The Second Sermon

Key Takeaways

• The healing of the lame man was a sign of the Kingdom of God arriving.

• Our transformed lives should confront the world with the reality of Christ.

• True transformation comes through Jesus, not our own power or piety.

• God offers forgiveness, refreshment, and restoration through repentance.

Study Questions

• Question 1

  The sermon mentions "marks of spring" as an analogy for signs of God's Kingdom. What are some "marks" or evidence of God's work in your life or the lives of those around you?

• Question 2

  Peter redirected attention from himself to Jesus. In what areas of your life do you struggle with drawing attention to yourself instead of pointing people to Christ?

• Question 3

  The message describes God's forgiveness as sins being "blotted out." How does this image impact your understanding of God's forgiveness? Does it change how you approach confession and repentance?

• Question 4

  What do you think is the difference between seeking transformation through power/piety versus through Jesus? How have you seen this play out in your own spiritual journey?

• Question 5

  Peter told the crowd it wasn't too late to believe. How does this message of hope apply to people in our lives who don't yet know Christ?

5-Day Devotional

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

Day 1 : The Power of God's Healing

READING :

Acts 3:1-10

DEVOTIONAL :

The healing of the lame man at the temple gate beautifully illustrates God's power to transform lives. Just as this man was physically healed and began leaping with joy, God desires to heal our spiritual lameness. Reflect on areas in your life where you feel spiritually immobile or stagnant, and how God may be calling you to "rise up and walk" in faith. Remember, true healing comes not through our own power or piety, but through the name of Jesus.

APPLICATION :

Invite God to work powerfully in your areas of weakness, trusting that his strength is made perfect in our limitations.

Day 2 : Confronting Our Ignorance

READING :

Acts 3:11-16

DEVOTIONAL :

Peter's bold speech to the crowd reminds us that we often act in spiritual ignorance. Like the Israelites who rejected Jesus, we too can miss God's work in our lives due to our limited understanding or expectations. Consider moments where you may have overlooked God's presence or misunderstood his purposes. Ponder how your perspective could shift if you approached life with a more open heart to God's unexpected ways.

APPLICATION :

Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate any areas of spiritual blindness in your life and to give you eyes to see God's activity around you.

Day 3 : The Joy of Repentance

READING :

Acts 3:17-21

DEVOTIONAL :

Repentance is often viewed negatively, but Peter presents it as a gateway to refreshment and restoration. When we turn to God, he doesn't merely forgive us — he refreshes us with his presence and includes us in his plan to restore all things. Reflect on the weight of guilt or shame you might be carrying. Visualize giving this "backpack of rocks" to Jesus. How does the promise of God's complete forgiveness and refreshing presence change your approach to confession and repentance?

APPLICATION :

Today, practice joyful repentance, embracing God's offer of renewal and restoration. Meditate on the concept of God "blotting out" your sins. Write a prayer of thanksgiving for his complete forgiveness.

Day 4 : Fulfillment of God's Promises

READING :

Acts 3:22-26

DEVOTIONAL :

Peter reminds his audience that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection fulfilled centuries of prophecy. This continuity in God's plan reminds us of his faithfulness and the reliability of his promises. Consider God's promises in your own life. Are there areas where you're struggling to trust God's timing or methods? Reflect on how Jesus' fulfillment of prophecy strengthens your faith in God's ongoing work. Ask God to deepen your trust in his promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them.

APPLICATION :

Reflect on your "walk" with Christ. Is there an aspect of your life that needs transformation to better reflect Jesus to others?

Day 5 : From Spectators to Participants

READING :

Isaiah 35:4-6, Luke 15:11-32

DEVOTIONAL :

The healing of the lame man was a sign of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world. Similarly, our transformed lives should be living testimonies to God's power and love. The parable of the Prodigal Son reminds us that God doesn't just forgive us — he celebrates our return and restores us fully. How is God calling you to move from being a spectator of his work to an active participant in his Kingdom? Ask God for the courage to live in such a way that others are drawn to ask about the source of your joy, peace, and love.

APPLICATION :

Think of someone in your life who doesn't know Christ. Commit to praying for an opportunity to share the hope of the gospel with them.

This Week’s Liturgy & Playlist

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.

People: To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!

Revelation 4:8, 5:13

Confession of Faith

From The Heidelberg Catechism

Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?

A. That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Confession of Sin

Holy God, we confess that we have denied you in our thoughts, words, and deeds, like those who rejected the Holy and Righteous One. Our hearts long for life, yet we have sought it in fleeting things and neglected the Author of Life. We yearn for refreshment, but we resist your call to repentance. Forgive us, and draw us to yourself, that we may find true life and walk in your ways. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Acts 13:38-39

Looking Ahead

Next week’s scripture: Acts 4:1-22