A Christian Response to a Lame World Part 2

Acts 3:11-26

RECAP

The Commute to Worship

The Condition of the Lame Man

His Complicit Company

The Christian Collision

Transition

I want to address something that often gets muddled in considering the Church’s work in the world

Teaching Moment: Social Gospel

The Social Gospel was a Protestant movement that emerged in North America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aiming to address the social challenges of the rapidly industrializing and urbanizing society. This movement sought to apply Christian principles to various social issues, including labor disputes, poverty, and the integration of immigrant populations. Proponents of the Social Gospel emphasized the interconnectedness of society and the need for collective responsibility, challenging the prevailing individualism and laissez-faire economics of the era. Key figures in the movement included Walter Rauschenbusch, who drew inspiration from both Old and New Testament teachings to advocate for social justice and the building of God's kingdom on earth. While the Social Gospel movement was seen as a uniquely American theological development, it had roots in earlier Christian responses to social needs and was influenced by similar efforts in Britain. However, critics argue that the movement's focus on social reform sometimes came at the expense of traditional Christian doctrines, leading to an overemphasis on societal causes and solutions rather than individual spiritual transformation.

It was a latter movement some 1800 years plus after the start of Church

So then, we don’t read it back into the text trying to figure out if that’s what the Early Church was doing—that is called anachronistic (against time)

Though diverse in it’s traditions, it began as a Christian attempt to be kingdom minded and not solely inwardly focused

At its best, it understood that Christian life lived correctly affected the world for the better

At its worst, it assumed that the Gospel of Christ required an adjective, as the Gospel of Christ is inherently social

Transition

Recognize Jesus (vv.11-13)

The Lame Man is clinging to Peter and John—not because he needs to but because he wants to

This is a picture of how the world (some not all) should be motivated to hang around us based upon our kindness

Stop staring at us and let me redirect your attention

It’s not about us

Not our power or piety

We don’t have the personal ability to do something like this

Neither is this earned by our good behavior

God doesn’t owe us a miracle because we’ve been with him a while

“Well, I just feel like God oughtta do this for me because...”

Stop your bellyaching Older brother, when God lavishes his abundance on the Prodigal Son that was lost—you might be in this for the wrong reason

It’s not about us: “I see more stars online than I do in the sky at night”

The True weight of Glory

Can I share what I believe the fundamental error of our current moment is—let me set it up:

The term glory takes on different nuances from the OT to the NT

In the OT, the emphasis is on God’s weightiness and importance (kavod) (it speaks of God’s radiance certainly, but not primarily)

In the NT, the focus is on God’s radiance, his entire body of work—that then causes the band to strike the chord and result in praise

But the problem I see is that we want to hone in on the NT aspect of glory (radiance), without an understanding that it comes with the weight and heaviness of its OT connotation

And so, the ease to which people are able to gain platforms with the desire to bring glory to themselves looks good and inviting for a season, UNTIL

But because glory does not belong to us (recognition is okay), when we acquire it the wrong way or intoxicate ourselves with too much of it, it weighs us down and crushes us under its pressure because it was not ultimately meant for us—

And so if I can put it in your lap—I’m trying to help someone who is pushing for more, bigger and better

Make sure you understand both sides of the equation, less you be crushed under the weight

The Father glorified him (v.13)

Why because he is the only one truly worthy

Philippians 2:9–11 “As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow —in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

We are not alarmed, not because we can command miracles, but because we have seen this before

Peter senses the opportunity to talk about Jesus

Reject Your Shady Past (vv.14-16)

Just as you rejected Jesus

The language Peter uses is intended to connect one back to Isa 53

Peter says there should have been an expectation of his arrival, suffering and eventual redemption

But You traded him for a murderer

This is the indication that truth has been pushed to the margins for the sake of what is convenient or expedient

This is the indication that reality has been exchanged for delusion

So much so that many we know (and perhaps some of us) have accepted false narratives for our lives in order to provide a hope that is not grounded in flourishing...

Some have told themselves that they are kings and queens and i get it, but the problem I have with that is that If I am a king or a queen, I need a kingdom—I need to run something or be in charge

Uh Oh, If I manufacture my own kingdom, I become the direct enemy of the One True King—and I get trying to encourage people and help them lift their heads up, But don’t lie to me—tell me the truth, don’t give me a false hope

Peter is saying, Jesus is the only One and True King and when you exchange him for anything or anyone else, you become his enemy

And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anything to do with being God’s enemy

The Psalmist said (84:10), I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked—that is not just an Usher’s Annual Day theme, it’s a good grip on reality!

Repent to Cover Your Sins (vv.17-20)

You can no longer claim ignorance (ἄγνοια) (v.17)

The Agnostic

One who says there is not enough evidence to believe—God or something

It is the attempt to hold a middle ground so as to not fully affirm or fully deny

It is the quintessence of indecision—thinking that if I don’t pick a side, somehow I’m okay

God if you would have just this for me, then I would have believed—if you would have just given me one more bright sunny days after I asked for 10 in a row, then I would’ve believed

God is saying, I’ve given you more than enough

Your agnosticism is a cover for unbelief, but you are not bold enough to say it

It allows you to press the pause button so that you can really live and do as you please

But I need to put us all on notice today—that God will not be mocked and your ignorance will not save you

What it means to Repent

The term μετανοέω is a wholistic term that according to Lowe & Nida: “to change one's way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness -”

Educators know something about this in the ways we have been taught to bring about student development through Lesson Aims

Cognitive-Information

Affection- Feelings

Behavioral- Action

However, what Peter says is

I don’t need you acting like you know Jesus if you don’t understand him

I don’t want you simply feeling something without an adequate knowledge of who Jesus is

I want you where you went wrong and then when properly understood, a change in behavior will be adequate and expected

“Fess Up” to your shady dealings

But for those who have repented unto salvation, but you are feeling a bit sluggish in your walk, here is something for you too

The Church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:5 “Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—that is, if you do not repent.” gives a clear picture of how to get back where you need to be

A. Remember

1. When you return to where the Lord called you; 2 things happen

2. Appreciation

3. Illumination (A Healthy comparison)

B. Repent

1. Change your thinking in accordance with what God has said

2. There is often a disconnect between thinking and behavior

3. Repentance demands action to be taken

C. Repeat

1. The Wife Who Wanted a Divorce (IIlust)

a. Wanted to get rid of and hurt her husband

b. Went to Dr. George Crane for advice

c. Dr. Crane advised to go home and pretend you love him

d. Do all the things you use to; that he really likes; spare no effort to please him

e. Then drop the bomb on him!

f. He waited for a call that never came

g. She found that in repeating the things she once did, she really loved him, the passion was rekindled

So that times of refreshing may come

There are some that are blaming many of our current political woes on certain forms of Christian fundamentalism, where we either watch the world burn or try and bring about certain conditions to nudge Christ to return

I don’t fall in either camp, but I have sense enough to know based upon even a cursory reading of my Bible that Jesus Christ has to return

He has to return to bring about total redemption for all of creation

But more specifically, he has to finished what he started with me—I am not complete yet

And anyone who thinks all we need to become Supermen and Superwomen is a few scientific discoveries and genetic mutations is utterly lost on what’s wrong in the world

It is the desperate condition of the human heart that needs to confronted and given the righteousness of Christ

Don’t miss it—Peter says, that’s the work left to be done—the work than produces repentance

So then, if I wanted to “help God out” then I should have a fire lit under me calling all the world to reconcile to the Savior

TOOK- Lift Him Up

Lift Him up, lift Him up, still He speaks from eternity: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Me.”