Tearing Down 4 Wall Theology

TEARING DOWN 4 WALL THEOLOGY

TEXT: ACTS 3:1-11

BY PASTOR DWIGHT HORD

Into: I am sure everyone sometime in life has missed out on a great opportunity. We miss out on some fun or great adventure because we weren’t available to take a phone call or we were at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I was reminded about the man who worked for the famous record company Decca, who turned down the Beatles. Another company, Capital records booked them, and the rest is history. The birth of the most famous rock band in history.

It is easy to read accounts like the guy from Decca and chuckle, but we too miss great opportunities, sometimes daily; such as the opportunity to lead someone to Christ, or bring encouraging words to one who is going through hard times. In our text today we read of two men who made the most of an opportunity that was life changing for one man, and caught the attention of many.

Acts 3 :1-11… 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.

The stage is set.

• Notice in vs. 1&2 what exactly was going on.

• Peter and John were going to the temple for an afternoon worship service.

• A lame man was brought to the temple gates daily. (It says, He was carried there)

• He was strategically place so all could see and pass him.

The request made.

• The crippled man asked for money

An answer given.

• We do not have gold or silver, but I give you what we have.

An unexpected gift

• He received healing

• He received a hand to help him to his feet

• He received salvation

• He received freedom from sin and physical bondage

• He received an invitation to go to church

An obvious revelation.

• The people saw him

• They recognized him

• They came to see what had happened

• They saw a changed man

This truly was a great event in Biblical history. It was an awesome experience to see two of the close followers and friends of Jesus put their faith and God’s power into action.

As I read and studied this passage, God pointed out to me several important points that we need to see, and realize in our Christian walk.

• First: God put this crippled man in the exact place he needed to be so God could be glorified.

• Second: The crippled man was looking for a monetary hand out

• Third: The disciples recognized the real need of this man

It is important to note, the disciples realized that the man’s need was not for money but for healing both psychical, and spiritually.

They obeyed God right on the spot. They pronounced healing in the name of Jesus, and then gave him their hand to help him up. People need us to offer an out reached hand to help lift them up in times of need.

I can see in our society today we might have said something like this…“Well we don’t have any funds available to help you out, but we will put you on our church prayer list and pray for you on Wednesday night.”

Sound familiar? I’m sure this very thing plays out hundreds of times a week. We have compassion for those in need but we don’t seize the opportunity to show the love of Jesus to someone who so desperately needs to feel the touch of God.