Gospel in a Minute
Peter issued a call to repentance to his listeners.
And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18 "But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:17-19 (NASB)
Principle: Sharing the gospel strips away people’s excuses.
One of our most natural sinful tendencies is to avoid, deny, and suppress the truth when it comes to our sin. Jesus addressed this flaw in our nature.
This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. John 3:19-20 (NASB)
The gospel strips away people’s excuses and shines a light on the sin of refusing to honor and glorify God by acknowledging his right to ownership of our lives. Mankind’s rebellion against God’s rule climaxed at the cross. We were all responsible for what happened there. Jesus carried all our sin, not just that of the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers.
The gospel offers each hearer an opportunity to lay down arms and surrender to the God who created, who sustains, and who redeemed us.
Those who repent from their sin and rebellion will find forgiveness and refreshing.
