What You Can Give to Others
A. The world and the responsibilities of God's followers
1) People want to be free from the limits and problems they were born with (1-3)
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. Now 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. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
2) Say, "Look at us" (4)
Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" s.
B. The name of Jesus of Nazareth
1) What we have (5,6)
So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then 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."
2) Filling hearts with joy and thanksgiving (7-10)
Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they 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.
Summary
The crippled man was hoping that Peter and John would give him money, but God wanted to give him something much more significant. This was something the man had long given up on: healing for his crippled body. Peter healed the man in Jesus' name. He instructed the man to walk in Jesus' authority. Jesus is the only one who can see our true needs and fulfill them, and he uses his followers--like Peter in this passage--to meet the needs of others. Are you a believer and follower of Jesus? If so, God will use you to meet other people's needs.
For Discussion
1) What did Peter have?
2) How do you use the name of Jesus Christ?