A Divine Encounter with a Crippled Nation Recap Pt1
Pastor Jerry delivered a powerful sermon from Acts 3:11-26, focusing on Peter's second sermon after healing a crippled man. The message centers on why people reject Jesus Christ, using the Jewish nation's denial of their Messiah as the primary example. Peter confronted the crowd at Solomon's Colonnade, explaining that they had denied the Holy and Righteous One - Jesus Christ - and chose a murderer (Barabbas) instead. The pastor emphasized that this wasn't just about ancient Israel, but applies to anyone today who rejects Christ.
The sermon highlighted three key aspects of their rejection: they denied Jesus, they killed Him in front of Pilate when they could have released Him, and they chose a criminal over the Son of God. Pastor Jerry stressed that Jesus is described as the "source of life" (archegon ha zeos in Greek), meaning He is the eternal headwaters of all life. Since Jesus is the source of life itself, it was impossible for death to hold Him, which is why God raised Him from the dead. The message concluded with a call for surrender to Christ, warning against the danger of denying the one who loves us most.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You this morning with grateful hearts, thanking You for gathering us together in Your house. Lord, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us today through Your Word. Help us not just to hear with our ears, but to truly listen with our hearts. Remove any distractions, any pride, or any resistance that might prevent us from receiving Your truth. Holy Spirit, work in each of our lives and show us areas where we need to surrender more fully to You. We pray that our time together would bring glory to Your name and draw us closer to Jesus. In His precious name we pray, Amen.
Ice Breaker
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you want to ask them?
Key Verses
This week, examine your own heart for any areas where you might be 'denying' Jesus through your actions, words, or priorities. Choose one specific area where you need to surrender more fully to Christ, and take a concrete step to honor Him in that area. Also, pray for someone in your life who is rejecting Jesus, and look for an opportunity to share His love with them.
Key Takeaways
Lord Jesus, thank You for this time of studying Your Word together. We are convicted by Peter's bold message about how people denied You, and we confess that we too have denied You in various ways throughout our lives. Help us to surrender completely to You and stop rejecting Your love and lordship over our lives. We pray for those in our families and communities who are still denying You - open their hearts to see You as the Holy and Righteous One, the source of all life. Give us boldness like Peter to share the Gospel and give You all the glory when You work through us. Thank You that because You are the source of life, death could not hold You, and we have hope of eternal life through faith in You. Help us to live this week as people who have truly surrendered to the King of kings. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.
The sermon highlighted three key aspects of their rejection: they denied Jesus, they killed Him in front of Pilate when they could have released Him, and they chose a criminal over the Son of God. Pastor Jerry stressed that Jesus is described as the "source of life" (archegon ha zeos in Greek), meaning He is the eternal headwaters of all life. Since Jesus is the source of life itself, it was impossible for death to hold Him, which is why God raised Him from the dead. The message concluded with a call for surrender to Christ, warning against the danger of denying the one who loves us most.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You this morning with grateful hearts, thanking You for gathering us together in Your house. Lord, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive what You want to teach us today through Your Word. Help us not just to hear with our ears, but to truly listen with our hearts. Remove any distractions, any pride, or any resistance that might prevent us from receiving Your truth. Holy Spirit, work in each of our lives and show us areas where we need to surrender more fully to You. We pray that our time together would bring glory to Your name and draw us closer to Jesus. In His precious name we pray, Amen.
Ice Breaker
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you want to ask them?
Key Verses
- Acts 3:13-15
- Acts 3:19
- Acts 3:22-23
- John 1:1
- Psalm 16:10
- Peter told the crowd that they denied Jesus even when Pilate wanted to release Him. What are some ways people 'deny' Jesus today, even when they have opportunities to accept Him?
- The sermon mentioned that Jesus is called the 'Holy and Righteous One' - titles the Jews would have recognized from Old Testament prophecies. Why do you think people reject Jesus even when they have knowledge about who He is?
- Peter emphasized that he and John didn't heal the crippled man by their own power. How can we make sure we give God the glory when He works through us?
- The pastor explained that Jesus is the 'source of life' (archegon ha zeos). How does understanding Jesus as the eternal source of all life change your perspective on His death and resurrection?
- The Jewish people chose Barabbas (a murderer) over Jesus. What are some things in our culture that people choose over Jesus, and why do you think they make these choices?
- Peter said the people acted 'in ignorance' when they rejected Jesus. How can we help people today who are rejecting Christ due to ignorance or misunderstanding?
- The sermon mentioned that persecution scattered the early Christians, which actually helped spread the Gospel. How can God use difficult circumstances in our lives for His purposes?
- Peter called for repentance so that 'seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.' What does genuine repentance look like, and how does it lead to spiritual refreshing?
This week, examine your own heart for any areas where you might be 'denying' Jesus through your actions, words, or priorities. Choose one specific area where you need to surrender more fully to Christ, and take a concrete step to honor Him in that area. Also, pray for someone in your life who is rejecting Jesus, and look for an opportunity to share His love with them.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is the Holy and Righteous One whom the Old Testament prophets foretold, and rejecting Him has serious eternal consequences
- All healing and miracles come from God's power, not human ability or godliness - we must give Him all the glory
- Jesus is the eternal source of life (archegon ha zeos), which is why death could not hold Him and why God raised Him from the dead
- People reject Jesus despite having knowledge about Him, often choosing worldly things over the Savior who loves them
- God can use persecution and difficult circumstances to spread the Gospel and accomplish His purposes
Lord Jesus, thank You for this time of studying Your Word together. We are convicted by Peter's bold message about how people denied You, and we confess that we too have denied You in various ways throughout our lives. Help us to surrender completely to You and stop rejecting Your love and lordship over our lives. We pray for those in our families and communities who are still denying You - open their hearts to see You as the Holy and Righteous One, the source of all life. Give us boldness like Peter to share the Gospel and give You all the glory when You work through us. Thank You that because You are the source of life, death could not hold You, and we have hope of eternal life through faith in You. Help us to live this week as people who have truly surrendered to the King of kings. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.