Well, good evening. Good evening and welcome. To those who are on Zoom and. To Josh China.
Do I have it right? John Rock. Well, it's nice to have you, Josh. Nice to meet you, and And we're going to continue on in the book of Acts, and I'm doing X.
3 this evening and Just start with the.
Reading I'm going to start reading the first 10 verses together and Acts chapter 3. Now, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer.
The ninth hour and a man lame from birth was being carried whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called Beautiful Gate.
To ask arms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.
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.
But Peter said, I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.
He took him by the right hand, raised him up, immediately his feet and his ankles were made strong.
And leaping up he stood and began to walk and enter the temple with them. Walking, leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking. And praising God and recognize him as the one who sat at the beautiful gate of the temple asking for alms.
And they were all filled with wonder and amazement. At what happened to him. Let's just put to the Lord in a word of prayer again.
The gracious 70 fathers, we come before you again this evening as we open your word. We just thank you for your written word and let me just thank you that we can rely on it.
It is faithful and true and we just pray that you will speak to us through the power of your spirit, Lord, and reveal these.
Truths in your word that we can apply in our own lives. We just thank you for. Things that we read and and ask Lord how you have the beginning of this early church.
Very Lord that you can take things from this evening to apply it into our own lives and to our own fellowship here as well.
So we just look to you again with Thanksgiving and praise and your most precious name, repay.
Amen. So we are starting to talk about the beginning of that early church and as is just. Beginning to its early function and it just I think it probably was a Such an exciting time for them as we were talking about in Acts chapter 2 about how they.
Committed themselves to reading the word the fellowship of the believers and the teaching of God's Word and breaking of bread.
Exciting times for them, you know, and I'm I'm sure as they had witnessed many signs and miracles that had taken place, especially after the day of Pentecost and how the God was moving.
It would be a neat time. I wonder if we'd ever get a snapshot of that when we get to heaven to see what that was like.
But there much was much zeal and excitement. And God was really moving and many people had come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus during that time.
And at that time also the poses were given also special. Supernatural powers and Jesus told him about this that this would take place.
So I was wondering if you could just look for a moment over in the book of Luke. Luke chapter 9.
Look 9. And starting at verse one, loop 9 one. And this is where Jesus sends out the 12 apostles.
And he says, and he called the 12 together. And gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.
And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God. And a heel. And he said to them, Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money, and do not have 2 tunics and whatever house you enter stay there and from there depart.
And wherever they do not receive you when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony.
Against them. So you see here where Lord Jesus said that you will receive power to and authority, the power to who.
Cast out demons and to cure diseases. And that was a power that was given to them that wasn't something that they possessed in any of themselves.
Only. Lord Jesus did, but that was given to them. And we see here Peter and John. Going up to the temple.
The prey and And you're wondering, well, why would they go up to the temple to pray?
Because this is the beginning of the of their early church and they were meeting in the homes but still they were abiding by some of the same traditions that they were used to and the temple was still intact at this time.
The temple had not been destroyed and so they were still daily prayers. They had them morning, evening, morning, noon and evening.
Time and so people would still go up to prey and the disciples were still doing that. Part of their tradition and they were very familiar with this.
And we see examples of this tradition and of praying 3 times. A day if you want to turn to some 55 for a moment, some 55.
And verse 17.
And this is David talking. And I'll just start in verse 16. And he says, But I call to you God and the Lord will save me evening morning at noon I utter my complaint and moan he hears my voice he redeems my soul and safety from the battle that I wage.
For many our read against me. So we see here a pattern where David was one that. Prayed morning, noon.
And evening as well. Also just turn over to Daniel chapter 6 and I'm sure you're very familiar with.
This passage about Daniel.
Daniel 6 and verse. 10.
So it reads there when Daniel knew that the document had been signed. This was the document that was signed by King Darius.
About praying, Daniel knew that the document had been signed. He went up to the house where he had where there was windows in the upper chamber open toward Jerusalem.
