Testimony at the Beautiful Gate
Acts 3:1-11; 2/19/2023; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Today, we talk about “the testimony of the beautiful gate” in Acts 3:1-11. Did you find anything? Yes, I skipped the second chapter. Why? I want everyone to experience together how would the early church go on without chapter two? The order has changed, what will it look like? Let’s look at the first point:
temple encounter
After Christ’s ascension, the church was sharpened for about a hundred years before it broke away from the Jewish temple tradition and gradually approached the church and the body of Christ. First, the habits of time, space and characters. Why was the prayer at three in the afternoon? Pray three times a day, this is a Jewish habit or rule! The specific distribution is: Sichu, 9:00 am; Noon, 12:00 noon; Shenchu, 3:00 pm. Not only is the time fixed, but the characters are also familiar to everyone. The eldest brother Peter led the younger brother John into and out of the temple. Maybe everyone is indifferent after reading it, right? Have we become accustomed to our weekly faith life, including our worship, Sunday school, discipleship, prayer meeting, etc.? Although there is already Jesus Christ, they are still bound by the customary Jewish tradition. Has our culture, traditions, history, nation, country, family, money, reputation, status, etc., always remained high, or even preempted the position of God?
Second, the old self that lives out daily. A man crippled from birth enjoys being carried to the temple every day, and picks the door to stay. The Bible says that the gate is called the Beautiful Gate. In fact, we may all be envious and longing for this kind of life, right? Have good relationships and a strong support system. Why do these people carry you to the temple every day? Are you their father? It’s not easy being a father, haven’t you heard that there is no filial son in front of long term ill parents? He was born lame, and his potential stocks are not high, which shows that this person is not simple, and his old self is quite capable. Either a rich second generation, or a superb ability to control people. Otherwise, who would willingly serve you? And still carry you to the temple every day? This person also loves beauty and has a soft spot for art, so he chose Beauty Gate. The Beautiful Gate may be the gate between the Court of the Gentiles and the Court of Women. There are exquisite Corinthian bronze ornaments on the fifteen steps between the two courtyards, which are magnificent. Even begging for a lifetime here is probably a quiet and peaceful day.
Lastly, take it for granted to collect in the temple. The man who was born lame had probably given up hope of a change in his life. It is estimated that since he was a child, he has been taught by an expert, telling him how to spend his life as a beggar. The Bible is actually talking about our life, have you realized it? When we do not know the Lord, and do not understand that the value of our life is determined by the ransom of Christ, we are like a beggar, do you agree? Even if the so-called believes in the Lord, he grows by begging. He only knows how to ask, but he doesn’t know how to be grateful. As long as what he gets is good, what he gives is bad, right? The Bible says: “When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. (Acts 3:3)” Peter and John were born as fishermen, and it’s easy to tell at first sight that they had no money. But this man is used to it! Reach out when it’s time to reach out, and if the goose passes by, at least you have to pluck out the roots and get the money! Since you can come to the temple, you should have some money with you! A person’s poverty does not affect his greed and demands. Let’s look at the second point:
Look at us
I guess Peter and John would be a little stunned, thinking, why would you beg us? First, take it for granted to reach out. As long as a person passes by me, they are all my “leeks”, and they must be Artemisia! Anyway, I come every day, even if the high priest passes by, I don’t care! I don’t care who you are? I have no money, can’t I ask you for money? So what if you are a fisherman? So what if you are an old man? Take to the streets to protest if medical insurance is reduced? Don’t you know that this mountain is my home, and this road is opened by me. If you want to pass through it, leave the money to cross the road! The gospel is a free gift, but it is precious and priceless. The kingdom of heaven must be entered with effort, and not boasting of behavior does not mean that God does not care about one’s good behavior! Apart from getting used to reaching out to Him every day, can we think about how to repay the Lord? Repaying kindness starts with gratitude, do you agree? Because if a person is not grateful, he must live in anxiety. The man’s worry was that if he missed these two poor fishermen, he would have no money today.
Second, unexpected observations. Peter John stared at him, feeling strange. Can’t you see our clothes? Don’t you even spare the poor? It’s really unreasonable! This may be the mentality we often have, which I call condescending moral judgment. Who am I, Peter and John? Not only are the disciples of the Lord, but also the apostles, and more importantly, the disciples that the Lord values, don’t you know? Have you seen the chaos in the church today? I am a very capable person! I want to do great things for the Lord, don’t you know? I pastor a small church, how can I satisfy my heart? I am not only a pastor, but also a pastor among pastors, specially here to shepherd pastors. When there is an event, the pastors are reading the Bible, even if I am not a pastor, I have to stand in front of the pastors! From such a perspective, it is not difficult to see the desire in people’s hearts!
Lastly, what I do have I give you. Finally, the Holy Spirit is in control! The Bible records: “Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6)” Whether you are a servant of God or a brother or sister in the church, there is only one principle in serving God, that is, “Give you only what I have”! In fact, it is the greatest commandment that Jesus said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is similar, and it is to love your neighbor as yourself. These two commandments are the sum total of all the teachings of the law and the prophets (Matt. 22:37-40).” Being faithful to the Lord will inevitably produce a heart for people and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. This man asked for gold and silver, but Jesus asked him to stand up. Let’s look at the third point:
Being astonished
How can you not be surprised? Every child of God is experiencing an amazing life every day, right? First, got up and instantly became strong. God has prepared a healthy life for the people He saves, do you believe it? The crippled man also had to face the source of his faith. Believe and you will receive! When he heard Peter said: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” ” It is not necessary to get up! He can dismiss it and ignore it, can’t he? Who are you? Why do you ask me to get up, and I should listen to you? Disabled people also have human rights! I also want to save face! If I get up, how can I beg in the future? How can I beg if someone finds out that I am strong? What shall I do in the days to come? I was born lame! I can’t compare with you people who are not born lame! You can’t understand me! Do you know what I need? It would be best to find someone like me who was born lame and beg with me at the Beauty Gate!
Second, walking and praising God! Thankfully, the man obeyed! Peter took his hand and he was lifted up! To his surprise, he got up, “and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. ” His world has been turned upside down, how is that possible? is this real? Can people who are used to lying flat still stand up? If it were you, what would you most like to do right now? Maybe you don’t even dare to think about it, can you? The Bible says: He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ” This should be our destiny too! When you first believe, being weak in life is like drinking spiritual milk. However, when our spiritual body gradually grows and becomes strong, we should jump to praise and glorify God!
Finally, we should bear witness to God together! When praise to God happens, response happens! The Bible records that: “When all the people saw him walking and praising God, (Acts 3:9)” We can rest assured that we don’t have to worry about being alone and embarrassing. As long as we praise, praise, sing hymns, read the Bible, pray, and serve, there will inevitably be people who go with us. When he took Peter and John into the temple together, “all the people were astonished and came running to them. (Acts 3:11)” Wonder is an opportunity for the gospel given by God, and it is an opportunity to testify for God. He was born lame, and now he is not lame, what happened? Those who “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.” Our former quick-tempered natures were changed, and family members were amazed, wouldn’t they? Then tell them what the Lord has done in your life, okay?
Conclusion
Well, thank the Lord! The testimony of the beautiful gate testifies that the Lord is the wonderful and beautiful gate of life! That door is a narrow one, and one has to work hard to get in! Are you willing to?
Let us pray……
Acts 3:1-11
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.
2 Now a man who was lame 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.
3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”
5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.
8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God,
10 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.
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.
