The Perfect Gift

The Perfect Gift

Acts 3:1-8

1 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. 4 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. 7 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.

Intro: How many of you are looking for that perfect gift for that special person in your life? How many of you can tell me what you received last Christmas? How about the Christmas before that? And before that? In today’s scripture we have two men who didn’t have two nickels to rub together. Yet they gave a gift that is still remembered today.

Yeah Pastor but this was Peter and John! Yes they were and God is looking for a Peter and John for this Christmas season. This Christmas message will be a little different than what you are used to hearing. You see there are people that are out there hurting and we walk past them every day. For that matter there are people in this church that are hurting and we walk past them every Sunday. We come and do our thing. Sing a few songs, give in the offering and even tell the preacher what a good message he preached that day. But we miss an opportunity to give a gift that will always be treasured.

I believe that before this morning is over that the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself, and someone will receive a gift that will never be forgotten.

Are you ready? Are you ready for an amazing gift direct from the throne room of God?

Well let’s look at this man and see if were ready?

1

He was in the right place

Daily he was getting carried to the temple. While he couldn’t get into the temple he at least knew that where religious folks were he could get some alms. I believe this was probably a man of faith. He showed up daily.

I believe that we are a people of faith we show up to church weekly. After all it is our duty as Christians to chow up to church almost every Sunday right?

We come and do our religious duty then we go back to our broken mess. Oh yeah we put on our Sunday Clothes that comes fitted with a fake smile. But when we leave we are still broken.

We’re here we see others change. We see others blessed yet we leave broken. And the truth is we don’t want to be in the situation that we’re in. Perhaps it was something that is out of our control:

Perhaps what is keeping us from our blessing is a mean husband, perhaps a mean wife. Perhaps our finances are in ruin. We come to church and we see others get blessed and we feel that we are hopeless. Things are out of my control. If only……..

Let me tell you that s about to change!

2

It Was The Right Time

How many times does it take to get your healing? Answer: one time. One day you will get healed. But it will be in God’s timing not yours. I have been healed many times. I recall going to the alter many times for healing. But one day I went and the Lord healed me. Could I have done anything to make this healing happen faster? I’ll leave that to the theologians. All I know is one day I reached out for Jesus and he healed me. I believe that today is the right time for someone to receive their healing.

I know you’ve been to the prayer line many times. What makes this time special?

3

He Honored God

Are you aware that because of the Law of Moses this man couldn’t enter into the temple to worship? He had been carried to the gate daily crippled since birth and when he received his healing the first thing he did was leap and jump into the temple to worship God.