Sermon Central
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Look Up: Give Hand Out Or A Hand Up?
Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 19, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Peter and John were changed men. The boldly approached the gate Beautiful at 3 PM. Their gift was more than a hand out. They gave a hand up. The disabled man was jumping in praise. The crowd saw the gift.
LOOK UP…GIVE A HAND OUT OR A HAND UP…
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
HENRY FORD HAD A HERO… THOMAS EDISON… KEEP AT IT SON…
In 1896 Ford met Thomas Edison at a convention in New York City. The two inventors built a lasting friendship. Edison heard Ford was trying to build a QUADRICYCLE. Henry Ford fought with so many OBSTACLES that he thought about quitting and giving up. EDISON FELT THAT THE CAR WAS THE FUTURE… At his lowest point, THOMAS EDISON spoke words of life into HENRY FORD… EDISON SAID: KEEP AT IT. As a matter of fact THOMAS EDISON OWNED A 1928 MODEL A TOURING CAR BUILT BY FORD.
FORD asked Edison’s son to take the last breath that EDISON breathed and put it in a bottle (test tube) as a keepsake. I am told the bottle is in the Henry Ford Museum. Ford worked for one of EDISON’S COMPANIES. Edison told Ford as they discussed the car: YOUNG MAN, THAT’S THE THING! YOU HAVE IT! YOUR IDEA OF THE CAR AS A SELF CONTAINED UNIT AND CARRIES IT’S OWN POWER PLANT. Edison once said: My words are inadequate to express my feelings to Henry Ford.
IT HAS BEEN RECORDED THAT EDISON HAD BEEN IN A COMA AND WHEN HE CAME TO HE SAID: “IT IS VERY BEAUTIFUL OVER THERE!”
FORD IS KNOWN FOR SAYING: “THERE IS NO FAILURE EXCEPT FAILURE TO SERVE ONE’S PURPOSE.”
THE ISBE GATE: GATE BEAUTIFUL
Gates establish boundaries… INNER and OUTER space. LET US COME TO THE TEMPLE GATE, THE BEAUTIFUL GATE NAMED ISBE GATE… AND TAKE THE HAND OF JESUS CHRIST… THE BEAUTIFUL GATE OFFERS US ACCESS ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE TEMPLE. This the Beautiful Gate is where Peter and John entered. There was a PODIUM where priest, preachers and prophets often spoke to the people. It was also a place of ceremonies and festive occasions. The gates could be closed to limit access. The gates represent PROTECTION AND TRANSITION. The PODIUM or PLATFORM at the gate was a place where leaders spoke. There are two types of gates: NARROW and WIDE GATES. Jesus used the GOLDEN GATE on the eastern side.
PETER IS A CHANGED MAN… HE SLEPT THROUGH PRAYER TIME BEFORE. NOW HE HAS FORMED PRAYER AS A HABITUAL BEHAVIOR… NOW PETER IS FAITHFUL TO THE TEMPLE AND TO PRAYER…
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
The 9th hour was probably about 3 PM.
MY FRIENDS WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE SEVERAL ISSUES: 1. THE POWER OF PRAYER. 2. TEAM WORK, WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER THAN AS INDIVIDUALS… T:OGETHER E:ACH A:COMMPLISHES M:ORE.
WILL WE ACCEPT OUR LIMITATIONS AND DISABILITIES AS THE NORM? FAITH IS MORE THAN A PASSIVE WORK… FAITH REQUIRES ACTION… LOOK ON US… THE LAME MAN HAD A CHRONIC LONG TERM PROBLEM… YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU CAN, WHEN YOU CAN, WHERE YOU CAN…
Acts 3:2 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; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
WHAT ARE WE EXPECTING? THE LAME MAN EXPECTED SOMETHING --- OFTEN TO RECEIVE WE HAVE TO GIVE… YOU CAN RECEIVE MORE IF YOU EXPECTING… FAITH: THE LAME MAN WAS EXPECTING MONEY NOT A HEALING…
Blessed is the man that expects nothing for he shall receive exactly what he expected. (NOTHING.) Peter and John had an offering, not money. Peter and John may not have money to give. THEY DO HAVE A GIFT TO GIVE… This hopeless, helpless man needed HOPE. WE WILL GIVE YOU JESUS.
Acts 3:5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 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.
PRAYER IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS THE DOOR… BUT WE MUST REALIZE THERE IS REQUIRED ACTION AFTER THE PRAYER… ACTION ALONG WITH THE PRAYER RELEASES MIRACLES... LIFTING UP REQUIRES EFFORT…
While Peter and John prayed and shared the name of Jesus they had FAITH ACTION TO DO… Peter takes the cripple by the RIGHT HAND and LIFTED HIM…
Acts 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
THERE IS A GIFT GREATER THAN MONEY. THE GREATEST GIFT IS THE HOPE THAT COMES IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
THE LAME MAN ACCEPTED THE HAND UP, THE LAME MAN NOT ONLY LOOKED UP HE ACCEPTED THE HELP UP… IN THE EXCITEMENT OF THE MOMENT THE EX-LAME MAN WAS JUMPING, LEAPING, IN PRAISE AND JOY… CHANGED… RISE UP! GET UP! GET UP AND WALK.
