PREACHING THE CROSS
August 3, 2008 AM
Sermon Outline
THE "SECOND" SERMON
ACTS 3:12-15 & 4:4
INTRO: I would like to have seen the temple in Jerusalem. From an architectural point of view it must have been a splendid place. Solomon's porch was a very large area on the east side of the temple and was the place the teachers and rabbis would be found teaching. For a while it was a gathering place for Christians, and the incident surrounding our text for this study began there. While we may not think of the events of Acts 3and part of Acts 4as involving preaching in our sense of that word, there was nevertheless notable preaching which resulted in the belief, and, I assume, the obedience of 5000 men. What began as a benevolent act resulted in a great harvest of souls!
- THE INCIDENT AT THE TEMPLE
- The disciples has not yet become unwelcome at the temple
- Peter and John went to the temple at 3 p.m. - hour of prayer
- remember that the temple and synagogues were places the apostles often went to preach Christ - until they became unwelcome there
- The lame man of the text?
- lame from birth, he was daily laid at the Beautiful Gate to beg
- Acts 3:3-7 - the "alms" which Peter and John gave him
- What happened?
- Acts 3:8 - entering with them, he walked, leaped, praised God
- Acts 3:9-11 - their wonder led them to run to Peter and John
- The disciples has not yet become unwelcome at the temple
- OPPORTUNITY? TO PREACH THE CROSS OF CHRIST!
- Acts 3:12 - He and John took no personal credit for this miracle
- notice, though, Acts 2:43 and Acts 1:8
- also relevant is Heb 2:3,4
- Notice how Peter "convicts" the hearers
- God had glorified Jesus - cf. Jno 17:4,5 - Acts 2:33,36
- they delivered up Jesus and denied him before Pilate
- they denied the Holy and Just in favor of a murderer
- they killed the Prince of life - since the event of which he spoke occurred only weeks, they would know of the cross and crucifixion of Jesus!
- The great news ... the cross was not the end ... only the beginning
- God raised the one they killed from the dead
- and Peter and John were living witness of the risen Christ
- Acts 3:12 - He and John took no personal credit for this miracle
- THE HOPE BECAUSE OF THE CROSS?
- The blotting out of sins is now possible (Acts 3:19)
- in the connection I like to recall Heb 8:10-13
- what was not possible under the first covenant is now possible!
- "repent" - simple definition: change of mind leading to change of life
- "be converted" (turn) - here is the change of life toward God ... which begins in the obedience of baptism (note Acts 2:38 and the parallel)
- Anticipation of the Lord's coming (Acts 3:20,21)
- so, the declaration in the Lord's supper - 1 Cor 11:26
- then, a fuller explanation - 1 Thes 4:13-17
- although they may not have fully understood, the expectation of the earliest Christians was the Lord's return
- Rev 22:20 - "Even so, come, Lord Jesus"
- The blotting out of sins is now possible (Acts 3:19)
- THEY WANTED JESUS DEAD!
- Acts 4:1-4 - The offense? preaching the resurrection
- Sadducees did not believe in resurrection
- their thought in crucifying Jesus was to end such "nonsense"
- but the apostles could not preach the cross without the resurrection
- from this event there came about 5000 men who believed
- Acts 4:7-10 - The defense? healing by the power of Jesus
- notice how Peter identifies healing was by the name of Jesus
- and he adds, "Whom ye crucified" - the cross again
- but the cross was not the end ... "whom God raised from the dead"
- the risen Christ: their worst "nightmare"!!!
- Acts 4:11,12 - The rejected "stone"
- Peter quotes from Ps 118:22 - well know words to Jewish people
- notice that he says, "...set at nought of you builders..."
- he concludes by affirming that salvation is only possible through Jesus
- question: how many today reject Jesus and seal their eternal fate?
- Acts 4:1-4 - The offense? preaching the resurrection
CLOSE: What began as a simple trip to the temple at the hour of prayer and burning of incense concluded in a wonderful exhibition of the power of God and His word. We must not forget, however, in considering this miracle that it provided an opportunity to preach the cross of Christ!
Cecil A. Hutson
03 August 2008