Delayed Miracles
Acts 3:1-11
It is said that Americans are the most time-conscious people in the world. We are always in a hurry. When we get our oil changed it is "quick lube". Our packages are delivered by "Federal Express". Our food is "fast". Our rice only takes 1 minute. Our coffee is "instant". We drive on "expressways". When you need a loan you want "instant approval". Our computers and phones are equipped with "instant messenger". Someone said "Americans are people who shout at their microwave ovens to hurry up".
We don't like delays. Delays are at best inconvenient, most of the time they are irritating and often they are down right infuriating. Think of road construction for a moment. Because of the work the speed limit has been reduced to 35 miles and hour, you are going to the store and it takes 10 minutes longer than normal... that is inconvenient. You are headed to work and the traffic is down to one lane and you are 10 minutes late for work... that is irritating. You are taking the kids to school and traffic is stopped, 5 men are standing around watching one man work and you are 20 minutes behind schedule... that can be infuriating.
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."
Many times we allow delays to ruin our day. But if we knew what we may have encountered if we had been on time we would be eternally grateful. Have you ever called on the Lord to move in your life and He did not respond when or how you wanted Him to? Perhaps this caused you to be angry, frustrated and even doubtful.
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!
Most of you have seen the commercial for J.G Wentworth where the people yell "It's my money and I want it now! Many times this is how we pray! 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!! It doesn't take long to learn that regardless of our impatience, the Lord moves in His own way and in His own time! I hope that through this message we will see the importance of waiting on the Lord. As we consider the story of this lame man I want to preach on the thought... "Delayed Miracles". Look with me to verses 1- as we see that:
I. You May Request A Miracle Today - Everyone here has needs, wants and desires. But there are some who seek a mighty move of God. We encounter those situations that are so severe that it is clear that God is our only hope! For those who are in that situation today....
A. There Is A Desire - v1 ¶Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 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.
As Peter and John approach the temple, they encounter a man with a certain request. He asked them for "an alms". This is defined as money or food given to poor people. This was a simple request and it was how he spent each day of his life. But it is safe to assume that this man possessed a much greater desire. He had condition that prevented him from walking. He was unable to live as others lived and to do what other did. Being lame was an issue that greatly impacted his life.
You may be facing issues and circumstances that have a tremendous impact on your life. In this assembly there are many people with many different problems. Perhaps you are facing a situation at this very moment and it seems that there is no hope for you. Your greatest desire is for the Lord to come on the scene and work a miracle in your life! Let the story of this man encourage you. All he wanted was some pocket change but he received an entire life change! As Peter and John met with him that day he received more than he could have ever asked for. And Jesus is still working miracles today!! But, He doesn't always work when or how we would choose.
Not only is there a desire, we also see that:
B. There May Be A Delay - v2a 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.
This man had endured this struggle his entire life. We are told that he was "lame from birth". Your issue... your need for a miracle may be something that you have dealt with for many years. Because of your waiting you may be frustrated, discouraged and even angry at God. Notice:
1) Delayed Miracles May Cause Disappointment - Consider the location of this miracle. When Peter & John found this man he was at the gate of the temple. There were some compassionate people who would take this man each day and place him beside the beautiful gate. At this point in history Jesus has already ascended to Heaven. But is the very recent past Jesus had been in this very area. It is possible (I believe even probable) that this man was present on many occasions when Jesus was in the region.
He may have heard the news of this Man from Galilee and all of the miracles that He had performed. Maybe he heard that Jesus had spit on the ground and made clay, placed it on the eyes of a blind man and he received his sight. Maybe he heard that Jesus put His finger into the ear of a deaf man and he began to hear. Maybe he heard that Jesus encountered 10 lepers and at the sound of His voice they were cleansed. Maybe he heard that there was a Centurion who approached Jesus on behalf of his servant and without even being at the same location the servant was healed. Maybe he heard about a woman who has an issue of blood for 12 years and when she touched the hem of His garment she was instantly healed. Maybe he heard about a man named Jairus who's daughter was sick and then died, who was healed by this Jesus. Maybe he heard about a man named Lazarus who had been dead for 4 days and was raised to live again when Jesus called his name. Perhaps he heard these things and was resentful. With all of these miracles in the very region where he lived WHY was he left out! Perhaps he lived for years thinking that "today could be the day that I receive my miracle". And for years it didn't happen.
