CHANGE

THEME: CHANGE
Bible reading: Acts 3:1-11
INTRODUCTION:
We are in 3rd Sunday of Lent. Lenten season is the time of self examine, reflecting upon our lives, self seeking, a time of repentance, a time of dedication & rededication, fasting and praying, self denial, simplicity, a time to observe our relationship the Lord & work for the Lord and a time of CHANGE ( permanent change, not short term change; inwardly as well as outwardly change).
Friends, Theme for our meditation is CHANGE. Change must be permanent and it must be inside & outside change. This is our God requires from us.

BACKGROUND:
Acts 2:43 says “many wonders and miracles done by the Apostles, which are not recorded by the writer St. Luke in this book but only few.”
Dear Friends, this Acts 3:1-11 is true story of change. Introduction of the book of Acts “It was written so we would have the True Story of how the Christian church began and grew; and also 4:16 testifies “we can’t deny this miracle”
This true story begins with v.1
St. Peter and St. John were going to the Temple for Prayer at 3pm. They had custom to pray thrice in a day i.e. 9am, 12am, 3pm. (Dan. 6:10; Ps 55:17).
We would say it was the leading of Holy Spirit or Holy Spirit led them to temple. B’coz book of Acts also called “Acts of Holy Spirit”.
It was 3pm. They were near the ‘Beautiful Gate’. And there was poor cripple lying and begging. He was crippled or lame from the birth Acts 4:22 for 40 years. He never walked and jumped in his life. He wasn’t allowed to enter into Temple. B’coz Jewish thinks that foreigners, Gentiles, Samaritans, tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers & physically challenged people can’t enter into the Temple. They relate their deceases and sufferings are the reason of their own sins or their parent’s sins.
He used to beg at Beautiful Gate but nothing was beautiful, excited, and joyful and changed in his life. His friends leave him at Temple gate to beg. This was his daily routine for many years.
(This is the picture of spiritual cripple ness without Christ Jesus or Christ less person. He/S can’t enter into the relationship with God, Can’t enter into the Kingdom of God without Jesus Christ. There is no excitement, no reason to live, no joy, no hope, no change, no eternal life, no forgiveness and life is spiritually crippled without Lord Jesus Christ.)

BODY:
V.3- He saw Peter and John and asked them for money.
It seems he was professional beggar. He knew the place to sit (at Temple gate) and when to sit (during prayer hours).
V. 4 – Here is the guidance of Holy Spirit. Both looked at him. And Peter said, “Look at us.” (Strange b’coz we never say to any beggar “look at us” instead of giving money).
V.6 - But Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
It was command or words of authority.
It wasn’t suggestion - would you pl rise up and walk in the Name of Jesus Christ.
It wasn’t trial – let us see how you rise up and walk in the Name of Jesus Christ.
It wasn’t request – will you pl rise up and walk in the Name of Jesus Christ.
He immediately walked and jumped and praised God. He went into Temple with Peter and John. Earlier he never walked and jumped and entered in the Temple.
He was unstoppable. He was Continuous praising God.
Friends, God has called us to bless people and made us people of Hope Col. 1:27, and call sinners to walk in the Lord’s way. Only Lord Jesus Christ can heal physical and spiritual cripple ness.
There were three Changes took place in his life.
(1) Place:
He changed his place. Earlier he used to sit at Temple’s gate and wasn’t allow to entered in the Temple but now he Immediately went in the Temple.

(2) Fellowship:
Earlier he had fellowship with beggars but now v.11 says he held or clung Peter and John. He changed his fellowship with God’s people.

(3) Life:
Now he wasn’t depended upon others, not begging, but walking, jumping and praising God. There was joy, excitement, beauty and Changed life.

Illustrations:
1) St. Peter, who healed this cripple person, There was Change in his life. Once he denied Lord Jesus Christ but now he was ready to die for Him.
He and other Disciples didn’t cast out demon and heal sick Mark 9:18. When they kept fast and prayed, Acts 2:43 says they did many miracles and wonders.
Fasting and prayer is very essential for believers and both are back bone of the believers.
Even people wondered when Peter preached before thousands of people.
Acts 4:13 says “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Greatest qualification they had).
What a Change!
2) A rich honorable man, wise well educated, full of zeal. Act 9; Phil 3:4-6; 1 Corn 15:9. Who saw a great light and he used his wealth, wisdom, education, zeal, life for God’s service. He changed his mission.
What a Change!
3) A demons possessed man, ugly, dirty, violent & naked. When he had encounter with Lord Jesus Christ he totally became new being. People saw him well dressed, clean, calm and sitting at the feet of Lord Jesus Christ. Mk. 5.
What a Change!
These persons never shouted that we are Christians pl look at us. But other people saw them found total change in their lives. (Act 3:11 Came running to them)
This is the Change. This is what God requires from us.

CONCLUSION:
Dear Friends, Ask Holy Spirit to Change your lives.
So that other people may see you and glorify your Father in heaven (1 Pet. 2:12) and they may see you a new creation, new being and totally different person in the world full of hate, corruption, evil and temptations.
Gal. 2:20; 2 Corn. 5:17.

May God bless you.
Rev. Varinder Kumar