

Regardless of our impatience, the Lord moves in His own way and in His own time. I would like to examine the story of the lame man and see the importance of waiting on and trusting in the Lord. In the process I would like to share a message entitled “Delayed Miracles”.

- Let’s begin with the fact that:

YOU MAY REQUEST A MIRACLE

We all have wants, needs, and desires, but there are some who are desperately seeking a mighty move of God. Certain situations are so severe that we know that our only hope is the Lord. In these times:

THERE IS A DESIRE

In verses 1-3 Peter and John approached the Temple and encountered a man with a specific request. He simply wanted “alms”. This poor lame beggar simply wanted some money (likely to buy food). This was a simple request and it was how he spent each day of his life.

When examining his story it is apparent that he possessed a much greater desire but chances are that he had long given up on it coming to fruition. He was lame; he had never taken a step in his life. As a result he could not work or do many other things that other people could do.

In this assembly there are many people with various issues, circumstances, and problems. Some of you are currently facing a situation and it seems that there is no hope. Your greatest desire is for the all-powerful God to come on the scene and perform a miracle in your life.

Through the ministry of the Apostles, this man encountered Jesus and his life was changed completely. He received far more than he could have ever asked for. I am glad to report that Jesus Christ is still working miracles today. However, He doesn’t always move when or how we would prefer. Though there are times when we have a specific desire, this passage shows us that:

THERE MAY BE A DELAY

This man had dealt with his condition throughout his entire life; he was “lame from birth”. The desire that you possess may be related to something that you have dealt with for a long time, possibly for many years. This period of extended waiting may have caused you to become frustrated, discouraged, or even angry with God. Notice: