So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. So he jumped up and stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them-walking, leaping, and praising God, and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple complex. So they were filled at awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.  Acts 3:5-10 HCSB

What if you were walking down the street and some random stranger stopped you and offered you a million dollars? And what if this random stranger said that you had only one minute to decide whether or not you wanted to take it? Now if you are like me, you have a very suspicious mind. So I would probably question whether or not I should accept this money. I would probably wonder if it is some type of scam where they actually end up taking money from me. I would wonder if someone is after that person and they are trying to shove the money off on me only to come back and kill me for it later. There would be a lot of “What ifs” going through my mind. Perhaps there would be so many that I would miss the opportunity, the minute would be up and the stranger would simply walk away.

Now, some of you are thinking that I’m insane and that you would just grab the money and make a hasty exit before this stranger regained his senses, right? Some of you would turn it down knowing without a doubt that it’s too good to be true. If something seems too good to be true, then it is, right?

So what about you? Would you take it and deal with any problems that come from it later? Would you turn it down immediately? Or would you stall thinking that you need more time and that maybe the person is bluffing about the one minute thing?

In our scripture passage today, a beggar is hoping for some money. He was paralyzed and had spent years begging at the temple gate. Two disciples, Peter and John, were walking by and had no money to offer, but were able to heal him in Jesus’ name. Remember we have been discussing the power in Jesus’ name. Well, it made a lame man to walk. And just like Peter and John, I don’t have any money to give you, but I can give you this. I can tell you that you can be healed in Jesus’ name. Whatever is troubling you, God’s got it. He wants to take care of it for you, but you must give it to Him. He wants good things for you, but you have to trust in Him. But more than anything, He wants you to come to Him, to receive salvation, trust in Him and have eternal life in heaven with Him.

Now some of you said that you would immediately take the million dollars and deal with any repercussions as they come, right? But God offers something that is so much more and so much better than anything money can by, but yet you delay. Why is that? What are you waiting for? What if I told you it was now or never? Would that inspire you to get your act together and turn to Christ? Would that inspire you to stop your sinful ways and give it all over to your Lord and Savior?

If you are young and think you have plenty of time, well let’s be honest. Not one of us knows how much time we have. Only God knows when He will call us to that Great White Throne of Judgment. Do you think if you are left behind in the rapture that you will just get saved during the tribulation? Well think about it this way, if you can’t get saved when we are free to worship God, how on earth will you get saved when Christians are persecuted?

Romans 1:24 tells us that those who rejected God were given over to their sinful cravings. There may actually come a point where God just gives you over to your sin. I promise you, my friend, you do not want that to happen.

If you don’t have a good, strong, solid relationship with Jesus Christ, then I encourage you to draw near to Him now (James 4:8). I encourage you to confess your sins to Him and repent. I encourage you to give it all over to Him, your fears, your anxiety, your sin. Ask Him to fill you with HIs Holy Spirit and make you a new creature in Him. If you have backslidden, get back into a close relationship with your Lord and Savior.

Has someone ever called out to you and have you ever responded with, “Just a minute”? Well, my friend, in just a minute may be too late. Perhaps you are going to quit drinking tomorrow, or give up the porn in a little while or start back to church next Sunday. We are not guaranteed any specific amount of time. You may not even have another minute left to do these things. The time is now my friend. Will you or won’t you accept this awesome gift?

Have a great day!