WEBVTT 00:00:00.479 --> 00:00:01.120 Amen. 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:03.200 Well, hey, good morning. 00:00:03.839 --> 00:00:05.919 For those of you who don't know me, my name is Justin. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:08.400 I'm one of the pastors here at Sacred Mission. 00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:15.279 It's my joy and privilege to be able to bring God's word to you as we are continuing in the book of Acts. 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:18.879 And so we're going through all of chapter three today. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:22.559 So if you have a Bible or your app, go ahead and open it up. 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:23.839 Acts chapter three. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:31.920 We're going to be working through the wonder and the word that we see here in the text. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:50.799 Now, listen, something that the book of Acts establishes early on is the relationship between the wonder of the manifestation of the Spirit in His gifts and the word of the gospel proclaimed in boldness by his people. 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:59.280 We explored this together in chapter two, and now we're able to observe it once again here in chapter three. 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:06.239 Here we see this miraculous healing of a beggar who had been lame from birth. 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:41.680 And through the faith-filled obedience of Peter, as he and John were going up to the temple together for a time of prayer, as we examine more clearly the relationship between the wonder and the word, I also want to try and bring some clarity about the manifestation of the Spirit that caused the healing and how it affects us as people who both believe in the continuation of these gifts and desire to see them expressed through us today. 00:01:42.079 --> 00:01:54.159 Now, many of us, we may have a significant sense of caution or concern when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit functioning and being exercised within the church. 00:01:54.480 --> 00:02:06.079 But as we study Acts together, our hope and aim is to provide clarity that builds confidence, not caution that breeds concern. 00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:12.800 So that we can flourish as this spirit-filled people that God intends for us to be. 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:29.599 We want to be really intentional about just pausing and giving attention to the Spirit's work so that our understanding can mature, we can faithfully pursue all that the Lord has for us as his people. 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:45.439 And so here today, this chapter gives us both: a vivid demonstration of God's power and an opportunity to deepen our understanding of how the Spirit operates even today. 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:57.759 So we're going to dive into this account of a lame man who was restored, refreshed, and found leaping for joy through the Spirit's presence in Jesus' powerful name. 00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:01.280 Acts 2, verse, or Acts 3, verse 1. 00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:01.840 Ready? 00:03:02.159 --> 00:03:02.639 Says this. 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:20.639 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. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:27.439 Now, last week, right, Acts chapter 2, 42 through 47, we talked about the spirit-filled church. 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:38.479 We read there in the text that it was a very daily rhythm for the newly formed spirit-filled community to go to the temple daily. 00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:45.840 The first part of chapter 2, verse 46 actually reads, and day by day attending the temple together. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:51.520 So this is what Peter and John were doing right here at the beginning of chapter 3. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:04:08.000 Now, as we try to understand the context and scene of this passage, we need to pause and reflect on the familiarity that both Peter and John would have had with this lame beggar. 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:23.839 The text says that he was lame from birth and that he was carried every day to the temple gate called beautiful, so that he could ask alms of those entering the temple. 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:36.639 Now, I have this image of the temple that I want us to try to get into our minds so that we can hopefully understand the familiarity that Peter and John may have had with this crippled man. 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:39.680 So here is a replica of the temple. 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:47.439 This gate called beautiful, we have confidence is either, let me get over here, okay? 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:58.800 It's either this gate here, for those of you on that side, sorry, uh, or it's this gate here. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:02.240 We have confidence that it's one of these two gates. 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:04.000 What do you notice first? 00:05:05.600 --> 00:05:06.800 That's good, yeah. 00:05:06.879 --> 00:05:09.600 That wasn't what I was going for, but yes, it is, it is. 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:12.240 It was called beautiful for a reason. 00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:18.079 It's the prominent front entrance to the temple complex, right? 00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:29.360 This gate called beautiful was the prominent front entrance and was known for its ornate beauty, believed to be covered in bronze and gold and silver. 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:42.000 And so this lame man from birth is carried and sat down at this gate, and Peter and John have this daily rhythm of going to the temple. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:51.680 They would have walked through this gate and passed this very man many times throughout their overlapping years in Jerusalem. 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:59.519 I would submit to you, there would have been a high level of familiarity with this crippled man. 00:06:00.399 --> 00:06:08.800 But not only would the two apostles have had regular encounters with this particular beggar, but Jesus. 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:16.000 Jesus undoubtedly would have passed by this man throughout his life and ministry. 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:21.120 So as we approach the passage this morning, here's what I want us to ask. 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:23.360 I think it's necessary for us. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:34.560 Why this day for this particular beggar to experience the wonder of this healing? 