Amen.
Well, open your Bibles, if you would please, to Acts chapter 3.
!
As the church, in terms of the purposes that we are to fulfill, as belonging to the Lord Jesus, and belonging to one another.
And we got to see over the last several weeks, from Acts chapter 2, verses 42 to 47,
this church that is beginning to show the evidence of spiritual life.
Life that has happened because of the work of Christ in their life,
and a life that is visible as they are sharing their life with those around them.
It's been a church that we'll continue to see as we move our way into Acts chapter 3 and the continuing chapters.
The church that is committed to teaching, a church that is committed to fellowship,
a church that is committed to selling possessions and sharing those possessions with others,
ministering to needs, meeting the needs of those around them.
A church that is celebrating and worshiping the Lord together as they're attending temple day by day.
And a church that is seeing and experiencing the work of God among them.
As day by day, the Lord will add to their number those who are being saved.
They get to experience that because of the work of God working in and through them,
showing the testimony, the mark of God's gospel work in their hearts,
in capturing the attention of those in Jerusalem who see it for themselves.
The tangible evidence of that gospel work now is coming to fruition,
and God is drawing people to himself as a result of that.
This morning, as we turn our attention now to chapter 3,
we're going to see this continuing work through the apostle Peter and John,
as they're going to be ministering to a very specific individual,
a lame man who comes to the temple to have his needs met.
And because Peter and John don't just pass up this opportunity,
but see this man and his needs for what they are,
are willing to step in,
then God will do a work again in this man, but also in Jerusalem.
It really is an evidence to us of how gospel ministry works.
It doesn't just happen by other people in other places,
doing God's work in those foreign places,
but it's a work that God has called us to do.
It's a work that God has,
the purpose that God has called us to meet
as we are interacting with individuals day by day
in very ordinary, very mundane places,
stepping into where they are
and seeking to be used of God right where they are.
This is the same kind of thing that happened back in the 1800s,
a name that I'm sure many of you are familiar with,
the name Helen Keller.
Helen Keller suffered from an illness when she was very young,
and as a result of that illness,
she would lose her sight and also her hearing.
Her situation seemed hopeless.
She was essentially cut off from communication,
cut off from the outside world,
unable really to enjoy the benefits of relationship with individuals
because from a communication standpoint,
there was no way for her to bridge that gap.
Her father looked for help.
He wanted to try to help his daughter in this situation,
and he found someone named Ann Sullivan
who had a step into this role.
Ann was no stranger to difficulty herself.
Ann had also been one who had suffered from blindness
because of a bacterial eye infection
that happened also while she was young.
She lived in poverty.
Ann did live in poverty.
She lost her mother when she was very young,
and her father abandoned her,
and she had to go and live in an almshouse
before eventually being admitted to a place
where it could help to rehabilitate her
and help her to learn how to communicate
in the midst of her blindness.
So by the time Ann Sullivan arrived in Alabama
to come help,
she understood that Helen Keller was intelligent.
She understood that Helen had the ability to learn,
but there was just these obstacles in the way.
And she tried to teach her through those hand motions,
doing hand motions in her hands
so she could kind of see and feel the letters,
but it wasn't making any sense to Helen
until a breakthrough happened
when Ann would take Helen,
take her to a water fountain
and help her to see
that this water that she was feeling in her hand
and the symbols that she would feel on her other hand,
the letters that were being spelled out,
actually spelled out the word water,
and then everything began to make sense for Helen.
The breakthrough happened.
The light bulb moment took place.
And then as a result of that breakthrough moment,
Helen would come to learn even 30 words,
30 brand new words that very first day.
You see, Ann Sullivan entered into Helen's world.
She was willing to overcome this obstacle,
willing to address her own personal insecurities
and the difficulties of her life,
and that helped her to step into Helen's experience,
to be patient with the challenges that Helen had.
She did not treat Helen's problem
as too difficult to address.
She took her by the hand.
She worked patiently.
She gave what she had.
And as a result of her faithful,
patient ministry to Helen,
God used that to overcome this challenge,
this communication challenge,
and allowed through patience and through touch
for Helen to overcome this communication barrier.
