Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explores the power of the risen Lord, the promise of restoration, and the prophets' testimony of Christ.
Good morning, dear friends. I am thrilled to see you all here today, gathered in the house of our Lord. It's a beautiful day to come together as one body in Christ, to seek His wisdom, to find solace in His promises, and to be reminded of the power of His resurrection.
Before we delve into the Word, let me share with you a quote from one of the great minds of our faith, Charles E. Fuller. He once said, "To know the Word of God, to live the Word of God, to preach the Word, to teach the Word, is the sum of all wisdom, the heart of all Christian service."
Indeed, today, as we immerse ourselves in the Word of God, let's remember that it is the sum of all wisdom and the heart of our Christian service.
Now, let's read the scripture passage together:
[Read passage]
As we stand at the precipice of this profound passage, let us bow our heads in prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for your love, and for your Word. We ask that you open our hearts and minds to receive the wisdom and truth within these scriptures. Let your Holy Spirit guide us and illuminate our understanding. We pray that we may live out the Word and embody it in our Christian service. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
So, my dear friends, are you ready to meet the risen Lord in the pages of Acts today? Are you prepared to receive the promise of restoration? And are you eager to hear the prophets' testimony of Christ? Let's proceed, then, with hearts full of anticipation and spirits brimming with reverence.
In the heart of the scripture we've read today, we find Peter standing before the people, speaking with boldness and clarity about the risen Lord. He doesn't mince words. He doesn't shy away from the truth. He proclaims it, loud and clear, for all to hear.
Peter's words are a testament to the power of the resurrection: He speaks of Jesus, the servant of God, who was denied, delivered over, and killed. But he doesn't stop there. He goes on to proclaim the most significant event in human history - the resurrection of Jesus, the Author of life, from the dead. This proclamation is not just a statement of fact. It's a declaration of victory. It's a testament to the power of God, who can bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and redemption out of sin.
Now, let's look a little closer at what this proclamation means.
First: The proclamation of the risen Lord is a testament to the power of God. Peter makes it clear that it was not by their own power or piety that the man was made to walk. It was by faith in the name of Jesus. This is a powerful reminder for us today. Our strength, our healing, our salvation - they do not come from our own efforts or abilities. They come from faith in the risen Lord.
Second: The proclamation of the risen Lord is a call to repentance. Peter tells the people that they acted in ignorance, but now that they know the truth, they must repent and turn back. This is a crucial message for us today. We are all sinners, in need of repentance. The resurrection of Jesus is a reminder that we can be forgiven, that our sins can be blotted out, and that we can find refreshment in the presence of the Lord.
Third: The proclamation of the risen Lord is a fulfillment of prophecy. Peter reminds the people that God had foretold the suffering of Christ through the mouth of all the prophets. This is a powerful affirmation of the truth of scripture and the faithfulness of God. It's a reminder for us today that God's promises are true, that His Word is reliable, and that His plans will be fulfilled.
Fourth: The proclamation of the risen Lord is a message of hope. Peter speaks of the time for restoring all things, of the promise that all the families of the earth will be blessed through the offspring of Abraham. This is a promise of hope, of restoration, of blessing. It's a reminder for us today that no matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope in the risen Lord.
As we continue to immerse ourselves in the depth of this scripture, we find ourselves face to face with the promise of restoration ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO