I. The Lame Man
A. Lifetime Of Lameness 2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb
1. Never walked a day in his life
2. No reference point regarding walking, running, even standing.
3. Worse than previously walking and then losing that ability.
B. Dependent Upon Others
1. Unable To Travel 2…was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate…
2. Unable To Provide For Himself 2…to ask alms from those who entered the temple.
3. Stuck In A Routine For Life
4. No Hope For Change, Only To Exist
C. Mental, Emotional, Spiritual Condition
1. Probably Unmarried & Alone
2. Probably No Hope Of Marriage, Companionship
3. Perhaps A Spiritual Outcast
John 9:2 “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?”
4. Possibly Bittersweet Re. God & Temple
a. Perhaps thankful for God commanding the care of the poor.
b. Perhaps bitter about his lot in life.
c. Did he worry daily that those who carried him might not come?
d. The persistent question of why?
D. Took Best Available Option
1. Temple Was Best Place To Receive Alms 3seeing Peter and John…asked for alms.
2. Worshippers Were Givers To The Poor
3. His Expectations Were Only From Man
4. His Expectations Were Fixed
a. The lame man simply wanted to be supported in the condition that he was in.
b. God wanted to completely change his condition.
II. The Apostles
A. Men Of Prayer v.1
B. Men Of Spiritual Discipline
1. Set Time Aside To Pray
2. Pro-Active In Faith
3. 2 Peter 1:5-8
C. Men Of Spiritual Sensitivity v.4
D. Men Of Faith v.6, 7
1. Men who acted on their faith
a. “Rise up and walk”, “Took him by the right hand”
b. Heb. 11:1 Faith is being sure of what you hope for, certain of what you do not see.
2. Unconcerned with those around them. “What if he doesn’t walk?”
3. Gift of faith and healings- 1 Cor.12:9
E. Men With Right Possessions v.6
1. Knew What They Didn’t Have, Didn’t Need
2. Knew What Was Theirs
a. “But what I do have…” Faith in Jesus Christ
b. Close walk; sensitivity to H.S.
c. Was sure when God was directing him.
d. What do you have?
e. When you know you have it, you are eager and confident to do something
F. Men Of Humility v.12
G. Men Of God’s Word v.22
H. Spirit Filled Men 4:8
I. Bold Men 4:13
J. Men With Jesus 4:13
K. Feared God, Not Man 4:19
L. Gave Glory To God 4:24
M. Believed, Prayed For Miraculous 4:30
N. Knew God’s Grace 4:33
III. The Work Of God
A. The Lame Man
1. We cannot say that this man had great faith, or any faith
2. But we can assume that he was not so hardened as to look away.
3. He could have immediately complained that they didn’t give him money. “Either give me money, or leave me alone. I have to stay busy begging”.
4. But He did comply with their request.
5. What if he had not looked at them?
6. He joined them, used his healing (walking, leaping,) and praised God.
B. The Apostles
1. This miracle was born out of spiritually disciplined men going to pray.
2. Something they had done thousands of times, but not a routine.
3. The Holy Spirit indwelt them, and they walked in the Spirit.
4. Every moment was lived in the present awareness of God, what He was doing, and wanting to do.
5. They had seen this man many times, but his time in the light of what God wanted to do.
6. They wanted more for the man than he wanted for himself.
C. The Result
1. Complete physical healing of this man’s legs, muscles, tendons, posture.
2. A healed person has great reason to praise God.
3. A well known crippled person who is healed draws attention.
4. This man gave glory to God
5. The disciples had no idea that obedience and discipline in prayer would bring the eternal salvation of 2000 people that day. 4:4
D. The Intentions Of God
1. Jesus passed this man often, but hadn’t healed him. God has a plan, timing, who He will use.
2. Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me…
3. Eph. 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church throughout all ages…