It's a lesson for us
because if any of us are to step in
and to minister to others,
we need to follow the same pattern.
We need to be those who are willing to encourage
and help those around us
by using what we have,
stepping into their situation,
and being willing to address their problems patiently
as ministers of the Lord.
As we come to chapter 3,
we're going to see a number of situations
in the next several chapters
where things will happen that seem quite unexpected.
This morning in chapter 3,
we're going to see that Peter will heal this lame man,
this man who's been lame since birth.
And we need to begin to ask ourselves this question.
The ministry that the Lord Jesus had
and the ministry that we'll see
in these first several chapters,
is it a ministry that God has called us to have as well?
A ministry of miracles.
A ministry of working wonders.
And so we come to understand
that Acts is this transitional book.
And it's describing things
that are happening in the here and now,
but aren't necessarily those kinds of things
that we can anticipate
that God has instructed us to do as a church.
The technical word is,
it's descriptive, not prescriptive.
It's not instruction orders
or the marching orders
that God has given to the church
to then carry out miracles
in and among ourselves as well.
Now, God can do miracles.
He does it through prayer
as we are asking the Lord to do things
for the people around us.
And He does.
He heals.
He delivers.
He saves.
He preserves.
He helps.
God is in the business of answering prayer.
But what we're going to see
in the ministry of the apostles,
they're laying foundations.
This is an apostolic work.
And you remember from Ephesians 2, verse 20,
that God allowed the apostles and prophets
to lay this foundation for the church.
And Jesus Christ Himself
was the chief cornerstone.
This was a unique time.
An unprecedented time.
This was a time that hearkened back
to the Lord Jesus
who also helped to heal lame and blind men.
We find that in Acts 2, verse 22.
Peter will say,
Men of Israel, hear these words.
Jesus of Nazareth,
a man attested to you by God
with mighty works and wonders and signs
that God did through Him in your midst
as you yourselves know.
God confirmed His message
through Jesus by miracles,
by signs, by wonders.
And God was going to do the same thing
in this apostolic era.
He was going to confirm the word,
the teaching that we saw last week,
confirm this teaching through His apostles
through miracles.
So we find ourselves in Acts chapter 3,
and we pick up the story there in verse 1.
Let me read this for you.
If you have a pew Bible,
or if you're using the pew Bible,
let me encourage you to turn.
It's on page 911.
Here's what it says.
It says,
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple
at the hour of prayer,
the ninth hour.
And a lame man from birth was being carried,
whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple
that is called the Beautiful Gate,
to ask alms of those entering the temple.
Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple,
he asked them to receive alms.
And Peter directed his gaze at him,
as did John,
and said,
Look at us.
And he fixed his attention on them,
expecting to receive something from them.
We're going to see a number of things
through this passage,
and there are more verses for us to look at,
but I want to just draw your attention
to some directives,
some things we see in the apostle Peter and John
that help to inform us
in the ways that we also
should relate to the people
that God has put us
in communion with,
in relationship,
with the spheres that God has allowed us
to interact with others.
And the first is this.
We learn the lesson
of being attentive
to notice hurting people.
Be attentive
to notice hurting people.
Peter and John are here.
They're going up to the temple
at the hour of prayer.
It's the ninth hour.
And what's important to observe
right at the start
of this account
is while something spectacular
will happen,
it all comes out
of a very ordinary experience.
It was an ordinary day.
It was just like any other.
Peter and John are doing
what they have done
now for the last several years.
They've learned.
The importance,
the rhythm of going to the temple.
They do this
during the time of prayer.
And this at the ninth hour
was the third and final time
of prayer
for a Jewish individual.
It would happen,
it would coincide
with about three o'clock
in the afternoon.
It would begin
the first hour of prayer
was happening there at,
actually it was the third hour
of prayer.
It was happening
in the morning
around nine o'clock
in the morning.
Then three hours later
there'd be another
designated time of prayer
at noon.
And then three hours later
at three would be
this other and final
time of prayer.