You may be in a similar situation. For a very long time you have longed for God to move in your life. Perhaps you have prayed day after day for God to intervene to no avail. You look around and see God working in the lives of others. You trust Him and you call on Him... you plead with Him and it seems that you are wasting your time. Your delayed miracle may have caused you great disappointment. After a while that disappointment may turn into doubt. Notice:
2) Delayed Miracles May Cause Doubts - You pray and pray and it feels that your efforts are futile. You may ask is it worth it? You may wonder if God is there? You may feel that He just doesn't care. You are tired of waiting. You are weak and weary. Some of you may have gone beyond doubts and now you are angry at God. You blame Him for your situation. You ask why He let this happen to you? Because of your doubts you have given up on God!
I hope that you will see through the story of this lame man that just because God doesn't act when you want Him to... Just because He doesn't respond exactly how you want Him to...This doesn't mean that He has forsaken you! God always has a plan and a reason for the struggles in the lives of His children. You May Request A Miracle Today, and you may not receive it. But there may come a day when you least expect it that God shows up and does something amazing. And that day could be today. - Notice:
II. You May Receive A Miracle Today - As this man was placed at the beautiful gate that morning, he had no idea that this was the day his life would change forever. All he wanted was some money or some food. But he didn't get want he wanted, he got something much better!!
You may have been calling on God to do something specific in your life. As of now it has not happened, in fact it may never happen! But today may be the day that you receive a miracle. And you may find that God has an even greater plan than you could have ever imagined. Look with me to verses 4-6 as we consider:
A. The Method Of God's Miracles - v4 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. 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.
God is Sovereign and He knows best. He knows the reason for your struggle. And when He works a miracle, there is a reason for that as well. We look at our situation and we think that we know how it would best be resolved.
There was a lady who had a son who had become rebellious. He turned to alcohol and drugs. Every night she would pray that the Lord would help him to turn from those substances and begin to walk the straight and narrow. One night her greatest fears came true. The young man got behind the wheel and crashed his car. He was airlifted to the hospital. After spending several days in intensive care he was released. Only to be arrested and sent to jail for drug possession and DUI. While in jail a chaplain came and witnessed to him. This young man surrendered to Christ and never took another drink and stayed away from drugs. Obviously his mother never would have chosen for her son to face prison time or to end up in the hospital. Likewise she would have never chose to endure years worth of sleepless nights worrying about her son. But God had a plan, and it ended with a transformed life that brought glory to the Father's name.
If this lame man had his way, he would have never been born with his condition. And I am sure that he would have loved to be healed many years earlier. But God was not ready! God had a plan that would literally amaze those who were present. As a result this man was used by God in a mighty way. (more on this in a moment.) You may not have chosen your current circumstance. You may feel that you know what God should do. But God may have another plan concerning your miracle. At times, all we can do is trust Him to do what is best! The great lesson for us in this sermon is not so much about the miracle, but the reason behind it. - I want to look to verses 7-11 and consider:
B. The Motivation For God's Miracles - v7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
Peter lifted this man up. His legs received strength. He was filled with Joy. He walked, he leaped and he praised God. Something that seemed impossible had happened. This was truly a miracle that would change his life forever. Maybe you are in a similar situation. For whatever reason you NEED a miracle. We believe that God is still working miracles today...right??? I am going to share some information that may shock you. IF you do receive a miracle...IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU!!!
This miracle that occurred was not about a man who miraculously began to walk after being lame his entire life. Yes, it affected him...but he was not the motivation. The motivation for this miracle was what happened after it occurred. This miracle brought glory to God! Everyone who was present at the temple that day knew who this man was. They had seen him daily. Some may have given him change form time to time. Some may have avoided or ignored him regularly. But they knew who he was. As he began to walk, then leap and praise God they were AMAZED! Scripture says that they were "filled with wonder and amazement".
All that saw this knew that something miraculous had happened. The people gathered together at Solomon's Porch in great wonder. When the crowd was gathered, Peter began to preach to them. He proclaimed that he nor John had healed this man, IT WAS JESUS! The same Jesus they had rejected...The same Jesus that they mocked...The same Jesus that they had crucified...The same Jesus who was resurrected...HE WAS THE ONE WHO HAD HEALED THIS MAN!!! It was faith in Jesus that made this miracle possible. Peter then called for them to turn to Christ and be saved - v19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
If they would have faith in Christ, they too could receive a life changing miracle. In fact they had the opportunity for an eternal miracle...salvation through Jesus Christ! God used this miracle to point others to Jesus. Most preachers on TBN would tell you that if you simply have enough faith, you will be healed. If you have enough faith you will see God work a miracle. Faith is important, but it doesn't guarantee a miracle. The fact is sometimes your struggle will bring more glory to God than a miracle would.
