“A Life Changing Moment “
(Rex Herndon’s Sermon 6/9/24)
The Healing Of The Lame Man
Acts 3:1-9
Introduction:
Countless times, we who believe have turned to the miracles recorded in the New Testament to find encouragement and the renewal of our faith.
Faced with the physical, material, spiritual and emotional challenges of life, it is reassuring to read of those occasions when our Lord reached in compassion and power to bring healing, provision and restoration to those in deepest despair and at the point of their greatest need.
Each of the miracles in the
New Testament has special meaning to those of us who read them with an open heart and mind. They not only reveal the anguish of human suffering, they shine a light on the compassion and power of Jesus Christ and the immeasurable Grace of God.
God’s Word is unequaled for many reasons, but none more important than its origin and the relevance of its message. Unlike the works of man that stems from human imagination, the Word of God is ‘God Breathed’ and flowed by inspiration from the heart and mind of God. It is most unique in that it has withstood the erosion of time and the dust of human history that would push it into obsolescence thereby denying the world of its timely message.
It is remarkable how each succeeding generation has discovered God’s Word is appropriate and applicable to their specific needs. They have discovered it is more than just words on a printed page. It is the ‘Voice of God,’ or the ‘Living Word of God,’ described by the writer of Hebrews as being, “Alive and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12)
We are assured, its principles and promises are as relevant and meaningful today as the day they were given.
Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
(Matthew 24:35)
Understanding, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), the miracles then, become of greater value than simply being human interest stories.
Enlightened to our heart and mind by the Holy Spirit, they reveal a living compassionate Christ, ministering today to those in need as He did when He walked along the shores of Galilee two thousand years ago.
Each miracle is significant, because they reflect a real life situation with which we might identify.
For example, every woman today
can identify with the nameless woman, who suffered the anguish of a long standing issue of blood, and was miraculously healed after pushing her way through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.
Those of us who suffer the pain and weakness of physical disability, can readily identify with the suffering of the poor paralytic who lay by the Pool of Bethesda for thirty eight years, waiting for a miracle. It was only when Jesus passed by that his despair turn to rejoicing.
Working people, who may have suffered an injury that prevents them from providing for their family, can identify with the unnamed stone mason who stood before Jesus and stretched forth his withered hand which was immediately restored.
In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul says, “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:19)
In fulfilling that promise, God must, at times, work His Sovereign Will and demonstrate His Power in the realm of the miraculous.
Thus, when the blind received their sight, the lame walked and the lepers were cleansed, it was in a sphere beyond the restraints of natural law, affirming the words of the poet who said, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”
The healing of the lame man, as recorded by Luke in (Acts 3), is particularly intriguing, because it was not only a wonderful miracle, but it came about as a result of the ministry of Peter and John, two ordinary Spirit-filled believers.
To marvel at the miracles performed by Jesus is both expected and understandable. His turning water into wine, multiplying fish and bread in a desert place or raising His friend Lazarus from the dead is easily believed, because He is the Son of God. He is, that One, “Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” (Philippians 2:6)
But in stark contrast, the healing of the lame man resulted, when two working class men acted upon faith and spoke with the authority of the Name of Jesus.
The boldness and authority with which they confronted the lame man is clear indication of the impact the infilling of the Holy Ghost had upon them. Their actions affirmed the Promise of Jesus, Who said, “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” (Acts 1:8)
Two ordinary men, pausing to address the need of a man caught in the clutches of a debilitating infirmity, is a reminder that you and I can, by the Anointing of the Holy Spirit, become instruments in the Hand of God and witnesses to the demonstration of His Power! We, too, can speak the word of faith with authority!
Jesus said, “These signs shall follow them that believe; in my Name they shall cast out devils….They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
(Mark 16:17-18)
It is important we understand that was not a generational statement directed to only the early Church. It is a promise given to you and I. Our prayer ought to be, “God open the eyes of our understanding and help us realize our potential to be used of God and be a blessing.”
In the text, Luke tells how Peter and John were making their way
to the Temple at the hour of prayer, when they encountered a lame man begging near the Temple gate.
It makes one wonder how many times in the past, they may have seen that same man begging but paid little or no attention to him? But on this occasion, their response was dramatically different. The Bible says, they ‘fastened’ their eyes upon him.
Having been recently filled with the Holy Ghost, it is obvious a transformation had taken place in their life. Their eyes were now enlightened to the needs of others and their hearts were filled with a Christlike compassion. It was the Holy Ghost at work in their life.