This time of prayer
was also coincided
with the morning
and evening sacrifice.
A time where the priest
would go into the temple,
he would offer
a sacrifice of a lamb.
It was a symbol
of the forgiveness
that God was offering
his people
through himself.
also in the morning
and the evening
were the time
where incense
was being burned
at nine o'clock
and at three o'clock.
You remember this
from Luke chapter one.
This is where
Zechariah,
you remember,
during this time
of prayer
would go into the temple,
he would offer incense
at the holy place.
It was a picture
of God,
the prayers
that would ascend
to the Lord.
And so this was
the moment,
this was the moment
in the rhythm
of praying,
God's people coming
to pray.
I think what's important
for us to understand
is that while this
church age
was beginning,
these individuals
who had come
to Jerusalem
had not lost
their Jewishness.
They had not lost
the rhythm
of the things
that God had
called them to do.
And even in the
mundane things,
the ordinary things,
the routine things,
here they are
again offering
prayers to God.
And now,
it captured
new meaning,
it had new purpose,
they were doing
it with new energy,
they were doing it
with renewed hope
because of what
God had accomplished
for them
in salvation.
It amplified
their worship.
And in this way,
it's important
to note that
structure
and routine
can be beneficial,
it can be helpful.
Those routines
that we develop
maybe once a week
as we come to church
on a Sunday
or the routines
that you have
in spending time
with the Lord
in prayer
and in Bible reading,
while they may seem
kind of routine
and pattern,
God can use
those patterns,
those routines
to encourage your heart
to do,
to do the things
He's called you to do
and help to amplify
worship to God.
And Peter and John
have come together.
We're going to see
this duo.
They are regularly
together.
And we're going to see
that as we move
through this book.
We'll see them here
in Acts chapter 3.
We're going to see
them again in chapter 4.
They're arrested
together.
We're going to see
them in chapter 8
where they go up
to Samaria together.
This group,
this duo,
Peter and John
happen to do
ministry together.
But it was an
ordinary day.
It's an ordinary day.
And God will do
some of His greatest
work in your life
and through your life
on ordinary days,
on mundane days,
the unexpected days.
You're working
through the rhythms
of life
and all of a sudden
this unexpected
opportunity will come.
Will we serve
the Lord
and have eyes
that are open
to ordinary,
ordinary days?
Well, it wasn't
just an ordinary day.
We're going to see
in verses 2 to 5
that it was an
opportune moment.
An opportune moment.
Notice,
verse 2 says,
a lame man from birth
was being carried
whom they laid daily
at the gate of the temple
that is called
the beautiful gate
to ask alms
of those entering
the temple.
Seeing Peter and John
about to go into the temple,
he asked to receive alms.
And Peter directed
his gaze at him
as did John
and said,
look at us.
And he fixed his attention
on them
expecting to receive
something from them.
They encountered
this man,
this lame man
who is being carried
to this position
where he was going
to ask for alms.
This being carried
helps us understand
that he was still
in transit.
It was still
in process.
He hadn't quite arrived
at his spot yet.
But seeing Peter
and John,
he capitalizes
on this moment
to ask for some help.
Here we are
at the beautiful gate.
This is a perfect place
to ask for alms.
This is one of the
three places
we find throughout
the Gospels
that beggars
will come.
They find themselves
either asking
from rich men
like Lazarus
did to the rich man
sitting at his house
or coming to
very populated areas
the highways
and byways
to try to capitalize
on people
who are moving past
or in the temple
whether it was
at the beautiful gate
or other places
at the temple
so they could ask
for help.
We find that he was
crippled from birth.
Lame from birth.
His case
was hopeless.
He had experienced
this affliction.
This affliction
that no doctor
and no other individual
could help to resolve.
And here he was
a man
who we find
in chapter 4
verse 22
he's been lame
not just for a little bit
of time
he's been lame
since birth
and he's
40 years old.
This was part
of his routine.
His situation
seemed hopeless.
And his condition
was well known
to those
who were there
in Jerusalem.
We find that
in verse 10.
