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3/27/18

Times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:20)

Have you ever been running late and on your way you see someone holding a sign for help? Growing up there was a guy we called, "the Bloomington bum" he was homeless and stayed around Lyndale and 90th street (where I lived). Much of the time I give people in need money and a little message of hope, few times will I speak with the person. But what would someone filled with the Holy Spirit do? We see it in Acts 3, Peter and John don't give money they give a command, "In the name of Jesus Christ, get up and walk!"

Amplified version says, "In the name (authority, power) of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—[begin now to] walk and go on walking!"
 - Healing is commanded

But that's not all they did...
7) Peter took his hand, helped him up as he did man's feet and ankles became strong and steady
 - Healing happens in the way of obedience, with help from God's people

8-10) The beggar went with them to temple walking and leaping and praising God, people mystified at what happened to him
11-12) Peter saw the opportunity to ask questions, "what is so surprising about this? why stare at us as though our power and godliness made him walk?"
 - Testimony of changed life brings people to question what really happened

Healing brings people to hear God's plan 
13-15) God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob brought glory to Jesus by doing this.
Who is Jesus?
 - God's servant and Son (13), handed over, disowned and rejected, denied, killed
 - the Holy and Righteous One
 - Author of Life, raised from dead (bodily), witnessed by Peter and John

16) “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.

17-18) People in ignorance fulfilled God's plan of Messiah, foretold by prophets
19) Now repent of sins, turn to God, so that sins may be wiped away
20) Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.
21) Jesus must remain in heaven until the final restoration of all things promised by God
22-23) Jesus prophet like Moses, anyone not listening to Jesus will be completely cut off from God's people (Deut 18:15,19; Lev 23:29)
24-25) Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today, Abraham, descendants (Gen 12:3, 22:18)
26) When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”

Conclusion:
I wonder if Peter and John were busy like me. I wonder if they felt the tinge of judgment against the people who carried the man to the gate to beg. Lord help me to be present with you today, that I may have faith in your name and carry the truth of the gospel to those I see in need.

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