Acts Chapter 3 - A Miraculous Healing: Faith, Repentance, and Restoration

Today we are studying Acts Chapter 3. In this chapter, Peter and John encounter a man who had been lame from birth. Through the power of Jesus Christ, he is healed, and this miracle draws a crowd. Peter then uses that moment to boldly proclaim the gospel, calling people to repentance and pointing them to Jesus. Acts 3:6 says, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” This chapter reminds us that true power comes from Jesus, and that His work in our lives points others to Him.

Transcript

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Every day we are reminded just how powerful God's word truly is. This scripture really stands out in Psalm chapter 119, verse 130. The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. Praise God that his word is moving, reaching hearts, and being shared in 44 countries around the world. We want to take a moment to say hello to our listeners in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, Wusan, South Korea, Fort Worth, Texas, United States, Amman, Amon Governant, Jordan, and Bowengun, North Chungchung, South Korea. We're glad you're here with us today. Thank you for continuing to support this ministry. It's a blessing to share God's Word with you.

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Welcome to Giving God Praise. This is a podcast where we walk through the entire Bible, book by book and chapter by chapter. Our desire is to discover not only what God's Word says, but what it means to praise God in our daily life. In each episode, we explore a promise to claim, a response to make, an attitude to change, an instruction to obey, a sin to confess, and an example to follow. So let's go ahead and grab our Bibles and dive into today's teaching. Today we are studying Acts chapter 3. In this chapter, Peter and John encounter a man who had been lame from birth. Through the power of Jesus Christ, he is healed, and this miracle draws a crowd. Peter then uses that moment to boldly proclaim the gospel, calling people to repentance and pointing them to Jesus. Acts 3.6 says, I don't have silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk. This chapter reminds us that true power comes from Jesus and that his work in our lives points others to him. Let's begin reading Acts chapter 3. Now Peter and John were going up together to the temple complex at the hour of prayer at 3 in the afternoon, and a man who was lame from birth was carried there, and placed every day at the temple gate called beautiful, so he could beg from those entering the temple complex. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple complex, he asked for help. Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, Look at us. So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, I don't have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene. Get up and walk. Then taking him by the right hand, he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God. And they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the beautiful gate of the temple complex. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him. While he was holding on to Peter and John, all the people, greatly amazed, ran toward them in what is called Solomon's Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he addressed the people. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked to have a murderer given to you. You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through him has given him this perfect health in front of all of you. And now, brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, just as your leaders also did. But what God predicted through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer, he has fulfilled in this way. Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. Heaven must welcome him until the times of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about by the mouth of his holy prophets from the beginning. Moses said, The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him in everything he will say to you, and everyone who will not listen to that prophet will be completely cut off from the people. In addition, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, have also announced these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, and all the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring. God raised up his servant and sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways. Let's take a moment to center our hearts and become aware of the Lord's presence with us. Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth of Acts chapter 3 and the powerful reminder of your healing and restoring power. Thank you that in the name of Jesus, lives are changed, hearts are restored, and hope is made new. Lord, help us to see beyond what we lack and focus on what you have given us. Give us boldness to share your truth and compassion to serve others. Teach us to walk in faith and to trust in your power at work within us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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Now that we've read God's Word and prepared our hearts in prayer, let's begin our praise study and listen to what God wants to say to our hearts today. In Acts chapter 3, we see a powerful promise to claim in the truth that Jesus brings restoration and renewal. Peter says that when we repent, our sins are wiped out, and seasons of refreshing come from the Lord. This promise is deeply encouraging. No matter our past, God offers forgiveness and a fresh start. He does not hold our sins over us when we turn to Him. Instead, He removes them completely. This promise also speaks of refreshing, which means renewal for our hearts and lives. God does not just forgive, He restores. He brings peace where there was guilt, joy where there was heaviness, and hope where there was brokenness. This promise reminds us that God's desire is to bring us back into right relationship with Him. It calls us to trust in His grace and believe that He can make all things new. The response to make in this chapter is to repent and turn back to God. Peter's message is clear and direct. Repentance is not optional, it is necessary. It means recognizing our sin, turning away from it, and moving toward God. This response requires humility. We must be willing to admit that we need him. It also requires action. Repentance is not just a feeling, it is a decision to change direction. We are also called to respond in faith. The healing of the lame man came through faith in the name of Jesus. Our response must include trusting him fully. This chapter calls us to respond with repentance, faith, and a willingness to follow Christ. We are called to change our attitude from dependence on ourselves to dependence on Jesus. Peter made it clear that the miracle did not come from his own power, it came from Jesus. We must shift our mindset away from self-reliance and toward trust in God. Another attitude to change is from spiritual blindness to spiritual awareness. The people were amazed at the miracle, but Peter redirected their focus to Jesus. We must learn to see God at work around us. We also need to change from complacency to urgency. Peter spoke with boldness and clarity because the message mattered. A changed attitude recognizes the importance of sharing truth and living with purpose. The instruction to obey in this chapter is to walk in faith, point others to Jesus, and live a life that reflects his power. We are instructed to trust in the name of Jesus. That means relying on him in every situation. We are also instructed to give what we have. Peter did not have money, but he gave something greater: the power of Christ. We are called to use what God has given us to bless others. Another instruction is to speak truth boldly. Peter did not hold back. Obedience means living with faith, generosity, and boldness. The sin to confess in this chapter is unbelief. The people did not recognize Jesus for who he was. We must confess when we fail to trust him fully. Another sin to confess is relying on ourselves instead of God. We often try to handle things in our own strength. We must confess when we forget that true power comes from him. We also need to confess silence. Peter spoke boldly, but we sometimes remain quiet. We must confess when we miss opportunities to share the truth. Confession brings us back to a place of dependence and obedience. The example to follow in this chapter is Peter and John. They walked in faith and responded to the need in front of them. They did not ignore the man. They stopped and helped him. They also gave glory to God, not themselves. Peter made it clear that the miracle came from Jesus. This shows humility and a focus on God's power. Following their example means being attentive, faithful, and bold. It means trusting God to work through us and giving him the glory. Acts chapter 3 reminds us that Jesus is the source of healing, forgiveness, and restoration. It calls us to live with faith, respond with repentance, and boldly point others to him. Take time today to reflect on your walk with God. Are you trusting in his power or your own? Are you willing to respond when he gives you an opportunity to serve? Are you pointing others to Jesus through your life? If this message encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to be reminded of the restoring power of Jesus. Let's close today by lifting our hearts together before the Lord in prayer. Heavenly Father, we are so grateful that our listeners chose to spend their time with us in your word today. Thank you for the truth of Acts chapter 3 and the reminder of your power to heal and restore. Lord, help us to walk in faith and to trust in your strength, not our own. Give us boldness to speak truth and hearts that are ready to serve others. Teach us to point everything back to you and to live in a way that reflects your love and power. We pray that this message would encourage every listener and draw them closer to you. May God bless you and keep you in his grace. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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