Acts 3:17-26 We used a verse from our text to organize a retreat for our missionaries when we first started our mission agency. These were good times together. Our thoughts were missionaries need some R&R. So, we found ways to bless the missionaries and hopefully refresh them in preparation for their next season of ministry. But is that what this text is about? Since we were not able to record the previous sermon on Acts 3:1-16, I am including the notes for that sermon at the end of the Episode notes on this page.
When you think of the Presence of Jesus, what would you normally think about? Respect, awe, fear, amazing glory, praise, wonder, speechlessness, astonishment, blown away!
I cannot think that “times of refreshing” fits into that list. Some might think, guilt, shame, ugliness, fear, awkward, lost, evil, bad, judged, deceived.
But we need to see the three parts of this sermon
Notes from Acts 3: 1-16
What's in a Name?
Associations of identity come with names. A good name speaks of a good reputation, a good character, great feats, or memorable exploits. A good name brings up images of respect, or events, or relationships. A good name can elicit feelings and emotions associated with a particular person. A bad name does the same in reverse, stirring up unwanted memories. Names can spurn people into action, from love to revenge they can be great motivators in life. Here we see another aspect that a particular name evokes:
The setting: The temple, the spiritual center of Jewish life. It is the place Jesus headed towards in the final days of his life here, and it is the place his disciples experienced his final discourses. The prayer life of the new converts to Christianity happened here daily. There is a growing movement that surely is not passing the attention of the religious leaders. But this event is going to change the dynamic of the growing movement. It is a major turning point in the growth of what the church will be.
The beginning of opposition: it was this event that clinched the deal for me to become a Christian. How could the intelligent people of the day not see the good in what was being done here?
Here is the key to seeing the difference between legalistic religion and the joy of relationship in desiring to be like Jesus:
The lame man is not permitted to become a priest – he is considered imperfect and an outcast, not whole, a burden to society, a receiver of charity. He is at the entrance at the mercy of others.
The Encounter changes his life! His future, his acceptance by God and getting used to a new way of living. Clinging to Peter and John shows his fear of the leaders.
The Boldness of Peter is astonishing in that just a few days previously he was in hiding from the Jews, also wondering if Jesus would still accept him. His restoration complete, he gives what he is now sure of in his faith. And he uses the name of Jesus – why? Because he does not have the authority, not the power, nor the piety, to do such things on his own! He clarifies where the authority comes from! He demonstrates the power in a relationship with Jesus mixed with honest humility. No power struggle, just doing what he sees the Father doing.
The reality of this event is to elevate the church, and the head of the church, Jesus. And in this case Jesus restores the broken-hearted, revels his heart of love, and restores his human dignity. Only Jesus has the authority to do so. That is the central question: who has what authority? The issue was addressed clearly in Luke 5: “who has authority to forgive sins? Just so you know who has the authority to do that, he heals the lame man. For him, healing is as easy as forgiveness, though forgiveness is much more valuable considering eternity as compared to temporal healings. In this event, the challenge to the Jewish leaders who thought the had gotten rid of Jesus is renewed. It’s like he had been multiplied! His fame was spreading, and his activity was increasing! What the 70 and the disciples had experienced was spreading faster than before.
What do we glean from this?