1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,880 Speaker 1: Let us pray. Then Peter said, silver and gold have 2 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: I none, But such as I have I give thee 3 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:14,720 Speaker 1: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Rise up 4 00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 1: and walk Acts three six. Dear Lord, as I meditate 5 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,959 Speaker 1: on to day's reading and Acts three to four, I 6 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: will bring my attention to Peter and John and the 7 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 1: lay man outside the gate called beautiful. As I look 8 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:35,240 Speaker 1: through the story, I thank you that you are giving 9 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 1: me the ability to give to people what they truly need, 10 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 1: and not the needs on the surface level. Because I 11 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:46,600 Speaker 1: am a change agent. What you give to me to 12 00:00:46,680 --> 00:00:50,280 Speaker 1: give to your children will meet the deepest need of 13 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 1: their heart in the same way that man received healing. 14 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 1: I praise your Holy Spirit that through my life you 15 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: will use me as a conduit to bring healing and 16 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 1: restoration to your children who are waiting just outside of 17 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:13,039 Speaker 1: a beautiful life. When I am questioned and asked by 18 00:01:13,040 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: what authority do I operate in, I will boldly declare 19 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:20,680 Speaker 1: that by the finished works of Jesus Christ on the 20 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 1: Cross of Calvary, I have all rights and authority to 21 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:28,760 Speaker 1: speak life, to live life, and to breathe new life 22 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 1: into God's children. Thank you, Holy Spirit, that your authority 23 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:37,560 Speaker 1: is in my life and is evident in the miracles 24 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:44,640 Speaker 1: that surround my purpose and destiny in Jesus name, Amen, 25 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: Thanks for making prayer a priority in your life. To 26 00:01:50,200 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 1: hear the Bible come to life. Stay tuned for the 27 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 1: Bible in a Year, brought to you by Bible in 28 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:57,160 Speaker 1: a Year dot. 29 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 2: Com No silver, no gold. 30 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 3: In our last story, the Holy Spirit descended on the 31 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 3: disciples like a whirlwind. The strength and authority of Jesus 32 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 3: was poured out on the disciples as they proclaimed the 33 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:23,560 Speaker 3: glory of Christ. Thousands were added to the church that day, 34 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:27,480 Speaker 3: and the movement of Christ's family began. Now we see 35 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 3: glimpses of Jesus in the way Peter and John teach 36 00:02:30,560 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 3: and heal the people around them. Seeing that the disciples 37 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:36,920 Speaker 3: were becoming more like Jesus every day, the priests and 38 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 3: elders feared that they would have another problem on their hands. 39 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 3: Inspired by the Book of. 40 00:02:42,840 --> 00:02:49,519 Speaker 4: Acts, Jack Graham here with today's episode of the Bible 41 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 4: in a Year podcast. In our last episode, we heard 42 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 4: how the disciples and others were given the Holy Spirit 43 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 4: on the day of Pentecost as they gathered in the 44 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 4: temple with Jews from all over the world world. A 45 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:04,400 Speaker 4: rushing wind came and tongues of fire descended upon them. 46 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 4: These are symbols of the power in the presence of 47 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 4: the Holy Spirit. They began to speak God's truth in 48 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:14,119 Speaker 4: other languages so that the people could understand the gospel. 49 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 4: Peter then spoke to the crowd and delivered a message 50 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 4: that cut to people's hearts, and over three thousand repented 51 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 4: of their sin and received Christ that day, and the 52 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:27,600 Speaker 4: Church was birthed. Today we'll hear as Peter and John 53 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 4: began to boldly, courageously carry out the mission of Jesus, 54 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 4: preaching and healing with wisdom and power that clearly was 55 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 4: not of themselves, but was in the power of the Resurrection, 56 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:42,440 Speaker 4: the power of Jesus himself. They will soon face opposition 57 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 4: for their message that threatens the power of the religious elite, 58 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:50,040 Speaker 4: just as it happened to Jesus. So let's listen now 59 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:51,840 Speaker 4: to today's reading from God's Word. 60 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:57,200 Speaker 3: The lame beggar watched as dozens of people passed by 61 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 3: him to enter into the synagogue. It was the hour 62 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 3: of prayer, and many devoted men and women entered into 63 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 3: the House of God to pray and seek him. It 64 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 3: was a fruitful time for the lame beggar. He would 65 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 3: lay beside the gate called beautiful and ask for spare coins. 66 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 3: Since people felt charitable before praying, he would often make 67 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 3: most of his money in that time. The man raised 68 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 3: his cup and shook it, waiting for coins to trickle in. 69 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:28,119 Speaker 3: The lame man saw two men walking side by side 70 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:31,839 Speaker 3: into the gate. Spare some coin for a poor lame man, 71 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 3: he asked. The two men looked at him. The taller 72 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 3: and older one knelt down and looked him deeply in 73 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 3: the eye. He smiled and held out his hands. Gold 74 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 3: and silver. I do not have, he said, But what 75 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 3: I have I can give to you in the name 76 00:04:48,120 --> 00:04:52,839 Speaker 3: of Jesus Christ. Get up and walk. Then all of 77 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 3: a sudden, the lame man felt a warm sensation travel 78 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:59,279 Speaker 3: from his toes up his spine. He looked down to 79 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 3: his feet and move them. His eyes began to water 80 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:06,040 Speaker 3: with tears, and he rose to his feet. He hugged 81 00:05:06,200 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 3: the two men. They were none other than John and Peter. 