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:36.000 Why? 00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:43.199 Now, before we try to wrestle with that question, let's look at the whole story together. 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:50.639 The passage says that both Peter and John, as they were going to the temple to pray around 3 p.m. 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:58.720 in the afternoon, they enter through the front gate and they hear this man asking for alms from them. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:07.600 And it says that both the apostles directed their gaze at this beggar and said, Look at me, look at us. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:23.839 For some reason, on this day, in this moment, the apostles sense a need to intentionally engage with this man rather than just walk by dismissing his request. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:32.959 From their demand for his attention, the man actually is expecting to receive some sort of handout, some sort of alms from the apostles. 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:42.000 But instead, Peter said, I have no silver and gold, but what I do have, I give you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:43.920 Rise up and walk. 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:48.480 Notice that Peter has nothing material to offer this man. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:08:09.519 But what he does have, the faith of Jesus and the power of his name, he extends to the man that he might experience the in-breaking of the kingdom of God, that this beggar might realize God's kingdom come in his body as it is in heaven. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:14.399 And so Peter proclaims to the man, Rise up and walk. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:15.920 That's important for us. 00:08:16.160 --> 00:08:21.360 Peter's proclamation to the beggar, rise up and walk. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.759 They then help this man to his feet. 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:28.959 He was instantly able to begin walking and leaping. 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:33.039 And he enters into the temple with Peter and John. 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:49.039 And the people inside the temple, they they hear this man praising God in a loud voice, and they they start to recognize that this is actually the very man who every day sat lame at the gate entrance begging. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:51.279 And what was their reaction to this? 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:51.600 Right? 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:59.600 Verse 10 says, if you're reading with us, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:09.039 It then says that the crowd actually rushes over to the three men, astonished and demanding answers of what they're seeing and beholding. 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:16.559 And verse 12 says this, and when Peter saw it, the crowd coming to him, he addressed the people. 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:35.120 Peter wants to establish something right at the beginning. 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:37.840 Hear me say this. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:46.000 There was nothing intrinsically within himself to cause this healing. 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:49.120 He wants to establish that right at the beginning. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:53.759 There was nothing in me, there was nothing about me that caused this healing. 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:55.519 Why are you looking at us? 00:09:56.240 --> 00:10:05.919 There was no internally residing power, there was no incantation of words or a manifestation of his own holiness. 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:06.639 Right? 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:17.120 Peter actually points to two things that the crowd might actually assume was the cause of the wonder, power and piety. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:22.799 The word power, it can communicate ability, authority, or force. 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:30.080 And the word piety speaks to a sense of strong devotion, holiness, and godliness. 00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:32.559 And so what's Peter saying? 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:42.159 It isn't by some authority he has, nor how devoted he has been. 00:10:43.440 --> 00:11:00.240 Instead, he points to the one whose name carries inherent authority and whose perfect devotion led to his exaltation and power, Jesus. 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:13.759 Now Peter then begins to bind the conscience of the crowd by conveying how they had delivered up and killed the holy and righteous one, the author of life himself, Jesus. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:22.159 But the God of their fathers raised him from the dead and glorified him into this very truth. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:24.399 They've all been witnesses. 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:30.879 None is held innocent from observing the power of God in Christ. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:37.600 And now Peter's gonna bear witness to the power of the very name of Jesus. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:39.919 Look at verse 16 with me. 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:58.320 And his name, Jesus, 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. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:07.360 We're gonna rest here for a minute at verse 16 because Peter's theology here is crucial for us. 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:15.679 Now the structure of this verse is it's a bit clumsy and it's hard to communicate in English. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:28.399 And so what we want to do is start by focusing on the actually latter section of the verse that says, the faith that is through Jesus, the faith that is through Jesus. 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:34.799 Notice carefully, Peter doesn't say faith in Jesus healed this man. 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:45.840 As if Peter somehow conjured up enough inherent faith from his personal devotion to somehow activate Jesus' power. 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:50.480 No, he says the faith came through Jesus. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:58.159 The gift of faith that is given to Peter through Jesus. 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:04.000 So it isn't faith in Jesus, but faith given through Jesus. 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:11.039 Because it is Jesus sovereignly giving the faith to Peter. 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:22.240 That faith, that faith given by Jesus is what gave the man the perfect health at the end of the verse. