This study was first taught on September 13, 2020

Topic: Rise Up and Walk

(use the audio to study)

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Background
Last week, we looked at the man born lame sitting at the gate. From this, we discussed the various situations that signify "<em>Sitting at the Gate</em>"—being comfortable, docile, inert, while being outside the temple—something that should have bothered anyone who desires fellowship and relationship with God!

In application, "<em>Sitting at the Gate</em>" as it applies to the Church—the congregation of believers in Christ and the leaders—we can say that for the most part, the Church has been, and still is, sitting at the gate:
 We are ever-learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, holding weekly/monthly deliverance meetings, miracle services, healing services, etc., but no deliverance, salvation, etc.
 Church leaders and their congregants sit idly by and they are being gingered by others—unsanctified congregants, ignorant men, Satan—to make “gold calves”:
o The god of pastor so and so
o Making gods that they can control
o Making gods that take them as they are and never changing them
o Church buildings and personal empires (<strong>1 Kings 9:10; 6:37-38</strong>)
 Churches are sitting in the seat of the scornful (<strong>2 Peter 2:1-3; Philippians 3:17-19; 2 Corinthians 10:12</strong>)—comedians in the pulpit, entertainment in the sanctuary/among Christians, etc.
 Churches are sitting on the fence—
o Not taking a stand for God (<strong>1 Kings 17:1; 18:21; 19:1ff</strong>)
o Not standing on the side of God (<strong>Joshua 5:13-15; Exodus 32:26-29; Jeremiah 48:10</strong>)
o Neither hot nor cold (<strong>Revelation 3:15-17</strong>)
 Some of us—Christians—are where we are:
o By choice (we decided to follow a man—making men our mentors, etc.—<strong>1 Corinthians 11:1</strong>)
o By force—under the power of sin, money, lust, power, fame, etc.

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 3:1-8
In this meeting, we want to talk about the grace of God that brought the man born lame from his sitting condition and by extension, the church and her leaders, to the place of deliverance and salvation!
To change our state from a sitting position, God must first grab our attention and then we must hear and heed the word of God that follows.
Amos 6:1-6; 1 Samuel 3:1-10; Acts 3:4-5; Exodus 3:1-5; Luke 15:15-17; John 5:5-9; Mark 2:5-12; John 9:1-7; Psalm 107:20; Hebrews 4:2; Luke 8:18a; James 1:19, 21, 22-25; 2 Corinthians 10:6; Acts 3:7-8; 14:8-10; Mark 9:22-24; Isaiah 60:1; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Ephesians 5:14ff; Luke 1:71-75.

Conclusion
<strong>Deuteronomy 1:6-8, 19-46</strong>
The essence of God’s word—"<em>rise up and walk</em>"—at the mouth of Peter was so that the lame man could do what he could never have done otherwise. Also, you are not saved/delivered from sitting just so that you can stand; No, but so that you can serve God—worship, service, etc.

There is always the danger of returning to a sitting position if we do not engage with God to prosecute His work! Always remember that you are saved/delivered to serve, not to stand idly or return to sitting (<strong>Mark 5:15, 18-20</strong>)

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