It says
they recognized
him as the same
man who used
to sit begging
at the temple
gate called
beautiful.
It's fascinating
to think.
I wonder
how many times
Peter and John
having gone
up to the temple
had passed
this very lame
man as he was
sitting there.
I wonder
how many times
had Jesus
in the three years
of his public
ministry
having gone
up to the temple
this same
lame man
sitting at this
beautiful gate
how many times
had Jesus
passed this
lame man
and knew
in his mind
this day
was going to come.
I wonder
how many times
the religious
men and women
who were
moving up
to the temple
didn't even bother
giving a glance
at this man
who was sitting
there.
But here we find
Peter and John
on this occasion
they stopped
they looked
and they speak
they address
this man
and get his
attention.
Typically donors
would flip a coin
at a beggar
on their way
into the temple
but on this
occasion
Peter fixes
his gaze
on him
and he says
look
look at me
this was not
going to be
just a chance
occasion
this was going
to be a deliberate
opportunity
that Peter
will capitalize
on.
No doubt
this man
is expecting
some temporary
relief
he's in
dire straits
he needs
some help
and no wonder
now that he's
getting some
attention from
Peter and John
there's no doubt
that he is
expecting something
to happen
and to come
his way.
Peter is going
to capitalize
on this
but I wonder
I wonder
how many of us
would have missed
this opportunity.
Just a couple
days ago
on Friday
I was on my
way back
from Cedarville
on my way
back to Columbus
and as I
was getting
on to the
on ramp
to get
on to the
freeway
there was a
man with a
sign standing
there on the
on ramp
and it said
Columbus
and he's
standing there
he's got his
backpack there
and I noticed
him
and in this
split moment
this
very brief
moment
I'm trying
to process
what I'm
about to do
and I'm
driving up
up the
on ramp
and by the
time I finally
decide
you know what
it would probably
be a good idea
for me to
pick this guy up
and take him
to Columbus
I was already
on the freeway
making my way
in my heart
there was not
a readiness
in my heart
there wasn't
quite
an awareness
I had things
on my mind
there were
things to do
there were
pressures ahead
there was a
desire to
get home
and because
of not
being ready
and not
being aware
I missed
an opportunity
I wonder
how many
mundane
opportunities
we have
moment by
moment
day by
day
that we
just pass
right on
by
but Peter
and John
they step
in
they step
into this
moment
and they
are willing
to address
this man's
lameness
how easy
might it have
been for
Peter and
John to
say hey
listen
listen man
I'm on my
way to
pray
or hey
I've got
I'm going
to the
temple
right now
I've got
some really
important
spiritual
things to
do right
now
or how many
might have
said
you've been
here for
40 years
every single
day I see
you here
I'm sure
I'm going
to see you
tomorrow
and by the
way
Jesus
didn't heal
you
so I guess
tough luck
it'd been
very easy
to have
passed him
by but
Peter and
John step
in
Peter and
John are
willing to
address
this man's
problems
you see
life is
full of
mundane
moments
are your
eyes open
to them
is your
heart ready
and willing
to step
in
have you
already
begun
to tune
your heart
to the
moments
that God
may put
in your
path
in this
coming
week
are you
asking
the Lord
to fill
you with
a heart
of compassion
and are
you asking
the Lord
to bring
to your
attention
those opportunities
that he wants
you to
address
see Peter
and John
stop
they turn
they notice
this man
they get
his attention
and they're
willing to
step in
they capitalize
on this
opportunity
you see
we need
to be
alert
to notice
hurting
people
next
we're
going to
see in
verses 5
and 6
that we
need to
be available
to give
what you
have
be available
to give
what you
have
verse 5
says
and he
fixed his
attention
on them
expecting to
receive something
from them
but Peter
said
I have
no silver
and gold
but what
I do
have
I give
to you
in the
name of
