Repentance, Healing, and the Power of Jesus
Summary
The sermon began with Peter addressing a crowd that was guilty of crucifying Jesus. He acknowledged that they acted in ignorance, just as their leaders did, but their actions were part of God's plan. Peter used the story of Joseph to illustrate how God can use the schemes of men for a greater good. He encouraged the crowd to trust in God and His wisdom, even in the face of adversity. Peter emphasized that the crowd has heard the truth about Jesus and therefore has no excuse not to repent of their sins and come to Jesus. Despite their guilt in putting the author of life to death, Peter assured them that they can still repent and receive forgiveness from God.
The pastor then focused on Peter's accusation towards the Jewish audience. He emphasized that the responsibility for the death of Jesus lies not only with the Romans but also with the Jewish crowd. The pastor highlighted the universal guilt of humanity, stating that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He emphasized the need for confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness from the Lord for our sins. He concluded by marveling at the miracle of Jesus' resurrection, highlighting God's power to raise him from the dead.
The pastor then referenced Acts chapter 3 and the events that follow the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. He highlighted that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding on behalf of his people. The pastor explained that before his ascension, Jesus commanded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. The pastor then briefly recapped the extraordinary events surrounding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, emphasizing the sound of a rushing wind and the appearance of tongues of fire.
The pastor discussed the signs and wonders that were happening among the people and how the Believers would gather at Solomon's Colonnade. Despite being highly regarded by the people, no one else dared to join them. However, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people started bringing those who were ill into the streets, hoping that Peter's shadow would fall on them and they would be healed. Crowds gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing those who were ill and tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The pastor concluded the sermon by emphasizing the power of the name of Jesus. He highlighted the story of a beggar who was physically and spiritually healed in the name of Jesus. The pastor encouraged the congregation to recognize that they too can experience healing and forgiveness through Jesus. He invited the congregation to call on Jesus for salvation and to surrender control of their lives to Him. The pastor also mentioned the amazement of the crowd who witnessed the beggar's transformation, emphasizing that this occurred during the time of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- Peter's sermon to the guilty crowd serves as a reminder that God can use the schemes of men for a greater good. Despite their guilt in crucifying Jesus, they were assured that they could still repent and receive forgiveness from God. This shows God's boundless mercy and grace. [12:45]
- The pastor emphasized the universal guilt of humanity, stating that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This highlights the need for confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness from the Lord for our sins. It is a call to humility and recognition of our need for God's grace. [24:30]
- The extraordinary events surrounding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost serve as a reminder of God's promise and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a call to wait on God's promises and to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [36:15]
- The miracles that occurred through Peter and John were not by their own power or godliness, but rather it was God working through them. This serves as a reminder that we are mere instruments in the hands of a powerful and mighty God. It is a call to humility and dependence on God. [48:00]
- The story of the beggar who was physically and spiritually healed in the name of Jesus serves as a reminder of the transformative power of Jesus. It is a call to surrender control of our lives to Jesus and to trust in His power to heal and transform us. [59:30]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 3:1-26: "One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts... Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.'... Peter said to them: 'Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.'"
2. Deuteronomy 15:11: "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land."
3. Leviticus 23:22: "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God."
Observation Questions:
1. What was the condition of the man at the temple gate called Beautiful and how did Peter respond to him in Acts 3:1-26?
2. What command does God give regarding the poor in Deuteronomy 15:11 and Leviticus 23:22?
Interpretation Questions:
1. In Acts 3:1-26, what does Peter's response to the lame man reveal about the power of Jesus' name and the call to repentance?
2. How do the commands in Deuteronomy 15:11 and Leviticus 23:22 reflect God's heart for the poor and needy?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a time when you felt powerless like the lame man at the Beautiful gate? How can you invite Jesus into that situation today?
2. What is one specific way you can be openhanded towards someone who is poor or needy in your community this week?
3. How can you demonstrate repentance in a tangible way in your life this week?
4. Can you think of a situation where you acted in ignorance, like the crowd Peter addressed? How can you seek God's forgiveness and wisdom in that area?
5. How can you be more open to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, especially in times of waiting or uncertainty?
Devotional
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Day 1: God's Grace in Our Guilt
Despite our guilt and the mistakes we've made, God's boundless mercy and grace are available to us. We are reminded that even in our worst moments, God can use our actions for a greater good. His forgiveness is available to us if we repent and turn to Him. [12:45]
Isaiah 55:7 - "Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt guilty or made a mistake. How can you see God's grace at work in that situation?
Day 2: The Universality of Sin and the Need for Repentance
We are all guilty of sin and have fallen short of God's glory. This universal guilt calls us to humility and recognition of our need for God's grace. It is through confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness from the Lord that we can find redemption. [24:30]
Romans 3:23-24 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What is one sin you struggle with? How can you actively seek God's forgiveness and grace in this area?
Day 3: The Power and Promise of the Holy Spirit
The extraordinary events of Pentecost remind us of God's promise and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are called to wait on God's promises and to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [36:15]
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Reflection: How can you be more open to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? What is one way you can witness to others about Jesus this week?
Day 4: Humility and Dependence on God
The miracles performed by Peter and John were not by their own power, but by God working through them. This serves as a reminder that we are mere instruments in the hands of a powerful and mighty God. It is a call to humility and dependence on God. [48:00]
John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and depend more on God?
Day 5: The Transformative Power of Jesus
The story of the beggar who was physically and spiritually healed in the name of Jesus serves as a reminder of the transformative power of Jesus. We too can experience healing and forgiveness through Jesus if we surrender control of our lives to Him. [59:30]
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need Jesus' transformative power? How can you surrender this area to Him today?
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Quotes
1. "You see this was all part of God's plan...even if you're under the cost today and some of us are let me tell you you know the schemes of men can be used by God for a greater good God can turn it around."
2. "Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out and the times of refreshing may come from the Lord and that he may send the Messiah who is appointed for you even Jesus."
3. "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead and we are the witnesses of that great fact."
4. "Your sin, my sin, their sin nailed Jesus to the cross. The Bible says all we like sheep have gone astray and the Lord laid unto him the iniquity of us all."
5. "It's all about Jesus... it's his name that's powerful, it's his name that's beautiful, it's his name that is mighty to save."
6. "Jesus, the name that we proclaimed, the name that we preached, the name that we sing about, what a beautiful name it is, the name of Jesus. You too can be healed in Jesus' name, you too can be cleansed from your sin in Jesus' name."
7. "Peter said to him silver or gold I do not have but what I do have I give to you in the name of Jesus of Nazareth walk the name of Jesus, the name above all names, and the beggar would be healed through the powerful name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit."
8. "Peter preached in power in the power of the Holy Spirit ending his address with these words: repent and be baptized each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the Forgiveness of your sin and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
9. "Nevertheless more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number and as a result people brought those who were ill into the streets and lay them on the beds and March so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem bringing those who were ill and those tormented by impure spirits on all of them were healed all of them."
10. "Peter could say how good am I no he says I'm not good at all God is good the Bible says that God will not share his glory with another so Peter filled with the Holy Spirit preached with great power and authority pointing people to Jesus."
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