The miraculous healing of a helpless man is a physical miracle that Jesus did through the Apostles. It was a picture of a greater miracle, the saving and healing of those who are helpless in their sin. In sin we are not weakened and in need of strength but are dead and in need of a resurrection.

When believers are filled with the Spirit and convinced of the truth of Christ, they remain faithful and courageous, choosing obedience to God over the approval or threats of people.

Acts 4:11 This Jesus is the Stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men (mortals) by which we must be saved

After a miraculous healing Peter explains that the healing and all of life finds its meaning in Jesus. The healing of the man was through Jesus, the forgiveness of sin is found in work of Jesus, and the meaning of a life blessed by God is found through transforming ministry of Jesus.

The Lord will continue to work powerfully through the hands and words of the apostles. In Acts 3, we see a perfect illustration of how God reaches into the heart and lives of the sinner to bring them to a newness of life. The world will offer many things to us, but all that they can offer to us are temporary alms that will never address our real problems.

Against all odds the disciples do not scatter to the winds or cower in fear after Jesus leaves them. As the Holy Spirit came and filled them the Church responded to the work of grace in their lives by loving God and loving the people in His church and world. The Spirit used them in the city and drew thousands to salvation in Christ.

Every sermon that we preach must be a Christcentered sermon. The first sermon that is preached in the book of Acts is Christ-centered. If Christ is not at the center of our Gospel message, we are not a gospel preaching people.

Two things are both true – that man was responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion and that this was the plan of God for our salvation. His substitutionary death and His resurrection from the dead both give testimony to the grace and mercy of God seeking the restoration of His rebellious creation.

The Promise has come in the Holy Spirit indwelling the believers. The Church is born and the first sermon preached in and by the church is delivered by a Spirit-transformed and empowered Peter. We need to know that anyone who calls out in faith to Jesus for salvation will be saved by our merciful and gracious God.

The Church is dependent upon the power and work of

the Holy Spirit. The day of Pentecost was one of the most important

moments in the history of redemption. A Christian that is ignorant of the

Holy Spirit and attempts to live free from the Holy Spirit will fail.