“THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF FAITH”

 _{TEXT: ACTS} 3:1: Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.  Vs 2: And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of them that entered into the temple:  vs 3: Who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked an alms.  Vs 4: And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, “Look on us”.  Vs 5: And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.  Vs 6: Then 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”.  Vs 7: And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  Vs 8: And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.  Vs 9: And all the people saw him walking and praising God:  vs 10: And 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.

The book of Acts began with a promise that the Spirit would come and the disciples of Jesus would receive power. This power was the outward visible sign that the kingdom of God had come.

In chapter 2, that power was displayed in two different ways via the gift of tongues when the believers began to speak in languages which they had not learned in a natural manner. It fell on the 3rd hour, the time of the morning sacrifice. It was displayed again in the sudden and remarkable growth of the infant church.

Chapter 3, the Spirit power fell at the 9^th hour, the time of the evening sacrifice, healing was given to a lame man.

TRANSFORMATIVE -- Causes or is able to cause an important and lasting change; causing a marked change in someone or something.

Our text presents a powerful example of how faith in Christ transforms lives. The lame beggar, who had been in the same condition for years, encountered Peter and John and in that moment, faith became the catalyst for his healing. This is the first apostolic miracle following the inauguration of the Christian Community. 

My question is, do you have faith?  Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for; the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.”

Said differently, do you believe that the things you are hoping for are really going to happen? Moreover, do you hold firmly to the truth they will happen even if you do not see the desired outcome?

Faith isn’t just belief, it changes lives and our text vividly illustrates this truth as Peter and John filled with confidence in Christ healed the lame man at the temple gate. From our text today, I want to share four ways faith transformed this lame beggar from weakness to strength.

Our text opens with Peter and John together. They were close, personal friends. They complemented each other in that one having what the other lacked. Peter was the speaker. John was the quiet apostle.  It was the hour of evening prayer that the two men were going up to the temple. They were going to offer worship at the ninth hour (3 pm). The church had been growing, but they had no building of their own. They had been meeting from house to house and in the Temple.

The temple had a very large outer court known as the Court of the Gentiles. It was given this designation because Gentiles were permitted into this section but could come no further. The Court of the Gentiles was large enough to hold many thousands of people.

Luke uses Jewish time to designate the hour of the day. The Jews worshipped 3 times a day (morning, noon, evening). According to the Jewish reckoning time, the ninth hour took place nine hours after sunrise – about 3 in the after noon or when the sun was setting about halfway toward the horizon.

This was the time of sacrifice – the time of prayer. It was also the time at which Jesus had died. Perhaps this was why Peter and John had chosen this time to come to participate in the prayers. There was another man that came whose agenda was not for prayer.

CONDITION OF THE LAME MAN

Acts 3:2, states, “And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb, was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple.”  Beautiful is the Greek root word hora’ios, meaning, belonging to the right hour or season (timely); flourishing.

Lame indicates, he was physically broken, unable to walk and dependent on others for transport and survival. He was lame from birth and now over 40 years of age, a fact well known by every one in Jerusalem. He had never been able to hold down a job. There was no work that he was able to do. There was no social security, no welfare system. This man made a living the only way he could, by begging.

Back in those days, there were certain customs beggar’s kind of operated on. They always chose one of three locations to beg. They sat for example at the rich man’s gate. Remember Lazarus in Luke chapter 16?  Or they sat on the highway leaving the city.  Remember Mark 10, blind Bartimaeus on the highway?   Or thirdly, and the best spot in town, they sat at the gate of the temple.

Now this was a terrific choice place, because the crowds were there, and not only that, people on their way to worship God would be very likely to impress God with the validity of their worship and a little charity would certainly do that. Giving money to beggars was considered praiseworthy in the Jewish community.

He sat by the Gate Beautiful, just outside the Court of Women. The offering boxes where people brought their tithes and offerings were located just within this gate. He was trying to catch them just before they gave their offerings so that he might receive some small portion from them. So, this man had found his space, and I imagine he had territorial claim to it, because Acts 3:2 states, he daily was brought there. That was his spot; he was well known.

People would go in and out almost without seeing the guy because he’d been there so many years. No doubt Peter and John had walked past this man many times and probably had given money in the past, but this time they are going to give him a great deal more.

One thing is, he was in the right place at the right time because he sat at the gate called Beautiful, which means seasonal or ripe, timely – an opportune point of time, describes something happening or coming at just the right time. The scripture in Acts 3:3 states, when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. Now, asking for mercy in the form of cash, basically, but he’s about to receive grace in the form of healing and salvation. His expectations were small – he only hoped for coins, not a miracle, but that’s what’s waiting in the wings for him.

