Three Steps To A Miracle

 Please read with me Acts 3:1-10: “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 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.”

 This is one of my favorite Bible stories. It is the record of the first miracle in Scripture that takes place in response to the name of Jesus. The event was so momentous that it gained the attention of a great multitude of people including religious leaders, law officials, as well as a number of worshippers. As a result of this miracle, many -- perhaps thousands – came to come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The account of this miracle and the commotion it caused takes up all of Acts 3 and 4. No other healing in Acts commands nearly as much space. The fact that the testimony covers so many verses reveals to us the importance that God places on the story.

 In this incident the writer gives us three clear, easily understandable, specific steps to a miracle.  Let us notice these steps.

 THE FIRST STEP TO A MIRACLE IS FOUND IN VERSE ONE OF THE PASSAGE: “PETER AND JOHN WERE GOING UP TO THE TEMPLE....”

The King James Version of the Bible adds a key word here – “together”. 

 Together is a good Christian word -- like grace, justification, or love. Together. It signifies two or more people in union, in agreement, and in concert. As used here, the term means, “together, in unity.” Someone has correctly noted that true Christianity is togetherness. 

 Togetherness was surely one of the hallmarks of the church of the first century. Acts 2:43-46 states, “Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Elsewhere the Book of Acts says that “They were all in one accord...”

 Acts 4:32 continues with this theme: “they that believed were of one heart and soul....” 

This simply indicates that they were in harmony in both thought and affection.

The Greek New Testament has this: “There was one heart and soul in the multitude of those who believed.”

 A moment ago I pointed out that the church by this time had grown to number in the thousands. There were people of different ages, temperaments, and nationalities. Before they believed, most of them were perfect strangers to one another, yet, when they met in Christ, they were as intimately acquainted as if they had known one another for many years. Some were Jews, some were Gentiles. Some were rich while others were poor. It made no difference. Now all of these issues had been laid aside for these people had now been joined to the Lord and at the same time, they were joined to one another in holy love.

 The world stood in awe of such unity and love. The world was use to:

·        The Pharisees fighting the Sadducees,

·        The Jews fighting the Gentiles,

·        The Samaritans hating the Jews,

·        The Jews hating the Romans, and

·        The Romans fighting the Greeks. 

 Hatred, violence, and dissension marked the day. Nonetheless, the new church of Jesus Christ was united. Such a oneness of heart and purpose had and yet has significant power to move the almighty hand of an all-powerful God.

 Lets now return to Peter and John, the two main principles in our story. The Book of Acts mentions these brothers being together seven different times. 

·        We know that they were partners in the fishing business.

·        The Bible also notes that they were the ones who prepared the last supper for the Lord and the other disciples.

·        Then too, Scripture points out that they ran together to the tomb on the first Easter Sunday morning.

·        They are a part of the Lord’s inner core of disciples.

 And yet, if ever there were two men who were opposites, it had to have been Peter and John.

·        Peter was older.

      John was younger.

·        Peter would say something and think about it later,

      John would think about it and only then maybe say it.

·        Peter was gung-ho -- let's go!

      John had to have it all figured out.

·        Peter was a fighter, remember the episode with the sword?

     John was the lover. His writings all major on love.

They were two very different people and yet God wanted and used both of them in His service and work -- together!

There is a lesson for us in this. Although we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, we are not identical twins. God created us to be as unique as a snowflake, a blade of grass, or a fingerprint. He did not mean for us to clones.

 As a hand is separate in function from the liver, and the leg is separate in function from the ear, so it is that we too are individual and separate in Christ's body and yet at the same time we are ONE! We are to be together, working, sharing, using our talents, gifts, and abilities for God's work and glory!

 When one part is weak, another part can be strong; when one part is down, another part can be up; when one part is sick, another part can be well. The Church of Jesus Christ is designed in such a way so as to enable it to draw from every other part.

 A number of years ago, two students graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. The highest ranking student in the class was a blind man named Overton. When he received his honor, he insisted that half of the credit should go to his friend, Kaspryzak. They had first met in school when the armless Kaspryzak had guided the blind Overton down a flight of stairs. This acquaintance ripened into friendship and a beautiful example of interdepen-dence. The blind man carried the books that the armless man read aloud in their common study and thus the deficiency of each individual was compensated for by the other's ability.

