The Greatest Miracle of Them All | Salvation
Lessons from the 1st Century Church | A Study through the Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 1 viewWhile some may consider physical healing one of God’s greatest miracles, the greatest of them all is salvation.
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Transcript
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Introduction
Miracle is defined within the Webster’s Dictionary as…
an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs
an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment
The Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines a miracle in part by stating…
Easton’s Bible Dictionary Miracle
It is an occurrence at once above nature and above man. It shows the intervention of a power that is not limited by the laws either of matter or of mind, a power interrupting the fixed laws which govern their movements, a supernatural power
For some miracles are escaping a near death collision. For some a miracle is that one might of raised out of bed this morning. Some only see miracles taking place in the physical realm, but I would submit to you that the greatest miracle of all is the miracle of salvation. It is within this miracle that God takes the cold, stoney, dead soul of a non-believer and brings life to that soul through a life changing, life altering, life giving relationship with Jesus Christ. To me this the greatest miracle of all. Of all the miracles we see in the Scripture, they are all revealing a spiritual truth: the need for healing…the need for Christ in one’s life.
Focus Passage | Acts 9:32-35
32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he also came down to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Outline
The last time we heard of Peter was while were in chapter eight. We find that Peter was on a missionary journey on his way back to Jerusalem at the end of chapter eight.
25 So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
Peter and John, the official envoy from the church at Jerusalem (cf. Acts 8:14), were not the only evangelist in this area. God had also sent Phillip to do a work within this Gentile region (cf. Acts 8:26-39) as we find him ministering to the Ethiopian Eunuch, but as he left the Eunuch, he found himself in the region of Lydda, in the city of Azotus.
40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.
The Lydda was twenty-five miles north west of Jerusalem. It would be this city that would be used to spread the Gospel in that region. While, we know that believers were already in this region, as Dr. Luke writes, he also came down to the saints (a rare word used in Acts) who lived a Lydda, but we do not know how the church or churches in this area came to be. This could have happened because of the Diaspora caused by persecution (Acts 8:4), or even through previous witness by Peter and John from Jerusalem to Samaria or even through the ministry work of Phillip. We just do not know. Truly this isn’t as important as the fact that the church was there and the church was busy being faithful in serving the Lord. It is through this faithful evangelistic outreach that we find the great commission being spread throughout Asia minor.
While one might have thought that Dr. Luke was done with Peter and the other apostles after the conversion of Saul, who would become Paul. However, that is not the case. Within the rest of chapter nine and throughout chapter ten, until chapter twelve, we will see Peter’s miracle ministry. His miracle ministry was evident from the beginning, as we were introduced to it back in chapter three as he and John went to the Temple Beautiful during the hour of prayer and came across a man who was lame from birth and when begging for money found healing (Acts 3-4). The miracle before us this week and our next message within Acts will be about this same miracle of healing. Within our text we see the miraculous healing of Aeneas.
Aeneas’ Condition (v. 33)
33 There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.
Although Aeneas’ condition was physical, it portrays a deeper need of Aeneas. It reveals his spiritual need. However, it’s not just his spiritual need, it’s every man, woman, boy, and girl without Christ spiritual need.
Aeneas found himself in a helpless state - ‘…bedridden…’
Aeneas found himself in a hopeless state - ‘…for eight years…’
Aeneas found himself unable to change his state - ‘…because he was paralyzed…’
Many, including some of you within the sound of voice may find yourself in the same place as Aeneas. You may find yourself helpless, hopeless, and unable to change your state. You are trapped in sin, addiction, depression, etc. You have tried everything to make a difference, but nothing changes. Are you there today? There is a solution. There is an answer.
If you remember, this is not the only time that Peter has found himself face-to-face with someone in this condition. As mentioned previously within our message, Peter and John came to the Temple Beautiful at the hour of prayer and found a man lame from birth begging for alms.
2 And a man who had been unable to walk from birth was being carried, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order for him to beg for charitable gifts from those entering the temple grounds. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple grounds, he began asking to receive a charitable gift.
Just as with this man, money was not the solution.
6 But Peter said, “I do not have silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”
May you understand, that if you are struggling with sin, paralyzed by addiction, in a helpless and hopeless state due to depression, you cannot buy your way out addiction, treat your way out of addiction and depression. You have to seek a cure not a bandaid. That cure, that solution is none other than Jesus Christ.
Aeneas’ Solution (v. 34)
34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.” Immediately he got up.
Do not wait for an invitation to share the gospel to those paralyzed by sin - ‘…Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you…’
Jesus is the only solution to man’s sin problem - ‘…Jesus Christ heals you…’
Although the gospel was shared, it had to be received in faith - ‘…get up and make your own bed…immediately he got up…’
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
We have been invited already to the throne of grace via Jesus’ vicarious death, burial, and resurrection. We are told that we can enter into His throne room with confidence (Hebrews 4:14-16)
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.
Do you need His healing, His redemptive, His miraculous power in your life today? He bids come and find healing and redemption at the cross.
18 “Come now, and let us debate your case,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They shall become as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.
The miracle of salvation in one life can change the direction and lead to salvation of many others.
Clear Results of A Life Changed (v. 35)
35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Conclusion
The Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines a miracle in part by stating…
Easton’s Bible Dictionary Miracle
It is an occurrence at once above nature and above man. It shows the intervention of a power that is not limited by the laws either of matter or of mind, a power interrupting the fixed laws which govern their movements, a supernatural power
For some miracles are escaping a near death collision. For some a miracle is that one might of raised out of bed this morning. Some only see miracles taking place in the physical realm, but I would submit to you that the greatest miracle of all is the miracle of salvation. It is within this miracle that God takes the cold, stoney, dead soul of a non-believer and brings life to that soul through a life changing, life altering, life giving relationship with Jesus Christ. To me this the greatest miracle of all. Of all the miracles we see in the Scripture, they are all revealing a spiritual truth: the need for healing…the need for Christ in one’s life.
Are you in need of the miracle of salvation? Do you need to come to Christ this very moment to experience this miracle for your self. The Lord has already invited you.
18 “Come now, and let us debate your case,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They shall become as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool.
Will you answer His call? Will you answer His knock at the door?
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.