Sermons From Acts - The Times Of Refreshing (3:19)

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                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                    The Times Of Refreshing (3:19)

INTRODUCTION

1. As Peter preached his second gospel sermon...
   a. He called on his audience to repent and be converted - Ac 3:19
   b. He promised that their sins would be blotted out - ibid.

2. He also promised that "times of refreshing" will come from the
   presence of the Lord...
   a. What are "the times of refreshing"?
   b. Is it something to experience now, or in the future?

[The word refreshing occurs only once in the New Testament, making it
difficult to ascertain the precise meaning of the word (Kistemaker).  But
let us consider...]

I. THREE POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS

   A. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST...
      1. Some connect "the times of refreshing" with "the times of
         restoration" - cf. Ac 3:19,21
      2. Blessings accompanying the return of Christ:
         a. "the future times of refreshing when Jesus returns" - C.E.
            Arnold (ZIBBC)
         b. "likely synonymous with the concept of "restoration" in v.
            21" - J.B. Polhill (NAC)

   B. THE BLESSINGS OF SALVATION...
      1. Some view it as general blessings accompanying salvation in
         Christ
      2. A foretaste of what is to come:
         a. "a kind of advance anticipation of the full and final
            'refreshment'" - N.T. Wright (AE)
         b. "periodic seasons in which the forgiven and restored
            believer experiences the refreshing nearness of the Lord" 
            - S.J. Kistemaker (BNTC)
         c. "features of the new age" - F.F. Bruce (NICNT)

   C. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...
      1. Others suggest that it refers to "the gift of the Holy Spirit"
         in Ac 2:38; compare:
         a. Repent (2:38) = Repent (3:19)
         b. Be baptized (2:38) = Be converted (3:19)
         c. For the remission of sins (2:38) = That your sins may be
            blotted out (3:19)
         d. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (2:38) = That times of
            refreshing may come (3:19)
      2. Refreshment from the indwelling Holy Spirit in the life of the
         Christ:
         a. "The reference of these words is, doubtless, to the gift of
            the Spirit; for they occupy the same place here that the gift
            of the Spirit did in the former discourse". - J.W. McGarvey
            (ACTS)
         b. "In 2:38 the steps are, (1) Repentance, (2) baptism, (3)
            remission of sins, (4) the gift of the Holy Spirit. Here, the
            order is (1) Repentance, (2) to turn, (3) the blotting out of
            sins, (4) the seasons of refreshing. One passage aids in
            interpreting the other." - B.W. Johnson (PNT)
         c. "A comparison with Peter's promises in 2:38 suggests that
            the Holy Spirit may be the one who brings this refreshment."
            - D.G. Peterson (PNTC)
         d. "people are 'refreshed' in their spirits when the Holy
            Spirit comes to dwell within them." - ESV Study Bible

[All three explanations have merit. But I suggest Peter had in mind the
gift of the Spirit, not only because of similarities between Ac 2:38 and
Ac 3:19, but because what is revealed elsewhere about...]

II. THE REFRESHING GIFT OF THE SPIRIT

   A. THE METAPHOR OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT...
      1. A blessing promised by God in Isaiah - Isa 44:3
         a. "I will pour water on him who is thirsty"
         b. "I will pour My Spirit...and My blessing"
      2. A blessing promised by Jesus in John - Jn 7:37-39
         a. "If any one thirsts, let him come to Me and drink"
         b. "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water"

   B. THE REFRESHING NATURE OF THE SPIRIT...
      1. God's love is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit - Ro
         5:5
      2. Assistance in putting to death the deeds of the body - Ro
         8:12-13
      3. Endearment engendered to God ("Abba, Father") - Ro 8:14-16; Ga
         4:6
      4. Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit - Ro 14:17
      5. Abundance of hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Ro 15:13
      6. Washing, sanctification, and justification by the Spirit - 1Co
         6:11; Tit 3:4-7
      7. A deposit (guarantee) of our inheritance - 2Co 1:21-22; 5:5;
         Ep 1:13-14
      8. Strengthening with might the inner man - Ep 3:16,20
      9. Producing the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit - Ga 5:22-23

   C. THIS REFRESHMENT IS AVAILABLE, PROVIDED...
      1. We do not grieve the Spirit - Ep 4:29-31; cf. 1Co 6:18-20; 1Th
         4:3-8
         a. Through sinful conduct instead Christ-like conduct
         b. Because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit
         c. We have been called to holiness, and God has given us of
            His Spirit
      2. We do not quench the Spirit - 1Th 5:19-20; cf. Ep 6:17
         a. By despising prophesies, i.e., the Word of God
         b. For the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit

CONCLUSION

1. Exactly what "the times of refreshing" means might be uncertain...
   a. Whether present or future, "refreshing times" are promised to
      Christians
   b. The Holy Spirit in particular qualifies as a refreshing gift for
      the Christian!

2. In light of what the Spirit does for the Christian, how tragic it
   would be...
   a. If we were to quench the Spirit through sinful conduct and
      neglect
   b. When He is given to Christians in order to quench our spiritual
      thirst!

If you desire to be "refreshed" with "living water", then believe,
repent, and be baptized that you might receive the promised gift of the
Holy Spirit (Jn 7:37-39; Ac 2:38-39; 3:19)...!
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