Stand up

Very few ever have a salvation experience with the Lord Jesus Christ as Paul did. Acts 9:1-9

But Jesus saving you and me should still have the evidence of changed lives as He made us new creations and the righteousness of God the Father. 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21; Galatians 5:22-26; 6:15; Philippians 1:9-11

Paul fell to the ground after He saw and heard Jesus. Acts 26:13-15; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:3-8

Jesus then said to him,

"But get up and stand on your feet.

For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you." Acts 26:16

Aren't all believers supposed to STAND UP to be servants of Jesus John 12:26; 13:12-15 and witnesses to Him? John 15:27; Acts 1:8

STAND UP: YOU ARE HEALED

Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel. Acts 14:1, 7

Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Paul wrote that he wasn't ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it's the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes it, first to the Jew and then the Greek [non-Jew]. Romans 1:16

His message must have included the benefit of physical healing. Matthew 4:23-24; 8:1-3, 13-17; 1 Peter 2:24-25 

With it, Paul perceived or saw on that man's face, or saw in the Spirit that the crippled man had faith to be healed. Acts 14:9 

Faith came because the word of Christ on healing was shared. Romans 10:17

In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked.

This man was listening to the words of Paul, who looked intently at him and saw that he had faith to be healed.

In a loud voice Paul called out, "Stand up on your feet!"

And the man jumped up and began to walk. Acts 14:8-10

In addition to standing up, we might be wise to let the Spirit of the Lord stir us. Judges 13:25

Then we STIR UP, fan into flame, rekindle, and don't neglect the gift or gifts within us. 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6

And then JUMP UP Acts 14:10 and walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

GET UP AND WALK

And 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 entering the temple courts.

When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Acts 3:2-3

How do WE treat beggars?

Most want money, don't they? Acts 3:4-5

Here's what Peter did --

But Peter said,

"Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" Acts 3:6

Nothing happened after Peter's command of faith.

The crippled man did NOT stand up and walk.

Why?

Apparently, there was NOT any supernatural healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ released into that man.

What would we have done?

If you've ever prayed for someone's healing, even your own, and nothing seemed to change, what did you do?

What could you or should you have done?

As the Lord Jesus Christ said to a father whose daughter had just died, Mark 5:35

"Do not be afraid; just believe." Mark 5:36

Trust the Scriptures Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that could apply to you and remember that...

Through faith and patience you inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:10-12

Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4

Now back to what Peter did in Acts chapter 3.

When his command of "Rise up and walk" obtained no visible results, did he do something on his own or did the Healer lead him?

The writer of Acts doesn't inform us.

Neither does the Bible say how long Peter waited, IF at all, before he did this --

Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man's feet and ankles were made strong. Acts 3:7

What Peter had, he said he would give Acts 3:6 to the crippled man who was over 40 years old. Acts 3:2; 4:22

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that is, in His authority, character, and power, Peter would give to this man, and he did. Acts 3:6-7; 4:7-12

He sprang to his feet and began to walk.

Then he went with them [Peter and John vs.1, 3-4] into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:8

WE CAN HELP OTHERS STAND UP

Don't we want to stand up, rise up, and give to others what we've received from the Lord Jesus Christ?

Jesus said to His first followers, Matthew 10:1-4

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.

Freely you have received; freely give." Matthew 10:8

Paul wrote,

For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive?

And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Corinthians 4:7

As Peter wrote,

As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

How would this happen?

If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God.

If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides,

so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

When we give or use a spiritual gift or blessing, Romans 1:11-12; 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-28; Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-13; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6

it's important to be humble. James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5-6

Why?

As Peter said in Acts chapter 3,

"Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this?

Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" Acts 3:12

Beware when ministers want to be exalted. Matthew 23:5-7; 3 John v.9 

Beware when people want to label ministers as some great ones. Acts 8:9-10

Peter knew Who the Healer was. Acts 4:8-10

"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong.

It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence." Acts 3:16

"I ALSO AM ONLY A PERSON"

Signs, wonders, and miracles might occur to testify of the grace [unearned and undeserved favor] of the Lord Jesus Christ toward people. Mark 16:17-18; Acts 14:3; 15:12; 19:11-12

Other blessings might be given that we were co-laborers with Him in these. Matthew 7:11; Acts 8:14-17; 16:16-18; 19:5-6; 1 Corinthians 3:9

If they do, let's remember that we have these treasures in human bodies.

It's HIS power and for HIS honor. 2 Corinthians 4:15

Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.

2 Corinthians 4:7 

Peter was among those that healings, signs, and other wonders were done by the name of Jesus. Acts 4:29-30; 5:12, 16

Even Peter's shadow brought the healing power of Jesus. Acts 5:15

Peter saw Jesus Christ make Aeneus well after he was paralyzed and bedridden for 8 years. Acts 9:32-35

Peter saw the Lord raise Tabitha from the dead. Acts 9:36-42

Peter might have thought, "Hey, I'm the greatest of the apostles." Luke 9:46

But when Peter had someone fall down to worship him, how did he react?

As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him.

But Peter helped him up.

"Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself." Acts 10:25-26

It seems that only a few in pulpits, congregations, and other supporters have this phrase placed in their hearts.

Ministers still like to be called, "Rabbi" Matthew 23:6-7 or other titles, even though Jesus could say,

"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers." Matthew 23:8

"The greatest among you shall be your servant.

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:11-12

We can be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

When we wear His full armor, we can STAND UP against the devil's operations. Ephesians 6:11-17

However, toward each other, we want to be clothed with humility. Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 5:5

We can submit to each other because of reverence for the Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 5:21 as the head and Savior of His body. Ephesians 4:15; 5:23

As we humble ourselves under His mighty hand, He will exalt us in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

We may be told by God the Father from Whom His promotions come, Psalm 75:6-7

"Friend, move up to a better place." Luke 14:10

Then as we begin to serve others by love Galatians 5:13 from this new position of ministry, Acts 6:2-6; 8:4-8 our attitude can be, 

"We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty." Luke 17:10

Then, we'll stand in the way He wants.

Your thoughts?

R. Jason