Sermon notes to come.

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”—Acts 3:1–26

Sermon Discussion Questions

• Acts 3 is filled with reasons to praise Jesus. It includes his titles, his acts, and prophecies about him with their fulfillment. All of these aim to lead us to praise him. Which truth about the risen, exalted, and enthroned Savior most stood out to you? Why did that truth capture your attention? 
   
• The extraordinary healing miracle and a wide open door for the gospel took place as the church was doing their regular day in day out activities of attending the temple to pray (Acts 3:1). As we engage in our regular rhythms of life (Bible reading, prayer, worship, small group, interactions in the community, etc.), what level of expectation should we have for God to act in ways that build his kingdom? How can we pray for and expect Jesus to continue to work among us?        
  
  
• Look again at Acts 3:11–12. What do you notice about Peter’s reaction to the suspicions of the crowd that the power or piety of Peter and John was the source of this healing? How does his response compare to your reaction (internally or publicly) when God gives you grace to obey him? In what ways do you need to fight a tendency to believe it is because of your own power? Or your own piety? Are you tempted to compare yourself with others? How is this faulty thinking about your own power and piety? What specific ways can others pray for you in the fight against pride?  
  
  
• Notice Peter’s heart went beyond directing the crowd’s praise to God (Acts 3:12). His main concern was reconciling the crowd to God through the gospel (Acts 3:13–26). Why is reconciliation to God more important? Who are the unbelievers in your life? In what contexts might they observe good works from God through you? How can you and others pray that God would both help you deflect praise to God and, even more, point the lost to Jesus to blot out their sins? (Acts 3:19)  
  
  
• When Biblical authors like Luke and preachers like Peter quote the Old Testament, they often want their audience to not only be affected by the words themselves but also by the rich meaning of the broader context of the quotation. Consider digging deeper into one of the Old Testament passages that Peter quotes in his sermon: 
  • Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (52:13 is quoted in part in Acts 3:13) 
  • Deuteronomy 18:15–22 (18:15, 18, 19 is quoted in Acts 3:22–24) 
  • Genesis 22:1–19 (22:18 is quoted in Acts 3:25) 
    As you do this, seek to discern the Old Testament author’s main point in the wider passage. Then look back at Peter’s use of it in Acts 3. How does your reflection on the original passage help you to better appreciate Peter’s use of it to highlight the greatness of Jesus in his sermon?    
• This passage is one of the most detailed accounts of a sign and wonder of healing in the book of Acts. What points about healing were made in the passage and sermon? (To jog your memory: Who is the source? Is there a formula? Does God still heal today? Will everyone be healed?) Do you need healing in your life? Is the Spirit prompting you to call on the elders of Bethlehem to ask them to pray over you, anointing you with oil? (James 5:14) What other believers can you invite to join with you and pray for you? Are you or people in your life not experiencing the healing you desire? How can the statement that God has set a time to “restore all things” (Acts 3:21) give us hope as we wait?    
       
• Some of the Jewish people that Peter addressed in the Temple may have thought that God’s blessing to them through Abraham was an indication that they were already in right standing with God so that they did not need further redemption. How could those who have spent a lot of time attending church have similar thoughts? What did Peter clarify as God’s ultimate purpose in his blessing to the Jews in Acts 3:25–26? Do we think of that as a blessing? How is a blessing? How does it clarify the condition of “every one’s” standing with God? (Acts 3:26) In what ways do you need God to adjust your thinking about the blessing of turning from your wickedness, not just once, but until Jesus returns?