Jesus
Christ
of Nazareth
rise up
and walk
be available
to give
what you
have
it would
have been
very easy
for Peter
to have
made excuses
but they
didn't
they didn't
make excuses
it would
have been
very easy
for Peter
to have
said
sorry
Charlie
I got
no money
to give
to you
I've got
no silver
no gold
no help
so I'm
going to
be on
my way
no but
what Peter
does
and he
models this
along with
John
they're willing
to give
what they
have
Peter
makes two
statements
that I'm
sure would
have shocked
this man
I have
no silver
and no gold
but what I
have I
will give
I don't
know what
you're asking
for
or I don't
have what
you're asking
for but I've
got something
better
I've got
something
better
and what I
have I'm
going to
extend to
you
in this
important
phrase
what I
have I
give to
you
it's similar
to what the
apostle Paul
will say
to the
Thessalonians
in 1st
Thessalonica
chapter 2
verse 8
he says
so being
affectionately
desirous
of you
we were
ready to
share with
you
not only
the gospel
of God
but also
our own
selves
that's the
essence of
Christian
ministry
the essence
of Christian
ministry
is to
give
what God
has entrusted
to you
especially
the grace
that you
have enjoyed
the benefits
of God's
goodness
and kindness
first
in Jesus
of giving
himself
of forgiving
you of your
sins
of bringing
you to the
point of
salvation
and to
extend that
blessing to
those around
you
but also
the benefits
the physical
and financial
benefits that
God has given
to us
to step
in
to give
what we
have
this is what
I love
we're not
ever expected
to give
what you
don't
have
but God
wants to
take
and to
multiply
the little
perhaps
that you
do have
and he
can use
that
instrumentally
to change
the people
around you
just give
what you
have
I think
Peter
was prepared
in that
moment
to address
this situation
to allow
this very
personal
ministry
to happen
because Peter
himself
had experienced
the personal
ministry
of the Lord
Jesus
and experiencing
that ministry
from a very
personal
savior
Peter
is willing
to step
in
and express
a very
personal
ministry
it was
Jesus
who modeled
this to his
disciples
Peter
would see
have seen
this in the
life
in ministry
of Christ
Jesus
who mixes
it up
with all
kinds of
people
he's a
friend
of tax
collectors
and sinners
Peter
got to see
that
first hand
and Jesus
who gave
himself
personally
to people
he expended
himself
he served
people
late
into the
night
he was
willing
to serve
people
when it
was really
inconvenient
when he
was on
vacation
as it
were
and feeds
the 5,000
and it
was really
inconvenient
but the
crowds
just keep
coming
he wanted
to get
away
with his
disciples
but the
crowds
kept
coming
and what
does he
do
he doesn't
push
them away
he serves
them
and Peter
would have
seen this
this model
of the
Lord
Jesus
he was
willing
to have
personal
ministry
with others
he was
willing
to
rub
shoulders
with the
lowest
of the
low
he
was
willing
to
weep
with
Mary
and Martha
in a
moment
a tender
moment
of pain
that they
were
experiencing
he had
compassion
on the
masses
he bounced
babies
on his
lap
he made
sure
his mom
was in
good
hands
when he
was
hanging
on the
cross
and ready
to die
Jesus
was
constantly
thinking
about
others
in his
ministry
Jesus
was a
personal
man
who
extended
personal
ministry
so here
we find
Peter
touched
and encouraged
by the
personal
ministry
of the
Lord
Jesus
is now
extending
this same
personal
ministry
to this
lame man
this is why
I think
it's important
for us
as the
church
to understand
the significance
of personal
ministry
yes it's
good to
give a
check
yes it's
good to
come and
sing
and to
praise
the Lord
together
in this
place
but if it
ends there
without a
personal
touch
without this
personal
element
you miss
the opportunity
that God
wants us
to capitalize
on
this personal
Christian
ministry
that includes
this personal
touch
and perhaps
the reason
why Peter
didn't have
any money
to give
I'm inclined
to think
that he
along with
the other