And he got down on his knees 3 times a day, prayed, and gave thanks before God. As he has done previously.
So part of the traditions that they the disciples were used to were these prayers and they continued to do this.
And go up into the temple. We see here Peter and John. Going together. It's interesting that you see Peter and John often.
Together in many of the endeavors. And they're paired together. And I just will look at this one passage again if you would go back to Luke.
5.
They were in, actually they were in business together so they would. They knew each other prior to.
Meeting the Lord, but in Luke chapter 5 verse 10. We read.
So I'll start in verse 9 for he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of the fish that they had taken and also were James and John, sons of Zebedee who were partners with Simon.
And Jesus said to say, and do not be afraid. From now on, you will be catching.
Men, so James. I mean, John and Peter were both in the business of fishing business together. And.
And they also were paired together in other areas too. If you would look at
Look, stay in Luke Luke chapter 22 and versus. 7 and 8.
We read there. This is when they were going to celebrate the Passover. Then came the day of the unleavened bread, which the Passover lamb had been sacrificed.
So Jesus sent Peter and John saying go and prepare the Passover for us. That we may eat it.
So again, the Lord Jesus sends the 2 of them out to the prepare. That Passover.
Also, if you will remember, It was also Peter and John who were the first ones to go running to the.
The empty tomb on Easter morning. And of course, John Outran, Peter, and someone says Peter was older.
But, so he outran him. So you see them together. And just one other reference as we go back into Acts just wanted.
Acts chapter 8.
And we can look at versus. 14 and 15.
Which reads now in the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent to them Peter and John who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Sorry, we see that both Peter and John were involved in the Ministry of the Samaritans.
And so they were active together. So as I was thinking about this, I'm thinking of Peter and John.
And why these are really 2 different personalities when you think of it. You find Peter as being kind of the aggressive type, and John, I would picture probably more soft spoken, more laid back.
So I was thinking about this and I was thinking. Wonder what it would be like for if Peter and John were at a Packer game.
I could just see. Peter saying, come on ref, he was in. You know, that was a bad call, you know, and I could see John saying, up here just, it's OK, we have plenty of time.
And I see, you know, Peter Bean, that kind of outspoken, you know, he kind of speaks before he really sometimes thinks and but he was just that type of person.
And it was funny because I was thinking about that and I was in my notes. Instead of writing Peter and John, I just put down their initials.
And so I put down. P and JP and G. Peanut butter and joy, and I'm thinking, peanut butter has its one flavor, jelly has its One flavor, you put the 2 together and it makes a great combination.
In so many ways, that's the way my mind thinks sometimes. I don't think you're going to find that in a commentary anywhere.
But it's just, But it's neat how the Lord will use 2. Maybe kind of could be opposing personalities.
And but you can blend them together is the spirit uses the 2 of them. So we have Peter and John approaching the temple.
And they're entering through the main entrance that is. Coming out of from the Mount of Olives.
Which was built into what was called Solomon's Porch. And it was called the gate is called the Shushan Gate.
Or what's referred to here, the beautiful. And part of the reason why they call it beautiful, I've seen pictures of it, but I guess the front of it was done in kind of a Corinthian bronze or brass.
So it really stood out, so I'm sure when the sun hit that, that thing just lit up.
And it was a beautiful sight to see. And from what I understand, the doors are extremely heavy and thick.
It takes I read somewhere it took 20 people to open and close those. Those doors, it was that, that thick.
So this was really a choice location for a beggars to be because it being the main entrance, knowing that this they'd see a lot of traffic here.
And we see this lame man. Who was in the condition he was lame. And his feet and he was there he's been lame for as we read in the scripture and you can look over and chapter 4 verse 22 that he was over 40 years of age.
And So he had been in this condition from from birth now over 40 years of age. And This is where he would get his.
You know. And his needs met, he gets some money to supply. Is for his his food, clothing, and very difficult situation I can imagine.
