The Panhandler's Real Need

The Panhandler’s Real Need

Acts 3:1-10

Good morning…

As we have been going through the Book of Acts, I have mentioned the two extremes of Christ's followers’ beliefs concerning healings, signs, and wonders.

There are some extreme emotionalists and there are some frozen chosen. I personally land in the middle of those two groups.

I believe the LORD can and does still heal people according to His will and purpose. But I do not believe that the LORD heals all people on this side of heaven, every time.

The Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthian church regarding this very thought and said in…

2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

2 Corinthians 12:8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. NKJV

Notice some things regarding this passage…

1. Paul didn’t experience a lack of faith here that prevented his healing.

2. Paul said a thorn of Satan was allowed to inflict this ailment upon him.

3. Paul asked the LORD on three separate occasions to remove the infirmity from him, but the LORD said no!

4. The LORD allowed this trial in Paul’s life so that Paul would not be placed on a pedestal, but rather he would exalt the LORD by the way he behaved during the trial.

5. The LORD is shown strong in whatever way He chooses to deal with His children.

Please turn in our Bibles to Acts 3, as we continue in that study.

Last week, we spoke about some basics of the early church as they kept things simple and glorified the LORD.

Acts 2:46 ended with; they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. NKJV

Jerusalem was all a buzz as all the people had come to celebrate Passover and as the Spirit of God fell upon the 3000 new believers, the Church hit the ground running, reaching others.

The early believers were filled with awe and wonder, but now the danger of the mundane daily life for the followers began.

When exciting things are happening, we seem so strong as believers. But when the daily grind of life starts, we can get tempted to become lethargic in our walk with Christ.

I. Heading to the Temple to Worship.

Read Acts 3:1

Acts 3:1 tells us Peter and John went up to the Temple at the 9th hour, which was 3 p.m., remember their day began at 6 a.m.

What is so significant about the 9th hour?

a. This is the exact time Jesus died on the Cross.

John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!"

John 19:29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.

John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. NKJV

b. 3 p.m. was the hour of prayer and the last sacrifice.

3 p.m. was a time-honored tradition of sacrifice that can be traced back to Isaac in Genesis, along with the hour of prayer.

Peter and John went to the Temple, not to sacrifice but simply to worship the Lord. After the death and resurrection of Christ, there was no longer any need for an animal sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"

Hebrews 10:17 then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

Hebrews 10:18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. NKJV

These men were committed to the call of the LORD, so they set aside specific times to go to the established worship center.

It was not a legalistic or ritualistic thing. It was a matter of priorities in life. We will find time to do those things that are important to us.