Changed by Jesus' Name: Rise, Walk, Share Your Story

Devotional

Day 1: From Crippled Begthing to Leaping Worship

The man at the Beautiful Gate spent decades begging, his identity defined by limitation. When Peter declared healing in Jesus’ name, weakness became strength. His legs didn’t merely function—he leaped, danced, and entered the temple for the first time. True change in Christ isn’t incremental; it shatters old narratives. Freedom isn’t found in alms but in the authority of Jesus’ name. What once kept him sidelined became a platform for praise. [39:25]

“And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”
(Acts 3:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you settled for “begging” when Jesus invites you to leap? What limitation are you still carrying that He’s already named as a testimony?

Day 2: “What I Do Have, I Give”

Peter and John carried no coins, but they carried Christ. The world offers temporary fixes—money, advice, distractions. Disciples offer the only thing that lasts: Jesus’ presence. Healing began not with a miracle but with eye contact. The man wanted charity; God wanted intimacy. True ministry starts not with our resources but with surrendered availability. [39:09]

“But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’”
(Acts 3:6, ESV)

Reflection: When someone asks for help, do you default to solving surface problems or offering Christ? Who needs your focused gaze more than your advice?

Day 3: Seen at the Side of the Road

The lame man wasn’t a project but a person. Jesus noticed him not during a sermon but during a routine walk to prayer. Our most impactful moments often interrupt our schedules. The disciples didn’t avoid the “messy” part of town—they walked straight through it. Ministry happens when we let the Spirit reroute our plans. [44:17]

“The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man.”
(Psalm 33:13, ESV)

Reflection: Whose pain have you learned to ignore because it’s “always there”? What routine path might God want to make your mission field today?

Day 4: Walking With the Wobbly

The healed man didn’t sprint off alone—Peter gripped his hand, steadying his first steps. New life in Christ isn’t solitary. We enter the temple together, our healing pointing others to the Healer. Testimonies grow when shared; miracles multiply when the church walks arm-in-arm. [59:06]

“And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them.”
(Acts 3:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: Who have you “let go” too soon in their faith journey? How can you physically or spiritually “hold someone’s hand” this week?

Day 5: Your Story Is Someone’s Invitation

The man’s dancing confused the crowd—they’d only ever seen him sitting. Your transformation is a public altar call. Peter didn’t preach a sermon until the miracle made them ask, “How?” Your changed life is the best introduction to Christ’s power. Don’t mute your joy; it’s the soundtrack of redemption. [36:17]

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.”
(Psalm 107:2, ESV)

Reflection: What part of your story have you hidden that someone needs to hear? Who’s watching your “walk” and waiting to ask why?

Sermon Summary

Acts 3 sets Peter and John on an ordinary walk to the hour of prayer. The text puts a lame man at the Beautiful Gate, a man laid there daily, left at the side, expecting only enough to make it to tomorrow. Peter says, “Look at us.” The man fixes his eyes, wanting coins. Jesus’ name gives him more. “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Jesus’ name makes ankles and feet strong. Jesus’ name lifts him to his feet. Jesus’ name carries him straight into the temple, “walking and leaping and praising God.”

Peter refuses credit. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob glorifies his Servant, Jesus. Israel denied the Holy and Righteous One, killed the Author of life, and God raised him. The text makes the point plain: “His name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong.” The call of the gospel follows: “Repent therefore and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” so that times of refreshing would come from the Lord’s presence. Moses promised a prophet to hear or be cut off. The prophets from Samuel forward proclaimed these days. The covenant to Abraham aimed at blessing all families. God raised his Servant and sent him first to turn people from wickedness. That is blessing. That is change.

Jesus’ name still changes the trajectory. The Spirit still says, “This one,” seeing the people left at the side, the addicted, the ashamed, the proud, the polished. The change does not erase every problem. It gives a new life and a new outlook. The man who could not work now can, and he takes up his life with praise. Ministry happens in the most mundane places when Jesus’ name is honored, Scripture is opened, and prayer is offered. The call is not to build credit for helpers. Jesus saves for God’s glory. The truest miracle often missed is new birth, the move from death to life, eyes cleared to see Jesus and a heart set free to walk.

