The Lame Man

The message was preached by Rev. Eddie Foster on Aug 3, 2025.

Acts 3:1  Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 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. 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. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

Every single day this man was brought to the temple and laid at the gate to beg for alms.  This day Peter and John were going to pray, and he asked them for money.  These men were anointed and gifted to do things we can’t, something the man didn’t ask for. Look back at verses 7-8.  The man had never walked. Verse 2 tells us he had been lame from his birth. So he had no strength in his feet, ankles or legs. I broke my foot once. I thought after I got the cast off, I’d head out of there walking immediately. I didn’t!  This man had never walked and instantly a miracle happened, and he walked.  No surgery or physical therapy needed!   He was recognized.  People knew who he was. They were filled with wonder and amazement.  God can still do these things.  

They preached and 5,000 were saved. The lame man didn’t ask to be healed. He asked for money; he had probably resigned himself to the fact he would be lame the rest of his life.  He had no power to help himself. Somebody cared enough about him to bring him to the temple gate; some who walked by would drop a coin in his cup.  We cannot save ourselves. Ephesians 2 tells us we are saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves.  Salvation is a gift from God.  We can boast only in Jesus Christ.  A person can’t do certain things and gradually become a Christian. Jesus is the only way!

The man was born with this infirmity. We were born sinners.  We believe babies who die are protected and go to heaven.  David said we were shaped in sin. I didn’t have to learn how to do it. It came naturally.  When we’re old enough to realize what sin is, then we have to deal with it by trusting in Jesus. There was performance of a miracle.  Peter said, “look on us.”  We look to Jesus. Why?  He’s the only way. Look at verse 5. The man expected to receive something. Peter said it wasn’t money, but he sure had something, didn’t he. He delivered something much better. People have a right to expect to be fed by the Word when they come to church.  I take that very seriously. I will give an account of every message. First, it speaks to me and then to you.  Verse 6 shows us Peter had a message for him. It wasn’t money he had to offer, but Jesus.  The basic message is Jesus Christ and him crucified. I must lift up Jesus. I don’t want people to see Eddie; I want them to see Jesus Christ!  They were helpers.  I’m not sure that they had to help him, but they lifted him up. What can we do? Pray–something available to all of us. Somebody prayed for each one of us. Keep lifting people up to God.  We can also give. Be mission minded. Mission work requires money. We can help by giving. We can then witness ourselves.  Friendship evangelism still works.

There was proof of a miracle. The man walked when he had never done it. Salvation changes a person. It is not a process to get saved. Call on the Lord and instantly you can be saved.  The change in this man was complete. What a glorious change in his life.  When you and I got saved, it changed our lives. Everything is different. Paul said we are new creatures in Christ.  The key words are “in Christ.”  Only he can change a person.  And what did the man do?  He went to church. He had been laid outside for years. After he began walking, he went inside. A person who is right with God wants to go to church. Hebrews tells us not to forsake assembling together with each other.

The man was happy. He was praising God because something wonderful had happened to him.  Something wonderful happened to us when we got saved!  We should be happy in the Lord, praising him.  Filled with gratitude he praised the Lord.  Don’t lose a heart of thanks for what God has done. Remember to praise him.  The man’s life was a testimony for Jesus.  

There are many miracles in the Bible: feeding 5,000, raising the dead, healing. But the greatest miracle is seeing someone get saved.  Let’s not give up.  Keep praying. Keep thanking. Keep praising God for what he has done in your life.