And being able to compete with others. And there's other beggars there as well. But as Peter and John approached them, we read the beggar makes his plea basically for financial support like he would do with anybody else going through.
It says here in verse 4, and Peter directed his gaze as did John and said, Look at us.
Here you have Peter and John. Both had their gaze fixed on him. So, you know, we talk about the spirit working together.
So both, it's not like Pierre was looking one way and John was looking, they were both fixed on this man.
So it was the spirit guiding them and They fixed their attention on this man. And looking at them, His attention was fixed on also Peter and John.
And hoping to resceive something from them. Some type of money. And of course we read earlier that Jesus said to the disciples, do not take anything with you, no money with you, so they didn't have any money, just so.
And, So, expecting to get something. Peters, says to him, I have no silver or gold.
Now, sometimes when we read the the scripture Sometimes we just kind of read it through fast and just thinking that But sometimes I like to think of it if I was there.
You know, the conversation didn't maybe go that fast. He probably says, We had no silver gold to give you.
And so you kind of think. What was that guy's reaction, that bigger? Probably he was kind of bummed out.
I have nothing, probably very disappointed. But we see. Later on and he says, but what I do have I give to you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
So he has no idea what that is. So it says it's You know, it's, it's like somebody saying to you, You know, I have good news and bad news.
First the bad news, you know. You know, I have no money for you. But now the good news, I give to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Or Jesus of Nazareth. It's it's it was good news and they were offering them something that nobody else could offer.
He wasn't expecting this. There was totally and unexpected and what they were offering them in the name of the Lord Jesus or Jesus Christ of N others.
As the something that this in fact this whole chapter talks about. Which is the theme. And He was offering something that would include the whole godhead.
We read in Matthew, 2819, and I'm just. You can go there, but I'm just going to read that for you real quickly.
I think, 2,019. And this is something that will be. Apical. This weekend and Jesus came and said to them all authority in heaven on earth has been given to them, all authority in heaven on earth has been given to me.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father. And of the sun and in the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I've commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. So the authority that was given to to the Lord Jesus was also being used to.
That we have that same authority that's. That's being used here and to raising this man up to full health.
And strength and
You know, often you read in scripture, and when I was thinking about it, first of the good news, not the bad news, it's like sometimes you read in a scripture, that's how many of their scripture verses are like the.
You know, Romans 6 23 the wages of sin is death you know in your first. And oh bummer.
But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yeah, you', it's kind of like, you get those 2 contrasts in there.
And you can just, you can imagine. What that must have been like, especially for this man to go through this experience.
And so he says, Peter says in his name, rise up and walk. Sorry to read in verse 7.
Taking him by the hand, the right hand, he raises him up. And he has immediate healing.
You know, you can imagine, I placed myself in that situation, let's say if I was, you imagine here's a man for 42 years has been crippled.
I don't know how many years he was laid at that gate. But all he could do was just be, he was on the ground.
All he could just, he was seeing basically he was probably, probably seen a lot of people's feet, and he says, oh, I know who that guy is.
I can tell by his feet, but just to be able to, you know, you think of that, that's all he was seeing is basically his vision was.
You know, for maybe from waist down or something and not being able to see the full picture. It just kind of reminded me that he was.
On the ground, isn't that really what SIN does? The sin really brings you down to its lowest level.
We're kind of crawling around. I think also about the picture of you know, in the Garden of Eden where Jesus cursed the serpent and he says that you be condemned to crawl and eat that the dust of the earth.
That's what S does. And so it's, you have a picture there of. Actually have also mankind who's living in that stage.
We're living in in those low levels who are living in the dust and not being able to see what.
God has for us and really missing out. But immediately we read here that his feet and ankles were made strong.
You think of it, you know, for 40 years this This man had no use of his legs. Couldn't function at all.
And he was made strong. We read here that he had receive full strength in his lakes. I mean That's amazing, you know, when you think of it just.
