1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:01,440 Speaker 1: Let us pray. 2 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 2: Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none, But 3 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:11,119 Speaker 2: such as I have I give thee in the name 4 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:16,919 Speaker 2: of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Rise up and walk Acts 5 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:21,600 Speaker 2: three six. Dear Lord, as I meditate on to day's 6 00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:24,520 Speaker 2: reading and Acts three to four, I will bring my 7 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 2: attention to Peter and John and the lay man outside 8 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 2: the gate called beautiful. As I look through the story, 9 00:00:33,159 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 2: I thank you that you are giving me the ability 10 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 2: to give to people what they truly need, and not 11 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,640 Speaker 2: the needs on the surface level. Because I am a 12 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 2: change agent. What you give to me to give to 13 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:52,640 Speaker 2: your children will meet the deepest need of their heart 14 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:56,960 Speaker 2: in the same way that man received healing. I praise 15 00:00:57,080 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 2: your Holy Spirit that through my life you will use 16 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 2: me as a conduit to bring healing and restoration to 17 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:08,880 Speaker 2: your children who are waiting just outside of a beautiful life. 18 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:13,920 Speaker 2: When I am questioned and asked by what authority do 19 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 2: I operate in, I will boldly declare that by the 20 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:21,720 Speaker 2: finished works of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, 21 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 2: I have all rights and authority to speak life, to 22 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 2: live life, and to breathe new life into God's children. 23 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:34,560 Speaker 2: Thank you, Holy Spirit, that your authority is in my 24 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 2: life and is evident in the miracles that surround my 25 00:01:38,520 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 2: purpose and destiny in Jesus name. 26 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: Amen, Thanks for making prayer a priority in your life. 27 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 1: To hear the Bible come to life. Stay tuned for 28 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 1: the Bible in a Year brought to you by Bible 29 00:01:56,080 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 1: in a Year dot. 30 00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 3: Com, No silver, no gold. 31 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 4: In our last story, the Holy Spirit descended on the 32 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 4: disciples like a whirlwind. The strength and authority of Jesus 33 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 4: was poured out on the disciples as they proclaimed the 34 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:23,560 Speaker 4: glory of Christ. Thousands were added to the church that day, 35 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 4: and the movement of Christ's family began. Now we see 36 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 4: glimpses of Jesus in the way Peter and John teach 37 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 4: and heal the people around them. Seeing that the disciples 38 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:36,920 Speaker 4: were becoming more like Jesus every day, the priests and 39 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 4: elders feared that they would have another problem on their hands. 40 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:43,200 Speaker 4: Inspired by the Book of Acts. 41 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:49,200 Speaker 5: Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 42 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 5: in a Year podcast. But before we began, I want 43 00:02:52,320 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 5: to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours 44 00:02:55,760 --> 00:03:00,200 Speaker 5: to download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from 45 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 5: Stress and my prayer is that it will help you 46 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 5: conquer the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring 47 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,519 Speaker 5: stress in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking 48 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 5: Free from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org 49 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 5: slash stress. That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. In 50 00:03:20,760 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 5: our last episode, we heard how the Disciples and others 51 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 5: were given the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. 52 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 5: As they gathered in the temple with Jews from all 53 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 5: over the world, a rushing wind came and tongues of 54 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 5: fire descended upon them. These are symbols of the power 55 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:38,760 Speaker 5: and the presence of the Holy Spirit. They began to 56 00:03:38,760 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 5: speak God's truth in other languages so that the people 57 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 5: could understand the gospel. Peter then spoke to the crowd 58 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 5: and delivered a message that cut to people's hearts, and 59 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 5: over three thousand repented of their sin and received Christ 60 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,839 Speaker 5: that day, and the Church was birthed. Today we'll hear 61 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 5: as Peter and John began to boldly, courageously carry out 62 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,480 Speaker 5: the mission of gen Jesus, preaching and healing with wisdom 63 00:04:02,560 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 5: and power that clearly was not of themselves, but was 64 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 5: in the power of the Resurrection, the power of Jesus himself. 65 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 5: They will soon face opposition for their message that threatens 66 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 5: the power of the religious elite, just as it happened 67 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 5: to Jesus. So let's listen now to today's reading from 68 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 5: God's Word. 69 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:26,400 Speaker 4: The lame beggar watched as dozens of people passed by 70 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:29,559 Speaker 4: him to enter into the synagogue. It was the hour 71 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 4: of prayer, and many devoted men and women entered into 72 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:35,840 Speaker 4: the House of God to pray and seek him. It 73 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 4: was a fruitful time for the lame beggar. He would 74 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:42,440 Speaker 4: lay beside the gate called beautiful and ask for spare coins. 