apostles
were kind
of setting
the stage
of what we
saw in the
last part
of chapter
two
remember
they're
selling their
possessions
and they're
distributing
to anyone
who had
need
I think
the apostles
were in
the front
of the pack
as it were
in doing
that
for others
and so
Peter
didn't have
anything to
give
because he'd
already
given it
all away
so they
didn't make
excuses
they had
lots of
reasons to
make excuses
but they
didn't
but they also
saw the deeper
need here
and I see
we turn to
verse 6
and we see
this again
Peter said
I have no
silver and
gold
but what I
do have
I give
to you
in the name
of Jesus
Christ of
Nazareth
rise up
and walk
you see
Peter
didn't let
this lack
of funds
cause him
to pass up
on this
man
he saw
the deeper
need
the deeper
issues
that were
at stake
yes there
was a
financial
need
yes there
was a
physical
need
but I
think
Peter
saw
even
deeper
than that
and he
recognized
there was
a spiritual
need
that needed
to be
addressed
and that's
why he
says
in the
name
of Jesus
Christ
rise up
and walk
you see
it's the
giving
that Jesus
wants
from us
is the
giving
that originates
from him
in the
name of
Jesus
Christ
rise up
and walk
it's a
giving that
points to
him
it's a
giving
that's
strengthened
by him
it's a
giving
that gives
glory
to him
it's a
it's the
kind
of giving
where Jesus
receives
the praise
so Peter
what he does
here is
significant
and it's
really easy
to miss
it's easy
to miss
that Peter
is not just
caught up
in this
moment
but Peter
is being
instrumentally
used
by God
in this
moment
to minister
to a need
and to draw
attention
to Christ
we find
in verse
7
he looks
at him
he took
him by
the right
hand
and raised
him up
and immediately
his feet
and ankles
were made
strong
notice the
features of
this miracle
that's important
for us to draw
attention to
that it
sets itself
apart from
the so-called
miracles
that happen
today
that the
healing was
done in
Jesus's name
the healing
was instantaneous
the healing
was complete
it involved
the totality
of all that
this man
needed
his feet
his ankles
were strengthened
in totality
it wasn't
incrementally
but happened
all at once
and then there
was this
immediate
skill
to walk
there was
this
coordination
there's
this
motor
skill
there was
this
proficiency
you see
God
overcame
not only
the physical
needs
of strengthening
but also
whatever the
mental needs
might be
to help
with coordination
and proficiency
happened
instantaneously
that for
a man
who was
40 years
old
to be able
to walk
and as
we're
going
to see
leap
here
in just
a moment
that
he is
able
to do
this
because
a miracle
has happened
it was clear
it was unmistakable
a work of
God
had just
taken place
because Peter
and John
were willing
to give
what they
had
I wonder
this morning
what do you
have to give
today
whatever
small
whatever
large
what
what do
you have
to give
in terms
of your
life
in addressing
the hurt
or the pain
or the
challenges
that somebody
in your
circle
is experiencing
maybe as
simple as
a word
of encouragement
maybe
it's as
simple as
a note
that you
write
whatever
that is
what is
that ministry
what do
you have
to give
today
we need
to see
that God
has
strategically
placed
us
he has
placed
you
he has
placed
me
in the
spots
where he
is already
working
he's
working
ahead
of us
he's
put
people
in
our
spaces
he
wants
ministry
to happen
and he's
given us
the opportunity
to do that
we just have
to give
what we
have
and you
are qualified
you are
qualified
if you
are a
recipient
of God's
grace
in coming
to faith
in him
you are
a recipient
of grace
and so
you have
something
to give
you have
the grace
of God
to give
the ministry
of God's
grace
imparted
to you
to encourage
and bless
those around
you
and finally
not just be
alert to
notice
not just be
available to
give
but be active
to point
people
to God
be active
to point
people to
God
we see that
in verse 8
it says
in leaping up
he stood
and began
to walk
and entered
the temple
with them
