Our Faith
Acts 3
When I fully trust in Jesus as the author and authority of my life, amazing things happen.
Narration: Acts 3:1-10
Verse 1) Why go to the temple? They were still Jews, and the temple was a place to pray, worship, and spread ideas.
Verse 2) Where was the Beautiful Gate? 4 theories, best one: South Double Gate
Acts 3:11-20
11 While he[c] was holding on to Peter and John, all the people, greatly amazed, ran toward them in what is called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you. 15 You killed the source[ d] of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Him has given him this perfect health in front of all of you.
17 “And now, brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, just as your leaders also did. 18 But what God predicted through the mouth of all the prophets—that His Messiah would suffer—He has fulfilled in this way.19 Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,[e] 20 and that He may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah.
1) Only by Jesus’ name can we receive healing
A. Peter connects the need for physical healing to our Spiritual sickness. We are lame!
B. There are few abilities more powerful than the ability to heal. (Messengers show)
C. Jesus’ and the disciples miracles were as much about compassion as they were authority.
12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness?
D. When we present our healed lives, this testifies to the authority and power of Jesus.
16 By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Him has given him this perfect health in front of all of you.
E. We may trust that God can physically heal us, but it may not be for his ultimate glory. In this case, both God’s glory and the lame man’s faith converged.
2) Only When we repent before Christ can we experience forgiveness
A. The Jews had committed the ultimate crime: murdered their own Messiah.
15 You killed the source [ d ] of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this.
B. Jesus’ Death provided infinite provision for guilt because of his infinite goodness.
C. Paul expounds on this concept in Romans 3:24-25 through 3 lenses
24 They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Him as a propitiation [ t ] through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.
D. Define: asking for forgiveness & repenting: words & Action =Turn Around!
E. Result: “seasons of refreshing” & “blessing”
19 Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
26 God raised up His Servant [ j ] and sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.”
3) Only Jesus can adopt us into this heritage of faith
Deut. 18:18
A. The prophets didn’t just foretell Jesus’ death, they spoke of YOU!
24 “In addition, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, have also announced these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, And all the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.
B. The church became the Conduit of the promise made to Abraham.
C. WE are to God like Mephibosheth was to David: nothing to offer, but valued
D. Faith in Jesus Christ writes you into the greatest story ever told. Will you trust?
Being a genuine follower of Christ is a costly life.
Acts 12:1-17
There is always an element of surprise in the spread of the Gospel.
Acts 10:27-48
God still does miracles – if we are willing to receive them.
Acts 9:32-43
God has given us this goal toward which to strive.
Acts 9:31