Several years ago (radio personality) Rick Burgess was traveling and sharing the gospel. He received a phone call that would change his life. his young son had fallen into the pool and drowned. I am sure that his first prayer was that God would work a miracle and save his son. God had other plans! Rick's son Bronner passed away that night. There is no way to imagine the pain and sorrow that Rick and his wife Sheri faced during that difficult time. But Rick remained faithful to God and used that trying time as a testimony. He took to the airwaves and began to praise the Lord for all that He had done. Today years later Rick and Sheri both share their story all over the country. As a result countless lives have been changed. Many people have turned to the Lord as a result of the tragedy faced by the Burgess family. And ultimately the Father has received glory.
Many people would tell me that if I just have enough faith that my son will be healed before he ever has to have surgery. And there is nothing I would like more than for that to happen. But if it is God's will for us to endure this storm, that is what we will do. And our prayer is that God will receive glory from our current situation.
Maybe you are here and you have been waiting for a long time for the Lord to move in a mighty way in your life. Remember that His timing is perfect, even when it doesn't happen when you want it to. We must also address the fact that the miracle you are waiting for may never happen. And if that is the case, there is a reason and God in His infinite wisdom knows best! If you do receive a miracle, it will be by Jesus and for His glory! Throughout the life of Jesus, He worked many miracles. And each one of those miracles came with a message.
Notice with me in verse 6.... C. THE MESSAGE IN GOD'S MIRACLES- "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
This lame man wanted change but he got CHANGE!!! Peter said I don't have any silver or gold, but I have something better. You may have a certain miracle in mind today. But you may find that what you desire is not what you really need. You may find that Jesus has something better to offer you! In this story we see:
1) A Message Concerning Jesus' Power - This man had been lame his whole life, but it was not to big of a problem for Jesus. You may have had certain problems for a long time, but nothing is too big for the Savior of the world. He has the power to change your life today!! We also see in this verse:
2) A Message Concerning Jesus' Perception - This man may have thought that he was worthless. The world had no time for him. He may have even thought that God had abandoned him. But he found out that Jesus knew his story, and cared for him immensely! Whatever your situation, Jesus knows your story! He sees your struggles and He cares for you! Finally we see that there is:
3) A Message Concerning Jesus' Presence - By the time this miracle occurred, Jesus had already ascended into Heaven. But time and space could not prevent Him from working a miracle. Jesus may have worked through Peter and John, but when this miracle happened...JESUS WAS ON THE SCENE!!! And He is still with us today!!
You may have a certain issue that you think is your greatest need. And you have been begging God to move and thus far He has not. The fact is you may have a need that is greater than you have imagined. Your greatest need is not for God to help your financial situation. Your greatest need is not for God to provide you with a new job. Your greatest need is not for God to restore your marriage. Your greatest need is not for God to repair certain relationships. Your greatest need is not for God to heal your physical ailments. What you need more than anything is a Savior. And that miracle has already been performed. God sent His only Son to make a way for you to be saved. Any other problem that you have is temporary. This man was born lame, you were born a sinner. This man was introduced to Jesus and his life changed forever. In the end he was walking and leaping and praising God. The same thing can happen to you today!
Maybe you have already received the miracle of salvation but you are waiting for God to work in another area of your life. Remember that Jesus can meet your need, whatever it may be. But sometimes the answer doesn't come right away. Sometimes He moves in ways we didn't expect. Sometimes things get worse instead of better. Sometimes our miracle is delayed.
Other's in the bible have dealt with the same issue: The children of Israel waited for 400 years to be delivered from bondage. Even then they wandered in the desert for another 40 years. Abraham waited 99 years before Isaac was born. Joseph waited in prison for 14 years before things turned around for him. When Jairus was waiting for his daughter to be healed, his miracle was interrupted by the woman with the issue of blood. When Mary and Martha desired Jesus to come and heal Lazarus, their miracle was delayed. Though there were delayed, things worked out the way God wanted! The reason for your delayed miracle could be that God is He’s bringing an additional brokenness in your life so that you will really know who he really is .
Perhaps God is teaching you the truth of - Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. May we all learn that "all things do work together" even delayed miracles.
