The apostles, men like us, human beings, are on their way to worship when they encounter the man crippled from birth. Who do you encounter at worship and how do you respond?

Despite all his instruction the apostles had preconceived ideas of what the kingdom of God would look like. They asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" In other words they hoped that he would throw out the Roman authorities so that they could introduce their own political agenda. They were still thinking that the Gospel of Jesus was about a social, economic and political revolution, the building of the kingdom of God on earth.

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
Or the strong man boast of his strength
Or the rich man boast of his riches,
But let who boasts boast about this:
That he understands and knows me,
That I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
For in these I delight,"
declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23,24)

Christians have had to defend their faith against false teaching and rival philosophies and religions in every generation. There are deep-seated strongholds of atheism, secularism, moral relativism, and pluralism that seek to extend their influence throughout the world. Islam and Hinduism are militant forms of false religions that compete for the minds and hearts of this generation. The idols of material success, and the desire for fame and notoriety are powerful seductions.