Textual Sermons

Acts 3

THE DAY OF SALVATION

Intro.
1. The gospel had a glorious beginning - Act 2.
2. It had a remarkable continuance - Acts 2:42, 47.
3. Acts 3 - Snapshot of a day in the lives of 2 apostles in Jerusalem: A day of healing & salvation for a lame man & the crowd.

I.  A DAY OF HEALING - 3:1-11.
  A. The Man Did Not Expect What He Received - 3:1-7 (v. 5).
    1. He thought he knew what he needed, but God knew better.
    2. Consider the things we may "beg" for:
      a. We beg for the freedom of the world…bondage of sin (2 Pet. 2:19).
      b. We beg for everything others have…covetous excess (Col. 3:5).
      c. We beg for recognition…fall in our pride (Prov. 16:18).
      d. Do we beg for truth? Forgiveness? Contentment?
  B. The Man Praised God For His Healing - 3:8-9.
    1. He new the value of his physical healing.
    2. We must know the value of & praise God for our spiritual healing!
  C. The People Were Amazed & Gathered - 3:10-11.
    -The man was seeking alms & found healing….what are you seeking? (Matt. 6:33)

II.  A DAY OF GOSPEL PREACHING - 3:12-21.
  A. Introduction - 3:12. Healing was from God.
  B. Peter's Sermon - 3:13-18.
    1. Sermon of "antithesis" --

    2. His "name" (power), & "faith in His name" healed this man - v. 16.
    3. Faith in Christ was the prerequisite of the person working the miracle, not person receiving it!! (cf. Jno. 11:43-44; Matt. 12:22)
    4. v. 17-18 - In ignorance they killed the Messiah…as God's prophets had foretold, God had now fulfilled!
    5. They are guilty of sin against the Messiah!
  C. Gospel Invitation Of Salvation - 3:19-21.
    1. v. 19 - Parallel to & explains Acts 2:38.
    2. v. 20 - 2nd coming at last day.
    3. v. 21 - Restoration: "To set in order" - The spiritual restoration accomplished in the apostolic age - cf. Isa. 49:5-6; Heb. 9:10; Col. 2:16-17.
      a. It is what the prophets spoke of - v. 21.
      b. They spoke of "these days" - v. 24.
      c. Time element ("to you first" - Jews) - apostolic age.
        -The crowd was seeking answers & found they were guilty of sin…and that redemption was possible. Are you seeking for the answer to your sins? You should be!

III.  A DAY OF DECISION - 3:22-24.
  A. A Prophet To Be Heard - 3:22. In all things - Heb. 1:1-2; Col. 3:17.
  B. The Disobedient Lost Forever - 3:23; 2 Thess. 1:8-9.
  C. The Prophetic Message Fulfilled In Jesus Christ - 3:24.
  D. The Jewish People Were Situated To Believe, Obey & Be Blessed - 3:25-26.
    1. Their leaders opposed the gospel - 4:1-3.
    2. Many believed & were saved through the gospel - 4:4.
      -God is seeking sinners who will hear & obey Jesus so He may bless them with salvation…Will He find you?

Conclusion
1. The apostles were charged with "disturbing the peace" (4:2-3), but it was the gospel of peace which brought peace to many souls that day!
2. Same peace is offered to us - will today be your "day of salvation?"