Acts 3:12-26 SENT HIM TO BLESS YOU When the two Galilean fishermen spoke to a lame man and he was immediately and completely healed, there would have been questions in the minds of those who saw the healed man leaping, walking and praising God. "How did they do that?" "Who are those men?" Peter took advantage of that unspoken curiosity to present the Gospel. He made sure the people knew they did not do this miraculous healing by their own power but by the authority and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. He told them plainly the One they had rejected and killed was the Prince of Life, the Author of Life. Their rejection as a nation was fatal but God was still gracious and each one of them could believe on, and receive the Lord Jesus as Savior and Messiah and acknowledge Him as their Lord by faith. He did not have to be seen to be believed on. They could see the evidence of the changed man right before them as proof of the power of His name.
There are times when God gives to us opportunities to speak for Him when we didn't expect it. We need the Word of God in our hearts, courage in our souls and submission to the Holy Spirit to take advantage of "teaching moments" like this. It is wise to use illustrations that people can identify with whenever we speak the truth of God. Peter certainly did that. The facts were undeniable that the Jews had turned Jesus over to Pilate because they wanted Him condemned and killed. The events surrounding the crucifixion of Christ would have been well known because they had happened in the recent past. They knew about the crucifixion but false rumors had circulated that the disciples had stolen His body. Now Peter told them again Christ was risen from among the dead. People had killed Him; God raised Him to life again; these men had personally seen Him after His resurrection. Personal testimony has value when presenting the Gospel. We are not speaking about things we have not experienced. Something that has happened to me cannot be disproved by people who were not even there. Faith in Christ changes people and like Peter and John, we need to use what we have personally experienced as proof of the authority of the Gospel message we proclaim.
Peter and John emphasized that it was God who made the change in the lame man who was healed. They took no credit for the results. Faith in His name and the authority of His Person is what is important. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is not to be used as a charm of some kind to mysteriously bring about healing. He is the One who dealt with sin and its consequences. We need to emphasize our Lord Jesus Christ when presenting the saving work of redemption. That is what gives power and authority to our prayers.
Peter knew the prophecies of the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Christ when He was here, and Peter had confidence that all that was foretold about Him was going to be fulfilled in the future. The Jews had not been looking for a suffering Savior but for a conquering King. Peter knew this and told the people of the "times of the restitution of all things" that was yet to come. What was needed now was personal repentance and turning from sin to Christ. In our presentation of the Gospel we cannot overlook the problem and consequences of sin. The person who truly repents of sin to God and trusts Christ alone for salvation is the one whose "sins are blotted out." It is unfair, unwise and wrong to not speak of sin and warn listeners of the consequences of sins that are not forgiven. Often those who come to Christ find a sense of relief from guilt which they no longer try to hide. Such people know what "times of refreshing" are like.
In his message Peter spoke of the past, the present and the future and the place in history the Lord Jesus Christ holds. In the future when God will restore all things, the Lord Jesus will be revealed to the whole world in His glory. Judgment will be past and sin will not have a place in the kingdom of God. The message of Peter was that the Jews Messiah was Jesus. He was here and they rejected Him. But God in grace was still seeking that nation to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ when He was here. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." The prophets of the Old Testament had foretold of His coming, but even in the time of the prophets the nation had rejected the promises and prophecies of God. The nation forfeited its calling to be God's representative people through who He would be revealed to the world. Now, last of all, they had rejected and killed His Son Jesus who He had sent to bless them. From now on in Acts the emphasis gradually passes over to the Gentiles.
An understanding of the plans and purposes of God is needed when preaching the Gospel so that the hearers realize the importance of what is being proclaimed. Every one who speaks for God needs to be conscious of the importance of the Gospel message and the value of what they are doing. As a result of the Gospel being preached some will be saved by God's grace and some will be damned. When one deliberately rejects the Savior that person will be lost in hell. We should learn the lesson and value of presenting a concise, relevant message from God through His Word.
He came to bless, it was long ago predicted, Even though many had heard Him, from them He was evicted By way of the cross; they watched and thought He was done Never realizing, what blessings they rejected that came through Jesus the Son.
He came to bless, and right from the start Those who saw and believed were changed in their heart. Some saw blessings far into the future, others right now Before "His Son Jesus," people of faith did bow.
He came to bless; many were healed and fed. Some were chosen to follow Him wherever He led. They saw what He did, and from Him they daily learned The importance of faith in Him whosoever to Him will turn.
He came to bless, even when He was condemned to die. Because of His sacrifice for us, we can to God draw nigh. From His death, eternal life to believers has sprung Like multiplied seeds coming from one seed of corn.
He came to bless, and those blessings still flow. From the Source of living waters God's grace does show. In the fullness of new life, those who know and love Him, Are able by faith to tell personally what He has done for them.
He came to bless, but when those blessings are refused, The condemnation of God and hell are what people choose. Through people who are redeemed entreaties and warnings are given. Those who hear and believe will find endless blessings in heaven.
"Gracious Father, I pray this morning that my heart and soul will be prepared to speak Thy truth to individuals today. May I be well prepared to speak in the public meeting tonight so the people of God will know the value of love one to another. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."