Plus Plus Panhandling

“PLUS, PLUS Panhandling !”

Text: Acts 3:1-16

Subject: What do we learn about healing from Acts 3?

Complement: we are to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit

Big idea: healing happens when God speaks and his people obey.

INTRODUCTION – HAVE YOU EVER TRIED PANHANDLING?

Have you ever given money to a panhandler at the corner of Kelsey Drive or Prince Philip Drive?

...Have you had the conversation in your head of (1) he’s poor (2) he should be working!

Feeling conflicted perhaps... but then the light turns green – and off we go... And away goes the problem...

In Acts 3 we meet a beggar who got way more than he asked for! I call that “plus, plus panhandling”

Acts 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. 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.

1. Peter And John Are Used By God To Heal A Lame Beggar

• This miracles Immediately Follows Pentecost and parallels miracles of Jesus

• Read (for context) Acts 2:43. “many miraculous signs...by the apostles...”

In Acts 3 we see the manifestation of three of the gifts of the Spirit: faith, gifts of healing, and working of miracles. The three belong together. The latter two are really part of the first. Closely intertwined, they equal a daring faith given to the Spirit-filled believers for ministry to people. The need before us brings forth the gift from the Spirit within us. And Christ in us continues to do through us what He did as Jesus of Nazareth. The same power which dwelt in Him is ours. And it’s for the healing of the lame of the world—in body, mind, and spirit. The power of Pentecost faith is for people in need. It is for our joy, but never our private enjoyment. Rather, it is so that the things Jesus did for people, we can do.

• Pentecost means transfer of the Spirit to disciples

• Jesus told them: “you will do what I have been doing...”

John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

• Temple has 12 gates – this one is called “Beautiful”

• Main eastern entrance from the court of the gentiles

o 75 feet high

o Brass columns ... huge double doors

Man’s identity;

• Lame from birth

• “carried”

• Begging...

• He’s there everyday – he’s 40 plus years old.

• Recognized by the locals

• It's now the time of prayer - 3 PM