walking
and leaping
and praising
God
and all the
people saw
him walking
and praising
God
and all the
people saw
him walking
and praising
God
and recognized
him as the
one who sat
at the beautiful
gate of the
temple
asking for
alms
and they were
filled with
wonder and
amazement
at what had
happened to
him
you see what
happens here
do you notice
what's taken
place
now this man
is not
limping
he's not
shuffling
he's not even
just walking
he's leaping
because a
miracle
a miracle
has happened
it's moved
him from
hopelessness
to joy
it's led
him to
from being
kind of
self-focused
to being
God-focused
it's moved
him from being
one who is
carried
to one who
is moving
on his own
he's moving
with direction
he's moving
with purpose
he's one
who's rejoicing
in his
physical fitness
but also
rejoicing
more importantly
in his
spiritual fitness
that this
has created
joy
this personal
ministry of
Peter and
John
has led to
joy
in God
it's been
directional
the apostle
Peter has
ensured
that God
would get
credit for
this
that he is
doing this
in the name
of Jesus
Christ of
Nazareth
and I wonder
if any of you
have had an
opportunity
to be part
of that
to see
that
or experience
that for
yourself
that your
ministry
to someone
else
however big
or small
that ministry
might be
that it leads
to joy
in them
have you ever
experienced
that
and seen
that
this past
week
as I was
driving
to Cedarville
my odometer
turned
233,333
it was
notable
just because
of all the
threes
that were there
but it reminded
me of how
that car
came to
being for
us
it was a
family
a family
10 years
ago
when
actually
I guess
it was
16 years
ago
now
because
my son
Timothy
was just
about ready
to be born
and this
family
in this
church
decided to
give us
a gift
it was a
gift that
was kind
of targeted
to helping
us as a
family
get things
going
and get
some supplies
for how
that all
goes
you have
a new
baby
but I
was able
to use
that money
and to
buy
this car
the car
that I
was driving
to Cedarville
this past
week
and it
was a
reminder
to me
of how
God
meets
needs
without
people
even
knowing
and it
led
my heart
to praise
the Lord
16 years
ago
and it
led my
heart
to praise
the Lord
again
in that
drive
to
Cedarville
on Friday
afternoon
to say
thank you
Lord
for the
way
that you
use
others
to be
a blessing
and God
has given
us all
the opportunity
to be a
part of
that in
some way
big ways
and small
ways
as you
step in
to the
hurts
and pains
of others
and as
you extend
yourself
in some
way
to encourage
them
not to
get attention
to yourself
but to
give attention
to the
Lord
and so
we see
that
we see
that here
as
Peter
has
directed
attention
to God
and this
man
is
is now
directing
attention
to God
as well
he's
no longer
broken
he's
no longer
a beggar
he's
no longer
dependent
on his
friends
to carry
him
and
and now
he's
entering
the house
of worship
on his
own
up to
this point
as a
broken
man
as a
lame
man
he was
confined
to the
threshold
of the
temple
he would
sit
there
day
by day
begging
for money
but now
because of
this healing
now he's
moving in
he's
moving into
the center
he's able
to worship
God
for himself
this work
of God
has allowed
him
to enjoy
something
more than
just a
physical
healing
but it's
allowed him
to enjoy
this
new
found
special
relationship
with the
Lord
as one
who
is moving
from the
threshold
now entering
into the
center
he's full
of praise
it's used
of God
then to
ignite the
hearts
of the
people
who are
also there
in the
temple
and that's
where we
direct our
attention
last
in verses
10 and
12
so not
only does
a lame
man
direct
attention
and glory
to the
Lord
but Peter
will also
direct
attention
to God
we see
that
at the
end
of
verse
10
and they
were filled
with wonder
and amazement
at what
had happened
to him
they were
shocked
Jesus
had filled
Israel
in Jerusalem
with the
same kinds
of things
filled
with wonder
filled
with amazement
and in
the final
week
this final
passion
week
I don't
think it's
