To the Ends of the Earth, Part 4
The Reason and Result of Witnessing
Acts 3:1-26
Dismiss children for nursery (under 4) and children’s church (ages 4-7)
Food train still avail for Will Skelton and Donna Stewart (FB page)
No Wednesday night for adults this week – couple weeks off
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”
-- Might ask, “Why Acts?” Keep this in mind throughout this series:
-- We’ve already unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)
-- And looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)
- However … in order to get to Revelation – we have to focus on the NOW
-- The “NOW” is found in Acts – it is the things we must be doing as the Church
-- It is the example of what the Church should follow in order to reach the world
- Last week we saw the response and calling of believers who know Jesus
-- Greatest limitation of the Spirit is the refusal to do what we MUST!
-- Result of the Spirit’s arrival is a turning point: Witnessing for Christ had begun!
-- What the crowd “heard” (result) was the “wonderful things God has done” (v11)
- Today, we are going to focus on the call to witnessing – what it looks like
-- Understand this, you don’t have to be a theologian to be able to share
-- If Jesus has done something for you – then you can tell what that is!
- Read Acts 3:1-26 / Pray
- TR: Another great proclamation, with an even more impactful message …
Point 1 – How should we witness for Jesus?
- This is the first recorded miracle of the NT church – a healing of a crippled man
-- But see this: It is the wonderful work of God that enables this
-- APP: God shows His power if we are willing to do what we are told
-- Peter’s declaration is simple – it is the power of Christ that he shared
- Cause: Four wonderful results come from being willing to simply testify:
1. Jesus works through those who are faithful in prayer (v1)
-- We know the disciples spent great time in prayer – were faithful to prayer
-- Have no power? Not seeing God in your life? How is your prayer life?
2. Jesus works through those who look for the needs of others
-- Consider, how many years had this man suffering? 20, 30 40?
-- Peter saw that this man had a great need that required an answer
3. Jesus works through those who look to fulfill others needs
-- The man calls specifically for help – Peter replies: “Look at us!” (v4)
4. Jesus works through those who reach out to meet the need (v6)
-- Peter stepped in to fill what this man desired; but it wasn’t money
-- Sure, money would have helped for a day … but for a life? He’d need more!
- So, when the man asked for help, Peter’s response to this man is heartfelt
-- Silver and gold are not what you need – even though you ask for it
-- For Us: What you need is not found in the earthly things that you are asking for!
- Peter saw this man for what he truly lacked, he truly saw this man (OT example)
-- 1 Samuel 16:7, “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
- Yes - as God looks at mankind, He sees the need of our heart – not our wallet
-- Peter saw it too … the man needed Jesus – not another trinket / coin
-- Peter says, Silver and Gold have I none …
- Effect: The man was completely changed – everything about him
-- Not only can he walk, but he could shout! He could dance! He could worship!
- Something to see here …. WHERE were they going? See v1 (temple)
-- The man went in praising God and rejoicing for the good work of the Lord
-- Much like the disciples when they proclaimed the work of God in Ch 2
- But notice what the reaction of the people gathered was …
-- They were surprised – after all they knew this man, yet now he’s different
-- GR: ekstasis; bewilderment
- But there is more here: Note: They were on their way to church
-- The crowd was there to offer daily prayer/offering/worship to God
-- So when God shows up … and they are … astonished? Without words?
-- No praise – no rejoicing – it is almost a response of … unbelief!
- How did you come into church today? Were you expecting God to show up?
-- Worship of God is not only found in a song, but in everything we do
-- This week, we have seen MANY prayers answered – how did you react?
-- It is a great teaching moment that’s under the radar … must look for it!
- TR: Peter’s response to them is one of … well, just look at: re-read v12-13
-- If you’re ever wondering how exactly to share Jesus … here is the formula
Point 2 – A message of truth is ALL you need!
- What happens here as Peter steps up to preach is one of encouragement
-- BIG: When you have opportunity, you only need to share the truth you know!
