GE: March Prayer Meeting Message Summary: by Joseph George and family

Summary of Achen's Speech Based from The Acts of Apostles 3:1-10 

Peter and John were going up to the temple. It was the ninth hour or three o'clock in the afternoon, which was the usual time of prayer for the Jews. More importantly for us, it was the hour on which Jesus had died on the cross. "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing his head, He gave up His Spirit." ( St. John 19:30)

The Lame Man's Problem:

As Peter and John were on their way into the temple they met this man who had been lame from birth. He was " stuck" at the Gate. Our lives are like this, something is always holding us back from our goals and keeping us from moving forward. "And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon indeed Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat'" ( St. Luke 22:31 ) This shows that Satan is capable of acting on anyone at any time. But God is more powerful than our strongest weapons. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 ^nd Corinthians 10:4)

The Lame Man's Position:

The lame man was in front of the Gate called Beautiful, there is an ugly problem in front of a wonderful entrance. Most of the time we live gilded lives, behind our money and status there are many glitches.

When he asked alms of Peter, Peter stopped, and said to him, "Look at us." This man expected to receive something from Peter and John. He did not know what he was going to get, but his faith was quickened by Peter's words. We must always expect something from God in order to receive the same.

Unfortunately there are those who turn off their minds when they get into a church service. They start thinking of all kinds of other things, their minds start wandering to everything except what is going on. The truth from the Gospel readings misses them. This is why Jesus always said to the crowds when he preached, "He who has ears, let him hear," ( St. Matthew 11:15 )

The Lame Man's Progress:

When Peter had the man's attention, he did two things: First, he admitted his deficiency in the material realm: "Silver and gold I do not have" Then he demonstrated his riches in the spiritual realm: "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Seeing the power of God at work, Peter helped up the man.

This man was brought to the temple habitually for a long time, but Jesus never healed him. This indicates that God has his own time for great events.

The Lame Man's Praise:

The man's foundation was established, therefore he jumped up to go with Peter and John to praise the Lord. The people in the temple, seeing the once lame man, were convinced that God was at work. The miracle was done in the name of Jesus. Peter is saying, "This is the Power on whom I am depending" He offers the lame man the authority and power and the resources in the name of Jesus. And all that Jesus was, was working through Peter at that time.

 

-Joseph George Family