any coincidence
that we
find in
Matthew
chapter
21
that Jesus
hailed
a lame
man
Matthew
21
verses
12
to 15
Jesus
entered
the temple
and drove
out all
who sold
and bought
in the
temple
he overturned
the tables
of the money
changers
and the
seats
of those
who sold
pigeons
and the
blind
and the
lame
came to
him
in the
temple
and he
healed
them
but when
the chief
priest
and the
scribe
saw the
wonderful
things
that he
did
and the
children
crying out
in the
temple
Hosanna
to the
son of
David
they
were
indignant
you may
see
wonderful
things
you may
see amazing
things
but it's
never meant
to stop
there
it's meant
to direct
your heart
to him
to God
and that's
the fatal
flaw
of the
scribes
and Pharisees
they saw
these wonderful
things
that were
done by
Jesus
him healing
the lame
him healing
the blind
and instead
of their
hearts being
turned
towards
God
they were
set
against
him
they
were
furious
they
were
indignant
they
were
not
full
of
faith
they
rejected
their
Messiah
and this
miracle
of healing
a lame
man
I think
is
significant
because
it would
have
created
that
immediate
connection
with what
Jesus
had done
just a few
weeks
before
it
led
to
wonder
but
it
wasn't
enough
for
them
to
wonder
and
that's
why
Peter
will
now
transition
to
verse
12
we'll
see
he
will
now
speak
the
words
of
Christ
and
draw
their
attention
to
him
verse
12
and
when
Peter
saw
it
he
addressed
the
people
men
of
Israel
why
do
you
wonder
at
this
or
why
do
you
stare
at
us
as
though
by
our
power
or
piety
we
have
made
him
walk
see
you
gotta
understand
this
isn't
a
work
of
us
this
is
a
work
of
God
I
want
to
direct
your
hearts
to
him
and
we're
gonna
see
next
week
as
we
finish
this
out
that
God
will
use
this
miracle
to
this
lame
man
and
he'll
use
this
ministry
of
teaching
of
the
apostle
Peter
and
5,000
men
will
come
to
faith
in
Christ
God
often
uses
routine
moments
to
accomplish
his
power
this
past
Saturday
I
was
driving
down
to
the
church
it
was
just
trying
to
get
some
last
minute
studying
and
preparation
done
preparing
my own
heart
for
ministry
and
wouldn't
you know
as
I'm
driving
down
I
think
it
was
Nike
Boulevard
driving
down
Nike
and
here's
this
guy
he's
outside
of
his
car
for
some
reason
the
door
is
open
and
as
I
get
closer
I
notice
that
he's
pushing
he's
pushing
his
vehicle
and
then
I
remembered
okay
I
missed
an
opportunity
a couple
days
ago
Lord
thank you
that
you
have
not
given
up
on
me
to
give
me
another
opportunity
to
minister
in a
very
mundane
very
routine
moment
see
God
cares
God
cares
enough
about
us
to
give
us
opportunities
to raise
awareness
and to
let us
then
step
in
and
I
probably
didn't
do as
well
as I
would
have
liked
because
after
pushing
the
car
I
didn't
have
enough
breath
to
say
anything
meaningful
but
by
God's
grace
he
gives
us
opportunities
God
gives
those
opportunities
to us
every
single
week
I
wonder
do we
have
hearts
and minds
that are
ready
to press
in
to be
used
of
God
not
to
give
what
you
don't
have
but
to
give
what
God
has
entrusted
to
you
and
most
importantly
to
give
the
grace
that
God
has
given
to
you
to
share
with
the
world
around
you
oh
may
God
help
us
to
capitalize
on
opportunities
a
personal
God
who's
ministered
to
us
so
that
we
can
minister
to
others
in
very
personal
ways
Lord
thank
you
for
modeling
this
for
us
and
for
being
patient
with
us
in
the
process
oh
how
many
opportunities
we
miss
and
not
necessarily
because
we
intend
to
but
just
because
we're
blind
to
them
so
God
open
our
eyes
and
raise
within
our
hearts
may
they
grow
in
compassion
for the
world
around
us
for our
neighbors
for our
coworkers
for our
fellow
classmates
wherever
you place
us
Lord
even
on
those
chance
moments
when we're
when we
see
individuals
who are
in
need
and
we
have
some
time
and
Lord
I
pray
that
you
would
help
us
to
press
in
to
step
in
so
that
we
can
see
your
work
in
ways
that
we
never
expected
Lord
go before
us
this
week
may
your
glory
shine
in
Jesus
name
Amen
God
bless
you
have
a
great
week