The lesson here is, we cannot be used of God to minister effectively, until the eyes of our understanding are opened by the Holy Spirit to see the need.
The story of the lame man is a familiar one. The text indicates he was carried to the Gate Beautiful each day where he would cry out for alms. It was his hope a benevolent passerby, or perhaps a haughty Pharisee on the way to the Temple, would give him money to alleviate his misery.
It was no coincidence the beggars gaze turned to Peter and John. I am convinced, it was God working His Sovereign Will in the situation, in order that they would have the opportunity to exercise the power and authority they had recently received at Pentecost.
We should remember, when God gives us the opportunity to minister, He is deeply engaged and desirous in our being successful. Therefore, He goes before us and prepares the way.
Because God was working in this matter, the lame man was about to experience “A Life Changing Moment” brought about not by man, but by the authority of the Name of Jesus.
Today, his beggar robes would be saturated with healing waters, flowing from the Throne of God and his weakened body would be made whole.
Reading the story again, I am reminded how, over the years, the Church has sung, “When Jesus comes, the tempter’s power is broken; when Jesus comes, the tears are wiped away. He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory, for all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.”
(Then Jesus Came: Oswald J.Smith)
The healing of the lame man is a reminder, “We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
(1) Taking time to re-acquaint myself with the story, told so graphically by Luke, I was struck first, by the fact God used human instruments to carry out his Will and bring a great miracle into reality.
That’s right! Two ordinary men, who had the extraordinary experience of being personally called from their fishing boats by Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost, became the heart, hands and voice of Jesus Christ in seeing a crippled man set free from his infirmity.
They are a wonderful example of how God calls all believers to “Show forth the praises of Him who hath called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
(1 Peter 2:9) It is a reminder how each of us is an Ambassador of Jesus Christ.
In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul said, “For ye see your
calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”
(1 Corinthians 1:26-27)
Paul goes on to explain in (vs.29) why, “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. That no flesh should glory in His Presence.”
Someone has said, “God has the unsettling habit of laying his Hand upon the wrong man.” He often
chooses the unlikely to do the unusual.
Many of my Pentecostal friends know the story of Smith Wigglesworth, “The Apostle of Faith.” He was a British Evangelist who was very influential in the early history of Pentecostalism, who would later become a credentialed minister in the Assemblies of God. His ministry was noted for wonderful miracles of healing and deliverance.
What may not be known about the renowned man of God is, he was born in abject poverty, did not learn to read until after he was grown and married to a woman who was a preacher in the Salvation Army, and who patiently taught him to read the Bible.
He was working as a plumber, when God called him into what would become a ministry distinguished by a powerful Anointing of the Holy Ghost to bring the message of salvation, healing and deliverance to multitudes.
He would later say about himself, “There never was a weaker man on the platform. Language? None! Inability? Full of it! All natural things in my life point exactly opposite to my being able to stand on the platform and preach the gospel. The secret is that the Holy Ghost brought this wonderful edification of the Spirit.”
Every person in the Body of Christ has a sphere of influence. It includes family, friends, neighbors or fellow workers. No matter our station in life, we can, with the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, be an effective instrument in the Hand of God. Jesus said, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me.” (Acts 1:8). That, my friends, is not a generational statement nor is it exclusive to just a certain few. It applies to each of us.
It was the Albanian nun, Mother Teresa, who wrote, “I am a little
pencil in the Hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.” That’s us!
Not everyone is called to be a Pastor or a full time Missionary, but we are called to be Kingdom Builders, prayer warriors, witnesses and a voice of encouragement to those in need.
In a world overshadowed and encumbered in the darkness of sin and despair, Jesus, referred to believers saying, “Ye are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
In the text, two common fishermen, empowered by the Holy Ghost and operating in the authority of the Name of Jesus, became instruments through which the Power of God accomplished what ‘silver and gold’ could never accomplish. A lame man, strengthened, healed and able to walk into the Temple praising God!
(2) Secondly, our attention turns to an unnamed man, who for years has been incapacitated by a debilitating physical infirmity that forced him to depend upon the pity and benevolence of men to survive.
The alms he occasionally received from a sympathetic passer-by brought only a brief respite from the anguish of his miserable existence.