How many can identify with this man? We are often in the “business as usual” mode. We come to church and don’t really expect God to do anything extraordinary. We pray normal prayers and we would be shocked silly if God answered in a dramatic way.

This man’s prayer wasn’t answered.  He did not ask to be healed. He only wanted a few dollars.  Are your prayers like that? Asking God for trivia things or often asking amiss when really, He desires to bless you in a great and mighty way.

Secondly, the phrase “was being carried along” sets us up for the miracle, as he did not have a “limp” but was totally lame and completely unable to ambulate on his own. The Jews who went to the temple to pray or sacrifice would be quite familiar with this man and his congenital defect and prepared by God to witness a miracle of healing. This beggar had been in the same condition for years, yet one encounter with faith will bring about a radical change.

As believers, how many years have you been like this beggar, “carried along – lame?” Finances may be running low or you may need a job or a better job. Your children may be having problems in school or at home. You may receive a bad diagnosis or a report from the doctor.  You may hear the company is downsizing and layoffs are inevitable.

In the natural, how we feel, might not feel so good, what we smell may not smell so good, and what we taste may not taste so good. You’ve heard the saying “that put a bad taste in my mouth.”  OH, but taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8)! That’s when we must lay aside our five natural senses and activate our supernatural sense, the sixth sense called faith.

Faith does not deny the facts. Faith says despite the facts, despite what I see, I believe God. I know God is able, I know my Father who is “Jireh”, one who provides, “Rophe”, my healer. I want to know, whose report are you going to believe?  Always believe the report of the Lord.  Therefore, we must walk by the eye of faith, and not by the eye of the natural senses.  Sometimes, our natural senses can give us a distorted or incomplete view of our circumstances and situations.

FAITH ACTIVATES MIRACLES. When something is activated, it means a device, process, or system has been initiated and is now working, or functioning.  It implies a transition from a dormant state to an active one, where it is engaged or able to perform its intended function.

It's faith that opens doors for something beyond our imagination, but it must be developed and matured in you.  C. S. Lewis said, “In the materialistic world like ours, we are tempted to conclude that the only real things are those we experience with our five senses.”  Our natural senses are important and they do have a purpose.

Without seeing, we wouldn’t be able to look around and see God’s great handiwork in the earth and what He’s doing in our lives. Without hearing, we would not even have faith because Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Yet there are things we cannot see: things behind our backs or far away and all things in the dark.

There is another realm of reality, just as actual, just as factual, just as substantial as anything we see, hear, touch, taste, or smell in this world. It exists all around us—not out there “somewhere,” but “here.”

There are regions of angels helping us, for which the world has no counter-measures. (Hebrews 1:14) Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? They are ministering spirits, or heavenly assistants, who are active today in building the body of Christ – advancing the ministry of Jesus and the building of His Church.

The psalmist David referred to them as a force of thousands of thousands of chariots (Psalm 68:17). We cannot see God or His angels with our natural eyes, but they are there, whether we see them or not.  I believe the world is filled with them and even in this room right now.  Hebrews 12:1: We are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses!!

Acts 3:4: And Peter fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look on us.” This man was asking for alms, but wasn’t even looking on them, all he wanted was money. Though he was seated outside of the Temple of God, he was not expecting to experience the power of God. He was in the right place at the right time, but the wrong motive.

“And Peter, fastening/fixing” – the word here is the same word as used in Acts 1:10 where they stared at Jesus ascending into heaven. It means to fix their gaze, it’s a stare, or they were locked in on this unhappy cripple.

Now keep in mind that Peter and John have just been involved in preaching God’s Word and literally seeing God save thousands of people. They had been involved in big-time ministry with big-time results. They both had been commissioned by Jesus and was recognized by the early Christians as apostles – special ambassadors of Jesus.  Acts 2: tells us, many signs and wonders were done through them.

They could have easily walked by this one man without batting an eye. After all, what is one broken-down beggar compared to thousands who had just been saved? But this teaches us something about the early Church. One was just as important as thousands.

II Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness; but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish (to be lost, to lose; to destroy fully), but that all should come to repentance.

One was just as important as thousands. These apostles took the time to minister to one hurting sinner. We must never forget this. Reaching one is just as significant as reaching thousands. Some churches get all caught up in numbers, not Peter and John.

