The Spirit is Always Right on Time

Intro

If you have your Bibles and I hope you do. Please go ahead and turn with me to Acts Chapter 3. If you don’t have a Bible, please find one in the chair in front of you. If you’d like to take that Bible with you, please take it as our gift.

The Spirit Is Always Right On Time

Me

On more occasions than I’d like to remember, I’ve done something out of the ordinary, perhaps out of my character, something that was good or right, only to find that the thing severely irritated someone else.

Either, I was going against some unspoken rule, or I was unaware of other actions already in progress, or unaware of the trigger points that that particular action would bring because the offended party was under pressure for either not doing that thing, or to do it, only in a different way.

However, every time, it gives opportunities to me for growth, either by digging deep to truly hear the real reason, or to cause the offended party to reflect.

You

On more occasions than I’d like to remember, I’ve done something out of the ordinary, perhaps out of my character that was a good thing, only to find that that thing severely irritated someone else. Either, I was going against some unspoken rule, or I was unaware of other action already in progress, or unaware of the trigger points that that particular action would bring because the offended party was under pressure for either not doing that thing, or to do it, only in a different way. However, each time, it gives opportunities to me for growth, either by digging deep to truly hear the real reason, or to cause the offended party to reflect.

“You Are Right Where God Wants You, Right?”

Our passage today is the beginning of a story like that that will span at least the next 4 Sunday’s. Peter and John are going to take action, through the Power of the Spirit, to dramatically impact a persons life. To us, 2000 years later, we see a man healed! That’s awesome!

Maybe we even realize, hey, this is a guy everyone else passes for years, that needed help...but no one did anything, until now. And what kind of reward, or respect did the disciples get for this? None! In fact they will be accused of all kinds of upstarting! They will be persecuted, and tried for blasphemy, rule breaking, embarrassing the established leaders and more. All they did, was give freedom, to one man, who now is no longer a burden on society, and likely will contribute great things. The nerve of Peter and John! How dare they!

The devil’s crudest weapon is physical violence. And Luke describes two outbreaks of persecution by the Sanhedrin. In the first, Peter and John are arrested, jailed, tried, forbidden to preach, warned and released; in the second, they and others are arrested, jailed and flogged.

Jesus’ statement, you will be hated, insulted, and rejected.

Up to now in Acts, Luke has painted an idyllic picture of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Everyone has received forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. They all listened intently to the disciples teaching. They worshiped God. They cared for each other. Everything was rainbows and unicorns.

Love, joy and peace reigned. They had been commissioned by Christ himself, empowered by the Spirit, the stood on the shore of a great missionary adventure. The good ship Christ-church was about to catch the wind of the Spirit and set sail on spiritual conquest.

But, almost immediately, a storm began to blow, a ferocious storm of persecution that threatened the destroy the fledgling church

Love, joy and peace reigned. They had been commissioned by Christ himself, empowered by the Spirit, the stood on the shore of a great missionary adventure. The good ship Christ-church was about to catch the wind of the Spirit and set sail on spiritual conquest.

As we stated in our introduction to this series, the primary actor in and 2 was the Holy Spirit. Now, as we move forward with the mission, it will begin to feel like the main actor is Satan.

The Message of Acts Chapter 3. The Outbreak of Persecution (3:1–4:31)

Luke has painted an idyllic picture of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Its members, having received forgiveness and the Holy Spirit, were conscientious in their learning from the apostles, their worship of God, their care of one another and their witness to those as yet outside their fellowship. Everything was sweetness and light. Love, joy and peace reigned. Commissioned by Christ and empowered by his Spirit, they stood on the threshold of the great missionary adventure which Luke is going to describe. The good ship Christ-church was ready to catch the wind of the Spirit and to set sail on her voyage of spiritual conquest. But almost immediately a perilous storm blew up, a storm of such ferocity that the church’s very existence was threatened.

Alternatively, we might say that, if the chief actor in the story of Acts 1 and 2 is the Holy spirit, the chief actor in Acts 3–6 almost seems to be Satan.

But, almost immediately, a storm began to blow, a ferocious storm of persecution that threatened the destroy the fledgling church

As we stated in our introduction to this series, the primary actor in and 2 was the Holy Spirit. Now, as we move forward with the mission, it will begin to feel like the main actor is Satan.

This transition for us will in reality begin to help us see better that what we see happening in the tangible world, right before our eyes, is the result of warfare that we cannot see.

This transition for us will in reality begin to help us see better that what we see happening in the tangible world, right before our eyes, is the result of warfare that we cannot see.

In a very real sense, Lukes writing in Acts will show us the tangible results of the Holy Spirit and how his work, behind the scenes impacts our lives here and now. In John’s Revelation, we will see the hidden forces at work. The terrifying battles of dragons, and fire eyed champions wilding terrible swords.

In a very real sense, Lukes writing in Acts will show us the tangible results of the Holy Spirit and how his work, behind the scenes impacts our lives here and now. In John’s Revelation, we will see the hidden forces at work. The terrifying battles of dragons, and fire eyed champions wilding terrible swords.