I mean, I get out of bed in the morning, I can't even hardly stand. You know, I mean, it's just, you think of What this for him to be able to stand for the first time and have full strength, it wasn't a gradual thing or it wasn't like he needed crutches or needed this or whatever, he was able, he had full strength.
And that's how God works. He heals completely, he doesn't heal in stages.
Our salvation doesn't come in stages, it comes completely. So as we're renewed in Christ, it's it's a one-time thing and it's an immediate.
And And so you have this man here who's able to stand and join with the others and really be able to.
Participate with others. You know, before this this man could not enter into the gate. He couldn't come into the temple because of his condition.
I believe that lot of these people weren't even allowed to go in. But now this man was able to enter the gate.
And he had free access to come in and worship. And we have here in verse 8 that in leaping up he stood up and began to walk and he entered 10 temple with them walking.
Beeping and praising God. And boy, what a experience that must have been. And, So I think when you think about that.
Or you know what verse strikes you. What do you think of that? I think of some 104 enter his gates with Thanksgiving.
And his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and give thanks to him and bless his holy name.
And that's what we do. We've been raised into new life. Reenter into his presence with Thanksgiving and praise, once being crippled by sin now, we have.
A complete healing and this man could enter into that. And it's interesting now we read that these, in verse 9 and 10 that all the people saw him walking, praising God, and they recognized them as the one who sat at walking, praising God, and they recognized them as the one who sat at the beautiful gate of the temple.
Asking for arms and they were all filled with wonder and amazement. At what had happened. And the people had seen this man maybe for many years.
Oh, I know who that is, and I've seen him at the gate so many times asking for.
Arms and just seeing that to be able to witness that. There is, how can this happen? I mean, this man's been crippled, he's been crippled by life.
Through his whole life and And I can imagine what he says, this man was jumping around leaping. You can imagine.
Him doing things that he always wanted to do as a child. And he says, I'd like to be able to jump over this or that type.
Probably as adults, people like this guy's crazy, but he's doing things, he's never had an opportunity to do it.
You think about it, he's going through. The childhood watching other children be able to do things, I can't do that, couldn't do that.
Now I have the opportunity to do that. I'm sure he took every opportunity to do those things that he couldn't do.
As a child and he's doing it now and what a site that must have been. And those who witnessed that, says this is.
This could only come from God. Just happened. So it says that the people that witness this were filled.
With joy and amazement and what happened to them. Now we go into verse 11 and we read that while he cluded to Peter and John, all the people uttered utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's.
You know, this man here, we have him, he's clinging to. Peter and John.
And you know, thankful he was to God, but how thankfully it was for Peter and John.
You know that that they were there at that time and had engaged him. And it makes me think too about those people who were.
You know, maybe influ influential in bringing me to Christ? I think about them. I think a People have give their testimony.
I remember my dad talking about his spiritual father. He was on the corner of. Walking and there was a guy speaking on the street corners name is Henry Peterson and you know he was standing in the corner there preaching the gospel in front of a tavern, and He says what struck me was the There's something different about that guy.
And I've got to find out what that is. Andy make a long story short, he encountered that individual, Henry Peterson and Henry Peterson.
Pointed out to him the scripture in an event. He says I went home. Got down on my knees and I asked the Lord into my heart.
And so he was always very thankful for that guy and he just, he talked about him all the time and as we grew up, he just always knew about Henry Peterson.
And so you can imagine the impact that Peter and John had on this man and probably stayed in his memory for years.
But we see here that the crowd had gathered around in what they saw, what took place here in which would be called Solomon's Portugal and it's the same location where Jesus spoke when the Jews came up to him and asked him, are you really the Christ?
And of course he says, I am. And, So seeing what has taken place, the crowd is.
Excited and the crowd is eager and they're open to what Peter has to say. And as we go on and win the Peter saw and he addressed the people.
There was a great opportunity. He had an eager audience and how often when somebody that we know has come to Christ.
