Acts 3:1-26

The Need for Forgiveness

Introduction:

The miracles of the Bible are God’s headlines. They immediately grab our attention and lead us to listen more intently to the message of the Word of God. Miracles are not for the sake of miracles. They are principally for the glory of God and His Sovereign power to be demonstrated which leads us to the truth of the gospel of grace.

1. Peter’s Account of the Miracle

   1. Peter’s side kick – (Luke 22:8; Acts 3:1; 3:3,4,11; 4:13,19; 8:14)

      1. A “certain man” ( the word “certain” used by Luke 36 times in his gospel and 56 times in Acts)

      2. A crippled beggar at the temple gate.

      3. Miracle working apostles, but not everyone is healed – II Tim. 4:20; II Tim. 5:23)

      4. What exactly is a miracle?

2. A real miracle

   1. Peter and John did not ignore him – v.4

   2. Better than gold – v.6

   3. The command to walk – v. 6 cf. Eph. 1:19,20

3. Peter’s second sermon teaches us:

   1. The lame man illustrates our paralyzed inability prior to conversion – II Cor. 5:17 (Martin Lloyd Jones)

   2. Christ Centered – v.12,13 Turn To: Isaiah 53:1-12

   3. Confronts Sin – v.14-18 cf. Acts 2:23

2. Peter’s Appeal For Repentance

   1. The only way out of your sin – v.19 ( Calvin’s sermon: “The Way to Forgiveness”

2. What true repentance is – I Thess. 1:9; Acts 20:21

3. Who can forgive sin? Mark 2:7

4. Refreshing times – Turn To: Romans 11:25-27

   1. Future Blessing – v. 20

   2. The period of restoration – v.21, (Matt. 19:28; Rom. 8:18; II Pet. 3:13)

   3. Nothing new – v.22-26 cf. Deut. 18:15-19; Matt. 11:13

Pastor Nick Iamaio

Reformed Presbyterian Church 207 First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org

7/12/2009