The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1920-01-09

Whole
JUNIOR TOPlC-Peter and John at the
Beautiful Gate.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Faith and a Helping Hand.
The indications are that some
months had elapsed since PentecOst.
The believers were being taught by the
apostles, who were showing their Gre
dentials by their mighty works & :43).
|. The Lame Man Healed wv. LID.
l. The occasion (v. y. Peter and
John were going to the house of wor-
ship. They were going up to Jerusa-
lem to worship though they knew full
we'll the cOrruptions of Judaism. What
is needed today is not separation from
UNCONVENTIONAL bodies so much as for
those who know the Lord and the
higher things of the Christian life to
help lead those who lack these things
into the better way.
2. The place ". p. 1t w>es at the
beautiful gate which led from the out
err to the inner court of the temple.
This man was placed at the entrance
of the place of worship, because
where man comes closest to God ne
also comes closest to his fellow man.
Human instinct is quick to discern
this. Beggars are seldom found at
doors of theaters and intidel lecture
halls.
3. The man wv. 2, 81. This beggar
was infirm from his birth.
4. The method wv. 4-9). t1) Gained
the mans attention ". ~ Peter and
John commanded him to look on them.
Having secured his attention they gave
him more than he asked or expected.
He asked for money and got healing.
(2.) Peter commanded him in the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth to
rise up and walk ". g.. This was the
very thing he had been unable to do
for so many years. Was not this mock
ing his very impotency? No! No! 1t
was in the name Of Jesus. With the
commandment went the ability to do.
(3.) Peter took him by the right hand
". y. This act was meant to give i'm
petus to his faith, not strength to MS
ankles. a. The mans response ". ~.
Strength came to his feet aud ankle
bones at once. He stood, he walked,
he leaped and shouted praise to God.
He thoroughly advertised the miracle.
He ascribed the honor to God for his
healing and walked into the house OF
God. The one who has experienced
the life of Christ will surely make 1t
manifest
5. The effect wv. 9-1D. The people
we're filled with wonder and amaze
ment. The multitude ran together to
see this wonderful thing. There was
no question as to the genuineness OF
the miracle, for this man was a IA
miliar figure for many years. This
miracle may be regarded as parable
setting forth the work of the church In
the world. (1.) The helpless beggar
had to be carried to the temple gate.
Men and women out of Christ are spir-
itually helpless; they need to be
brought where the life Of God can be
applied to them. We should bring sin
ners to Christ. (2.) Taking him by
the hand shows the manner of the
| Christians help.
II. Peter Witnessing of Jesus Christ
Before the Multitude wv. 1926.
This miracle focused the attention
of the people upon Peter and John
Peter Immediately turned their atten-
ton from himself to Christ. This is
most unlike the claimants to divine
power today. Disclaiming power OF
his own, he seized the opportunity to
preach Christ to the people who had
assembled. He told them it was faith
in Jesus Christ, whom the God of thei1
fathers had glorified, whom they hao
deliberately delivered up and denied
before PLATE when he desired to sci
him free, and that they desired muir
derer to be granted freedom instead
He showed that the disciples were also
witnesses that God had raised Jesu:
from the dead, and charged home upor
them their awful guilt; for they haC
denied the holy one and the just, anC
chosen Barabbas, "a murderer, instead
of Christ, and killed the Prince of Life
He appealed to them to repent ". 19)
telling them that they had committed
this awful crime in ignorance, Cox
; would pardon their sin if they woult
, repent. He assured them that Israe
,, would yet enjoy refreshing season
from the Lord, when God should sem
Jesus Christ back to earth to consum
mate the work Of redemption. He az
pealed to the Scriptures as the basi
. of his warnings and promises wv
22-26.