Maybe thinking, oh, I never thought that that would happen, but. You're so anxious to talk to that person and and find out his story.
And this drew a lot of interest. With the crowd and they were anxious to hear what Peter had to say.
Now, Peter here in verse 12, and when Peter saw it, he had trusted people, men of Israel.
Why do you wander at this or why you stare at us as though by our own power or piety.
We haven't made him to walk. Peter now takes. The time here to address the crowd about what's taking place.
I'm sure Peter was probably very stern in this first message trying to explain to people. That this miracle that took place has nothing to do with us.
It has nothing to do with it. Don't look at us. It has to do. With the Jesus of Nasras.
And it's not to any power of our own. But we read here in verse 13, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant, Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence.
Pilot pilot. Sorry, we see here that he's telling them what they had done. It's the the god of Abraham Isaac.
Jacob who has been glorified in his servant Jesus. And you are the ones who delivered him. Over to death and denied his presence.
And I'm sure that struck their hearts. When he heard this. They they missed the what the prophet said said, like for example in Isaiah 52 13 it says behold my servant shall act wisely he shall be high and filled and he shall be exalted.
And so Peter says he is the one that you've denied. And do you know that this Jesus, the holy righteous one, is the author of life?
And you have killed him. In and you are basically, you guys are responsible for his death.
But yet God raised them up and And we know that we are witnesses to it because we are personally. Peter and John and I have witnessed this these things and have seen this and So we know this is true.
And it's by his name and through faith in him. That this man is healed and made perfectly whole.
And of course, that's what we understand too, is when we put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And he makes this perfectly whole. And so it's only through not any merit of our own. We're not safe.
Through our righteous acts, but by grace. That you were saved through faith. And this is what took place here with this individual.
You You know, as I was thinking about this, here's this fantastic miracle that took place in this man's life.
I, I was reminded of, I don't know who quoted this. But, Kommunist individual and there was a Christian, they were standing together.
And they were debating and they were. The, The person says, you see that man over there, that guy who's.
You know, it's getting that poor man, ragged clothes, just digging through the garbage.
He says, you know what communist communism can do for that guy. He can put a new suit on him.
In the Christian guy says. Well, you know what Jesus Christ can do? He can put a new man in that suit.
And I'll never forget that. And, but that's, that's, you know.
This is what Jesus can do. He can do the emp. You know, what man? Can offer is very little.
You can offer basic things in life, Only God can offer, change people, make people new. New creations in him.
And. We read here and now as we go down in. I'm getting it down in verse 17 and now brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance.
As you did your rulers. I think, you know, Peter's just kind of seen maybe the softer side of Peter.
He says, you know, you added. You acted in ignorance and And, you know, when you think of it, you think of like, when Jesus was in the cross, what do you say?
Forgive them for they know not what they do. He knew they were ignorant, but they weren't paying attention.
To where the prophets had to say. And, you know, Paul also makes this reference. I think it's in First Corinthians.
2 70 where he talks about. The ignorance of
Of the Jewish people of mankind. It's First Corinthians 2. Versus 7 and 8 it says.
I'm gonna start at verse 6, but yet among the mature we do not impart wisdom, although it's not wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age who are doomed to pass away.
But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God. Which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.
But as is written, what Noi has seen or ear heard, nor the heart of men, imagine what God has prepared for those.
Who love him. So we see there that the They acted out of ignorance. They didn't understand.
They failed to believe. The profits and and they failed to see the significance of such prophecies as we read in Isaiah chapter 53 which points to the suffering Christ and and the one that would be annoyed.
And we read also on, It's X 2 22. Reference to some of the miracles here.
Men of Israel hear the words of Jesus of Nath. There's a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and science.
That God did through him in the midst as you yourselves know. That's passage that Luke had read.
In talking about, again, where he was rebuking them. That Jesus of N that a man attested to you by God.
Who had done these mighty works, but yet he's dead these works but you did not accept it.
