.jpg)
Changing Your Life From Pitiful to Powerful
Dr. David Davis
Acts 3:1-10
There was a man in Texas who had reached his lowest point in life. So much so that he was sitting in his chair contemplating suicide with a gun by his side. However, he went to a local Baptist church in desperation and thank God that the pastor preached the life-changing message of Jesus and redemption.
Today, he would say that Jesus changed his life from pitiful to powerful.
Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to pray and they had to go through the ''beautiful gate'' (Acts 3:2). As they walked through those gates they noticed a man who was pitiful. He was lame. He had never known how it felt to run and play because he had been lame since birth.
Perhaps some people picked him up each day and set him by the gate so that he could lie on a pallet and beg for alms from the people who came through the gate. He was a common and fixed figure at the gate.
When Peter and John came walking toward this gate -- this man looked at them and probably lifted up his cup expecting a few coins in return.
Peter looked at him and ''fixed his gaze upon him'' and the man probably anticipated a generous donation from Peter.
v. 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.''
Peter, not only commanded him to walk, but he reached down to help him.
I. The Pitiful Life
1. Life without Vitality
Perhaps you feel that way. This man seemed to have died. He had been lame from birth. He had never known what it meant to walk, to run, and to play with the other children. This is not what caused his lack of vitality.
I have known those who were crippled physically, but there was a sense of purpose and a willingness to fulfill God's plan despite their challenges.
This man was carried everywhere by others. It seemed his only purpose was to sit at a gate and beg.
2. Life without Vision
...
Dr. David Davis
Acts 3:1-10
There was a man in Texas who had reached his lowest point in life. So much so that he was sitting in his chair contemplating suicide with a gun by his side. However, he went to a local Baptist church in desperation and thank God that the pastor preached the life-changing message of Jesus and redemption.
Today, he would say that Jesus changed his life from pitiful to powerful.
Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to pray and they had to go through the ''beautiful gate'' (Acts 3:2). As they walked through those gates they noticed a man who was pitiful. He was lame. He had never known how it felt to run and play because he had been lame since birth.
Perhaps some people picked him up each day and set him by the gate so that he could lie on a pallet and beg for alms from the people who came through the gate. He was a common and fixed figure at the gate.
When Peter and John came walking toward this gate -- this man looked at them and probably lifted up his cup expecting a few coins in return.
Peter looked at him and ''fixed his gaze upon him'' and the man probably anticipated a generous donation from Peter.
v. 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.''
Peter, not only commanded him to walk, but he reached down to help him.
I. The Pitiful Life
1. Life without Vitality
Perhaps you feel that way. This man seemed to have died. He had been lame from birth. He had never known what it meant to walk, to run, and to play with the other children. This is not what caused his lack of vitality.
I have known those who were crippled physically, but there was a sense of purpose and a willingness to fulfill God's plan despite their challenges.
This man was carried everywhere by others. It seemed his only purpose was to sit at a gate and beg.
2. Life without Vision
...
There are 7877 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
