ONLINE ACTS – LESSON 6

PETER SAW HIS OPPORTUNITY

Acts 3:12-26

GETTING STARTED:

• A great miracle has taken place – A man lame since birth – over 40 years – is powerfully healed by Jesus through the ministry of Peter and John.
• Verse 12 starts with this powerful observation that we should focus on today. Peter saw his opportunity. This miracle could be used by God to proclaim the Good News about Jesus. Today – and this week – may the Holy Spirit lead us and empower us to see the opportunity. To realize – this is a moment to lift up Jesus.
• From verse 12 – through verse 26 – Peter will lift up Jesus. He is the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. Paul declares in Galatians – that Jesus is the seed – singular – of Abraham. All who are in Christ are heirs of the promises of God.

2 truths for this week.

THIS IS THE SAME JESUS. Look at verses 13-16.

NOTICE 3 KEY CONTRASTS.

• Jesus is the one you rejected – but Pilate wanted to release him. In Peter’s preaching – he always wants the hearer to know that Jesus is on the Cross for the listener’s sins. He is paying the price for our sins.
• You rejected the holy and righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer.
• Finally – You killed the author of life – BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD. NOW – THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS – THIS MAN IS HEALED.

YOUR RESPONSE TO GOD – AND GOD’S RESPONSE TO YOU. verses 17-23.

• Your response – As faith also fills your heart – Repent of your sins and turn to God. You can also have a miracle in your life greater than the miracle of this man. You can be made new through faith in Jesus.
• God’s response – Times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. This is absolutely one of my favorite expressions in all of scripture. Let’s face it – we need God to renew us and refresh us on a regular basis. Time in His presence is never wasted. It brings renewal and refreshes our soul.

TODAY – LET GOD RENEW YOU AND REFRESH YOU – SO THAT – YOU WILL SEE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING THAT LIFTS UP JESUS.

ONLINE ACTS – LESSON 5

I’LL GIVE YOU WHAT I HAVE

Acts 3:1-11

GETTING STARTED:

• At the close of chapter 2 – there is a powerful description of the culture of the early church. Let’s look at it in Acts 2:42-47. They are sharing fellowship, teaching, prayer, and worship. The Lord is doing great miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a church you where you want to attend.
• Now at the start of chapter 3 – Luke will give specific examples of their faithfulness to pray – and of a great miracle that was done. Luke is a researcher and clearly this account feels like he got it directly from Peter.

WE HAVE SOMETHING AMAZING TO GIVE.

• There is a man lame from birth – we know from Acts 4:22 that he is more than 40 years old. This means that Jesus likely had walked past this man – but he did not think to ask for healing. He probably did not even think that it was possible for him to walk. But Ephesians 3:20 tells us that we serve a Lord who is able to do infinitely more than we might ask or think.
• Peter looks at this man who is asking for money – and changes the conversation. We don’t have money – but I will give you what I have. Then he powerfully invokes the name of Jesus with the command to get up and walk.

THE LESSON: We have what people need more than anything else. We have the
power of God that has saved us – filled us – and equipped us. When we immerse
ourselves in the culture of faith – fellowship – the word – miracles and signs and wonders – We will begin to minister in a new boldness that meets the needs of hurting people.

A PICTURE OF WHAT SPIRITUAL GIFTS LOOK LIKE IN OPERATION. Acts 3:7-8

• This is such an amazing miracle – but it causes me to ask – where does the boldness come to do something like this. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 of spiritual gifts that continue the ministry of Jesus. In this occasion we see 2 of them in operation. The gift of faith – a spiritual impartation to believe for something amazing that gives God glory.
• The second gift in operation is the working of miracles. This man not only is healed – but he also instantly knows how to walk and run. Not just a single miracle – but miracles. WE have the same Holy Spirit in us.

SIGNS AND WONDERS AND MIRACLES GIVE GOD GLORY. Acts 3:9-11

• Not only is this man walking – he is praising God. God is about to get all the glory. What comes next – that we will look at next week is Peter’s powerful declaration about who did this miracle.
• Jesus said in John 10:38 that miracles cause people to believe. He inferred that if you can’t believe because of me – believe in the evidence of the miraculous works. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTINUES THE MINISTRY OF JESUS.

