The Message of the Witness, vv. 32-33 & 36
A. Exegesis
- Jesus Was a Sinless Man and Is Alive, Resurrection–>Romans 10:9-10, v. 32
- Jesus Is Exalted in a Position of Authority, v. 33
- Jesus Is Lord and Christ, v. 36
B. Illustration
Charles Kettering was one of the early giants of the automobile industry. His inventions frequently ran counter to accepted scientific thinking of that day.
At one engineering convention, Kettering exhibited a piston he had designed for a diesel engine. A young engineer stopped to examine it, and began shaking his head.
“What’s the problem?” asked Kettering. “This piston has already run over a million miles. And it has performed flawlessly.”
“That may be true,” said the young man. “But I think there’s something wrong here. After all, I’m not only an engineer, I’ve also been a draftsman and a machinist.”
Kettering smiled at the young man and quietly asked, “But have you ever been a piston?”
Has God ever been a man? Can God understand what we endure in this world. Yes. God, in Jesus Christ, became one of us, except for our sin. He understands us, and He gives us the strength to overcome sin.
C. Application–Christ was born here below that we might be born from above.
The Method of Conversion, vv. 37-40
A. Exegesis
- Conviction, v. 37–“What shall we do?” The Holy Spirit convicts a person of their sin and God’s invitation to be saved.
- Conversion, v. 38
- Repent
- Be Baptized
- Receive the Holy Spirit, this is a promise for all those saved by God, v. 39
- Change, vv. 40-41–>2 Corinthians 5:17
B. Illustration
Clay and Velma Lykins got quite a surprise one night as they began turning out the Christmas lights on the front of their house. At the end of their driveway, they noticed a large object wrapped in plastic. Underneath the plastic was a wicker rocking chair that had been stolen from their porch 18 years earlier.
Attached to the cushion was a typewritten, unsigned note that read: “To whom it may concern: Approximately 15 to 17 years ago, my husband stole this rocking chair from the porch of this house. I am ashamed of this behavior and am returning this stolen item. I have since been ‘born again.’ My life has changed completely, and I want to undo any wrongdoing to the best of my ability. Please forgive us.”
No time limits are placed on the need to ask forgiveness and to make amends for the sins we have committed in the past.
C. Application–How to be saved
The Matter of Church Membership, vv. 41-47
A. Exegesis–“they devoted themselves,” v. 42
- Bible Study (Sunday School)–“the apostle’s teaching”
- Church Membership–“the fellowship”
- Communion–“the breaking of bread”
- Prayer Meetings–“prayer”
B. Illustration
A tree surgeon explains that the root system of most trees is as wide and deep as the leaf line is wide and high. That is not true, however, of the redwood, which has roots that spread out in all directions, but not very deep.
That creates a problem for a redwood standing alone, for it can easily be blown over because of the lack of deep roots gives it no stability.
But when several redwoods grow together, their root structures intertwine with each other and help support the whole group. Though weak as separate trees, they become strong as a group.
The church brings us together as individual Christians and provides the strength of love and support from one another.
C. Application–A Christian without a church is like a bee without a hive.