Part 6: Kingdom Conviction

March 12, 2023

INTRO

Story of conviction

Acts 3:1–10 ESV

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

1) Conviction to Care (vs. 1-8)

Acts 3:1–8 ESV

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Peter and John cared about God. (v. 1)

In the first century, the temple was the epicenter of worship to God.

Even though Jesus had come, the Jewish men were continuing their devotion to God, not seeking to make sacrifice (Jesus took care of that), but to pray.

Their devotion to God drove their conviction to worship and care about the things of God.

Peter and John cared about People. (vs. 2-8)

As they entered the temple gate, they encountered a lame man.

This was nothing new. This man was likely a fixture at the temple gate.

Everyone else either passed by and ignored the man, probably got nervous and sought to not make eye contact, or gave the man some pocket change and went about their business.

By the leading of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John cared enough to share the power of Jesus with him.

They extended a hand.

Lifted the man up.

Walked with him.

We like the idea of caring about God and about others, but all too often we lack the conviction!

We must prioritize our lives to live out the greatest commandment: Love God, Love people.

We need to be devoted to prayer and seeking God first and foremost, not just in the start of our day, but in every moment of our day.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, is not about the time of day…it’s about seizing the day and taking it captive for God’s glory!

2) Conviction to Share (vs. 9-16)

Acts 3:9–16 ESV

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered 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 for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

As everyone was in amazement, Peter and John took the opportunity to share about Jesus!

They shifted the focus from themselves and from the walking lame man and placed it squarely on Jesus.

They gave Jesus the spotlight and drew people’s attention to Jesus.

They didn’t shy away from sharing fully about Jesus.

They pointed out the Lordship of Jesus

They pointed out the people’s rejection of Jesus

They pointed out the power of Jesus

Power over the grave

Power over flesh

They shared about the power of faith in Jesus.

It was by faith in Jesus this man’s life was changed.

We need to talk more about the power of Jesus to change lives in our daily conversations.

We need to have the conviction to share with others about how Jesus has changed us and the power of Jesus in our lives!

We need to talk about how Jesus has brought healing to our lives and to our souls!

3) Conviction to Declare (vs. 17-26)

Acts 3:17–26 ESV

17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 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. 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. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Peter and John, they didn’t just share about Jesus, they declared that He could have the same impact in the lives of those listening!

They declared what Holy Scripture said about Jesus (v.22-24)

They declared that the people must repent and saved or else face destruction. (v.23)

They declared that Jesus wants to turn “everyone of you from your wickedness.” (v.26)

A Kingdom people must have a Kingdom conviction to declare the reality of sinfulness and hope of salvation in Jesus!

We must have these conversations with people around us or they will suffer eternal destruction.

Acting in ignorance is not a legitimate excuse to escape destruction (v.17)

We must ask the Lord to build within us a holy ambition to declare gospel Hope to people!

CLOSING

Examine your hearts this morning.

Will you commit to asking God to build into your life a holy conviction to care about God and about others?

Will you commit to asking God to give you the conviction to share about the power of Jesus?

Will you seek and ask God to give you the conviction to declare the hope of Jesus and call people in your life to repentance and salvation through faith in Jesus?

Will you be a person of Kingdom Conviction?