The church is called to share the story, not just sing the song. The disciple is called to walk with the hurting into the presence of Christ, arm in arm. The unbeliever is called to repent and trust Jesus alone, today. The believer is called to bold witness, even when it costs, trusting the Spirit who sends and the Lord who provides. The word is simple and strong: get up.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus’ name changes real destinies [37:35] Jesus does not tweak habits; he moves people from death to life and resets direction. The lame man enters the temple not as a beggar but as a worshiper because Jesus’ name makes him whole. Lasting change starts with trusting the person of Christ, not grabbing at short-term fixes. The question is not whether Jesus can change; it is whether the hearer will receive his word and rise. [37:35]
2. The Spirit sees and sends [46:20] The Spirit singles out the unseen and appoints moments that look ordinary to become holy ground. Guidance often comes as a nudge to stop, look someone in the eye, and offer Jesus rather than spare change. Availability beats expertise when the Spirit says, “this one.” Obedience in small interruptions opens doors for God-sized outcomes. [46:20]
3. Repentance opens times of refreshing [41:25] Repentance is not self-loathing; it is turning from a dying road to the living Christ. God’s promise is not a scolding but “times of refreshing” from his presence. When sin is blotted out, oxygen returns to the soul and worship becomes possible again. Refusal keeps the heat on; repentance invites the breeze. [41:25]
4. Healing points past helpers to Him [59:40] Real ministry refuses credit and refuses to trade Jesus’ name for personal platform. Peter names the crucified and risen Jesus and hands the glory back to God. When outcomes draw eyes to the healer rather than the Healer, something is off. Faithfulness is measured by who gets praised when the dust settles. [59:40]
5. Tell the story and walk with [58:31] Testimony is not a drop-and-run; it is escorting people into the presence of Christ. The healed man goes in with Peter and John, and that picture still instructs. People need company as they learn to walk, not critics who count their missteps. Sharing a story becomes shepherding when it keeps step with those just finding their feet. [58:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:41] - Changed by Jesus’ Name
[31:54] - Only Jesus, not works
[33:09] - Acts is Jesus at work
[36:44] - Share your story with the lost
[38:31] - Reading Acts 3:1-16
[41:25] - Repent and receive refreshing
[46:20] - The Spirit sees and sends
[48:04] - From roadside to temple praise
[49:59] - Ministry in the ordinary day
[55:49] - Walk with people into Christ
[59:40] - Not their glory, but His
[61:39] - New birth is the miracle
[66:01] - Get up and live free
[72:38] - Every believer is sent

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Acts 3:1-16 (ESV)
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s, astounded. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

Observation questions

What did the lame man expect to receive from Peter and John, and what did he actually receive?
How did Peter redirect the crowd’s attention after the healing? [40:28]
What specific actions did the healed man take immediately after being restored?
According to Peter, what was the source of the man’s healing? [40:53]

Interpretation questions

Why did Peter emphasize the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” when addressing the crowd? What does this reveal about his message? [40:28]
The healed man went from begging outside the temple to leaping inside it. What does this contrast symbolize about the impact of Jesus’ name?
Peter says repentance leads to “times of refreshing” (Acts 3:19). How does turning to Christ restore hope in practical ways? [41:25]
Why is it significant that Peter and John refused credit for the miracle? What does this teach about ministry priorities? [59:40]

Application questions

The lame man’s story became a public testimony. What specific part of your journey with Jesus could you share this week to point others to Him? [36:44]
Peter and John noticed someone “left at the side” (Acts 3:2). Who in your daily routine (work, neighborhood, etc.) might the Spirit be nudging you to truly see and encourage? [46:20]
Repentance is described as “turning from a dying road to the living Christ.” What habit, mindset, or relationship do you need to turn away from to experience true refreshment? [41:25]
The healed man’s first response was to praise God. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude—even in small, ordinary moments—this week?
Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.” What unique gift (time, prayer, encouragement) can you offer someone in Jesus’ name instead of relying on material solutions? [46:20]
The sermon mentions ministry often happens in “mundane places.” Where do you feel most hesitant to share Jesus’ name (e.g., work, family gatherings)? What’s one step you can take to be bold there? [49:59]
The healed man needed ongoing support as he learned to walk. How can you intentionally “walk with” someone new in faith rather than just sharing a message? [58:31]

Sermon Clips

59s

#TrustChristToday

“``Believe that Christ is sufficient to save completely. Believe it. And you will be saved. He go, well, what about the obedience part? That is that comes. That comes out of that love for Christ. But when you believe, think about the the thief on the cross. He didn't get baptized. He didn't take communion. He didn't go through catechisms. He didn't go through a theology class. He just said, remember me when you get into your kingdom because I know who you are. And Jesus told him, today, you will be with me in paradise. He didn't wait. He said today. So today's the day. Do it.”

63s

#RiseInChrist

“God has set us all free. By sending his son, Jesus, to die on the cross, he set you free. He gave you the ability to get up. Get up. So many of us are down wallowing around going, I was a sinner. I'm still a sinner. I'm lost in my sin. Yes. Yes. You were. But if you proclaim Jesus Christ as your lord and savior this morning, get up. Yes. You're gonna sin again. Get up. You don't have to lay there on the ground on the side of the road. Jesus saw you. He did the work. Get up. Be excited about it. I'm not excited to sin. Don't get me wrong. But I'm excited to see what god does through each and every one of us this morning. He has a plan for your life. He wants you.”

79s

#HealingForHisGlory

“Let's heal a guy, and then people will come to us and they will give us money, and we will do the things, and we will be set. It's not how it works. It isn't because they invoke Jesus' name. It is because of Jesus' name that they were then pointing back and saying, it is Jesus, the one you crucified, the one you turned over to Pilate, the one you it's glorifying god with Jesus' name. It's saying, come. get healing. Come get change in your life so that not so that you forget about the problems that you had, but that you don't walk in that anymore. You now walk free. Free in Jesus' name and you glorify him. Excuse me. Because Jesus, when he saves you, it's for his glory. It's his glory alone. His glory.”

43s

#WalkTogetherInFaith

“Many times, people know what the church believes, but they haven't seen the people walk it out. They haven't seen the people come alongside them and go, I know you're struggling. I know you have hurt. I know you have this problem. Let's walk next to you. Arm in arm. Let's get up. And walk. Let's face Christ. Let's go towards Jesus and see what he does.”

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