Walking And Leaping And Praising God

[0:01] The 17th of May, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3.8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk and entered the temple.

[0:12] You can imagine the reaction, can't you, if someone came into the church service walking and leaping and praising God at the top of his voice. The scene in Jerusalem temple must have been just as startling and unusual.

[0:25] People were used to giving money to a disabled beggar at the temple entrance. But now here was that same fellow going daft inside. But he had never walked before, let alone leapt.

[0:39] The great change came when Peter and John told him they had no money to give him. But they had something infinitely better, so that he would never need to be a beggar again.

[0:51] Peter said to him, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. Peter took the man by the right hand and helped him to his feet, and immediately he was healed and followed Peter and John into the temple, praising God and creating a fuss.

[1:09] No wonder the people were filled with astonishment at what had happened. As people gathered around Peter and John and the healed man, Peter began to preach, telling the people that it was through Jesus that this man had been healed.

[1:25] Jesus, who had been crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead, he urged people to believe in the Lord Jesus. Jesus still works miracles.

[1:36] It is by his power that people are converted and brought to faith in him for salvation. Has that miracle happened in your life yet? If not, ask Jesus to come into your heart.

[1:48] And a prayer. Dear Lord Jesus, come into my heart, so that I may know the joy of your salvation. Amen.