Turning the Page

Focal Verses: Acts 4: 8-10 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed
Turning the Page

Setting the Stage

I. Read Acts 3:1-5

There were 3 special hours for prayer according to the Jews- 9am, noon, and 3pm.

Prayer was viewed as more precious when offered in the Temple Courts.

We see Peter and John blending their new faiths with their old customs.

Beggars sat at the entrance to the temple and people were more likely to be generous.

Read Acts 3:6-10

What did the crippled beggar do once healed? He ran into the temple courts praising God

Read Acts 3:11-16

What do we see Peter doing?
Preaching. He stresses 3 points.
1. The crucifixion
2. The resurrection
3. The power of the risen Lord

He knew the healing was of God, not himself.

Quote from William Barclay: So long as the Christian thinks of what he can do and be there can be nothing but failure, frustration, and fear. But when he thinks of “not I, but Christ in me” there can be nothing but peace.

Read Acts 3: 17-26

What is Peter’s message to the people? You have seen, now repent and return.

Read Acts 4:1-4

Backdrop: the Gate Beautiful led from the Court of the Gentiles into the Court of Women. The Court of the Gentiles was the largest and busiest of the temple courts. Anybody could enter as long as they obtained the temple laws.

Is it any wonder that this miracle would occur in the location with the greatest exposure.

Why were the Saducees “annoyed”
1. these men did not believe in the Resurrection
2. The Saducees were Roman collaborators. The Roman gov’t was tolerant until it came to public disorder and then they were merciless.

They arrest Peter and John because they are creating a scene and they just want to put them away and figure out how to deal with what has happened.

Read Acts 4:5-12

What do we learn about the situation just before Peter speaks? God speaks through him and gives him the words to say.

Where does this event take place? Before the Sanhedrin. This is the Supreme Court of the Jews. This was the same place that Jesus was sentenced to die.

The Sanhedrin had 71 members. The high priest was the leader. It was comprised of the wealthiest, most intellectual, and most powerful men in the land.

What was Peter by trade? Fisherman

When Peter made this speech, he knew he was taking his life in his hands. I think that Peter has turned the page on the 3 denials. He now has purpose and strength of conviction and the power of the resurrection behind him.

How much courage did this man display to walk back into the place where Christ was condemned to die and speak in the manner he did.

Read Acts 4:13-22

What impression is the Sanhedrin left with? That these men, though viewed as ignorant and unlearned, had been in the company of Jesus.

What does the Sanhedrin command Peter and John to do? Quit preaching and telling people about Jesus

How do Peter and John respond to the command of the Sanhedrin? They say that they can’t stop speaking the truth of God. To them it would be like asking them not to breathe. They couldn’t stop. It would be unnantural.

H.G. Wells was quoted as saying, “ The trouble with so many people is that the voice of their neighbor sounds louder in their ears than the voice of God.

The most unanswerable defence of Christianity is a Christian man.

Challenge of the Week.

1. Decide this week which role you find your life currently fitting into- Peter, the crippled beggar, or the members of the Sanhedrin. I’m guessing many of us have played multiple roles at different times of our lives.

2. If you find yourself in the role of Peter, look for opportunities to heal this week. Healing can take many forms

3. If you find yourself in the role of the crippled beggar, find a Peter and work on letting the healing process begin.

4. If you find yourself in the role of the Sanhedrin, engage a Peter in dialogue this week and go a little deeper.

Who Are You?

WHO ARE YOU?

To see who you are, see how Paul identified himself:
Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God
1 Corinthians 1:1- Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
2 Corinthians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
Galatians 1;1- Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father
Ephesians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
Philippians 1:1- Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus
Colossians 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
1& 2Thessalonians- Paul (and that’s all)
1 Timothy 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior
2 Timothy 1:1- Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus
Titus 1:1- Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness
Philemon 1:1- Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus

WHO WAS PAUL?
Why did he change his personal description from book to book?
He was a Roman to Romans
By whose authority did he say he was what he was?


WHO ARE YOU?
What is God’s will for us to be?
What is God’s calling for us to be?
What is God’s command for us to be?

WILL-
1 Thes 4:3- It is God's will that you should be sanctified
1 Peter 3:17- It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil

CALLED-
Romans 1:6- you…are called to belong to Christ
1 Cor 1:2- you are …called to be holy.
1 Cor 1:9- called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 3:1- See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

How do you identify yourself scripturally, rather than/addition to work, life family?

COMMAND
Matt 28:20- For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. "

1 Cor 1:26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let those who boast boast in the Lord."

Are you worthy to be who God says you are?

CONCLUSION
Who was Paul before he was Paul? As a killer of Christians, he could never say he was worthy to call himself what he called himself in those letters. However, he said those things because it was God's will for him to be. Even though we may not feel like we are all those things, or are worthy to be all those things, it doesn't matter- we are because He says we are.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 NLT

CHALLENGE: Take one or more of these verses this week and see yourself as God has called you to see yourself.

Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

Focus Verse:
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “ I am the way and the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The definition of truth according to the dictionary is: a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, or principle.
I. Read Luke 5:1-5

What was it about Jesus that made Peter obey? Peter had worked this lake for years and Jesus’ command contradicted what they knew to be true about fishing.

How many opportunities do we miss by embracing the tired and not keeping our eyes on Jesus?

William Barclay said, in relation to this passage, if we want a miracle, we must take Jesus at his word when he bids us attempt the impossible.
Read Luke 5:6-11

How does Peter respond to Jesus and in turn how does Jesus respond to Peter?

Truth #1- Once you know the truth, you are not to keep the truth to yourself.
II. Read Luke 19:1-4

What do we learn about Zacchaeus? He is wealthy, wanted to see Jesus, and was going to do whatever it took to do it. This man who was an outcast to men wanted to know if he could be loved by God.

Has there ever been a time when you just needed to see or be in the presence of Jesus?
Read Luke 19:5-6

What do we learn from these verses?

Truth #2 Jesus knows your name and he wants to know you personally.

Read Luke 19:7-9

What does this tell us? Zacchaeus repaid much more than was required by law. The amount he repaid was more than if he had taken the money through violent means

Truth #3- Once you know The Truth, you are not the same.

III. Examining the Change
Read Matthew 22:2

Read 1 John 3:1-3
What do we learn about our eternal identity from these verses? We are royalty. We are princes and princesses.

Truth #4- When you ask God to come into your heart, you become royalty.

What are the responsibilities given to such titles?

Once you embrace the title that is bestowed on you through faith in Jesus Christ, you will experience ridicule and persecution; however, there will be people just like Zacchaeus that will be drawn to you. You should expect this. You need to prepare for this.


Concluding Thoughts:

Read 2 Corinthians 13:5-9

Read 1 Peter 4:11

As I see it, this verse tells us how we are to operate during these times of economic and political uncertainty.

Hello from the Insane Teaching Posse

We'll post notes and other tidbits of lesson material from class on this blog, and hopefully it can be a source of spiritual nourishment (or junk food) during the week as we all try to internalize what we learn and grow. Does that sound spiritual enough? -Veer