Acts 3:11-26
What refreshes you the most? A cool shower? A swim? A glass of lemonade? A massage? Air conditioning?
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- How did Peter disclaim credit for the healing of the lame man? Why? Why is it important for us that the apostles did not need their own power or exceptional godliness to heal the beggar of Acts 3:12?
- How natural do you find it to give God the glory for good things in your life?
- List all the facts about Jesus which Peter mentions here in Acts 3:13-16, 22. How does this profile of Jesus compare with the one in Acts 2:22-24?
- What does it mean that Jesus is God's servant in Acts 3:13?
- What does Peter say about the people? How would you feel being accused: "You killed..." in Acts 3:15
- In what sense is Jesus the "author of life" Acts 3:15?
- Restate verse Acts 3:16 in your own words.
- From Peter's second recorded sermon, how would you sum up what it means to become a Christian? What parts of Peter's sermon could you include in explaining the gospel to unbelievers?
- Why did the miracles of Jesus and his apostles cause trouble for them? How did those miracles confer credibility on them?
- Despite what Peter says about the people in Acts 3:13-15, how does he give the people hope in Acts 3:24-26? How are "blessings" and "turning" related.
- How did Peter explain that all that had happened to Jesus was a part of God's plan in Acts 3:17-26?
- In what sense were the Jews made a "chosen people"? How did they come to understand that status?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- When is it proper to come on strong against a person's sin, like Peter did in Acts 3:13-15? In coming to Christ, did you need to be hit over the head with your sin first?
- What does Peter's use of the Old Testament indicate about its benefits to your faith in Christ? How can you start to increase your knowledge of it?
- How has repentance and turning to God brought "times of refreshing" in Acts 3:19 to you? How can that be used as a means of encouraging others to come to Christ?
- The "completely" healed man was a powerful testimony to the power of God and the truth of Peter's words. How have you seen the power of God demonstrated in your life and in the lives of others?
- What does Jesus as "the author of life" in Acts 3:15 mean to you?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
The Greatest Day
Tuesday, July 21, 1969, I bicycled down to the Everett, Washington, Herald newspaper to gather my allotment of papers for my route. As I approached the office, I saw a full-photo front page on an easel beside the front door, showing Neil Armstrong standing at the base of the Eagle lunar module. We had landed on the moon the day before. Something around 400,000 people had worked since President John Kennedy’s speech in 1961 announcing a plan to spend 10 years and $10 billion to put a man on the moon. A mocking reporter asked German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun what it would really take to do that. Von Braun quietly answered, “The will to do it.” In the end, it took less than 10 years, but more than $24 billion.
As the huge Saturn V readied for launch on July 16, civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy led protesters to the Kennedy Space Center to protest the staggering cost of the program. NASA Director Thomas Paine went to the gate for a face-to-face visit and encouraged the activists to use the space program as an example to address national problems. He then invited them to sit in VIP seating to watch the next day’s launch. They accepted and Abernathy prayed for the astronauts’ safety as the massive rocket thundered into space. We’re told that when Armstrong stepped down and made his pronouncement, “That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind,” President Richard Nixon jumped from his chair and enthused, “This is the greatest day in the history of the world!” Evangelist Billy Graham responded wryly, “The resurrection of Jesus was pretty big, too, Mr. President!” It’s always good to keep perspective.
“You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. . . Repent, then, 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 Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus” (Acts 3:14-15, 19-20 NIV).
The benefits of the U.S. space program have improved all our lives. The explosion of medical research, the digital electronics revolution, the near-magical metals technology that has resulted in modern cars, and nutrition discoveries have all blessed our lives in countless ways. Yet none of that can be compared to the fantastic blessings broadcast into the world by the resurrection of Jesus on that stunning Sunday morning. With all our brilliant advances, we will still die. In Jesus, though, we can gain the forgiveness of our sins and the assurance of ongoing life through His sacrifice for us.
If that were not enough, in Jesus we learn how to live as true human beings. We turn our attention outward, to notice others and to touch their lives when they may need us. We discover in Christ’s will what is right and good and proper and what sort of conduct will bless our lives with joy and peace and confidence. All the promises of God and all our fondest desires are met in the resurrection of Jesus. Our obedience to Him joins our lives with His. Because He lives, we also can live. Truly, that Sunday was the greatest day in the history of the world! And the benefit is all ours!
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SERMON: There's a change in my life since you came along!
TEXT: Acts 3:19
INTRODUCTION: The Biblical definition of repentance is "to change one's mind." The Bible also tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19). Cf. Acts 26:20. The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action. In terms of the kingdom, it involves...
- 1) A change in one's allegiance. Kingdom citizens submit their own will to the will of the King. Cf. Mt. 6:10, 24; 7:21; Rom. 6:12-18. The King deserves our loyalty, obedience, honor and praise.
- 2) A change in one's expectations. If all one lives for is TODAY, tomorrow will grow very unappealing. If there is no hope for the future, there is no power for TODAY. Cf. Acts 1:9-11; John 14:1 -6; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9. The King deserves our anticipation.
- 3) A change in one's values. Our culture values success, appearance, image, wealth and independence. The values of Kingdom citizens adopt the King's values and make decisions and choices that reflect His values. The King deserves our cooperation.
- 4) A change in one's priorities. Priorities reflect personal allegiance, expectations and values. It also determines how I will spend my time and money. Kingdom citizens prioritize their time and money to benefit the King and His Kingdom. Cf. Matthew 6:24-34, especially vs.33. Unless the King occupies FIRST place in our life, He occupies NO place. The King deserves our full attention.
- 5) A change in one's long mission. Those with no mission in life are aimless and unproductive. James calls them, "double minded." The King wants His followers to be servants. Cf. John 13:15; Mt. 20:27-28; 25:21. Kingdom citizens humble themselves to serve those in the Kingdom.
CONCLUSION: Can you say, "There's a change in my life since the King came along?" Repentance will turn your life around like nothing else will.
- Mark N. Posey
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Solomon's Porch An area on the east side of the temple. It was covered by a roof.
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