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:27.679 Now, the first part of the verse, let's go back to the beginning of 16. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:31.120 It says, and his name. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:38.639 And what this is doing is it's establishing Jesus' name as the subject of the verse. 00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:46.480 And though it's establishing as the subject, it is not establishing it as the source of the power. 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:48.960 That's important for us. 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:58.159 We need to connect the two elements of the verse, the name and the faith. 00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:02.000 And the verse actually does this for us. 00:14:03.200 --> 00:14:05.279 By faith in his name. 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:10.080 So in his name, by faith in his name. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:25.759 So the verse actually reads this way: By faith in his name has made this man strong, and it says, the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health. 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:40.320 So how does the name become energized with power when faith in the name is given through Jesus? 00:14:40.960 --> 00:14:44.240 When faith in the name is given through Jesus. 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:52.240 So in Peter proclaiming in the name of Jesus, Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:55.600 Peter's not generating power. 00:14:56.960 --> 00:15:02.159 He was acting on the faith that Jesus had given to him in that moment. 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:05.519 The gift of faith. 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:24.799 That in this moment and in this way, Jesus is healing you. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:28.000 You see, the faith. 00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:39.600 Suddenly, for this moment, this time, this man came to Peter through Jesus. 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:43.840 Jesus gave the faith to heal. 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:49.519 Peter acted faithfully on it, and the man was healed. 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:58.080 Remember, Peter had passed by this lame beggar time and time again, not healing him. 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:05.600 Jesus, more than likely, passed by this man, not healing him. 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:08.720 So why now? 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:11.120 Why at this moment? 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:17.440 Let's look at Acts chapter 4 briefly for some help here. 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:20.399 Acts chapter 4, verses 29 through 30. 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:29.120 What we see in this passage is the apostles had just experienced this trial. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:40.399 And now they're gathering together with God's people to petition that the Lord continues to strengthen them and embolden them that they might continue to preach the word. 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:51.919 And here's what it says And now, Lord, look upon their threats, the Sanhedrin, and grant to your servants, the apostles, to continue to speak your word with all boldness. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:52.960 Verse 30. 00:16:53.279 --> 00:17:04.720 While you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:08.000 Notice their petition. 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:16.240 While you stretch out your hand to heal, who are they petitioning? 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.640 The Father. 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:31.599 They're petitioning the Father to stretch out his hand and to perform these mighty acts through the name of Jesus, his holy servant. 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:39.440 Now, we have to take into consideration the oneness of the Father and the Son. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:42.079 The oneness of the Father and the Son. 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:47.359 Jesus only did what he saw the Father do. 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:50.799 Jesus actually says this in John 5, 19. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:53.359 He is speaking to his followers. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:18:03.519 Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:08.640 For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:11.759 So why did Jesus heal? 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:18.400 But a better question: why did Jesus not heal? 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:27.759 The answer is mysteriously and simply, he did what he saw his father do. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:33.519 So here's what happened at the beautiful gate. 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:38.240 This is Justin's paraphrase and interpretation. 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:50.000 The father, in his sovereign timing, said to the son, now is the moment for this healing. 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:56.720 And Jesus responded in perfect obedience, Your will is my joy. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:02.160 And Jesus gave Peter the faith to act. 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:16.240 The progressive breakthrough of God's kingdom that we see throughout all of Scripture is that the Father wills it, the Son accomplishes it, and the Spirit applies it. 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:19.440 And so here's where we come in, right? 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:32.720 Peter, filled with the Spirit, was living in attunement, in this expectant, spirit-filled sensitivity to Jesus' voice. 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:36.799 I believe that day at 3 p.m. 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:41.920 as he was walking to the gate, he heard the whisper. 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:45.200 He sensed the prompting. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:55.680 He had confidence that Jesus wanted to do something miraculous through him for the good of another, and so this was the day for this man. 00:19:57.920 --> 00:20:16.799 Not because Peter finally prayed hard enough or believed strongly enough, but because the Father willed it, the Son gave faith for it, the Spirit empowered it, and Peter was attuned to hear and obey. 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:23.839 Now, here's something critical we cannot miss. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:30.640 Healing doesn't prove Jesus, it points to Jesus. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:34.319 This is the connection I want to try to make through this text. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:38.079 Healing doesn't prove Jesus, it points to Jesus. 