Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Crippled Man Leaps For Joy.
God's Messenger: Apostle Paul.
Bible Location: Lystra.
Bible Text:
Acts 14:8-11 KJV
8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
Acts 14:8 KJV
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
There was not a Jewish synagog at Lystra, and so no doubt Paul and Barnabas preached in Lystra's market place or town square.
Here sat a man that all knew well. A man who had crippled feet, could not walk, and who begged alms for sustenance.
What heart ache he must have experienced over a “life-time,” of misery. Not being able to run and play as a child, and later, not being able to work or have friends, as others. There had been no answer, and there would be no answer, surely he thought.
And how often isn't it the truth, “man does “not,” have an answer.” And often when it does, it is a wrong one!
But come to town, were two strangers, talking of someone called the Messiah.
Persecution oft was the impetuous of evangelism! Paul and Barnabas on run for their lives, having fled from mob persecution at Iconium, had come some 18 miles away south to Lystra.
Paul and Barnabas, ran away from trouble, but trouble, did not run away from them, ...another story.
The lame man, listened intently to the Apostle. Had he heard before of this one Jesus Christ, perhaps, perhaps not. One thing we may know, he not only listened intently, in his heart, he believed intently as well!
Maybe it would be a miraculous answer of God, if more were in predicaments of displeasure, so as to have the time to be seeking, honestly searching, grasping for answers from the God of all creation.
And perhaps the God of all condescending mercies will indeed allow such,... time will tell.
Acts 14:9 KJV
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed
The Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee, and persecutor of the church of Jesus Christ, now a born-again Jew, Spirit baptized and, Holy Spirit endued with power from on high.
Looking at the crippled man, the Apostle saw a spark of faith, in eyes that had grown dim over the years.
Romans 10:17 KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
And in a commanding voice of faith said to the lame man...
Acts 14:10 KJV
“...Stand upright on thy feet...”
Hebrews 11:1,6 KJV
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Acts 14:10 KJV'
“...And he leaped and walked.”
No, this verse does not speak of tears, tears of joy, and utter bewilderment, as to why now, where were you so many years ago, Paul?
These things we must leave with the great I AM.
What was important, was what man could “not” do, the living God had done!
Oh why, why do men shut God out of their lives, when He, who is with us, and all, is so loving and
kind?
Psalm 103:4 KJV
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies;
Psalm 145:9 KJV
The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.
Lamentations 3:22 KJV
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
Where are those who will seek God first?
And what is the price of seeing men set free?
It is as our Saviour told us.
Mark 9:29 KJV
And He said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Luke 24:49 KJV (The Day of Pentecost.)
And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
I Corinthians 13:1 KJV (Apostle Paul)
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
I Corinthians 14:18 KJV (Apostle Paul)
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
The Apostle Paul had experienced Pentecost in his life, and as a result, others were the better for it.
Acts 14:11 KJV
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
John 3:1,2 KJV
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a Teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him.
Men will know, when we are God's servant.
Luke 14:33 KJV
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.
I John 2:15-17 KJV
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
John 4:34-37 KJV
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Salvation Prayer
God's Messenger: Apostle Paul.
Bible Location: Lystra.
Bible Text:
Acts 14:8-11 KJV
8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
Acts 14:8 KJV
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
There was not a Jewish synagog at Lystra, and so no doubt Paul and Barnabas preached in Lystra's market place or town square.
Here sat a man that all knew well. A man who had crippled feet, could not walk, and who begged alms for sustenance.
What heart ache he must have experienced over a “life-time,” of misery. Not being able to run and play as a child, and later, not being able to work or have friends, as others. There had been no answer, and there would be no answer, surely he thought.
And how often isn't it the truth, “man does “not,” have an answer.” And often when it does, it is a wrong one!
But come to town, were two strangers, talking of someone called the Messiah.
Persecution oft was the impetuous of evangelism! Paul and Barnabas on run for their lives, having fled from mob persecution at Iconium, had come some 18 miles away south to Lystra.
Paul and Barnabas, ran away from trouble, but trouble, did not run away from them, ...another story.
The lame man, listened intently to the Apostle. Had he heard before of this one Jesus Christ, perhaps, perhaps not. One thing we may know, he not only listened intently, in his heart, he believed intently as well!
Maybe it would be a miraculous answer of God, if more were in predicaments of displeasure, so as to have the time to be seeking, honestly searching, grasping for answers from the God of all creation.
And perhaps the God of all condescending mercies will indeed allow such,... time will tell.
Acts 14:9 KJV
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed
The Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee, and persecutor of the church of Jesus Christ, now a born-again Jew, Spirit baptized and, Holy Spirit endued with power from on high.
Looking at the crippled man, the Apostle saw a spark of faith, in eyes that had grown dim over the years.
Romans 10:17 KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
And in a commanding voice of faith said to the lame man...
Acts 14:10 KJV
“...Stand upright on thy feet...”
Hebrews 11:1,6 KJV
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
Acts 14:10 KJV'
“...And he leaped and walked.”
No, this verse does not speak of tears, tears of joy, and utter bewilderment, as to why now, where were you so many years ago, Paul?
These things we must leave with the great I AM.
What was important, was what man could “not” do, the living God had done!
Oh why, why do men shut God out of their lives, when He, who is with us, and all, is so loving and
kind?
Psalm 103:4 KJV
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies;
Psalm 145:9 KJV
The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.
Lamentations 3:22 KJV
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
Where are those who will seek God first?
And what is the price of seeing men set free?
It is as our Saviour told us.
Mark 9:29 KJV
And He said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Luke 24:49 KJV (The Day of Pentecost.)
And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
I Corinthians 13:1 KJV (Apostle Paul)
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
I Corinthians 14:18 KJV (Apostle Paul)
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
The Apostle Paul had experienced Pentecost in his life, and as a result, others were the better for it.
Acts 14:11 KJV
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
John 3:1,2 KJV
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a Teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with Him.
Men will know, when we are God's servant.
Luke 14:33 KJV
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.
I John 2:15-17 KJV
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
John 4:34-37 KJV
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
Salvation Prayer
