Acts 03_11-26 Actions Have Consequences

Read Acts 3:11-26 – Actions have consequences. Bill Walton at UCLA in 1971 was an amazing bb player. He hoped being best in the country gave him privileges – like growing a beard against Coach John Wooden’s rules. Coach objected, but Walton said he needed to express his identity. Wooden said, “You feel strongly about this, Bill?” “Yes, I do!” Wooden said, “Then I think you should wear your beard.” Walton said, “Great.” Wooden replied, “But we are going to miss you, Bill.” Actions have consequences.

That’s the heart of Peter’s 2nd sermon. Peter and John have just healed a man lame from birth. He was a permanent fixture at the temple, so his sudden good fortune brought no end of amazement and created an audience for Peter -- same crowd that had cried for Jesus’ crucifixion weeks earlier. So Peter uses this miracle to authenticate his message -- that Jesus of Nazareth was none other than Jehovah in the flesh who came to die for the sins of mankind, and was then resurrected from the dead. The lame man was proof of that in a unique way. Note 6b: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” No dead man could do that! Done in the name of Jesus, that man’s leaping and jumping was visible, physical proof that Jesus was indeed alive.

But this was the crowd that sent Jesus to His death, Peter takes this occasion to emphasize: Actions have consequences. Rejecting Christ has consequences, and it turns out they go way beyond killing an innocent man. Peter beautifully itemizes the ramifications of rejecting Christ, and turns it into an invitation to reconsider – a grace-filled second chance. What does rejecting Christ mean?

To Reject Christ is to Reject God (11-16)

Rejecting Jesus means rejecting God. They didn’t think so. They thought they were doing God a favor to kill Jesus. They were dead wrong! In using the terms he does, Peter links Jesus inextricably with the OT God of the Jews. 13) “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus.” Jesus was in service to Israel’s Lord.

“Servant” would have reminded his audience to Isa 52-53 where Messiah is described in grim detail as a suffering servant. This didn’t mesh with their idea of Messiah as Conqueror. But Peter says, “You missed it, Folks. You should have seen it. Jesus’ life and death fit hand in glove with this description which links Him hand in glove with God. You cannot separate Father and Son – God and Jesus.” The point is simple. “You can’t have one without the other. You’ve tried to separate God and Jesus. It can’t be done.”

Even Pilate tried to release Jesus as innocent. They denied this “Holy and Righteous One” and asked for a murderer instead. They “killed the Author of life [you tried killing life itself] whom God raised from the dead.” “You’ve tried the impossible. You tried to have God without Jesus, but just when you thought you were rid of Him, God raised Him again. You didn’t just deny Jesus; you denied God! And there’s the proof, leaeping before your very eyes. This man could not be healed in Jesus’ name if God and Jesus weren’t one.” Man’s last word was the cross; God’s last word was resurrection! In trying to have God without having Jesus, they had made a fatal error.

It’s a persistent error. How many today believe in God, but reject Jesus? They want God without having Jesus and it cannot be done. That connection is eternally airtight. Jesus is none other than the 2nd person of the Godhead, the Son, combining human and divine natures so He could implement the plan He and the Father had agreed since before time began, to save a lost human race. That’s how tight they are -- one in essence and one in purpose. You cannot have a relationship with one without having a relationship with the other.

Jesus Himself prays in Jn 17:3: “And this is eternal life that they believe in you, the only true God, AND Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Can’t have one without the other. Jn says in I Jn 4:2: “By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses JC has come in the flesh is from God, 3) and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.” Can’t have one without the other. I Jn 5:1: “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.” Can’t have one without the other. Jesus says in Jn 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except thru me.” Can’t have one without the other.

Suppose your son sees a man about to get hit by a car, ran and pushed him out of harm’s way, but was severely crippled in the process. Now the one rescued comes to you and says, “Listen, I am so grateful that car didn’t hit me the other night. Let me take you to dinner – the start of a beautiful relationship with you.” You say, “Fine, but surely you would like to thank the one who saved you.” He says, “That wretched cripple. I want nothing to do with him. Stupidly pushing me away. I’d’ve been fine on my own. I want to know you; I want nothing to do with that fool.” How would you feel? Welcome them in? Extend every curtesy? Deny your son? I don’t think so. So why do you think God would deny His Son? Beloved – you can’t have one without the other. That’s Peter’s first great point to the crowd who tried so hard to do just that.

II. To Reject Christ is to Reject God’s Revelation (17-18, 22-24)

Peter opens the door to a 2nd chance: 17) “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.” Jesus prayed this from the cross: Lu 23:34: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He knew these people really didn’t know who He was. Even Paul says in I Cor 2:8: “None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Ignorant! BUT -- that did not excuse them.

They didn’t know – but they should have. Major events in Jesus’ life had been predicted 100’s of years before. Peter says in v. 22: “Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.” That’s Moses in Deut 18:18 where God says thru Him: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers”; they were to heed him. Jesus was universally recognized as a great prophet, yet in the end they refused to listen to Him. But it was there. 24) “And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.” They were privileged people living in a privileged time –predicted in their own Bible – and they threw it all away.