And they were guilty of that. But. You know, they're just no different than us. And I think there's.
We live in a world of 2, if people fail to. Except the written word fail except the words.
That are written in his word and what the prophets said to say. But the sin of Israel was also of ignorance and ignorance does just because you're ignorant doesn't excuse you.
And they're still a responsibility. So we also see that concept of the cities of refuge. You know, when somebody, if you remember that in numbers where it talks about they just 6 cities that were designated.
Case somebody accidentally killed somebody. It was an example where the guys using the axe. X, or head of the axe goes off and hits the man, kills him, so he has a place.
To flee. It was just done out of, wasn't intentional, but it was done out of ignorance and maybe not just being careful but he had a place to go for refuge until his case could be heard.
But still out of ignorance they were still responsible. And as we look in.
Getting down here on verses 20 and 21 it says or reap, and verse 9 just says repent therefore and turn back that you're since.
May be blotted out. And of course, we always have that access to. When we we mess up we have we can always go back and ask Lord forgiveness as we read in first John one.
I mean, if we confess their sense, he is faithful and just. They forgive us our sins and cleanses from all unrighteousness.
So. We always have that available. And a lot of times, even as believers were ignorant.
In so many ways. But verse 20 in 21 we read that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord that he may send the Christ appointed.
For you whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all things about which God spoke. By the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Times of refreshing, you know, when there's repentance, there's refreshing.
You never have a broken relationship or whatever areas things are. You know, maybe at odds with somebody and I said, I just need to make this right.
And when you do, if you feel good about it. And it's the same thing. Under our relationship with the Lord, if we.
We know that, And I was wrong, Lord, I apologize for that. You can tell there's when there's a break in their relationship, but there's a refreshing one when there's repentance and things are made.
Right. And, There will be a day when the Israel will come to that point. They're not there now as a nation, but there is a day that they will come back and they will recognize and they will repent.
And it's just. Look at the passage here in Romans chapter 11.
Romans chapter 11
And, the first.
25 it says unless you be wise in your own site, I do not want you to be unaware of this Mystery Brothers.
A partial hardening has come upon Israel. Until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
And all this way all Israel will be saved as is written. The liver will come from Zion.
You will banish on godliness from Jacob. And this will be my covenant with them, and I will take away.
Their sins. So there will be a day coming. Basically during the millennial reign where or that Israel ruled.
In part will turn back. To rejected. Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him and He will forgive them. But there has to be actually repentance and has to be turning back.
Right now, as a nation, they haven't done that. But there's a day coming when they they will.
So now we read that. In verse 22 here. That we read that. Moses said that God will raise up for you a prophet like me.
From your brothers, you shall listen to him. Whatever he tells. We read in Deuteronomy chapter 18.
And I can just look at that for a minute, that this was prophesied. That a prophet would be raised up and this was something that Mozart spoke about.
Deuteronomy 18. And let's see.
Okay, verse 15. And it says, Moses speaking, the larger God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you.
From your brothers, it is him you shall listen. Just as you desired the Lord your God at Arab.
On the day of the assembly when you said, let me not bear, hear again the voice of Lord, may God or see this great fire anymore lest I die.
So we see here we're Way back, Moses had predicted that a servant will be raised up and he will.
Be a prophet like me, but of course as we read in Hebrews a prophet much greater.
Than in Moses. The people needed to listen. Or destruction would come upon them. And the prophet was revealed and proved himself.
And receive where he proved himself and I'm just going to make quick reference and. The Gospel of John.
And 6.
14 of it was.
Hmm. When the people saw the sign, this is the feeding of the 5,000. This is when the people saw the sign.
That he had done, they said, this is indeed is a prophet who has come into the world.
So the evidence is that she Jesus Christ demonstrated, proved himself to be that annoyed one proved him to be the Messiah and And so there was no doubt.
By what he did that they could dispute. Who this person was, even though yet they stood the design.
