We Have Someone To Talk About Series

WE HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK ABOUT

Acts 3:11-26

S: Courage

Th: Walk with Spiritual Courage

Pr: WE MUST COURAGEOUSLY SPEAK ABOUT JESUS.

?: Why?

KW: Facts

TS: We will find in our study of Acts 3:11-26 three facts that show why we must courageously speak about Jesus.

The _____ fact is…

I. HE WAS REJECTED

II. HE IS ALIVE

III. HE EXTENDS GRACE

Version: ESV

RMBC 14 Sep 03 AM

INTRODUCTION:

ILL Notebook: Remember (I can’t remember who she was)

A young pastor about to deliver his first sermon asked a retired minister for advice on how to capture the congregation’s attention.

“Start with an opening line that’s certain to grab them,” the older man said. “Try this for example: ‘Some of the best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife.’” He smiled at the younger man’s shocked expression before adding, “She was my mother.”

The next Sunday the young pastor nervously clutched the pulpit in front of the congregation. Finally he said, “Some of the best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife.”

He was pleased at the instant reaction – then became panic-stricken. “But for the life of me, I can’t remember who she was!”

Obviously, there are things that we must remember.

And finishing that story correctly is one of them.

What are things that you cannot forget?

This week, we once again remembered the horrific events that took place two years ago on September 11.

That is a day that we will never forget.

The scenes of the planes going into the Twin Towers will forever be etched in our minds.

There may be some other events that you cannot forget either.

They were time stopping moments.

Perhaps you scored the winning touchdown or the winning goal.

Perhaps it was when the one you loved asked you to marry him.

Perhaps it was holding that newborn baby in your arms for the first time.

These are times that you cannot forget.

TRANSITION:

Well, we have entered into the second week of our emphasis on discipleship.

Our theme this year encourages us to be a disciple of Jesus.

To do so, we follow the example of His disciples as we observe them in the book of Acts.

This means, then, that…

1. We are to walk with spiritual courage.

Last week, we were to remember that believers courageously make a difference for Jesus.

We studied how Peter and John offered help to a lame man that others ignored.

Peter offered these memorable words:

“I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

And the man was helped up and walked.

The text tells us that he was walking and leaping and praising God.

He knew that God was the One that had changed him.

In the same way…

2. We must not forget what has changed us.

If, today, you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, you have been changed.

Since Jesus has come into your heart, you have had a drastic turnabout when it comes to your eternal destination.

You were on a one-way path to eternal destruction.

But now, you possess life that will never end.

And as a result, your priorities and your desires have changed.

You are led by the Holy Spirit who gives you courage to do that which you could not before.

We need to remember that!

Because Jesus has changed us, we must tell others about the change.

It is too good to keep to ourselves.

3. WE MUST COURAGEOUSLY SPEAK ABOUT JESUS.

And there is good reason.

For…

4. We will find in our study of Acts 3:11-26 three facts that show why we must courageously speak about Jesus.

Let’s be introduced to our text:

[11] While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s, astounded. [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?”

The text tells us that the former lame man had a strong hold on Peter and John.

It was like a huge bear hug.

And the people are bug-eyed.

What was he doing standing up?

Something very strange has happened.

So, as the crowd gathers, Peter gets the boldness he needs to seize the opportunity.

And he tells the crowd, ‘Don’t stare at us!”

He wanted to make sure they understood that they were not the heroes.

They were not to be put on the pedestal.