Acts Week 4: Repentance Leads To Refreshing

Acts Historical Recap 

  1. Who was the Author of the Book? 
    1. The author doesn’t name himself
    2. Early Historians attribute to Luke – a companion of Paul,
    3. The Book was written between 63 – 70 AD and covers 30 years of history
  2. Who was the book written to? 
    1. Theophilus – A Roman official (Acts 1:1)
  3. Why was the book written?  
    1. To Present History 
    2. To give a defense 
    3. To provide a guide 
    4. To depict the triumph of Christianity
  4. Importance Of The Book 
    1. Provides a bridge for NT writing. 
    2. Provides principles that govern the church in any age.
  5. Short chapter recap 
    1. Ch 1 – Jesus commands us to wait for the Holy Spirit
    2. Ch 2 – The Holy Spirit shows up / birth of the church / 3,000 people added
    3. Ch 3 – God begins working miracles through the Apostles 

Read Acts 3:1- 10

Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar
3 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,[a] get up and[b] walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded!

Three Lessons from the Opening of the Text 

  1. Take our eyes off our situation. 
  2. Jesus gets down in our mess
  3. When Jesus touches you, life is never the same. 

 

Main Text Acts 3: 17-21 – Read 

17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. NIV

The Big Idea:  God wants to refresh me and restore me. If I want to experience all that God has for me. It first starts with repentance. 

What is repentance?

  • In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for repentance is “shuv,” which means to turn or return.
  • In the New Testament, the Greek word for repentance is “metanoia,” which means a change of mind or a change of heart. –
  • When you group the meanings together, you are turning to God, and in the process, God is transforming you.

 

The Big Question What does the Bible say about repentance? 

 

  1. Repentance is for everyone! 
    1. In Matthew Jesus taught, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 4:17
    2. Proverbs 28: 13 “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
    3. Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent
    4. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
    5. Proverbs 1:23 “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
    6. 2 Corinthians 7: 9 -10 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
    7. Acts 19: 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”
    8. Revelation 3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Repentance is a lifestyle of submitting my:

  1. Thoughts 
  2. Emotions 
  3. Actions 

 

2. Repentance brings “Refreshing.”

  1. Psalm 68:9“You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, whereby you confirmed your inheritance when it was weary. Your people found dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.”
  2. Psalms 91: 4-7 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
  3. Matthew 6:33 – Jesus says “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ESV

 

3. Repentance brings Restoration:

The word “restore” in this passage refers to the idea of being renewed, repaired, or brought back to a previous state

What is a fence used for?

  1. To protect – keep good in and bad out
  2. To set boundaries

Sin takes us outside of that boundary 

  • It exposes us to the curse 
  • It exposes us to satan and demons 
  • It exposes us to ourselves.
  • It exposes us to God’s wrath. 

 

 

Repentance can be difficult for several reasons: 5 barriers to repentance

  • Pride
  • Attachment to sin: 
  • Fear of judgment or punishment:
  • Lack of understanding or awareness:
  • Lack of trust in God:

Staying within the boundary God promises 

  • Protection 
  • Provision 
  • Rest 
  • Relationships 
  • Community

The Big Idea:  God wants to refresh me and restore me. If I want to experience all that God has for me. It first starts with repentance.

Action Step: What do I need to repent and bring to Jesus? 

  1. What thoughts?
  2. What feelings?
  3. What actions?

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