82 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:12,800 Speaker 3: The people stopped to stare at the man who was 83 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,280 Speaker 3: jumping up and down. They knew him to be the 84 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 3: lame beggar and were astonished to see him leaping in 85 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,600 Speaker 3: front of the gate. Dozens of people gathered to see, 86 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 3: so Peter and John took the opportunity to share with 87 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:28,159 Speaker 3: them the power and the story of Jesus. Since the 88 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 3: man was lame from birth, he clung to Peter and 89 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 3: John for balance. Peter then spoke to the whole crowd, saying, 90 00:05:34,800 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 3: do not look at us as if we are the 91 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 3: ones who made him walk. Look at us, we are 92 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 3: not special. It is Jesus who performs these deeds. The 93 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 3: one whom you all allowed to be crucified is the 94 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 3: one who works these mighty things. Peter declared the gospel 95 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:55,400 Speaker 3: to the crowds. He spoke of repentance, forgiveness, and purpose. 96 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:58,359 Speaker 3: Many more people were added to the Family of God 97 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 3: that day, including the beggar, who now walked with purpose 98 00:06:02,520 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 3: under the will of God. As they were speaking, an 99 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 3: old enemy emerged from the synagogue doors. The priests, the 100 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:12,480 Speaker 3: Captain of the Guard, and the Sadducees walked out to 101 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 3: see a large group of people surrounding Peter and John. 102 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 3: Their stomachs dropped as they watched five thousand men and 103 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:24,720 Speaker 3: women declare faith in the resurrected Jesus, the Jesus they killed. 104 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 3: The next day, Peter and John were preaching again in 105 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:31,960 Speaker 3: the city streets. Caiaphas, the High priest, came with his 106 00:06:32,040 --> 00:06:35,359 Speaker 3: guard and yelled, by what power or authority do you 107 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 3: do these things? The high priest was livid since Peter 108 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 3: and John had been healing and preaching among the people. Peter, 109 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:45,479 Speaker 3: filled with the Holy Spirit, stepped down and walked to 110 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:49,279 Speaker 3: the priests and his guards. Are we being threatened because 111 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:52,719 Speaker 3: we have done good deeds? Peter asked, I want it 112 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 3: to be perfectly clear. I do these things with the 113 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 3: authority of Jesus, the one you crucified. He is the 114 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 3: cornerstone by which we build our lives. There is no 115 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 3: one else we look to for salvation. Peter did not flinch. 116 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 3: He spoke with boldness. Caiaphas had seen this boldness before 117 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 3: in Jesus. It sent chills down his spine. Out of fear, 118 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 3: they asked them to leave the temple streets and not 119 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 3: to speak the name of Jesus. Of course, they refused, 120 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 3: but the priests could not do anything, for the masses 121 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 3: were in love with the disciples. 122 00:07:30,440 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 4: In our scripture today we find a man sitting in 123 00:07:32,960 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 4: the gate near the entrance of the temple. The gate 124 00:07:35,960 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 4: was called beautiful, but for this crippled man, life was 125 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 4: anything but beautiful. He could not provide for his own needs, 126 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:45,840 Speaker 4: and he was surely considered cursed by those around him. 127 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 4: All he could do was beg for spare change and 128 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 4: hope for generous strangers to give him a coin or two. 129 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 4: So as Peter and John passed by, he looked at them, 130 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 4: hoping they would take pity on him and give him something. 131 00:08:00,240 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 4: These men are now walking in the power of Jesus Christ, 132 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 4: filled with the spirit. Peter and John looked upon this 133 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 4: man with love and compassion. They were like Jesus. They 134 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 4: were full of Jesus, and Peter and John knew that 135 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 4: this man needed more than physical healing. He needed spiritual healing. 