Opening: Has there been in incident in your life that,
because of something you did, you were completely surprised by the outcome? You
didn’t go through the traffic light and avoided an accident, or you did go
through the traffic light and was involved in an accident? When given a choice,
you picked the right option and were rewarded?
Scripture: Read Acts 3:11-26.
Insights:
- “Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.” Peter realized that he had a perfect opportunity to share his life and experience with Jesus. The crowd was very interested in what was going on after the healing of the lame man. God used the miracle to give Peter a way to give his testimony. It is very similar to the account of Jesus healing the man born blind (see John 9), in that the healing of a physical condition allowed the Gospel of Christ to be proclaimed.
- Peter delivers five of the dominant notes of early Christian preaching.
- The crucifixion was the greatest crime in human history. Whenever they speak of it, there is a kind of shocked horror in their voices.
- The crucifixion was vindicated by the resurrection. The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Lord of life.
- Early preachers always stressed the power of the Risen Lord; they never regarded themselves as the sources of power but only as channels of power.
- Mercy is offered to the listeners.
- The obligation this knowledge brings is the obligation to repent and to turn.
Life Questions:
- God gives us many opportunities – sometimes on a daily basis – to share about our life and relationship with Jesus. Have you been nudged by God lately to move the conversation with a friend towards spiritual matters? How did you respond?
- Is God using some “weakness” in your life that God wants to use for His glory (see 2Corinthians 12:9)?
Prayer Focus: For the courage to act upon the nudge of God
when He gives us an opportunity to tell others about our faith.
