A Divine Encounter with a Crippled Nation - Acts 3:11-26 PT2
Weekly Recap 10/19/2025
Pastor Jerry delivers a powerful message from Acts 3:11-25 about why people reject Jesus Christ, using Peter's sermon after healing the crippled man as the foundation. He addresses the common excuses people make for rejecting Christ - ignorance, insufficient sacrifice, timing, lack of opportunity, apathy, and pride - systematically dismantling each one with Scripture. The pastor emphasizes that people are "without excuse" because God has revealed Himself clearly through creation, prophecy, and the church. He explains that Jesus was the appointed Messiah who fulfilled all Old Testament prophecies, and that salvation requires personal acceptance of Christ, not religious heritage or good works. The message concludes with an urgent call to repentance, warning that those who continue to reject Christ will be "cut off" and that God's patience has limits.
Daily Devotion (Link)
Daily Devotion (Link)
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You this morning with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You have for us in this time together. We ask that You would speak to each person here according to their need. Remove any distractions or preconceived notions that might prevent us from hearing Your voice clearly. Holy Spirit, work in our hearts and help us to be honest about where we stand with You. Give us the courage to face truth and the wisdom to respond appropriately to Your calling. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Heavenly Father, we come before You this morning with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You have for us in this time together. We ask that You would speak to each person here according to their need. Remove any distractions or preconceived notions that might prevent us from hearing Your voice clearly. Holy Spirit, work in our hearts and help us to be honest about where we stand with You. Give us the courage to face truth and the wisdom to respond appropriately to Your calling. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What's one thing you've had to wait a really long time for, and how did that waiting period affect your patience?
What's one thing you've had to wait a really long time for, and how did that waiting period affect your patience?
Key Verses
- Acts 3:16
- Acts 3:19
- Romans 1:18-21
- Acts 3:22-23
- Revelation 3:20
Questions
- Pastor Jerry mentioned that ignorance is 'not thinking' rather than just lack of knowledge. How does this definition change your understanding of why people reject Christ?
- According to Romans 1:18-21, what does Paul say people actually know about God, and how do they respond to this knowledge?
- The pastor stated that 'God does not have grandchildren.' What does this mean, and why is personal faith so important rather than relying on family heritage?
- What are some modern 'idols' that people might need to turn from in order to turn to God, as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10?
- How does the concept of Jesus being 'appointed' as Messiah (Acts 3:20) give you confidence in your salvation?
- The pastor mentioned that seasons of refreshing come when we repent. Can you share a time when you experienced this kind of spiritual refreshing?
- What does it mean that people will be 'cut off' if they don't listen to the prophet (Jesus)? How should this truth affect our evangelism efforts?
- How do the fulfilled prophecies about Jesus strengthen your faith and provide evidence for sharing with others who doubt?
Life Application
This week, identify one person in your life who has been rejecting Christ or making excuses about faith. Pray specifically for them daily, and look for an opportunity to lovingly share the truth that they are 'without excuse' and that Jesus is sufficient for their salvation. Be prepared to address their specific objections with Scripture and personal testimony.
This week, identify one person in your life who has been rejecting Christ or making excuses about faith. Pray specifically for them daily, and look for an opportunity to lovingly share the truth that they are 'without excuse' and that Jesus is sufficient for their salvation. Be prepared to address their specific objections with Scripture and personal testimony.
Key Takeaways
- People reject Christ not out of ignorance, but because they suppress the truth that God has clearly revealed through creation and Scripture
- Jesus Christ was the only person in history who could fulfill all the Messianic prophecies, making Him the appointed and sufficient sacrifice for all mankind
- Salvation becomes efficient only when we personally receive Christ - the sacrifice is sufficient for all, but must be individually accepted
- Religious heritage, church membership, or good works cannot save anyone - only personal faith in Jesus Christ
- God's patience has limits, and there is coming a day when those who reject Christ will be 'cut off' and it will be too late
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for this time of studying Your Word together. We are grateful that You have made salvation so clear and accessible to us. Help us to never take for granted the great sacrifice You made on our behalf. For those in our group who may still be wrestling with accepting You as Lord and Savior, we pray that Your Holy Spirit would continue to draw them and remove any remaining barriers. For those who have already received You, give us boldness to share this message with others who need to hear it. Help us to live this week as people who truly understand that we are without excuse and that You are our only hope. We commit our lives afresh to You and ask for Your strength to follow You faithfully. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank You for this time of studying Your Word together. We are grateful that You have made salvation so clear and accessible to us. Help us to never take for granted the great sacrifice You made on our behalf. For those in our group who may still be wrestling with accepting You as Lord and Savior, we pray that Your Holy Spirit would continue to draw them and remove any remaining barriers. For those who have already received You, give us boldness to share this message with others who need to hear it. Help us to live this week as people who truly understand that we are without excuse and that You are our only hope. We commit our lives afresh to You and ask for Your strength to follow You faithfully. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.
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