 The wise Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,12, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Let me show you this principle in action. I have here a stick. It can be easily broken as you know. Now I have two sticks, again I can break them with relative ease. Now, though, look at the difference three sticks can make, four sticks, five! If that is true of so few, imagine what would happen if 500-600 sticks were bound together as one!   

 NEXT, WE NOTE THAT PETER AND JOHN WERE ON THEIR WAY TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY

It was three in the afternoon and the brothers were again going to pray. Prayer played a major role in their lives. It is also highly probable that they had prayed at 9:00 in the morning and at noon as well. Many devout Jews had three daily periods of prayer. These disciples may well have followed that same pattern. 

 Of a truth, we cannot expect to have power with God unless we first fellowship with God in prayer. There is a direct correlation between prayerfulness and faithfulness. There is also a direct correlation between prayerlessness and faithlessness.

 Do you remember these verses? I dare say these two disciples did that day so many years ago.

·        Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

·        Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

·        John 14:13-14, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

·        The Bible then warns, “You have not because you ask not.”

Wow!  What an invitation for a miracle!

 ·        R. A. Torrey once wrote, “Pray for great things, expect great things, work for great things, but above all -- pray!” 

·        While someone else observed, "When we work we work. When we pray, God works."

·        St. Augustine said, “Pray as though everything depended on God, and work as though everything depended on you.”

·        Finally, Prayer means never having to say "there is nothing I can do.”

These are well worn sayings, nonetheless, they are true! God is moved by prayer! Cooperate or individual prayer!

 USA TODAY carried an article a while back entitled, “A Proliferation of Prayer: On The Phone, On Line.” I really enjoyed the piece. It noted that people are praying in ever increasing numbers. In fact the article said that the Peale Center, named after Norman Vincent Peale, receives over 2,500 prayer requests per week. The Upper Room Living Prayer Center in Nashville has received 110,000 calls for prayer in the last two years. The piece then notes, “Around the nation, praying for others has become one of the hottest forms of religious outreach. The trend encompasses individual churches, entire denominations, nondenominational ministries and even radio stations.” 

The Assemblies of God’s National Prayer Center has logged over 402,000 calls since it opened in October 1994. (The number for this prayer service is 1-800-4-prayer.)

 Shortly after Dallas Seminary was founded in 1924, it came to the point of bankruptcy. All the creditors were going to foreclose at noon on a particular day.  That morning, the founders of the school met in the presidents office to pray that God would provide. In that prayer meeting was Harry Ironside. When it was his turn to pray, he prayed in his characteristically refreshing manner: “Lord, we know that the cattle on a thousand hills are yours. Please sell some of them and send us the money.”

While they were praying, a tall Texan came into the business office and said, “I just sold two carloads of cattle in Fort Worth. I felt impressed of the Lord to give the school some of the money. I don’t know if you need it or not, but here’s the check.”

A secretary took the check and knowing something of the financial seriousness of the hour, went to the door of the prayer meeting and timidly tapped. When she finally got a response, Dr. Lewis Chafer took the check out of her hand, and it was for the exact amount of the debt. When he looked at the signature, he recognized the name of the cattle rancher. Turning to Dr. Ironside, he said, “Harry, God sold the cattle.” God answers prayer!

·        They saw Him regularly pray: sometimes briefly, sometimes He would pray all night long.

·        Sometimes softly, sometimes with deep groanings and sobs.

·        Sometimes publicly, sometimes privately.

 God said to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

 I like this particular story about prayer. A tavern was being built in a town that until recently had been dry. A group of Christians in a certain town opposed this and began an all night prayer meeting, asking God to intervene. In short order, lightning struck the tavern and it burned to the ground. The owner of the tavern filed a lawsuit against the church, claiming they were responsible. The Christians hired a lawyer, claiming they were not responsible. The judge said, “No matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not.”

 I also like the prayer of a sleepy little girl who was reminded to say her prayers just before she fell asleep:  “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, And when he hollers let him go, Eenie, meenie, miney, mo.” 

 Friends, nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer -- including healing a lame beggar.

 NEXT, THIS PASSAGE DECLARES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.

Let’s now briefly review the story here in Acts 3. Peter and John were going to the temple to pray when they were confronted by a crippled beggar man. He had begged at that location for years. He had been a cripple since birth. The Beautiful Gate was the largest and most beautiful of the nine gates of the temple. It had fifteen steps leading up to it. History teaches us that beggars loved to lay on the steps appealing to those going up to the temple to worship. Friends or relatives no doubt carried this poor fellow to this site every day.

