Big Idea: The name of Jesus is not magic—it’s authority, identity, and the power to save. The Power Of Jesus’ Name 1. Do You Recognize Who Jesus Truly Is? 1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. 4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. 9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! Acts 3:1-10 (NLT2) And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. 6 The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Isaiah 35:5-6a (NLT2) 2. Does God Still Heal Today? Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:13-16 (NLT2) “Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NLT2) 3. Will You Turn From Your Sins and Turn To God For Eternal Restoration? 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. 12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. 14 You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact! 16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes. Acts 3:11-16 (NLT2) 17 “Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. 18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. 21 For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 Moses said, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ 23 Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’ 24 “Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. 25 You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.” Acts 3:17-26 (NLT2) The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 2 Peter 3:9-10 (NLT2) I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT2) Will you turn from your sins and turn to God today? My Next Right Step I will: Come for prayer in the Prayer Room Ask for God’s sustaining grace Turn to Jesus today for forgiveness and restoration Sign up to be baptized as a believer Big Idea: The name of Jesus is not magic—it’s authority, identity, and the power to save. Icebreaker: What’s a moment in your life when you were surprised by something better than what you were asking for? 1. Do You Recognize Who Jesus Truly Is? Read Acts 3:1–16 Peter and John encounter a man who has been begging outside the temple for years. He wanted money, but God had something far greater in mind—a miracle that would reveal how Jesus really is the promised. Have you or someone you know experienced miraculous healing? Describe what happened. Who is Jesus, truly? Read Isaiah 35:6 How does this miracle affirm that Jesus is the promised Messiah? 2. Does God Still Heal Today? Read James 5:13–16 How can the church pray for you? What is your responsibility? Read 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 How do you respond when healing doesn’t come the way you hoped or prayed for? What does Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” teach us about God’s purpose in pain? How does Paul’s reaction to God’s answer help in your situation? How do these two passages work together? Where do you need to trust God’s grace in the midst of waiting or weakness? 3. Will You Turn From Your Sins and Turn To God For Eternal Restoration? Read Acts 3:17–26 Why do you think Peter moved from physical healing to a call for repentance? Read 2 Peter 3:9-10 What do you learn about the character of God and the purpose of His patience? Read Revelation 21:3–4 What encouragement do you find? Which of the three questions spoke to you the most this week? Is there someone in your life who needs the healing or restoration that only Jesus can bring? Close by praying for each other—specifically for: • Healing (physical, emotional, or spiritual) • Endurance through trials • A deeper recognition of Jesus and repentance where needed