The man who asked for alms, and got legs!

Acts 3:1 - 10

As we consider these verses today, we notice three specific things in this story:
1. The Man
We see here a man, born crippled who had according to Acts 4, live for 40 years in this condition. Consider his situation, never walking, always being carried to his destination. Certainly his was a humbling life. Here we find him begging for change out in front of the gate called Beautiful.

Certainly this man was not crippled because of sin, but he presents us a picture of the crippling nature of sin! Look at the crippling effects:
a. He could not WALK (He had no relationship with the Lord)
b. He could not WORK (He could make no real effort for the Lord)
c. He could not WORSHIP (He was not allowed into the temple to praise the Lord)
d. He could not tell WHAT he really needed! He had given up on any real help, so he turned to money! He thought some money would help! Money cant cure all ills! America needs to know this! Our country's problem is not monetary and it is not momentary. It is a spiritual problem that has eternal consequences!

2. The Master's men
These two men. Peter and John can teach us some valuable lessons. We have have noticed his position (begging at the gate) and his condition (crippled from birth) but we see that he encounters more than the average religious crowd, he encounters two of our Master's men! Look at the valuable lessons here:
a. Attended, to be faithful to service: Faithfulness from us allows God to use us! (Its not that God cant use us, but the Lord chooses to use faithful people!)
b. Attempted, to see as God sees: If we are led by the Spirit, we will fix our eyes on those God intends to bless!" "We see men as those whom God's mighty power might be demonstrated." BTW, the last thing this man needed was pity! He needed some real friends who saw the potential in his life to great things!
c. Drew Attention to the one that could help! - The Lord Jesus was the only one that could help this man! Sometimes we fail to bring glory to Him, perhaps we should redouble our efforts starting today!

3. The Miracle
An undeniable, unforgettable miracle is performed! The crippled man, whom religion had passed by got the touch from the Master! Here we see that he asked for alms and he got legs!!
a. Many had probably been guilty of running from him, now he is running past them!!
b. Many had surely wished he would be leaving, now He is leaping!
c. Here he was looking for some to be paying, now he is healed and sets out praising!
d. He entered in, He knew what he needed to do! He could have run off to find his parents, went to tell his friends, but the Lord deserved some praise for his miraculous touch, and thats what he did!