The Message of Acts Chapter 3. The Outbreak of Persecution (3:1–4:31)

Luke in the Acts chronicles what unfolded on the stage of history before the eyes of observer; John in the Revelation enables us to see the hidden forces at work. In the Acts human beings oppose and undermine the church; in the Revelation the curtain is lifted and we see the hostility of the devil himself, depicted as an enormous red dragon, aided and abetted by two grotesque monsters and a lewd prostitute. Indeed the Revelation is a vision of the age-long battle between the Lamb and the dragon, Christ and Satan, Jerusalem the holy city and Babylon the great city, the church and the world. Moreover, it can hardly be a coincidence that the symbolism of the dragon’s three allies in Revelation corresponds to the devil’s three weapons wielded against the church in the early chapters of the Acts, that is, persecution, moral compromise, and the danger of exposure to false teaching when the apostles became distracted from their chief responsibility, namely ‘the ministry of the Word and prayer’.

The Message of Acts 1. A Congenital Cripple Is Healed (3:1–10)

It was an outstanding fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy: ‘Then will the lame leap like a deer.’6

Acts 3:11–26 ESV

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. 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.”

Point 1. There is one character in today’s story that doesn’t get much ink. “Now Peter and John were going up to the temple”

and verse 11. “While he clung to Peter and Joh, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together ...”

John is there, participating, but barely mentioned. And this will continue to be the case as we travel through the stories. Two or more disciples will be together, but only one will be central character.

Folks, we are not ment to do this thing alone. The work is hard, each of us will have opportunity to engage in it, but we are stronger together. In the uncertainties, God works through our partners in ministry to sharpen, correct, engage, encourage, and…to pray. If the Holy Spirit indeed listens to our groanings. We need that prayer partner groaning on our behalf while we are engaged in the conflict.

The Message of Acts Chapter 3. The Outbreak of Persecution (3:1–4:31)

Luke has painted an idyllic picture of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Its members, having received forgiveness and the Holy Spirit, were conscientious in their learning from the apostles, their worship of God, their care of one another and their witness to those as yet outside their fellowship. Everything was sweetness and light. Love, joy and peace reigned. Commissioned by Christ and empowered by his Spirit, they stood on the threshold of the great missionary adventure which Luke is going to describe. The good ship Christ-church was ready to catch the wind of the Spirit and to set sail on her voyage of spiritual conquest. But almost immediately a perilous storm blew up, a storm of such ferocity that the church’s very existence was threatened.

Alternatively, we might say that, if the chief actor in the story of Acts 1 and 2 is the Holy spirit, the chief actor in Acts 3–6 almost seems to be Satan.

Point 2. Deflect the Glory to the Holy Spirit

The Message of Acts 2. The Apostle Peter Preaches to the Crowd (3:11–26)

Peter began by ascribing all the credit to Jesus. ‘Men of Israel, why does this surprise you?’ he asked (12), presumably pointing to the healed cripple. And ‘Why do you stare at us, presumably making a gesture which pointed to themselves, as if it had been by our own power or godliness that we had made this man walk?’ (12). Instead, he redirected their gaze to Jesus, by whose powerful name the miracle had taken place. For ‘The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, had glorified his servant Jesus’ (13a).

Point 3. Preach the Whole Gospel. In our time, as in times past, the Gospel has been watered down. Why? Because it is hard to hear! Though the Gospel is simple, though it is critical to Salvation, it has a lot to unpack. That’s why it took over 6,000 years before Jesus to set the stage for His 3 year mission, and to help us understand the continuing mission that we are part of now 2,000 years later.

Yes, its much more fun to preach Jesus is love. Its not fun preaching repentance of sins. Its hard work to defend created order to a world that thinks it understands science. Its hard to balance emotion and logic, the mystery of the human condition and the solution that is not visible.

The Message of Acts 2. The Apostle Peter Preaches to the Crowd (3:11–26)

As for the beneficiaries, ‘When God raised up his servant Jesus, he sent him first to you to bless you’ (26a), the physical descendants of Abraham, as is several times emphasized by Paul.21 But later Paul argues, especially in his letters to the Romans and the Galatians, that the promised blessing is for all believers, including Gentiles who by faith have become Abraham’s spiritual children. And what is the blessing? It is not forgiveness only, but righteousness. For God sent Jesus Christ his servant ‘to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways’ (26).

The NIV Application Commentary: Acts Bridging Contexts

Peter and Paul both try to deflect glory from themselves elsewhere in Acts (10:26; 14:14–15). This is a refreshing change from what Luke describes in his Gospel, where the disciples began disputing among themselves as to which one was the greatest (Luke 9:46; 22:24). They have finally heeded Jesus’ warning that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11; 18:14; cf. 9:48; 22:26).12

Acts 3:1–26 ESV

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 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. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 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!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 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. While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 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? 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. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 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. “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 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. 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. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 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.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Us:

Us:

Jesus’ statement, you will be hated, insulted, and rejected.

Team Ministry

Deflect Glory from Ourselves

Move when the Spirit says move

O

S

P

E

L

Move when the Spirit says move

Proclaim the Complete Gospel

We:

God Created Us To Be With Him (Gen 1-2)

Our Sins Separated Us From God (Gen 3)

Sins Not Removed By Deeds (Gen 4-Malachi)

Paying For Sin, Died, Rose Again (Matt-Luke)

Everyone Who Trusts Has Eternal Life (John)

Life With Jesus Now And Forever (Acts-Rev)

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