The Leaping Cripple

A Series of Miracles (Part 21)
Jumping into Acts (Acts 3-4)

1. Jesus did miracles by the power of the Spirit
2. The disciples were given the Spirit
3. The disciples did miracles by the power of the Spirit

Setting
1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now 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.

Miracle
3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6Then 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." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Results
9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they 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.
Observations from the story of the bouncing beggar

1. The presence of the Spirit did not equal an absence from the temple (3:1)

2. The presence of the Spirit did not equal an absence from physical suffering (3:2)

3. The presence of the Spirit did not equal an absence from financial concerns (3:3)

4. The church must take a closer look at the real problems within our culture (3:4)

5. The church must be in the business of giving people what they need rather than what they want (3:5)

6. The church must remember that has no authority of its own, only that which comes from Christ (3:6)

7. God is more interested in making people strong than in sustaining people in weakness (3:7)

8. God is worthy of a radical response of worship (3:8)

9. God wants to use you to reach others (3:9)

10. You are most useful to God when it’s evident that you’ve been changed by God (3:10)

11. You are not responsible to fill every role (3:11-26)

12. You are not called to comfort, but boldness (4:1-31)