Preaching the Cross

Acts 3:12-26
  
It is not our words, our strength, or our own person that has any power in the work that we do for Christ, but it is the power of God through Christ that we are able to do what we do and how we do it.
 
The sermon that Peter delivers at the temple is transcribed in Acts 3:11-26. Peter cures a blind beggar who has asked for alms while John enters the Temple to pray. Acts 3:1-10 describes the healed man leaping up to praise God. When this catches the attention of the crowd, Peter explains that Jesus of Nazareth, whom the Jews had killed, was the source of the healing power, not them. The outcomes are varying. Acts 4:1-3 describes the unwelcome attention the Jesus-followers receive from Jewish officials but Acts 4:4 describes the faith of 5,000 men and women.
  
The Promoters of the Cross: 
The Religious Leaders 

• In verse 13 – delivered unto Pilate, denied Christ, Pilate was determined to let Jesus go.
• In verse 14 – preferred a murderer instead of the Messiah.

 
The Person of the Cross: 
The Savior 

• In verse 13 – His Son Jesus.
• In verse 14 – Holy One, Just
• In verse 15 – Prince of Life
• In verse 18 – Christ

 
The Prophecy of the Cross: 

• Old Testament prophets predicted sufferings of the Savior (Isaiah 53).
• Matthew 16:21, From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
• Jesus had spoken of this before His death and now after His death (Luke 24).
• Acts 1:8, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall he witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
• Peter had changed, as a man he once denied Christ, but now his message proclaimed Christ.

 
The Power of the Cross: 

• Is responsible for healing.
• In raising the dead.
• Of replenishing the multitude.

 
The Program of the Cross: 

• In verse 15 – God hath raised from the dead.
• In verse 18 – Christ would suffer and die.
• In verse 19 – when the times of refreshing shall come.
• In verse 20 – He shall send Jesus.
• In verse 21 – heaven must receive until the times of restitution.

 
The Plea of the Cross: 

• Acts 2:38, Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Acts 3:19, Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord

 
The Preaching of the Cross: 

• 1 Corinthians 1:18, Preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.