136 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:22,880 Speaker 4: Peter looked at him with kindness, but rather than drop 137 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 4: just a few coins in the beggar's cup, he healed 138 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:29,720 Speaker 4: the man in the name of Jesus Christ. This man 139 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:32,880 Speaker 4: is now on his feet, walking and praising God. Can 140 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:37,000 Speaker 4: you imagine the joy of experiencing the power of Christ 141 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 4: and the healing of his body. Of course, this would 142 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 4: cause quite a scene. Those nearby who had seen the man, 143 00:08:45,040 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 4: probably many times unable to walk, and now he was 144 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:52,480 Speaker 4: jumping around and smiling and praising God. He's talking about 145 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 4: Jesus and what Jesus had done for him. Peter and 146 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,840 Speaker 4: John knew this was an opportunity to share a much 147 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:02,479 Speaker 4: deeper healing, so they began to share the good news. 148 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:06,439 Speaker 4: These two fishermen were not trained speakers, and they were 149 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 4: certainly not scholars, but God was in them. The Holy 150 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 4: Spirit was filling them, and the Lord gave them the 151 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 4: words to say, just as Peter had done on the 152 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 4: day of Pentecost. He began to tell everyone of the 153 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:22,920 Speaker 4: love of Jesus and how Jesus was sent by God. 154 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:26,360 Speaker 4: And even though people rejected him, his own people rejected 155 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:29,319 Speaker 4: him and sent him to a cross, that Christ rose again, 156 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 4: and now the resurrection power of Christ was alive in 157 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:37,080 Speaker 4: them and available to all who would trust in Christ. 158 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 4: He called them to repentance, to turn from their sins 159 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 4: and receive the grace of God. His words were clear 160 00:09:44,200 --> 00:09:48,199 Speaker 4: and compelling and courageous, and once more they were convicting 161 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:52,240 Speaker 4: they cut to the heart. Five thousand more souls were 162 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 4: saved that day, and the church continued to grow with explosive, 163 00:09:57,360 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 4: multiplying growth. Of course, the religious leaders hated this. They 164 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:05,720 Speaker 4: imagined that Jesus' followers would just fade away with time. 165 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 4: But now the opposite is happening. So they had Peter 166 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 4: and John arrested and brought them before the Council of 167 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 4: Priests Inscribes the next day. They tried to intimidate these 168 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:19,839 Speaker 4: two men, these two disciples. But these men were full 169 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 4: of God, and they were full of boldness and courage. 170 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 4: Peter and John, even under custody of the officials, did 171 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 4: not stop preaching the Gospel of Christ. They knew the 172 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 4: power of Jesus was in them, and so they fearlessly 173 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:38,040 Speaker 4: carried out the mission of our Lord. The religious leaders 174 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 4: had no basis to keep them confined. After all, they 175 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 4: had simply done a good deed and healed a lame man. 176 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 4: And still they warned them to stop preaching. And I 177 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 4: just absolutely love Peter and John's response given to us 178 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,959 Speaker 4: in Acts four, verses nineteen and twenty. Listen to these words. 179 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:01,200 Speaker 4: Whether it is right in the of God to listen 180 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 4: to you rather than to God, you must judge, For 181 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 4: we cannot but speak of what we have seen and 182 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:11,560 Speaker 4: heard in other words, We're going to obey God and 183 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 4: not you. We are compelled to keep speaking about Jesus. 184 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:18,960 Speaker 4: We should pray for that same boldness today as we 185 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 4: share the Gospel with others. We cannot help but speak 186 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:26,080 Speaker 4: of what Christ has done for us, and if we 187 00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:29,000 Speaker 4: have experienced the love and grace of Jesus, we are 188 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:32,720 Speaker 4: compelled to tell others. Just like Peter and John and 189 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 4: so many others, we don't need to be eloquent or 190 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,839 Speaker 4: educated to share the good news of Christ. We need 191 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 4: to be prepared and know the gospel, but then really 192 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:46,320 Speaker 4: simply to be willing and obedient and trust God that 193 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:48,640 Speaker 4: in the power of the Holy Spirit, He would change 194 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 4: lives through our bold witness. Dear God, we thank you 195 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,839 Speaker 4: for the courageous example of Peter and John. Help us 196 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:59,839 Speaker 4: to look for opportunities to see people all around the 197 00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:02,120 Speaker 4: US US who need the hope and help that is 198 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:05,760 Speaker 4: in Jesus Christ. May we boldly share the good news 199 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 4: of Jesus Christ with the people we meet in Jesus' name. Amen. 200 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 4: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 201 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:17,880 Speaker 4: This is Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. I want to 202 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 4: encourage you to download theprey dot com app and make 203 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:25,960 Speaker 4: prayer and Bible study discipleship a priority in your life. 204 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 4: Put Jesus first in your life and watch what He 205 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 4: can do when you give your life to him. Be 206 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,680 Speaker 4: sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. God Bless you. 207 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:44,960 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 208 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 209 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 5: Welcome to the previous podcast where Hope is our only bias. 210 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 5: Each day, we'll unpack the most prominent stories happening in 211 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 5: the news and offer a Christian perspective. We won't shy 212 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 5: away from the hard topics, and we won't dilute the 213 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 5: hopeful message of Christ. This is more than a daily 214 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 5: brief on the news. It's a way to be informed 215 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:14,840 Speaker 5: and transformed. Listen to Pray News on the iHeartRadio app, 216 00:13:15,040 --> 00:13:17,920 Speaker 5: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.