Three Gospel Truths
Notes
Transcript
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—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.
My Utterly Astounding Moment
My Utterly Astounding Moment
My dad had begun fulfilling his dream as a pastor (building a church).
The contractor began the job, but kept asking for advance payment. After half the frames had been built, the contractor took off.
A lawsuit was filed.
Day and night my parents prayed — After 3 years (parents didn’t make salary almost the entire time), my mom has a dream.
She explains it and says, “Have your phone with you at all times.” Immediately, my phone rings, the caller ID is the lawyer’s office — “Mr. Kim, your check just came in. Come pick it up anytime today.”
It was the most God-is-real moment of my life.
We find such events often in the Bible:
Exodus 14 — Parting of the Red Sea.
1 Kings 18 — Elijah prays God come and consume the sacrifice by fire.
Now, I imagine those that surrounded the temple is having a similar experience as they witnessed and saw the lame beggar leap up on his feet.
Those watching just had a God-is-real moment.
But what are we to do with this experience? John 20:30 tells us that these signs and miracles were for the purpose for those who witnessed to believe. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case (e.g. Pharaoh and Judas).
Rarely do we experience miracles, signs, or wonders. And to hear that it doesn’t even guarantee belief, it makes me think, “Then what will it take for people to believe? How will people be saved?”
And I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s only one way — Gospel truth.
Going back, while it was a “God is real” moment for me (phone call), it didn’t transform/change me (it’s the diff. of knowing-about God vs. a relationship). What truly changed me was when I understood the gospel truth.
Three Gospel Truths
Three Gospel Truths
Through our passage, we learn 3 gospel-truths.
Gospel-truth hurts.
Gospel-truth invigorates.
Gospel-truth works.
Gospel Truth Hurts (in a sense that unveils reality)
Gospel Truth Hurts (in a sense that unveils reality)
14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life… (3:14-15)
You’ve heard this accusation before (2:36, “…this Jesus whom you crucified”) but Peter doubles-down and really swings the bat here. He’s not letting up. He wants them to know the truth; and truth really hurts, “You killed the Author of life.”
And I too have to double-down because this is sin that’s imputed on us — This is the painful gospel truth.
No, we weren’t there shouting “Crucify Him!” But guess what? He didn’t bear that cross because He was guilty, but He died for our sins.
Passion of the Christ: Mel Gibson’s hands that nailed Jesus as reminder.
Have you ever been hurt by truth? I have. I don’t often tell this story.
A young lady at church wrote me a letter. She read in front of me.
In it she said, “You’re the reason I don’t want to attend church anymore.”
Is there anything more painful than that? Yes — Knowing my sin put Jesus on the cross.
It starts here — Forgiveness don’t come from experiencing a miracle. It doesn’t come from attending church. It comes after repentance. And we cannot be saved without repentance and forgiveness.
Gospel Truth Invigorates
Gospel Truth Invigorates
15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.. (v. 15)
The gospel truth is invigorating because we have a God, a Father, who not only has the power to raise the dead, but He does so to give hope in each of us. Look at the world today from a biblical lens and you’ll quickly realize how invigorating this hope is. This world is in a state of hopelessness.
As many of you know, it’s Pride Month — And it always gets me thinking about the rainbow after the flood.
God saw His children in a state of hopelessness.
He sends the flood for 40 days/nights that “resets” the world.
After the ground dries, Noah and his family offers a sacrifice, in the midst of the clouds God revealed a rainbow.
And this rainbow is a symbol and covenant that behind every dark past is a loving and redeeming God.
He is a God who takes broken men and women and redeems them (e.g. Ruth and Boaz).
He is a God who takes a lame beggar and heals.
He is a God who takes His dead Son in the tomb and wakes Him up.
This is why I consider the resurrection as the very hinge of Christianity. Just as a door or gate is useless without a hinge, every teaching, every narrative, and every precept from the Bible is useless without the resurrection. Our faith hinges on the resurrection.
And it’s the gospel truth that Jesus died on the cross and resurrected on the third day. It’s not a rumor, it’s not a “what-if”, it’s not made up — Such truth ought to invigorate us.
Hearing it should perk us up and pique our interest.
Believing it should give us the very hope needed to navigate this world.
Gospel Truth Works (Double entendre; play on words)
Gospel Truth Works (Double entendre; play on words)
15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses (v. 15).
What does it mean to be a witness? The word witness is used in conjuncture to a responsibility — For example, if you witness a crime, you are responsible to give an account and report. At least, that’s expected.
There is a call here for you, as the witness, with a responsibility (I often talk about this, don’t I? I always mention how faith without works is dead).
And that’s what the gospel truth works mean — Here are 3 responsibilities:
The great commission
The great commandment
The great condition
The great commission calls for us to take the gospel and share with others. To evangelize and get it to as many ears, minds, and hearts as possible.
The great commandment, according to Jesus, is “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul.” It means to live-out the gospel.
Your life must reflect Jesus.
Your behavior ought to mirror Jesus.
Your perspective should echo Jesus.
Now, the great condition, what is it?
Not only is the gospel truth works because it’s a responsibility, but it actually works because the element we call forgiveness — God forgives.
These three gospel truths saves us — We put Him on that cross, but God raised His Son, and He forgives us.