Each day found him in the same hopeless state as the day before. The reason being, those who gave him a few coins or crust of bread as they made their way to the Temple, were incapable of solving his real problem, which was his need of a supernatural touch that would enable him to walk.
The plight of this poor beggar is much like that of the man or woman caught in the paralyzing bondage of sin. Men may be able to help them physically, mentally or socially, but their real problem is sin, and the solution to sin lies beyond man’s resolution. Only the cleansing of the Blood of Jesus solves the problem.
The destruction and misery caused by the mayhem, moral decay and social upheaval we witness on a daily basis, is a clear evidence, man has a problem for which the world has no true and lasting solution.
A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the only solution! The Prophet Isaiah, speaking of Jesus said, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes, we are healed.”
(Isaiah 53:5)
Brother Andrae Crouch wrote and sang, “Oh, it is Jesus! Yes, it is Jesus; it is Jesus in my soul. For I have touched the hem of His garment, and His Blood has made me whole.”
The answer to humanity’s need is the same as that which was needed by the lame man. A Miraculous power found only in the Name of Jesus!
(3) Finally, It is important we hear what Peter said to the lame man, and his immediate response.
Speaking to the man, Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none;(someone has said that is proof positive he was a Pentecostal preacher), “But such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
(Acts 3:6)
Acting on the authority of Jesus Name, this fisherman, turned anointed man of God, speaks healing to the crippled man and immediately, upon struggling to his feet, there came a surge of strength to his weakened limbs enabling him to walk.
Jesus said, “He that believeth on me the works that I do; shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12) The healing of the lame man was an affirmation of that promise.
In His Name, believers will conquer demon power and take authority over the denizens of darkness. In His Name, sickness and disease lose their power to inflict the anguish of pain and weakness on believers. In His Name, the power of sin is broken, and man is set ‘Free Indeed.’ In His Name, believers have the authority to “Say unto the mountain, be thou removed, and cast into the sea; it shall be done.” (Mark 11:23)
In the old gospel song, “Victory In Jesus,” the songwriter said, “ I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing. How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see. And then I cried dear Jesus come and heal my broken spirit, and somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory!”
(Eugene Bartlett: copyright)
The great baseball player turned Evangelist, Billy Sunday, said, “There are two hundred fifty six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this is because He is infinitely beyond all that one name could express!”
Many years ago a Pastor friend, who was the son of a Foreign Missionary, told me of an incident in which his father was in danger of very serious injury or death while conducting a service under a tent in a small village
While preaching, the veteran Missionary was startled when an angry man entered the tent carrying a large stone raised above his head with which he intended to crush the head of the Missionary.
Walking toward the crudely made pulpit, the man was cursing and shouting threats at the startled the man of God.
Recognizing his life was in imminent danger, the Missionary pointed toward the angry man and shouted, “ Stop in the Name of Jesus!” My Pastor friend said, “Suddenly the man was frozen unable to take another step, nor could he lower the stone from above his head. He was literally paralyzed by the power of the Name of Jesus.
The believers under the tent shouted their praise unto God as they witnessed the authority and power in that Name that is above every name.
Peter said, “Silver and Gold have I none, but such as I have, give I unto you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk!”
That Peter had no ‘silver or gold,’ was not most important on this occasion. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he recognized a few alms given in sympathy was not the solution to the man’s problem. He needed a miracle that could only come from He who bore the stripes upon His back for man’s healing.
Legs that could not stand and feet that were unable to walk would only be strengthened by a power, the magnitude and value of which was well beyond the reach of silver and gold.
So it is with men and women in our world who struggle in the bondage of sin and its impact upon their life.
The benevolence of man, social programs, education and other forms of support, though well intended, are incapable of providing the healing and transformational change needed to bring life and hope into twisted and broken lives.
Like the lame man, they must hear the message, “In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up (out of your sin) and walk (in to the marvelous light of salvation)!”
They need to come to the understanding spoken of in
(Isaiah 1:18), “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
If you are one who needs “A Life Changing Moment,”’whether it be healing for your body or salvation for your soul, you are encouraged by the Psalmist to, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”(Psalm 146:3)
You are called, “In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to rise up,” ask God to forgive your sin and accept Jesus Christ as Lord. You are challenged to, “Walk.” Take that step of faith that will bring healing and deliverance into your life. God is no respecter of persons. You too, can experience the Touch of His Hand of provision! You too, may experience, “A Life Changing Moment!”
The Shepherd's Staff 