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:42.319 The miracle itself, the miracle isn't the message. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:46.880 Because it's always the wonder that serves the word. 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:55.359 You see, the crowd didn't need proof that Jesus exists or that he's powerful. 00:20:55.519 --> 00:21:00.720 They needed their hearts turned toward him in repentance and faith. 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:11.200 The healing was never the destination, it was the signpost that pointed to the exalted Christ. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:14.160 And so watch what Peter does. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:20.720 He leverages the miracle to preach Christ crucified and risen. 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:29.599 The healed man leaping and praising God created the platform, but Peter uses the platform to proclaim the gospel. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:33.200 This is the pattern we see again and again in Acts. 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:39.039 God works wonders, not to put on a show, but to open hearts for the word. 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:43.359 And the healing, grab their attention in this moment. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:51.839 And now Peter will direct that attention exactly where it belongs to the risen Lord Jesus. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:56.160 And let's see how Peter does this as we investigate the word. 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:59.759 Now, here's what I want to say. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:13.200 There are two essential elements for a great sermon: the exaltation of Christ and the conviction of the conscience. 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:18.559 The exaltation of Christ and the conviction of the conscience. 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:21.839 You saw this in Peter's sermon at Pentecost. 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.720 You see it here. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:31.279 Both are present in Peter's response to their wonder and amazement at what had happened. 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:36.480 And where do we begin to see the exaltation of Christ? 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:43.039 It's in the way that Peter roots Jesus into Israel's own story. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:53.359 He says this: he says, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob glorified his servant Jesus. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:23:04.319 You see, he's establishing Jesus isn't just another prophet that you stoned and killed. 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:10.240 Jesus isn't just a good teacher or some random miracle worker. 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:18.079 No, he is in himself the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:31.200 Peter's saying, Your God, the God of your fathers, has acted decisively in redemptive history in Jesus, his son. 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:39.200 And then Peter just begins to heap up these Christological names for Jesus. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:55.440 He says, His servant, pointing to the suffering servant of Isaiah, the holy and righteous one, establishing his divine moral perfection, author of life, the almighty creator and source of all living things. 00:23:56.240 --> 00:24:10.000 Now, the last one, the author of life, that would really grab their attention because he told them, You killed the very one who authors life itself. 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:22.079 This is the ultimate irony that magnifies both human sin and responsibility and Christ's supremacy. 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:35.039 And then Peter begins to build these contrasts throughout his preaching that exalts Jesus in spite of our best human efforts to destroy him. 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:40.480 You denied him, God glorified him. 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:45.200 You chose a murderer in Barabbas, God gave you the author of life. 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:47.839 You killed him, God raised him. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:53.359 You see, the contrast doesn't just condemn the crowd. 00:24:53.920 --> 00:25:00.000 What it does is it highlights God's vindication in Jesus Himself. 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:07.519 You wanted to destroy him, but God glorified him. 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:16.480 The resurrection becomes the Father's ultimate endorsement in Jesus. 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:19.920 You rejected him, I exalted him. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:30.720 You see, this here, this model is how continuationist theology remains Christ-centered. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:35.920 Miracles never make much of the miracle worker. 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:38.400 They make much of Jesus. 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:44.880 They make much of Jesus. 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:50.880 Peter doesn't just exalt Christ, though he does that faithfully and well. 00:25:51.599 --> 00:25:58.799 Peter also convicts the conscience through these direct, gritty confrontational statements. 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:06.400 Peter actually uses the direct charge you six times in the opening of his sermon. 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:14.960 He wants them to know without any doubt that they are standing condemned and guilty before him. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:18.000 You delivered over and denied. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:20.720 You denied the holy and righteous one. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:22.559 You asked for a murderer. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:24.960 You killed the author of life. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:28.079 This is a direct indictment. 00:26:29.839 --> 00:26:33.119 Peter refuses to let them hide in the crowd. 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.680 And so he makes it personal. 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:45.039 And he sets up these devastating either or choices that have exposed their guilt. 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:52.240 Pilate, the pagan Roman governor, he wanted to release Jesus. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:57.839 But no, you, God's covenant people, you demanded his death. 00:26:58.480 --> 00:27:00.720 A murderer, Barabbas. 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.799 That was your choice. 00:27:04.240 --> 00:27:08.480 And the holy and righteous one was rejected by you. