Velocity

Series: The Line – Week 4

Verse in Context: Acts 3:11-23
Key Verse: Acts 3:19
Title: What to do When I Cross the Line?

Introduction: I know we talked about the line and what I am

supposed to do when I am thinking about crossing the line, but let’s
just be honest. You all want to know what to do after you have crossed
the line. Let’s see if we can answer that question tonight.

Title: What to do When I Cross the Line?

Point #1: Repent (Acts 3:19a)

• Explanation: The people in the book of Acts that were listening
to Peter (along with their leaders, Luke 23:13) had acted in
ignorance (1 Peter 1:14). They did not recognize who Jesus
really was (Messiah). However, God gave them further
opportunity to repent of their sins (to be saved). While the Jews
struggled with coming the Christ (salvation), we also struggle
after we get saved to come to Christ when we sin (repent). We
must truly repent of our sin, not be remorseful. There is a big
difference between repentance and remorse. Remorse is when
we feel sorry or guilty for our sins but repentance takes it to the
next level. Repent means a change of mind or a change of
attitude.
• Illustration:
o I can feel remorse (sorry or guilty) for taking something
from someone’s (girlfriend/boyfriend, clothes, etc.) but to
truly repent means there must be a change of attitude
toward my actions so that they will no longer happen
again.
• Application: Just like when you came to Christ for the first time,
your attitude changed. However, as you journeyed further down
the road, the attitude constantly shifts back to the old way (doing
by yourself). When we cross the line, we need to change the
attitude from inter-dependency (I can do this on my own) to
dependency (I need Christ’s help so that I don’t do this again)

Point #2: Turn and Return (Acts 3:19b)

• Explanation: If repent means I turn from something, what do I
turn to? I think we know we are supposed to turn to God but,
honestly, what does that really look like? I Thessalonians 1:9
says, “turn away from idols to serve a living and true God.” Much
 like Paul’s letter, Peter in Acts is challenging them (the people) to
turn from their attitude about Jesus and return to God’s attitude.
When we turn to come to God we “Draw near to God…cleanse
your hands…purify your hearts.” (James 4:8)
• Illustration: You can take a student to school but you can’t
make them learn
• Application: The application has two principles:
1. To turn and return to God means I must come back to
what He has said is the way to find forgiveness for my
sins (when I crossed the line).
a. “The Lord your God goes with you, He will never
leave you or forsake you”. (Deut 31:6)
2. To turn and return to God means I must understand
that while I was wandering around in sin, I was actually
rejecting God’s way.
a. “Do not despise (reject) the Lord’s discipline”
(3:11)

Point #3: Receive Wipeout (Acts 3:19c)

• Explanation: What happens when we repent and turn to God?
Our sins are wiped out! It doesn’t matter what we do, we know
that when we repent and turn to God he wipes the sin away. Oh
good, that means I can keep on sinning and get them all covered
up again. By no means! Paul says, “Are we to continue in sin
that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to
sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been
baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were
buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:1-4) Paul said
what? Let me see if I can explain…
• Illustration:
o If you leave the country and become a citizen of another
country would you still pledge allegiance to that country?
(Think old Russia or USSR)
o If you built a mansion after you lived in a trailer would you
continue to go back to the trailer?
• Application: We (as Christians) packed up and left for good!
When we mess up, we get hard on ourselves and pledge not to
return again. We strive! As Paul says, “I discipline my body and
keep it under control”. You are not a slave to yourself, you are a
servant of Christ and through Him you have power! If I receive
wipeout over my sin, so many things happen.
o The tension guilt is gone.
o The emptiness of not knowing where I am going is filled.
 o The questions and doubts about what God is up to are
answered.
o I can relax.
o I can rest.
o I can trust God to meet my needs.

What do I do when I cross the line?

1. Repent
2. Turn and return
3. Receive Wipeout