THINK TOGETHER
What is your favorite thing to do to be refreshed on a hot day?
READ TOGETHER
Over the past couple days, we have seen from the book of Acts how the church of Jesus got started. The Holy Spirit has come to live inside all who believe in Jesus. The Apostle Peter preached a sermon and thousands of people received Jesus and his forgiveness. The church was growing and growing and the Christians were learning how to love each other like Jesus did.
And the Disciples did not stop sharing the good news. In Acts 3 we see Peter and John back at the Temple in Jerusalem telling people about Jesus. There they meet a lame man – a man who couldn’t walk. And can you guess what happened? That’s right Peter and John healed the man and he could walk again!
But they didn’t just heal the man physically. They also told everyone the good news about Jesus. Listen to what they said to the people who were crowded around from Acts chapter 3:
Acts 3:19-21. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Peter tells the people to repent. Do you know what repent means? It means to turn around. When we repent we are turning away from our selfish sin and turning toward Jesus to love and worship him instead. Have you ever repented? Have you ever told Jesus that you are sorry for your sins and turned to him for his love and forgiveness?
Peter says that when we do repent we receive three things from God. The first thing is in verse 19. What is it?
Our sins are blotted out –every single sin we’ve ever is removed from us forever by God. He will never punish us or condemn us for our sins because Jesus died for our sins on the cross.
The second thing is found in verse 20. What is it?
The refreshing presence of the Lord – this means that God is always with us, loving us, and taking care of us. And he’s not keeping score. So we can relax with God.
The third thing is found in verse 21. What is it?
The restoration of all things when he returns – when Jesus returns he will make everything wrong into right. He will make everything broken, fixed. Everything sad, happy. Everything taken from us will be given back. Everything we never had but needed will be given to us. Everything will be perfect just like God himself. And it will keep getting better and better forever.
Because of Jesus all our sins are forgiven and God is with us forever.
With Jesus life is refreshing!
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Watch the happy ending of a family favorite movie. Talk about why we all love happy endings to stories. And talk about how God has promised us the happiest ending of all – the restoration of all things.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus,
You have blotted out my sins, come to live in my heart, and one day you will make everything good again. Thank you!
Amen.
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