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:12.640 The author of life, you killed him. 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:17.680 The irony here in these statements is absolutely crushing. 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:27.359 The people should have recognized their Messiah, but instead they became his executioners. 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:36.319 You see, I love what Peter's doing, this is powerful law before gospel preaching. 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:39.839 We need the bad news before we get the good news. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:46.000 We have to understand why Jesus is our hope. 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:49.599 Peter doesn't rush to comfort. 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:53.200 He doesn't try to be kind and gentle. 00:27:54.559 --> 00:28:08.000 Peter lets the weight of sin do its crushing work so that the repentance will be genuine and the grace that they receive be treasured. 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:15.440 Because true conviction always precedes true conversion. 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:20.160 True conviction always precedes true conversion. 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:23.440 Here's what Peter's sermon essentially says. 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:34.799 And God raised him to prove you wrong. 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:37.279 Now what are you going to do? 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:42.160 That's how you convict a conscience. 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:47.680 And Peter's final call, it's the same as his sermon at Pentecost. 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:53.519 Repent therefore and turn back that your sins may be blotted out. 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:59.599 You see, the only right response to the gospel of Jesus is repentance. 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:10.960 Turning from our ongoing rebellion against God by turning toward the deliverer that He has sent to rescue us. 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:12.559 Jesus. 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:38.000 No, what I want to present to us as a church is that we pursue this. 00:29:38.160 --> 00:29:46.319 And what I mean by that is this theology, Peter's crucial theology, it has a function within the church today. 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:52.640 You see, it's not just about parsing out the original language. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:30:00.400 Well, if you if you look how the text, but it's not about proving your position in a dispute. 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:09.359 No, what this is, is a pattern for the New Testament church to pursue and to participate in. 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:13.920 To be so attuned to Jesus. 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:15.200 Right? 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:25.440 When we did our discipleship series, we talked about abiding in Christ, making Jesus the resting place for your heart and mind. 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:43.519 What does it mean to be so attuned to him, so richly abiding in him, so deeply that we become sensitive to his voice, his promptings, his leading in specific moments for specific people? 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:47.839 What if we heard him say, I'm healing that person? 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:52.640 I'm speaking to that person, I'm delivering that person. 00:30:54.720 --> 00:31:04.079 You see, we long for the gift of faith, the word of knowledge, the gift of healing to be these active realities in our church family. 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:21.039 And it's only by being attuned to him and abiding in him that we can confidently and boldly proclaim to this person in this moment, in this way, Jesus is doing something in your life. 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:27.599 You see, we desire to be continuationists here at Sacred Mission. 00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:35.119 But it's not just in our theology, it's not just giving mental assent to some structured doctrine. 00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:41.759 But it's to have it be functioning in our very life. 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:47.519 Not for our glory, but to exalt Jesus. 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:53.359 Not to impress people, but to point them to the risen Lord. 00:31:54.880 --> 00:32:02.960 Not as an end in themselves, but as the wonder that opens hearts for the word. 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:12.319 He is risen and has been exalted. 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:16.640 And here's the truth that we cannot escape. 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:21.200 He still speaks, he still heals, he still moves. 00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:38.799 And the radical thing about that is that the God of this universe, the author of life, invites us, you and me, into partnership with him through the Spirit's power. 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:42.960 So the question is this are we attuned? 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:46.000 Are we listening? 00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:50.079 Are we ready to act when he gives faith? 00:32:51.680 --> 00:32:55.359 I think there's something very critical for us to understand. 00:32:56.559 --> 00:33:06.880 While we may see within sight of charismatic churches an abuse of the gifts, we still see the gifts. 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:13.119 In cessationist churches, you don't see the gifts. 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:29.039 I think there's something beautiful about a messy pursuit in the context of a grace-filled community that just so happens to believe Jesus is still speaking. 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:40.000 That just so happens to believe that Jesus still wants to do something in and through his people for the good of others. 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:44.559 And so do we live life expectant? 00:33:44.880 --> 00:33:59.279 Or is tomorrow just going to be another Monday where you wake up and you don't have any thought or belief or expectancy or listening ear that Jesus wants to do something with you, through you, for the good of another? 00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:10.639 Let's be a people marked not by caution, but by spirit-filled confidence. 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:13.440 Because what do we want to do? 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:27.360 At the end of the day, we want to pursue all that God has for us as his sent on mission church for the glory of his name and for the good of all of those he calls mine. 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:28.800 Amen.