 On this particular afternoon it was business as usual. The beggar extended his hand to the two disciples and asked for an offering. That was all he was after; that was all that he was expecting. That was in fact, the level of his desire.

 Peter and John then commanded the man, “Look at us.” This man wasn’t interested in WHO gave, all he wanted was a little silver or a little gold. The crowds regularly passed by. Competition was rough. Other beggars also clamored for alms too. He sat there looking bored, pitiful, and hopeless. But, again, “Look at us....”

 “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

Imagine the thrill!  Feet, legs, and anklebones useless from birth were instantly healed and made strong. Jesus not only healed him, He taught him how to walk, how to run, and how to leap all in a moments time!

 The brother was ecstatic! Amazed! During all of the man’s life, he had watched others run, others play, others leap, others walk, others work, while all of the time he could do nothing but set there by the gate begging!

 What brought about the change? Peter? John? No. They were nothing more than instruments in the Master’s hand. Acts 3:16 says it best, “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”

As I noted a little bit ago, this was the first recorded miracle in the name of Jesus. It created a sensation. The disciples were quickly arrested and put in jail.  (Remember now, the people here in Jerusalem had crucified Jesus only a few weeks earlier.)

 Notice with me Acts 4:5-12 now as the story continues, “The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: ‘By what power or what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’”

The leaders wanted to know what power, what incantation, or what other means the disciples used or by what name they had performed this mighty act. Peter told them it was in the name of Jesus of Nazareth! This miracle shook the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling court in Jerusalem) to it’s foundation.

 Their wisest men were thrown into confusion. The disciples were ordered aside for a moment while these men conferred, and in their fear they threatened: “‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.’  Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

 It does not seem to me that these religious leaders objected so much to the teaching of the Lord’s resurrection, or any other doctrine. They were simply afraid of that NAME! The disciples were ordered not to teach or preach anymore in that name.

 The disciples then went back to the others and told them the story. Acts 4:29-30 gives us the prayer that these early believers then prayed: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” This is one of the greatest prayers found anywhere in all of the Bible.

 Please notice, they did no ask for protection; they asked for power. They did not ask for fire from heaven to destroy the enemy, but for power from heaven to preach the Word and heal the sick. Their great desire was for boldness in the face of opposition.

 The disciples now obviously expected signs, wonders, and miracles to follow the use of the name of Jesus!  Why wouldn’t they? 

·        Mark 16:18 promises in part, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will... place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

·        James 5:14 adds, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well and the Lord will raise him up....”

Friends, the name of Jesus implies authority, character, rank, majesty, power, and excellence. 

 Listen please to this story. A father took his children to the county fair one day. Since they were obviously not interested in the prize calf, the father bought a whole roll of tickets for the various rides at the fair. As each of the children approached a ride, they would hold out a hand to get a ticket from their father. At one ride, after all his children had received tickets, a strange boy whom the father had never seen came up and held out his hand obviously expecting a ticket.

The father drew back his roll of tickets. He wasn’t about to give this boy a ticket. Upon seeing this, the man’s son Stephen turned and said to his dad, “It’s okay, Dad, this is my friend. I told him you would give him a ticket.” Do you know what the father did? He gave the boy a ticket in Stephen’s name. That boy had no right to the ticket, but since his son had said he would do it, the father honored the name of his son by giving that strange boy a ticket.

 Please notice with me John 16:24 in this regard, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

The disciples understood this as a power of attorney. 

·        Thus they prayed in His name. 

·        They saw the sick healed in His name. 

·        They saw the dead raised in His name. 

·        They cast out demons in His name. 

·        They simply saw God do great and wondrous things in response to the name of His Son Jesus! The name of Jesus literally touched every area of human life!

 The incident in Acts 3 was obviously a great miracle. Everyone could see that the twisted broken lame feet and legs were now straight and whole. He could now bend his knees, flex his ankles, move his feet, wiggle his toes. HE WAS WELL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS FORTY PLUS YEARS OF LIFE! GLORY TO GOD!

 How? Why? Because two men full of the Holy Ghost were together in one accord. They were together in spirit and purpose. They were also going together to the temple to pray. Then finally, they were together in using the powerful name of Jesus Christ!

 Do you need a miracle? In order to see God move in a life, a church, or in some hopeless situation, a price must be paid. That price might well be unity, prayer, and the use of the precious name of Jesus Christ. That is the pattern used in Acts 3 and 4, and I believe that is still the pattern for a miracle today!