75 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:47,279 Speaker 4: Since people felt charitable before praying, he would often make 76 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:50,599 Speaker 4: most of his money in that time. The man raised 77 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,680 Speaker 4: his cup and shook it, waiting for coins to trickle in. 78 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:57,360 Speaker 4: The lame man saw two men walking side by side 79 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 4: into the gate. Spare some coin for a poor lame man, 80 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 4: he asked. The two men looked at him. The taller 81 00:05:04,720 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 4: and older one knelt down and looked him deeply in 82 00:05:07,040 --> 00:05:11,040 Speaker 4: the eye. He smiled and held out his hands. Gold 83 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:14,560 Speaker 4: and silver. I do not have, he said, but what 84 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 4: I have I can give to you in the name 85 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:22,039 Speaker 4: of Jesus Christ. Get up and walk, then All of 86 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 4: a sudden, the lame man felt a warm sensation travel 87 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 4: from his toes up his spine. He looked down to 88 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:31,599 Speaker 4: his feet and moved them. His eyes began to water 89 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 4: with tears, and he rose to his feet. He hugged 90 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 4: at the two men. They were none other than John 91 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:41,720 Speaker 4: and Peter. The people stopped to stare at the man 92 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 4: who was jumping up and down. They knew him to 93 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 4: be the lame beggar and were astonished to see him 94 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:50,280 Speaker 4: leaping in front of the gate. Dozens of people gathered 95 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:53,320 Speaker 4: to see so Peter and John took the opportunity to 96 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 4: share with them the power and the story of Jesus. 97 00:05:57,000 --> 00:05:59,480 Speaker 4: Since the man was lame from birth, he clung to 98 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:02,599 Speaker 4: Peter and John for balance. Peter then spoke to the 99 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 4: whole crowd, saying, do not look at us as if 100 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:08,560 Speaker 4: we are the ones who made him walk. Look at us, 101 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:12,480 Speaker 4: we are not special. It is Jesus who performs these deeds. 102 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:16,479 Speaker 4: The one whom you all allowed to be crucified is 103 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:20,039 Speaker 4: the one who works these mighty things. Peter declared the 104 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 4: gospel to the crowds. He spoke of repentance, forgiveness and purpose. 105 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:27,599 Speaker 4: Many more people were added to the family of God 106 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:31,159 Speaker 4: that day, including the lame beggar, who now walked with 107 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:32,680 Speaker 4: purpose under the will of God. 108 00:06:33,520 --> 00:06:34,159 Speaker 3: As they were. 109 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 4: Speaking, an old enemy emerged from the synagogue doors. The priests, 110 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:41,640 Speaker 4: the captain of the Guard, and the Sadducees walked out 111 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 4: to see a large group of people surrounding Peter and John. 112 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 4: Their stomachs dropped as they watched five thousand men and 113 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:53,920 Speaker 4: women declare faith in the resurrected Jesus, the Jesus they killed. 114 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 4: The next day, Peter and John were preaching again in 115 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 4: the city streets. Caiaphas, the High Priest, came with his 116 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 4: guard and yelled, by what power or authority do you 117 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:08,159 Speaker 4: do these things? The high priest was livid since Peter 118 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 4: and John had been healing and preaching among the people. Peter, 119 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 4: filled with the Holy Spirit, stepped down and walked to 120 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:18,480 Speaker 4: the priests and his guards. Are we being threatened because 121 00:07:18,520 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 4: we have done good deeds? Peter asked, I want it 122 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 4: to be perfectly clear. I do these things with the 123 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:28,560 Speaker 4: authority of Jesus, the one you crucified. He is the 124 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 4: cornerstone by which we build our lives. There is no 125 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 4: one else we look to for salvation. Peter did not flinch. 126 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:40,800 Speaker 4: He spoke with boldness. Caiaphas had seen this boldness before 127 00:07:40,880 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 4: in Jesus. It sent chills down his spine. Out of fear, 128 00:07:45,240 --> 00:07:47,920 Speaker 4: they asked them to leave the temple streets and not 129 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 4: to speak the name of Jesus. Of course they refused, 130 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 4: but the priests could not do anything, for the masses 131 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 4: were in love with the disciples. 132 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 5: In our scripture today we find a man sitting in 133 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 5: the gate near the entrance of the temple. The gate 134 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 5: was called beautiful, but for this crippled man, life was 135 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 5: anything but beautiful. He could not provide for his own needs, 136 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 5: and he was surely considered cursed by those around him. 137 00:08:15,440 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 5: All he could do was beg for spare change and 138 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 5: hope for generous strangers to give him a coin or two. 139 00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 5: So as Peter and John passed by, he looked at them, 140 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 5: hoping they would take pity on him and give him something. 141 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:32,199 Speaker 5: These men are now walking in the power of Jesus Christ, 142 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:35,560 Speaker 5: filled with the spirit. Peter and John looked upon this 143 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 5: man with love and compassion. They were like Jesus. They 144 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 5: were full of Jesus, and Peter and John knew that 145 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:47,600 Speaker 5: this man needed more than physical healing, he needed spiritual healing. 