1. A Genuine Encounter with Jesus CHANGES You (Acts 3:1–10)

“Immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk… walking and leaping and praising God.”

This man’s encounter with Jesus brought a very obvious physical change—and an even more obvious spiritual one. His body was healed, and his heart overflowed in worship. Everyone could see the difference.

Practical takeaways:

• Jesus doesn’t just improve life—He transforms it.

• Your suffering has significance—God never wastes pain.

• True change is both visible (how you live) and vocal (how you praise).

2. A Genuine Encounter with Jesus DRAWS Others (Acts 3:11–26)

“While he clung to Peter and John, all the people… ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.”

People are drawn to dramatic change. The crowd rushed to see what had happened, and Peter seized the moment to point them to Christ.

Practical takeaways:

• Changed lives attract attention—but the focus must shift from us to Jesus.

• Passion for Christ is contagious: “Set yourself on fire with passion for God and people will show up to watch you burn.”

• Ask: What are people drawn to in me—myself, or my Savior?

3. A Genuine Encounter with Jesus OFFENDS the Lost (Acts 4:1–7)

“The priests and the captain of the temple… were greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”

The religious leaders found Peter’s preaching offensive. The Gospel confronts sin, demands repentance, and proclaims Jesus as the only way. That message divides.

Practical takeaways:

• Don’t go looking for persecution, but don’t be surprised when it comes.

• The Gospel is both life to those who believe and offense to those who resist.

• Faithfulness to Christ will sometimes mean friction with culture.

4. A Genuine Encounter with Jesus EMBOLDENS the Found (Acts 4:8–20; John 3:16–18; John 14:6; 1 John 5:11–12)

“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved… and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Peter, filled with the Spirit, boldly proclaimed Christ as the exclusive way of salvation. His courage amazed the leaders. Boldness is not a personality trait—it’s the mark of someone who has been with Jesus.

Practical takeaways:

• The exclusivity of Jesus is non-negotiable: He is the only way.

• Boldness flows out of intimacy with Christ.

• Ask: When people look at me, do they recognize I’ve been with Jesus?

5. A Genuine Encounter with Jesus SPREADS Publicly (Acts 4:21–22)

“They let them go, finding no way to punish them… for all were praising God for what had happened.”

The miracle and the message could not be silenced. First 3,000 at Pentecost, now 5,000 more after this healing. The Gospel spread like wildfire.

Practical takeaways:

• The Gospel is more contagious than any disease—it multiplies through changed lives.

• A genuine encounter with Jesus cannot be hidden.

• Ask: Who has “caught” the faith from me?

Closing Questions

• Has your life truly been changed by Jesus?

• Are others being drawn to Him through you?

• Are you ready for the offense of the Gospel?

• Is your walk with Christ producing boldness?

• Is your faith spreading publicly and contagiously?

A genuine encounter with Jesus changes everything. Have you had that encounter?