From Dependence to Independence by Brother Curtis Hansen

         Good morning. This morning our scripture reading will be from the book of Acts. Where last week we were primarily in the 2nd chapter, this morning we will be in the 3rd chapter and begin reading at verse 1. The Holy Ghost is helpful and instructing in your walk with God. It also has the capability to reveal all truths to you in order to deepen and strengthen your walk.

        Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

        2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

        3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

        4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

        5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

        6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

        7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

        8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

        If there is a theme to this message this morning, it is called Don't sell yourself short. Now, before we proceed with this message, let's touch upon what we looked at last Sunday. Go back one chapter in Acts and start at verse 37. Acts 2 and 37 says;

        37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

        38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

        39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

        40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

        41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

        42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

        We will pause a second. I wanted to point out the significance of verse 42. Here is the early church being established. It was simple before man brings knowledge of other cultures or different thoughts into the church, and now you have hundreds of different denominations.

        43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

        44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common:

        Many of our problems and issues today have come from a body of believers who have turned too lax and lazy where we form and create problems by interpretation meaning and intent of the scripture.

        45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

        These people sold their possessions and goods in order to commit themselves to their new life spreading the gospel.

        46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

        47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

        It's fascinating to me that the apostles still went to the temple despite having established the early church. Let's go back over to chapter 3 and verse 2. "A certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried". We are no different today then in this scripture. How many times have you not known a person's name, but you know their condition as how you remember them.

        The lame man had friends to carry him to the gate called Beautiful. Likewise today we have friends who do the same in our life. They don't carry us physically, but they do so with their words. They lift us up and carry us with support and affirmations. They lower us down if we get to haughty or full of ourselves.  Out in the world environment, co-workers and acquaintances will bring you advice whether you seek it or not. If you have the Holy Ghost, you should have that discernment or learn to use that discernment to filter that advice through scripture. Sometimes, you just need to walk away from them. 

        Here's something counter to the world that may surprise some of you. You should outgrow your friend groups and associates as you get older. God places some people in your life who can be influential, but he often puts them there for a season. 

        Back to the scripture. The man wasn't asking for a healing but he was asking for alms. He was expecting money and received a healing. Peter didn't have what the man was anticipating. Being made whole made the man independent instead of dependent. This holds true today for you and I in our walk. God can take your dependencies and make you independent in him away from them. 

        When you come to God in faith, he will always exceed your expectations. I want to give a warning to you this morning in be wise in who you befriend in life. You want to model like the believers in chapter 2 and gather with like minded people in Jesus. When you surround yourself with the world, you get world results.

        Going back to the lame man. The man was asking for help. He wasn't a bum nor derelict. The money in his cup makes him feel his worth. Likewise we have our cups out in seeking attention or being dependent on something. Getting the cup filled gives man satisfaction. The man was expecting pity and mercy but he received a miracle. There are people you may know seeking help and people who are perfectly content in their mire of their life. 

        Often times in life, money is not infinite. Money runs out. It doesn't change the character nor the dependency. You need to transform your character. When you go to Jesus, he will break your dependency. Every person carries a dependency and some may not even know it.

        In verse 5 the lame man gave heed to Peter and John. He was willing to listen and look at them. The man was probably only happy when his cup was full. As the lame man in scripture, so we too are looking for something. It doesn't have to be money, but something that makes us feel good. You are not thriving off from the mercy and blessing of God, you are thriving from your friends. The things you like and you find beneficial in your life may be a dependency God wants to break.

        The lame man wanted to enter the temple when he was healed. He wasn't quick to go home. He had a life where he had tried everything to be independent but was dependent on friends, loved ones, pity and so on. When you ask the right questions to the right people with a receiving heart, a blessing from God is not too far off. Don't be dependent on your circle, especially if they aren't rooted in the truth. You need to be aware of your circle and what you are dependent on in your life. Check yourself and don't sell yourself short.