When Peter fixed his eyes on him, he was looking at him supernaturally, he saw far beyond this beggar’s physical condition.  Spiritually, Peter represents faith. Faith is the means by which we can “see” this invisible world. That is belief’s true function.

Faith is to the spiritual realm what the five senses are to the natural realm. Peter was seeing things that were out of sight. He saw the beggar standing and walking. That’s how faith functions.  It allows you to see things out of sight. In Matthews 16:16 when Jesus asked the disciples, “But, who do you say that I am.” It was Peter (faith) who saw through the mask of Jesus and saw the “Christ.”

The writer of Hebrews (11:1) says that “faith is the evidence of things not seen.”

It’s by faith we recognize the existence of the spiritual world and learn to depend on the LORD for His help in our daily life. Our goal then, as George McDonald once said, we need to “grow eyes” to see the unseen.

FAITH TURNS HELPLESSNESS INTO HOPE

As stated before, the phrase “was being carried along” sets us up for the miracle, as he did not have a “limp” but was totally lame and completely unable to ambulate on his own. The Jews who went to the temple to pray or sacrifice would be quite familiar with this man and his congenital defect and prepared by God to witness a miracle of healing.

Acts 3:5 - Peter assured having this beggar’s full attention was optimal because a radical change was about to take place in his life.  So, commanding him, “look on us,” he gave them his full attention, expecting to receive something from them.

VS 6 - Then, Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” The lame man asked for money, but Peter gave him something much better – the use of his legs.

Note: Peter used the “Name of Jesus!” That name indicates Jesus is unmistakably Supernatural Power and Messiah (Christ), who walked as a Man among men (of Nazareth). That Name is an establishing of His Person, His character, and His Kingly office as the authoritative grounds for extending healing grace. Peter had been given privileged power, power of attorney, legal right, to use His Name to confront the retreating rule that sickness and Satan seek to hold over mankind.

Peter using “the Name of Jesus” was calling on the supernatural power and authority of Jesus Christ. He was calling the power which begat (bring into existence/process of reproduction) in this man stimulating faith that sends healing virtue through his diseased members. The apostles were doing the healing through the Holy Spirit’s power, not their own. Peter and John’s faith was bold and they didn’t hesitate to declare healing in Jesus Name.

Also note, Secondly, Peter spoke the word “Rise up and walk” which kindled hope and faith leading to lame man’s healing. Their faith was bold and didn’t hesitate to declare that healing wasn’t attributed to them, but to faith in the name of “Jesus Christ”.

Vs 7 - Then, he (Peter, [faith]) reached out his own strong hand and took the man by the right hand (symbolizing power) and lifted him up. How many know, it’s a good thing to lend a hand when one is down to help them rise again. There’s a song that says, “The only time you look down on a man is when you are picking him up.”

Sometimes, preaching and teaching is not enough – we have to give some sympathy and love to help those in their helpless sins. There are many about us who need the helping hand. While we bid men to rise and walk – we must be ready always to help them. Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

FAITH IS CONTAGIOUS

VS 8 - The lame man instantly responded “He leaped to his feet and stood and walked and entered into the temple praising God.” The lame man’s healing was immediate. He received/believed the “Good News”- “the Gospel” which set him free from his physical ailment. It set him free from his bondage to sin, which cripples any attempt to spiritual growth. 

He went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. The cure was unexpected, instantaneous, and complete. The healing was proved by his rising, walking, and leaping showing the completeness of his transformation.

We must prove the reality of our conversion, by acts of spiritual activity. Some people profess to have become Christians, and then just lie where they were, inactive, showing no evidence of spiritual life. They have mouths, but they speak not for Christ, they have hands, but they take up no work for Christ. They have feet, but they walk not for CHRIST. Conversion ought to send the life of Christ tingling into every member. When Christ enters our heart, we will walk and leap and praise God.

He walked with them into the temple because he did not want to lose his friends and clung to them. Besides, he wanted to make confession of his healing before men. The newly converted Christian should at once join Christ’s people and make friendships among them implying open confession of Christ. This is an important duty and required by Christ because it’s needful to the completeness and the wholesomeness of Christian life. It also implies union with the church, and this is a duty of great importance.

VS 9 - All the people saw him walking and praising God.

The effect of this miracle on the people was very great. "When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him!" The mere sight of the man walking about, this man who had never walked before, whom, all the people had known for years as a beggar at the gate, was a sermon in itself.

If he had sat still after he was healed, still holding out his hand and asking for alms, his healing might have been a little comfort to himself, but it would not have been worth a straw for testimony or influence.