They accepted the OT’s political Messiah -- ignored the suffering. Yet it was all there. 18) “But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.” His virgin birth was there (Isa 7:14). His birth in Bethlehem was there (Micah 5:2). His sojourn to Egypt was there (Hos 11:1). His healing ministry (Isa 61:1-2); betrayal by a friend (Psa 41:9), for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:12). Dividing his clothing (Psa 22:18). And His suffering was there – the mocking (Psa 22:6-8), beating (Isa 50:6), death by crucifixion (Psa 22:16; Isa 53:5), with no broken bones (Psa 34:20). And His resurrection was there (Psa 16:10; Isa 53:10). It was all there.

Emmett Ashford was the first black major league umpire in 1966. He operated with a lot of flare. One day he was challenged for calling a strike on a half-swing. The manager protested, insisted Emmett check with the first base umpire. He did. He walked to first to confer with his colleague. He returned and said, “He agreed. It was a strike. So now you have it in black and white.”

That’s what God’s Word is to us – His truth in black and white. Ignorance is no excuse. The only reasonable conclusion when one studies the life, claims, death and resurrection of Jesus is that He was indeed God in the flesh; that He did die for the sins of all who believe; and that He is coming again to rule and reign. Failure to accept Him as the Lord He is may be done out of ignorance – but that is no excuse. Jesus says in Mt 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” So, we’ve all been warned. To reject Christ is to reject God’s revelation. You can’t have the Bible without Christ. He is the central point of the whole thing.

III. To Reject Christ is to Court God’s Destruction (23)

23) “And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’” Think about it. That means every minute of every day that someone rejects Christ, their life hangs by a thread, and that thread is all that keeps them from eternity in hell. I cringe at the thought. But it is God’s truth. Destruction is the final end for all who reject Christ.

Did you know we’ve had people leave our church because we talk about sin and condemnation? They have. One person said, “I just want to hear about grace.” Me, too! I love grace, don’t you? But do you realize if there is no judgment, no threat of eternal damnation, then grace is meaningless. Grace has no meaning except as the remedy for judgment.

Society teaches we must always be positive. But we’ve lost our sense of reality. One year our son’s soccer coach had parents write down one positive thing to tell their child after every match. Great idea. But how will they ever improve if you don’t also tell them what they did wrong. Every coach I ever had knew that to get better, you have to know what you’re doing wrong. No one used dual motivation like Jesus. He talked of heaven; He talked of hell more. Why? Bc both are true. Grace means nothing unless judgment is real!

And so Peter gives the positive side – but first the bad news! “Fail to listen to Jesus and you’ll be destroyed.” To reject Christ is to court destruction. You must know that or grace is meaningless to you. You’ll never seek that which you don’t think you need. Let’s talk as straight as Jesus. He says Mt 10:28, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” He says Mt 7:13: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and way is easy that leads to destruction and those who enter by it are many. 14) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Why did He say that? Because it’s true and He wants us to be among the few. Grace is wonderful but only meaningful if judgment is real, and to reject Christ leads to judgment.

IV. To Receive Christ is to Embrace God’s Blessing (19-21, 25-26)

God’s blessing comes thru Christ, and starts with repentance. 19) “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” Is Peter speaking to the nation or to individuals? I think both. Note v. 26b: “to bless you (pl) by turning every one of you (sing) from your wickedness.” Both are here. Repent, and “your sins will be blotted out”. Beautiful description. Slate wiped clean. Guilt gone. This is why the cross before the crown – to give victory over sin and death. So don’t waste it. Repent and accept it! And look what’s next!

20 “that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” This raises a question. Is Peter saying if the nation as a whole repents, Jesus would come back immediately? Is this a second chance at the immediate political rule and reign of Christ over Israel?

I think not for several reasons. In His last days on earth, Jesus prophesied Peter’s eventual death (Jn 21:18-19). Peter was still very much alive here. Also, Jesus prophesied in Mt 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end shall come.” And in Acts 1:8 He sent His disciples to be His witnesses “to the end of the earth.” That hadn’t happened yet. So, this is not a promise of imminent return of Jesus. It’s a moot point anyway. The nation didn’t repent.

But He will return one day at “the time of restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets.” And the nation will repent. Zech 12:10: “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”

Meantime, this applies to everyone who repents and accepts Christ as Lord and Savior. The blessing of forgiveness now and the promise of a future with Jesus in His kingdom are all part of the blessings that come to those who belong to Him. That’s grace in action. That’s what God desires for everyone. II Pet 3:9b: God is “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” But that choice is ours to make or reject. But priceless blessing awaits those who embrace Him rather than reject Him.

Conc – I conclude with this. If Jesus was just another man – a great one, but just a man, it wouldn’t matter what we think of Him – any more than it matters what we think of Napoleon or Julius Caesar. But if He was God in the flesh, who came specifically to die for our sins, then it matters totally. We all accept Him or reject Him in the end. But actions have consequences.

There are two sides to a sheet of flypaper. The fly can land on either side, but it makes a big difference which side he chooses. So with Jesus. Spurgeon once made this devastatingly perceptive comment: “The most terrible warning to impenitent men in all the world is the death of Christ. For if God spared not his own Son, on whom was only laid imputed sin, will he spare sinners whose sins are their own?” To reject Christ is to reject God, God’s revelation and to fall under God’s judgment. To receive Him is to embrace all the blessings that a loving God wants to bestow. Come to Him. Let’s pray.

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