- Here are the facts of this day:
-- The people knew this man was crippled, and now something has changed!
-- And because of that, Peter knew they must have an explanation
-- Peter tells us this later in an epistle: 1 Peter 3:15-16, “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
- Love the wisdom that comes from what Peter shares:
-- All he does is declare the truth, summarizes the past two+ months:
-- He does so with 5 dramatic points – IMP: He shares what He knows
-- He doesn’t have to make up clever stories … just tells the truth! (5 things)
1. The source of power and holiness is not of man, but from God
-- Peter makes this very clear (vv12-13) – these things only come from God
-- The work being done is because of what God has done for humanity
2. He testifies to the death of Jesus Christ (vv13-15)
-- Men handed him over after denying Him when He was innocent
-- He was the Holy and Righteous One – who they despised (preferred a murderer)
-- The result: Men killed the Prince of Life
-- GR: archégos; prince or author
-- Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
3. He tells the why of the resurrection of Jesus (v15)
-- Note the criticality: It was / is God who raised Him from the dead
-- This is the testimony that we share in common – He brings us life as well
- In Christ, power is found because we believe – this gives us hope & purpose
4. The power of faith in Jesus’ name made him whole again (v16)
-- It was his faith in what Jesus’ name could do for Him
-- God cannot coddle unbelief; He also cannot be divided against Himself
-- Ephesians 2:8-9, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
5. This is what has fulfilled prophecy (vv17-18)
-- It was clearly prophesied that the Messiah would come to die
-- Yet, it was God’s creation – the people – who willingly rejected Him
-- Why? Because they (we) chose to be ignorant – to not listen / be taught
-- APP: Here is the truth they didn’t grasp: John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!”
- TR: People often miss Jesus because they have God in a box
-- Many have a preconceived notion of who or what God should be or is
-- Often used negatively is the word “ignorant”; means “haven’t been taught”
-- To amplify this, you only need to see how Peter calls them to action (to change)
Point 3 – What response must people have for salvation?
- Peter is clear: What is required (necessary) is repentance and conversion (v19)
-- GR: metanoeó; to change one's mind or purpose
-- GR: epistrephó; to turn
-- GR: exaleiphó; wipe out or erase
- What happens if we repent? Jesus will wipe away sins; He will refresh you!
-- More important: He gives you a new beginning … a new life … how?
-- By sending a refreshing, joy, presence: Have you been refreshed lately? No?
-- Have you repented of your sin lately? Do you pray (ref: point 1)?
-- Acts 2:38, “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
- Why? Peter declares Jesus will one day return & restore all things (vv20-21)
• God will one day send His Messiah to humanity (check)
• Heaven must receive Him (check)
• He will one day return – “until the time comes for God to restore” (pending)
- But when He does, what then? There is a judgment to come! (vv22-24)
-- Moses (greatly known) prophesied that God would send a prophet (the Messiah)
-- And anyone who willingly choose to not hear will be cut off and destroyed
-- Added word: GR: exolethreuó; to destroy utterly (completely)
- This was also the same message of the prophets from Samuel
-- Israel was called to repent; someone is coming; today is the day of Salvation
-- The Church must repeat the same call – “today is the today to repent!”
-- It is not a matter of preference, but of necessity to share what you know!
-- Peter closes with a warning to the people – a call to action for each (vv25-26):
BIG IDEA
- Warning to Israel (really to all humanity): “You are privileged and blessed!”
• You are the heirs of the prophets; you have a Covenant given to you
• This Covenant is the promise to be of the offspring of Jesus
• You had God’s Son sent to you for the redemption of sin
• You were the first to hear the Gospel – but they would not be the last
- This is roadmap – these three points are how we witness …
-- And after the response (point 3), the result is then what God does
-- RE: We are messengers; we share what we know – the choice is on the hearer
- I wonder, if we’d be willing to take the same, simple, stance – and be faithful?
-- Faithful to simply tell what we know, to anyone who might want to hear?
- Pray