Those who have been healed by Christ ought to manifest it. To know of such a great Physician of souls and not tell men about it, is a crime against nature. Confessing Christ and speaking of Him will bring deeper joy to our own hearts. Besides, it makes it known to others in similar need, the Healer and Friend to whom they may go for blessing. We should rise up when Christ has blessed us in any way and let people know about it.  At least, let them see in our life what He has done for us.

FAITH REDIRECTS ATTENTION TO GOD

Faith doesn’t just change individuals; it isn’t passive, it’s powerful and it impacts the community and points back to Christ. This passage is a reminder that faith unlocks divine possibilities. When we place our trust in Jesus, transformation happens, not just for us but for those around us. He not only meets our needs—He exceeds them.

Peter made it clear: this healing was through Christ, not human ability. Peter had an audience and he capitalized on the opportunity to share Jesus Christ. Jesus, not the apostles, received the glory for the healing of the lame man.

In those days a man’s name represented his character. It stood for his authority and power. By using Jesus’ name, Peter showed who gave him the authority and power to heal. The apostles did not emphasize what they could do, but what God could do through them. The healing of the lame man was by faith in the name of Jesus. Jesus’ name must not be used in magic – but must be used in faith.

What am I telling you?  It takes faith to live as single men and women of God. It takes faith to not pick up the phone and not call Mary or Joe, or your ex. It takes faith to wait on God and be of good courage. If you are a believer, you have it, because Romans 12:3 says, “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

Look at this! Matthew 17:20 says, “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed (smallest seed known), you shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

Faith doesn’t just change individuals; it isn’t passive, it’s powerful and it impacts the community and points back to Christ. This passage is a reminder that faith unlocks divine possibilities. When we place our trust in Jesus, transformation happens, not just for us but for those around us. He not only meets our needs—He exceeds them.

You don’t have to depend on a man or woman to provide for you. God want us to come to the place where He can trust us to do signs and wonders, perform miracles in our midst. Just like in the days when Peter walked past people and they were healed by his shadow, God can empower us to do the same thing today. We can see blinded eyes opened, deaf ears unstopped and the lame walk.

We should be able to tell our sisters and brothers who have been “lame” (physically, mentally, and spiritually) from birth that today can be a new day in Jesus Christ. You might have gotten up one way, but you can go to bed another way.

We should be able to take a brother or sister by the right hand and lift him or her up! Lift them up from hopelessness, despair depression/oppression, suicidal thoughts and distress. Lift them up from low self-esteem or no self-esteem.  Lift them up from abusive and ungodly relationships. Then that sister or brother will glorify God because of the change made in his or her life. Change in their way of thinking, or their perception of things, and give them a renewed mind.

Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in a certain way or in a certain condition. The lame man was lame over 40 years, but faith delivered him. You can “walk” today.  I don’t care how things were yesterday or this morning, you can walk.  I know the enemy has convinced you with lies that you would always be this way (always robbing Peter to pay Paul), always bringing up the rear, always alone, but, as my sister Jackie always say, “The devil.”  He’s a liar and the father of lies.

Peter said, silver and gold have I none, I may not have a million dollars in the bank, or drive a big fancy car, but such as I have, give I unto you. Glory to God, I don’t have silver and gold, but I have the Spirit of the Living God on the inside! I have the power and anointing of God resting upon my life!  I have been given a badge of authority to use “His Name.” I am speaking to the body of Christ today that you don’t have to be this way any longer!  Rise up and walk!!

How do I know Peter had authority? It’s because he took the man by the right hand. Faith is man responding to God’s Word and God’s will, and then acting on it. Faith is, believing God concerning what He has said, knowing God’s will, then acting on it. This man was healed because God willed it as a sign, and then because Peter acted on what God’s Spirit witnessed to him!  STAND YOUR GROUND!

So, that depressed sister, that oppressed brother, that suicidal son or daughter (lame in one way or another), lift him or her by the right hand in the Spirit. Why the right hand? Because it signifies that authority has been granted. We have the authority in Jesus Christ to do greater works!  To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and in doing so, people will be healed (physically, mentally, and spiritually)! It might not be manifested yet, but by faith, they will be healed. Just don’t doubt. Peter believed by faith the lame man would walk and he did!  So we too must know the God we serve!!

Remember, let’s continue to walk by faith and not by sight, and the transformative power of faith will bring you from weakness to strength, in the Name of Jesus the Christ!!!

Evangelist Brenda Hansley