146 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 5: Peter looked at him with kindness, but rather than drop 147 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 5: just a few coins in the beggar's cup, he healed 148 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 5: the man in the name of Jesus Christ. This man 149 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 5: is now on his feet, walking and praising God. Can 150 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:06,280 Speaker 5: you imagine the joy of experiencing the power of Christ 151 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:10,439 Speaker 5: and the healing of his body. Of course, this would 152 00:09:10,440 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 5: cause quite a scene those nearby who had seen the man, 153 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 5: probably many times unable to walk, and now he was 154 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:21,679 Speaker 5: jumping around and smiling and praising God. He's talking about 155 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 5: Jesus and what Jesus had done for him. Peter and 156 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 5: John knew this was an opportunity to share a much 157 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 5: deeper healing, so they began to share the good news. 158 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:35,640 Speaker 5: These two fishermen were not trained speakers, and they were 159 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 5: certainly not scholars, but God was in them. The Holy 160 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 5: Spirit was filling them, and the Lord gave them the 161 00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 5: words to say, Just as Peter had done on the 162 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 5: day of Pentecost. He began to tell everyone of the 163 00:09:48,840 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 5: love of Jesus and how Jesus was sent by God. 164 00:09:52,559 --> 00:09:55,560 Speaker 5: And even though people rejected him, his own people rejected 165 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 5: him and sent him to a cross. That Christ rose again. 166 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 5: And now the the resurrection power of Christ was alive 167 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:05,880 Speaker 5: in them and available to all who would trust in Christ. 168 00:10:06,760 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 5: He called them to repentance, to turn from their sins 169 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 5: and receive the grace of God. His words were clear 170 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 5: and compelling and courageous, and once more they were convicting. 171 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 5: They cut to the heart. Five thousand more souls were 172 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 5: saved that day, and the church continued to grow with explosive, 173 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 5: multiplying growth. Of course, the religious leaders hated this. They 174 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 5: imagined that Jesus' followers would just fade away with time, 175 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 5: But now the opposite is happening. So they had Peter 176 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 5: and John arrested and brought them before the Council of 177 00:10:41,320 --> 00:10:44,720 Speaker 5: Priests and Scribes the next day. They tried to intimidate 178 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:48,680 Speaker 5: these two men, these two disciples. But these men were 179 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 5: full of God, and they were full of boldness and courage. 180 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 5: Peter and John, even under custody of the officials, did 181 00:10:56,320 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 5: not stop preaching the gospel of Christ. They knew the 182 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:03,360 Speaker 5: power of Jesus was in them, and so they fearlessly 183 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 5: carried out the mission of our Lord. The religious leaders 184 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 5: had no basis to keep them confined. After all, they 185 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 5: had simply done a good deed and healed a lame man, 186 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:19,280 Speaker 5: and still they warned them to stop preaching. And I 187 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:23,319 Speaker 5: just absolutely love Peter and John's response given to us 188 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:27,160 Speaker 5: in Acts four, verses nineteen and twenty. Listen to these words. 189 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 5: Whether it is right in the sight of God to 190 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 5: listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 191 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:36,439 Speaker 5: for we cannot but speak of what we have seen 192 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 5: and heard. In other words, we're going to obey God 193 00:11:40,640 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 5: and not you. We are compelled to keep speaking about Jesus. 194 00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:48,160 Speaker 5: We should pray for that same boldness today as we 195 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:51,840 Speaker 5: share the Gospel with others. We cannot help but speak 196 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 5: of what Christ has done for us, And if we 197 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 5: have experienced the love and grace of Jesus, we are 198 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 5: compelled to tell others. Just like Peter and John and 199 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:05,000 Speaker 5: so many others. We don't need to be eloquent or 200 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:08,080 Speaker 5: educated to share the good news of Christ. We need 201 00:12:08,120 --> 00:12:11,480 Speaker 5: to be prepared and know the gospel, but then really 202 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:15,560 Speaker 5: simply to be willing and obedient and trust God that 203 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:17,839 Speaker 5: in the power of the Holy Spirit, He would change 204 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 5: lives through our bold witness. Dear God, we thank you 205 00:12:22,280 --> 00:12:26,040 Speaker 5: for the courageous example of Peter and John. Help us 206 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 5: to look for opportunities to see people all around us 207 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 5: who need the hope and help that is in Jesus Christ. 208 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 5: May we boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ 209 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:41,200 Speaker 5: with the people we meet in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank 210 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:44,160 Speaker 5: you for listening to today's Bible in of Year podcast. 211 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 5: Before we go, I want to let you know about 212 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:51,440 Speaker 5: a unique ebook that's yours to download absolutely free today. 213 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:55,640 Speaker 5: It's called Breaking Free from Stress, and my prayer is 214 00:12:55,679 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 5: that it will help you conquer the daily task and 215 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 5: pressures and burdens that bring stress into your life. Download 216 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 5: your free copy of Breaking Free from Stress today by 217 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 5: visiting Jaggraam dot org slash stress. That's Jagraham dot org 218 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 5: slash stress.