Mission to the NeighborHood
Acts 3:11-26
Intro- “Mission, Sent to Speak & Respond to God’s work of redemption.”
- Acts 1:8
- Mission to the Neighborhood, …805, ….to the end
- As soon as the church was the church, it was on MISSION, mission to the neighborhood- In their local context so we are asking, what does it mean for us to be on mission as the church in our local context.
- Where we are at in our text this morning is… re-tell healing.
“Why do you stare at us? Look at Jesus”
When people wonder we… SPEAK
- What can we learn from Peter how Peter “speaks” about God’s redemption?
1. We Deflect
- Why do you stare at us? As though by our…
a. Own power
- It’s not “ours” but there is power. It is God’s power in us.
- 2 Kings, Elisha
Slide- When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17
- The power of the lord is not about us, but it is for us when we are on His Mission.
- People may say, ‘he’s a powerful guy’ but we say, he servesa powerful God.
SLIDE- For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
“Why do you stare at us? Look at Jesus”
b. Not by my Piety either.
- Just be good enough so people will see Jesus in me.
- Ducks in a row. That just means your OCD.
- God’s power is reserved for people who believe that they are on God’s Mission of Redemption.
- God’s power is reserved for those whom he is pleased with. God is pleased with those who have faith in God’s power of redemption. Therefore, God’s power for redemption is reserved for people who believe that they are on God’s Mission, sent to speak and respond to God’s Work of redemption.
- It’s faith in a historical reality, Jesus’ life death and resurrection how that effects who you are & how you live.
- It’s in Jesus’ piety, his holiness, his righteousness, not ours
Read Vs. 13a—> “Why do you stare at me? Look at Jesus”
2. We convict Vs. 13b-18
- All this translates to us, and others.
- Law / Gospel, this is where it gets tough, and is often avoided BUT is necessary because most don’t see a need for Jesus. Why would I change who I am and how I live?
SLIDE- But before faith came, we were kept under guard (captive) by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3:23-25
- Vs. 14 People choose other things other than Jesus.
- But you denied the Holy and Righteous one and choose ______,
- But you denied Jesus and choose_____.
- We all do this, even as Christians. We ‘worship’ our way into sin, and choose________ over the Holy and Righteous one, BUT, just because everyone does it, it does NOT make it ok. Why?
- Vs. 15 “we killed the Author of Life”.
- Our sin put Jesus on the cross. “I did that”. Don’t just believe me. Explore the claims yourself. Look at Jesus!
Why do you stare at us? Look at Jesus.
- V. 16 3. We call to… FAITH
- V. 17-18 You didn’t know, but now you do. Here’s how this works…
- V.19 Repentance: to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness
Why do you stare at us? Look at Jesus.
- vs. 20 Refreshing: relief from distressful, burdensome circumstances ‘relief, breathing space.’ Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament
-Why do you stare at us? Look at Jesus.
- vs. 21 Restoration: Complete healing of all of God’s creation.
- vs. 22-23 Don’t just listen to me, Look at Jesus. Look at his claims, his life, his cross, he rose again, he created, etc.
V. 24-26 You will be blessed if you “look at Jesus”
Sermon Slides