Denied him. And of course that's true with everybody today. You know, the evidences are strong.
And who Jesus Christ is and yet we live in a world that continues to deny. And accept him as Messiah.
And as we are getting toward the end here and all the prophets who have spoken from Samuel and to those who came after him also proclaimed these days.
You are the sons of the prophets, you know the covenant that God has made with your fathers, seen to Abraham.
And in you, your offspring shall be the families. Of the earth and all the families there shall be blessed.
God having raised up his servant sent him to you first to bless you by turning every one of you. From your wickedness.
So we see here from the time of Moses and all the prophets that All these things would take place and these things were.
And they were the offspring of these provinces. These were given to them. And, but many.
Many did accept Peter's message and understood it and But again, as we see as a nation, they have not done that.
But as I referred to Romans chapter 11, one day the nation of Israel realized the one whom they had pierced and they will understand what the prophets had said was was true.
And as we.
As I was thinking about this as reading about this. How important it is for us to. As they needed to listen to the profits how important it is for us to be attended to God's Word and pay attention to it and read it because in there is those great mysteries are revealed.
We are fortunate to live in the day and age that we are in because we have the completed Word of God.
And I just, I like one quote here made by Matthew Henry. And he says about this, and if Christ be the substance and some of all the prophets have written, Is it not the duty in interest of every Christian in reading the scriptures?
To search for the testimony they bear. To this Christ and to the salvation. Procured by his death.
Was a powerful statement, you know. Isn't it our duty for us to read descriptions and search of dilligently into As you look in the scriptures to see how Christ has been.
Brought out even from the Old Testament right through the new and how he's been magnified and and glorified through his word.
As we finish this, I just want to for a moment just go back to. The beginning and there was just thinking about This lame man again.
And, you know, the focus of this, the beginning of this chapter of this man and his condition that he was in and but I think we missed something in there is also there was other people that were involved and those were those who brought this man on a regular basis to the temple.
I think. You know, I don't know who they were, they could be family, they could be friends, but you think for.
You know, for several years. There's people who are faithfully bring this man to the temple so his needs could be meant.
I think there's a lesson for us, you know, I think for us as believers, we need to be persistent in, repay for individuals who don't know Christ.
You might know people that we prayed for like. 40 years, I know people have prayed for several years for someone to come to Christ or maybe somebody's away from the Lord we pray.
But we need to be faithful. We need to be diligent and consistent and continue not to give up.
These people did not give up. I sure was tiring to bring this man every day, but they did it because they cared about him.
That should be our heart about reaching others for Christ that we should be persistent and those that we pray for continue to pray.
And, You know, it's, God will honor it, He will answer, but he will answer in his time and in his way.
And I think every are faithful in this thing. You know, we will see an answer. Because we don't know the day or the hour.
Either did this, a lame man, he didn't know what it's going to take place.
Even Peter and John at that time, they probably got up that morning. They didn't know it was going to take place either.
But this opportunity arose. The spirit used them and And here we have this. Marvelous miracle.
So it's I think it's something that we can encourage ourselves. As believers to be persistent in.
And faithful in sharing the word and exposing people to. The good news of the gospel.
So let's just look to our men over to prayer. A great God and heavy fathers, we come before you begin with Thanksgiving.
We just thank you again for the hope that we have in you knowing that once we were like this lame man crippled by sin.
Without hope. Nowhere to go, dependent on just what the world has to offer. That does not satisfy.
And we just thank you that you came into our lives. We thank you for those who pointed us to Christ.
We just pray, Lord, that as we read these things, Lord, that we'll be encouraged in our own spiritual life.
And growth that we will continue to be faithful to you and the things that you've asked us to do.
And we just thank you for this hope that we have that we can. Enter into your courts with thanksgiving and praise for what you have done for us.
And we do thank you and praise you for giving us that new life. And so we commit this to you and we just commit our time in a prayer to you as well.
In Jesus name, we pray.