Courage to Engage | Pastor Bryan Lamoureux | Reverb Church

Luke places Peter and John on an ordinary walk to the temple after the fire of Acts 2. The Spirit has filled them, the church has been born, and yet the next moment is not some special outreach event. Peter and John are simply going to prayer when God puts a man in front of them who has been lame from birth and laid at the Beautiful Gate every day.

The lame man has become part of the scenery. His condition has shaped his life and his identity, and he likely believes that begging is all he will ever be. The same thing happens all around the city: shame that cannot be escaped, fear that cannot be controlled, bitterness that cannot be released, habits that cannot be broken, loneliness that cannot be overcome, and sin that cannot be removed. Jesus is the answer for every condition, especially the sin problem.

Peter and John show that peacemakers need courage to see the need. Their eyes are up. They actually look at the man. The interruption in front of them becomes an invitation from God. God does not always require a plane ticket or a new location; God brings divine encounters into workplaces, neighborhoods, gyms, schools, family dinners, church lobbies, and everyday routines. The call is to raise the level of attention.

Peter’s words, “What I do have, I give to you,” show that peacemakers also need courage to step out in faith. The man expects money, what he always gets, but Christ gives something far greater. Peter does not trust his own ability to heal anyone. Peter trusts the ability of God. Courage is not the absence of uncertainty; courage is obeying Jesus despite uncertainty. The Holy Spirit has given every believer something to offer: attention, compassion, time, generosity, a testimony, a promise from Scripture, practical service, prayer, or a clear explanation of the gospel.

Peter makes Jesus plain: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Good works matter, but kindness alone cannot explain the cross, forgiveness of sins, or eternal life. Compassion must ultimately build a bridge to Jesus.

The healed man rises, walks, leaps, and praises God. His transformed life becomes a testimony that the whole temple can see. Christ calls peacemakers to pray simply: “Lord, make me a peacemaker here. Open my eyes. Give me courage and open my mouth.”

##

---

Key Takeaways

• 1. Interruptions can be God’s invitations God often places need directly in the path of ordinary routines. The pressure to get from point A to point B can make people miss the very person God intends them to see. Spiritual attention means receiving interruptions as possible invitations rather than automatic inconveniences. [16:16]
• 2. See people beyond their condition The lame man’s condition had shaped his identity, but Jesus was not finished writing his story. Shame, fear, addiction, bitterness, and loneliness can convince people that brokenness is permanent. Christ meets people where they are without leaving them there. [13:05]
• 3. Courage obeys despite uncertainty Peter’s faith rested in God’s ability, not his own confidence or polished words. Fear of rejection, misunderstanding, or looking foolish cannot become the final authority over obedience. Christ calls His people to step forward even when the outcome remains in God’s hands. [25:43]
• 4. Give what Christ has given The Holy Spirit equips believers with more than money or answers. Attention, compassion, time, prayer, service, Scripture, and testimony can become real gifts when surrendered to Jesus. The question is not whether a believer has enough, but whether that believer will offer what Christ has already placed in hand. [27:19]
• 5. Kindness must point to Jesus Good works can open a door, but only Jesus forgives sin and gives eternal life. Compassion without Christ may ease a moment while leaving the deepest need untouched. Love becomes gospel witness when it clearly names the Savior behind it.
  
  ## [31:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:46] - Peacemakers Bring God’s Peace
• [02:07] - Peter and John at the Beautiful Gate
• [06:36] - Courage to Engage
• [08:04] - Seeing the Need in Front of You
• [14:32] - Open Spiritual Eyes
• [21:16] - Stepping Out in Faith
• [25:12] - Courage Despite Uncertainty
• [27:56] - What Peacemakers Can Give
• [31:09] - Pointing People to Jesus
• [34:59] - Building a Bridge to Jesus
• [36:41] - A Transformed Life Has a Testimony
• [38:14] - Prayer for Courage to Engage
• [40:38] - Invitation to Peace With God

Bible Reading

Acts 3:1-10
“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 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. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, 'Look at us.' And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 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!' 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. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 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.” [03:38]

Ephesians 3:20
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” [24:41]

Romans 10:9
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” [41:07]

Observation questions

1. What details in Acts 3 show that the man at the Beautiful Gate had lived with this condition for a long time and depended on others each day? [08:39]
2. How do Peter and John respond when the man asks them for help, and what does their response show about the attention they give him? [16:01]
3. What was the man expecting to receive from Peter and John, and what did he receive instead? [21:39]
4. After the man was healed, what did he do, and how did the people around him respond? [37:03]

Interpretation questions

1. The man had become familiar to people passing through the temple every day. Why can repeated exposure to need make people less likely to truly see the person in front of them? [09:22]
2. Peter says, “What I do have I give to you,” and then names Jesus clearly. What does this show about the difference between meeting an immediate need and pointing someone to their deepest need? [31:09]
3. Peter acted in faith without trusting in his own power or controlling the outcome. How does this help believers understand courage when they fear rejection, misunderstanding, or looking foolish? [25:12]
4. The healed man’s public praise became a testimony to people who already knew his former condition. Why can a transformed life be such a powerful witness to Jesus? [36:41]

Application questions

1. Who is someone in your normal routines—at work, in your neighborhood, at school, at the gym, or in your family—that you may have started to overlook? What would it look like to truly see them this week? [18:36]
2. What kinds of interruptions are hardest for you to receive with patience? How might you slow down enough to ask whether an interruption could be an invitation from God? [16:16]
3. When you feel like you do not have enough to offer someone, which gift could you realistically give: attention, compassion, time, generosity, a Scripture promise, practical help, prayer, or your testimony? [27:50]
4. Think of a recent moment when you sensed an opportunity to pray for someone or speak about Jesus but held back. What uncertainty or fear was present, and what might obedience have looked like in that moment? [25:43]
5. How comfortable are you with explaining why you serve, give, or show compassion? What simple words could help you connect your kindness to Jesus without making the conversation feel forced? [31:54]
6. Is there a relationship where you can intentionally build a bridge through listening, conversation, service, or prayer? What is one small next step you could take this week? [34:59]
7. Where do you need Jesus to bring peace and transformation in your own life? How does confessing Jesus as Lord and trusting Him for salvation shape the way you receive His help and share hope with others? [41:07]