Sorry/Not Sorry

SORRY/NOT SORRY

ACTS 3:19-20

#repentance

INTRODUCTION… Background of “Sorry not Sorry”

The phrase “sorry/not sorry” is a sarcastic way of acknowledging that someone might not like whatever you are saying or doing … but you don’t really care. “Sorry not sorry” is a new take on a time-honored tradition of the insincere apology.

One early instance of the expression comes in 2001 when an internet user changed the name of a chat thread from “Sorry for Stephen” to “Sorry, not-sorry for Stephen.” The phrase then began spreading in the early 2000s. The rock band Amen released a song with the title “Sorry, Not Sorry” in 2004 and so did Demi Lovato in 2017. In 2007, Newsday columnist James Pinkerton criticized former CIA Director George Tenet as “sorry/not sorry” following a big book deal he made. The first time I ran across a form of it in my recollection was in the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup ads in 2018.

Basically, “sorry/not sorry” is a snarky way of acknowledging a possible mistake or making fun of those who think you made a mistake. You might not like how I started this sermon… “sorry not sorry.”

TRANSITION

The passage that we are going to look at today comes from Acts chapter 3. We need a little of the background of the chapter, but the verses that we are going to focus on are 19-20; if you want to turn in your Bibles; Acts 3:19-20.

ACTS 3

Acts 3 overall centers on two of the apostles and the adventure they had one day heading to the temple. The Apostle Simon Peter and the Apostle John were heading to the Temple to pray; as was their custom. Most of the early Christians were people converted from Judaism, so they often followed Jewish practices. They were on their way to the temple to pray. I am sure they also saw this as a great opportunity to preach and share with other like-minded religious folks about the Savior. What better place to preach the Word than at a place where all the devout Jews would be?! Everyone would be there, in the temple, ready to pray and think about God. It was a great place to spread the Word about Jesus Christ.

As they were walking, they entered the Temple through one of the main gates. There were several ways to enter the Temple. The crowds poured into all of them. The two disciples were walking and followed the crowds into the Temple. They entered through the gate called Beautiful. I have read it was the most popular gate with which to enter. According to my reading, it was the largest gate at the temple and was overlaid with bronze from Corinth; the gate was a work of art.

We find out from the beginning of Acts 3 (verse 2) that a beggar who had been crippled all his life was carried and placed at that gate of the temple. He asked Peter and John for money because he had grown up unable to care for himself. In ancient times, poor beggars often were found by rich people's houses as well as by highways and anywhere else many people would pass. They were especially found near the temple gates. The needy wanted to be where the people were at so they could get help.

Why do you think the lame-from-birth beggar went to the temple gate? He knew that those coming to the temple to worship would probably be in a state of great mental holiness and so they would be generous toward people like him. A person in a good mood is probably going to be more generous than someone else.

The beggar saw these two men and asked them for money. The next few verses seem a little strange if I am honest. In verse 4, both Peter and John just looked straight at him. They just looked right at him. What was in their hearts? I am not sure. Perhaps sympathy and a desire to help. Compassion. Willingness.

Peter spoke up first in verse 4 and said: “Look at us” (ESV). Perhaps the beggar was already scouting out his next giving soul and just kind of expected them to give. Perhaps because of his infirmity he never looked anyone in the face. Peter talked to him and the man looked at him.

What happened? The minute Peter had this man's attention, he did two things that are most interesting: First, he admitted his bankruptcy in the material things: "I do not have silver or gold…” (verse 6, ESV). I think Peter knew that was what the man wanted, but he was going to offer something else. Second, Peter demonstrated his amazing understanding and faith in the spiritual realm: "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" (verse 6, ESV).