DCLM Higher Everyday 4 June 2024 — The Lame Leaps
Topic: The Lame Leaps
Text: Acts 3:1-10
1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
3Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
Key Verse: “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3: 8).
Message
The story of the man in our text today is pathetic. He was lame from birth, hopeless, helpless, and useless to his family and friends. He became a full-time beggar known by everyone at the gate of the temple which was called ‘’Beautiful”, asking for alms to stay alive. Peter introduced him to the Giver of gifts rather than the normal alms he was expecting. The man received a great miracle of healing and he leaped, walked and praised God.
The condition of the lame man is akin to the life of all sinning and backslidden youths today. Their hearts are crippled by sinful habits. Not finding relief, they secretly cry like the Paul’s case in the Bible, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:24-25). Lasting freedom comes only from Jesus. Youths who have experienced miracles should learn to praise God like the lame man and dedicate their lives for the service of God by informing their friends of God’s goodness and mercies.
Quote: Learn to praise God
Challenge: Praise God always in every situation.
Prayer for today: Oh God, deliver me from barriers to my progress, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
