Seize The Opportunity

Acts 3:1-10 (ESV) 1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame 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. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 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!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 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.

Early Christians were still going to the synagogue. 

• Days started at 6am so 9^th hour is 3pm
• This was routine for John & Peter and being there to beg was also routine most likely for this lame man. 

Verses 1-5: Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame 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. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

This beggar had a lifelong problem. 

• Think of how many passed without looking at him….. 
• Peter and John both look directly AT him and said look at us!

This was an opportunity for Peter & John to show God’s love and power…. 

Verses 6-7 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!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

The Apostles were given a special anointing from God to perform these miracles. 

Acts 2:43 (ESV) 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

This man who was lame all his life was now standing on his own two feet, walking and praising God. 

Verses 9 -10: And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 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.

When God does a work in our lives it should result in at least two things….. and believing in God for a third. 

1. Praise from the one who received the touch from God on their lives
2. Amazement by the ones who witnessed the obvious change.
3. Others who desire God for their lives and surrender to Him for salvation. 

It gets better….. 

Acts 3:11-12 (ESV) 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 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 own power or piety we have made him walk? 

People are amazed and now gathered to see this man who was now walking and clinging to Peter and John. 

• When Peter saw it…. He Seized The Opportunity. 

Verses 13 -16 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

We must remember they are addressing Jews and so Peter lays it out clearly for them. 

Look at verse 15…. We must not only look at what happened in the context of scripture, but we must also look at the principles we can apply for life in today’s world. 

15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead

Verse 16: And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

It was by FAITH in the name of Jesus that made this man strong! 

Then Peter gives those standing there listening the remedy for their lives so they could receive the power of God in their lives. 

Acts 3:17-20 (ESV) 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

We should be seizing every opportunity! 

• Opportunity to address those in need…. 
• Opportunity to Praise God for what HE has done in our lives. 
• Opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Opportunity to share HOW to receive Jesus Christ through repentance on profession of Faith in Jesus.