The Message of Change

Introduction

His name was Harold Taylor. I remember two things about him. First, he was one of the friendliest men you would ever meet. Always had a smile on his face. Laughed easily. Shook your hand with gusto and always seemed genuinely glad to see you. Second, he was unable to walk. Used crutches. Never saw him in a wheelchair. Those crutches were his legs. I have no idea what caused his inability to walk. He had no ability to stand on his legs. They were useless as far as I could tell. To stop and talk with him he would plant the crutches firmly on the ground and allow the weight of his body to be supported by those crutches.

I did not attend Harold’s funeral. Living here, I don’t get back to Nashville for funerals except on rare occasions. But at his funeral, the minister used Acts 3 as the basis for his sermon. Harold’s useless legs were now capable of supporting him. His physical limitation had given way to the freedom of being in God’s presence. Harold’s faith was not limited by his lifeless legs. He had a job. He worked to provide for his family. He loved God and he was a man who was thankful. Today we look at the Acts 3 and the healing of the lame man. A quick story that leads to a significant message about change. What God did for a lame man is used to call for all to change.

Healing

We don’t know how many days passed from that Sunday morning on Pentecost to chapter 3. After that Sunday morning assembly the church is spending lots of time encouraging one another; spending time together; expanding their understanding about who Jesus is. But at some point, we are reminded that the power of that day becomes the reality of living life each day. Peter and John are headed to the temple for the time of prayer. This was custom for Jews who were in Jerusalem. At three or so every afternoon there was a call for prayer. This would have been the time when the evening sacrifice was offered. 9 AM was the other time of the day for such a gathering.

A man born lame was carried on this day to a particular location where many would gather for prayer. Verse 10 suggests that this was a regular thing for him. At this location he would beg for money. This common practice was one way for those who were unable to work, would find the means to live. And the location would provide ample opportunity for worshipers to feel the “urge” to give at such a solemn moment. Peter and John pass the man and hear his call for money. Getting his attention, they offer to him what they have. Something better than money — the gift of life. Being helped to his feet, the man doesn’t just walk. The Bible tells us that he leaped, jumped, and began praising God. 4:22 tells us that this man was over 40.

For over 40 years, he had never walked. He didn’t know what it was to feel the earth beneath your feet. He didn’t know what was to jump, skip, leap, run, or experience the power of his legs. He didn’t know what it meant to be able to move from one place to another under the power of his legs. And now after 40 years, he is in the temple. STOP!! For over 40 years he had never been in the temple. He had always been on the outskirts of the temple. Only those who had no deformities could enter the temple. Only those who were whole could come near to God’s altar. Never walking meant never drawing near to God and his people. His first time inside the temple grounds as one of God’s sons was also the day that he walks under the power and name of Jesus.

Is it no wonder that verse 11 tells us that this man was holding on to Peter and John and would not let go of them. Healed; he is not going to walk away from the healer. Don’t overlook the word “astonished” in verse 11. Only time in the entire Bible this word is used. They aren’t just astonished; they are greatly astonished; super astonished; dreadfully astonished. And with that amazement well intact, Peter preaches. It is a message of conviction. It is a message of truth. It is a message calling for change.

Repent

When I read through Peter’s sermon, it is similar to the one preached in Acts 2. In this sermon there is less emphasis on the resurrection and more emphasis on their sin and response. I find it interesting that the message of repentance is so powerfully expressed. Let’s look at the text. Notice how quickly Peter turns their attention from the healed man to their sin. LOOK!!

3:13 — YOU handed him over to be killed

3:13 — YOU disowned him

3:14 — YOU disowned the Holy and Righteous One

3:14 — YOU asked for a murderer to be released

3:15 — YOU killed the author of life

3:17 — YOU acted in ignorance

3:19 — Repent so that your sins may be wiped away. The term for “wiped” is used to describe the process of washing the ink for a papyrus document. In those days, the ink did not absorb into the paper but a piece of paper could be used again when it was washed clean of the stain. This is the metaphor. Repent and be washed clean of the stain of your sin.

3:23 — Failure to listen means you are cut off from God’s plan

The appeal the lame man is used in 3:16 to demonstrate what the outcome of faith is — a change. The lame man is not used to suggest that all physical infirmity will be healed. The lame man is used to show that change must occur. It is faith in Jesus that resulted in his changed condition and it is faith in this same Jesus that will result in a change in your position with God. Failure to listen to Jesus means that you are excluded from God’s people. But to repent and to washed clean of the stain brings life.

This is a message of change. This is a message that acknowledges that sin is the reason why there is separation from God. God does not leave us alone. Nor does God leave us as is. But those changes start with an awareness of sin that separates. My choices to ignore the evidence about Jesus results in my choosing separation from God and his people. This room is filled with people who are part of God’s people and have changed in order to be a part of God’s plan and intent. But there are others who are not convinced. The Jews gathered in the temple twice a day to pray to God. But they had rejected Jesus and in doing so they had rejected God’s plan.

While we are not Jews, the rich history of God using the Jewish people to bring the Christ into the world is still true. Only in accepting Jesus as the one who is God’s means to bring forgiveness requires that you are a sinner. That you have rejected Jesus. That you live for yourself rather than living for God. And with that admission comes the opportunity to change. To repent. To go in a new direction. There are many in this room that have done that. But there are some who have yet to do that. You are here for any variety of reasons. Repent and turn to God so that your sins may be washed clean. This is the same message that we continue to preach.

Some approach God with their hands out waiting for God to do something so that he can be believed. Don’t you know there was more than one crippled man at the temple gate that day? Don’t you know that not every person was healed? Don’t you know that one man’s healing is sufficient to prove that God is interested in you? Don’t you know that one man’s change demands that all change?

What do you think the newly healed man did the next day? Do you think he called his friend to carry him back to the gate? Do you think he walked back there and asked for money again? Do you think the direction of his life changed? Do you think the purpose of his life changed? Do you think is praise for God was deeper? More powerful? More expressive? Admit your sin. Repent and give up your avoidance of God’s will and desire for your life. Turn to God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Live life with a new direction, new purpose, and greater praise than you ever imagined. Come to God and be part of his people. Invitation.

Follow Jesus

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