ONLINE ACTS – LESSON 4

THE FIRST SERMON IN ACTS

Acts 2:22-28

GETTING STARTED:

• Acts provides many samples of New Testament preaching. Peter preaches in Acts 2 & 3. In both cases a supernatural event gathers a large crowd. Later, in chapter 7 – Stephen will deliver a powerful rebuke to religious leaders that will lead to him becoming the first martyr. In chapter 13 – there are examples of Paul’s preaching as he begins the first missionary journey – and in Acts 17 – one
• happen. Peter then quotes from Joel 2:28-32. SO HERE WE GO.
• of the great sermons of all time is preached by Paul in Athens.
• This sermon – the first preached in Acts started in last week’s lesson with the introduction – no they are not drunk – and the text – this is what Joel said would happen. Peter then quotes from Joel 2:28-32. SO HERE WE GO.

1. JESUS IS CRUCIFIED AND RESURRECTED. Acts 2:22-28
   ● Peter reviews the earthly ministry of Jesus that was filled with miracles and signs
   and wonders – and was well known in that time.
   ● He then reveals God’s plan for the Cross – it was a prearranged plan. Paul would
   say that he preached Christ crucified.
   ● Take note that Peter puts the responsibility on the hearer – you nailed him to the
   cross and killed him. It is our sin that puts Christ on the cross
   ● But God – But God raised him back to life. Peter goes on to explain that this was
   foretold by David – that God would not allow his Holy One to rot in the grave.
   

2. JESUS IS MESSIAH. Acts 2:29-36
   ● Peter now shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise to David to have an
   everlasting throne. This is a big deal to a Jewish audience.
   ● Not only is Jesus resurrected – but he is presently seated at the right hand of the
   Father. From this place, He has poured out the Holy Spirit on us.
   ● Take note: David spoke prophetically about these things – that Jesus would be
   resurrected and that He would ascend into heaven to be seated on the throne.
   READ VERSE 36 ONE MORE TIME.

3. THE ALTAR CALL. Acts 2:37-41
   ● As the audience is pierced in their hearts by Peter’s preaching – they say to Peter
   and the other apostles – Brothers, what should we do?
   ● The answer – repent of your sins and turn to God. Turn away from sin – but also
   turn to God. Be baptized – a sign of surrender to the Lordship of Jesus.
   ● Then – you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit – a promise for everyone.
   ● Peter continues preaching for some time – covering the need to live righteously
   so that they would be saved from a crooked generation. JESUS CHANGES
   HOW WE LIVE LIFE. 3000 got saved on that day.

ONLINE ACTS – LESSON 3

THE DAY OF PENTECOST

Acts 2:1-4
GETTING STARTED:

• Think about what obedience on the part of the followers of Jesus led them to on this great day. They are in the right place at the right time to receive a powerful and amazing experience in the Holy Spirit. Obedience is the key.
• The feast of weeks (a week of weeks) is also known as the feast of Pentecost. Pente is the root word for 50. So on the 50th day after Passover – or after the passing of 7 weeks – there was the major feast of Pentecost. This major feast explains why Jerusalem was filled with Jews from every nation.

1. THE PROMISE IS FULFILLED. Acts 2:1-4, Acts 1:4&5

• Jesus had instructed them to stay in Jerusalem until they received the gift that the Father had promised.
• We are not sure where they are meeting. It could be the upper room mentioned in 1:13, or it could have been a place in the temple where they gathered for prayer since it was around 9 in the morning or the third hour. This would explain how so many people heard them praising God.
• There are 2 key supernatural signs – The sound from heaven that is like the roaring of a mighty windstorm and tongues of fire that settle over each person.
• The key takeaway is that the promise is fulfilled – all of them are filled and they all speak in other languages as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

LOOK WHAT OBEDIENCE LED THEM TO RECEIVE.

2. THE REACTION OF OTHERS. Acts 2:5-13.

• Supernaturally – they are hearing God praised in their own language – by Galileans – people who even if they knew the languages would not enunciate them with the correct accent. So they ask – how can this be? – The answer is of course, the power of God is present through the Holy Spirit.
• Others miss the miracle and put it off as the sound of loud drunks.

LESSON: Don’t miss the miracle because you have to explain everything from the lens
of human experience. Open up your heart to see a Mighty God at work.

3. PETER STEPS UP IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Acts 2:14-21

• They are not drunk – what everyone is witnessing is what was foretold by the prophet Joel. Look at Joel 2:28-32
• Key points – This outpouring of God’s Spirit falls on male and female – rich and poor – young and old. They will all speak forth in boldness for God – they will prophecy. Then – this will lead to this great reality – Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Power to proclaim = witnesses. Acts 1:8