Sermon Notes-"Reaction to Response" based on Acts 3:11-26

 Reaction

·         Vs. 11-12-People Amazed & Peter speaks

o   The Lame beggar being healed prompted a reaction from the people and it leads them to want to know more.  This is a typical response to signs and wonders in the Bible and in the present.

o   Peter asks them WHY do you wonder and WHY stare at us

§  What God did in the past, He is still doing in the present and will continue to do in the future.  Healing did not stop in the book of Acts.

§  It was not the power or piety of Peter that did the miracle.  The power is from the Spirit and based on who God is not who we are.

·         an undue focus on the human agents of divine healing could detract from the glory of God^[1]

·         Such a mighty work was not a demonstration of the ‘power’ of the apostles. Neither can it be imagined that God has shown his power because of their ‘godliness^[2]

·         I think we have here a good theology of healing-is it still available (His Word, Ask God), not based on the person doing it, not based on piety (religiousness) of any person involved.

·         Vs. 13-15-God’s Plan Vs. Your Plan

o   Vs. 13-God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, our fathers glorified Jesus

§  A reminder of the covenant and God’s promises being fulfilled

o   Vs. 13-Jesus delivered to Pilate was going to be released

o   Vs. 14-You denied this and requested a murderer to be released (Barabbas)

§  (Matt. 27:16-And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas)

o   Vs. 15-You killed the Author of life who God raised from the dead.  We are witnesses!

§  God’s saving purposes were not frustrated by Israel’s rebellion^[3]

§  Gospel is shared. 

·         Vs. 16-By His name this man was healed

o   The Name of Jesus has power

o   We must have faith in this name

§  Faith in Jesus is needed for this miracle.  It is not the amount of faith or intensity of faith, but a belief or trust that Jesus can and will do this. 

o   Faith is increased because you have seen and known what has happened here.

§  We need to share testimonies or stories of how God is moving in our lives and around us.  Revelation 12:11-“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”

Response

o   Vs. 17-18-Acted in ignorance but what was prophesied has been fulfilled.

§  A reminder of the prophecies that were spoken in the OT and that were completed in Jesus especially the suffering servant of Isaiah 53

o   Vs. 19-21-Repent, Sins blotted out, refreshment in His presence until Jesus comes back

§  When we see miracles, it leads to salvation.  As people see the power of God on display they are drawn to Christ.  The miracle is not the end result.  Salvation is. It’s about Jesus and not about Peter.

§  Now that the people have seen the miracle and heard the explanation, they have a choice to make.  Will they receive the free gift?  Will they repent?

§  Sins blotted out.  In Christ, you are forgiven!

§  In between, His presence brings refreshment (abide)

§  A reminder of Jesus is coming back.  He will restore and make all things right . 

o   Vs. 22-25-Moses said The Lord will raise up a prophet

§  Listen to him. If you don’t, it will lead to destruction.

§  All the prophets since Samuel have proclaimed these days

·         There would be many prophets but Jesus would be the better prophet

§  You are sons of the prophets and the covenant (Abraham)

·         Genesis 22:18 is quoted

o   Vs. 26-God sent his servant to bless you and to lead to repentance

§  This highlights the Lord’s role in making repentance possible. Repentance or turning to God ‘is a human action^[4]

Closing-What do you believe about healing? How might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to respond (salvation, personal repentance, healing (physical, emotional, relational)?

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^[1] Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 173). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

^[2] Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 173). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

^[3] Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 176). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

^[4] Peterson, D. G. (2009). The Acts of the Apostles (p. 185). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.