GRACE IS GREATER

Written By Brandon Pyne

We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.

Sermon Title: GRACE IS GREATER

Main Scripture: Acts 3:1-26

If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week, consider reading the provided scripture to catch everyone up!

Summary:

Pastor Brandon continued in the Acts Series with Acts 3 highlighting the grace given in this scripture. The passage begins with a lame man begging by the gate of the temple called beautiful. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, he is healed and in his display of gratitude and praise, he becomes a witness to those around him of the Power and Grace of God. Pastor Brandon shows us that this healing provided the opportunity for Peter to preach the gospel and because of this even more people believed and joined the family of God.

Notes:

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

V. 1-7

  • The lame man had already asked a question to Peter and John but it wasn’t until Peter said “Look at us” that the man gave them his attention.

  • He had been living this routine of a life being placed at the gate every day but he had no expectation.

  • We can find ourselves to be like the lame man at the gate, asking for favor without giving our full attention. God is calling for us to “Look at him” and to come to him with expectation remembering all that He has already done and will do.

  • Peter continues to address the man in verse 6, “Silver or Gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” and with that, the man was healed.

  • It is easy to get sidetracked by the miracle and overlook the grace that was given here. This man was crippled since birth, carried daily to the temple gate, passed and ignored while he begged, and grew to be an object of shame and pity.

  • Peter saw past this and knew this man had purpose and worth. Peter wanted the man to know he was seen and loved by our Lord, and with grace and by the Holy Spirit, he was healed.

  • Doubt can cripple us from letting God use us to fulfill our purpose.

  • We need to not lean on our own abilities and fear our own shortcomings. It is not us who is doing the work but the Holy Spirit working through us.

  • Peter was the same one who denied Jesus and left, but once he was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, he was able to stand before thousands preach the Gospel, and lead them to their salvation.

  • Now we see Peter performing these miracles, not by his own ability but by the might of our Lord.

  • The Theology Behind the Gift of Healing

    • God heals people

    • Our God is a trinitarian God

      • God the Father

      • God the Son

      • God the Holy Spirit

    • The gift of healing works by the power of the Holy Spirit through us.

    • Not everyone will be healed on earth, but the promise of complete wholeness and healing is with God in eternity.

The Grace is Greater than the Miracle

V. 8-10

  • Put it on Display!

  • The once lame man stood, walked, jumped, and praised the Lord

  • Whatever the touch of the Lord looks like in your life, put it on display!

  • Let others see how you’re different because you met Jesus.

  • Let them know what he has done and how he has changed you. Be a reflection of the grace God has given you.

  • In verse 10 they recognized him as the lame man who used to sit begging at the gate, and they were filled with wonder and amazement.

  • In the same way, let your “display” fill those around you. Let it change their hearts and lead them in the way of the Lord.

V. 11-16

  • Peter shares a message for the crowd reminding them again that it was not he who healed the man but the very same Lord and Savior they had crucified.

  • “You” killed Him but God raised him. “You” disowned Him but through faith and the power of God, He healed one of your own.

  • He wanted people to know that healing was not his power but the power of God through him.

V. 17-23

  • The message transitions from Guilt to Grace

  • “You” are guilty but the Grace of God is Greater than all of your sins.

  • Acts 3 is not about the miracle, it’s about the Grace.

  • Peter gives them this message to point them to repent of their sins and turn to God.

  • Grace and eternal salvation is Greater than the miracle - Mark 6:1-6

Discussion:

  • What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?

  • Do you come to church or gather together out of routine, a religious “checkmark”, or do you come to worship and praise with the expectation for God’s Holy Spirit to touch your life?

  • In what ways are you or can you put the Grace of God in your life on display?

  • How is it that we can find the good works God prepared for us in advance?

  • What other notes did you highlight or write down that you would like to share?

The most important decision you will ever make!

Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!

We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.

Pray Together

We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!

Brandon Pyne
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