Atos 3

Atos 3

Meyer - Our Daily Homily - Whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful. (R.V.) Is not this thyself? Thou art of the Israel of God. There is no doubt of thy name being enrolled in the pedigree of elect and regenerate souls; but thou art lame, needing to be carried by the strong support of minister and friend; never able to leap, and walk, and praise God; and at the best only able to reach the outer side of the Beautiful Gate that conducts to the richest, gladdest life. Through that gate of entire consecration there come snatches of holy melody; glimpses of white-vestured souls; visions of ideals of life which thou hast not attained but thou art excluded, condemned to live on the alms of those that enter. How great the pity! Why shouldest thou not have the very best that God can give? But look up! expect to receive something; open thine ears to hear and thine heart to receive immediately strength, just where thou lackest it most sorely. The feet and ankle-bones of this helpless cripple only needed strength; they were perfectly formed, but paralysed. Similarly thine ideals of Christian living are true and accurate, but thou art deficient in power. Thou must receive strength. But this strength can only be had by union with the risen Lord. His name (that is, his nature) alone can make thee strong, and give thee perfect soundness in the presence of those who have hitherto only pitied thy weakness. Believe in Him! All that have ever risen up to obey his lead have had perfect health and strength. Open thine heart to receive them. Claim and appropriate the power and grace of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus shall make thee free from the law of sin and death, from weakness and failure. Acts 3:3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. KJV Acts 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. Acts 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BROTHERS CAN YOU SPARE A DIME? When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms - The nameless lame beggar sought physical support, but Spirit filled Peter offered him spiritual "support," actually a rescue not only from his physical but his spiritual malady! Too often I fear we are like this lame beggar, seeking a few crumbs from the Master's table, when what He desires to do is seat us at the table. We need to remember that although we are spiritual paupers, we are coming to a King which reminds me of the words of the hymn Come My Soul (play this beautiful hymn sung by Matt Foreman)... Come, my soul, thy suit prepare: Jesus loves to answer prayer; He Himself has bid thee pray, Therefore will not say thee nay; Therefore will not say thee nay. Thou art coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring; For His grace and power are such, None can ever ask too much; None can ever ask too much. So let us remember to Whom we come and that He "is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,(Eph 3:20+). Another point to ponder is that Peter had very likely passed by this same man on his way into the Temple grounds to pray, but this time he stops and responds. In addition there may have been other beggars. Why stop now? Why this lame beggar? Peter is a man full of the Spirit and when the Spirit fills a man He controls him. The filled man does not become a robot or a puppet, but he does become sensitive to the "still small voice" of the Spirit. Peter's spirit was sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Are we sensitive like Peter? Are we prepared to alter our plans when He speaks to us (not audibly but with inner urging)? To fail to respond may mean we miss an opportunity that only knocks once as they say. Lord, give us tender hearts that are spiritually attuned to Your voice and Your will for our life that we might not miss Your "invitation" to join You in what you are doing. In Jesus' Name. Amen. Alms (charity) (1654)(eleemosune from eleemon = merciful from eleos = mercy, kindness, compassion) signifies mercy or pity and came to be applied particularly in giving alms (alms = something such as money or food given freely to relieve the poor. Our English word "alms" is from Latin eleemosyna in turn from the Greek word eleemosune). Stated another way alms represents money given out of mercy for the poor. Alms giving (Wikipedia - pix of Tzedakah Box) was an important part of ancient Judaism where even those gleaning the fields were told to leave behind some of the sheaves so that the poor could gather and have food, Moses recording that "Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 'Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God. (Lev 19:9-10+) The same practice of giving passed into Christianity. But with every act of giving there is the danger of mixed motives creeping into something that is so necessary. [Began] asking (imperfect tense - again and again like a good beggar)(2065)(erotao) means making a request, asking, begging. Luke's uses of erotao - Lk. 4:38; Lk. 5:3; Lk. 7:3; Lk. 7:36; Lk. 8:37; Lk. 9:45; Lk. 11:37; Lk. 14:18; Lk. 14:19; Lk. 14:32; Lk. 16:27; Lk. 19:31; Lk. 20:3; Lk. 22:68; Lk. 23:3; Acts 1:6; Acts 3:3; Acts 10:48; Acts 16:39; Acts 18:20; Acts 23:18; Acts 23:20 William