2026 Acts 3-2, Two paths; Descartes’ and Pascal’s
Special
Author
Admin
Date
2026-09-27 16:35
Views
14
Two paths; Descartes’ and Pascal’s
Acts 3:11-26
The first miracle of the early church; Peter raised a lame. The man was instantly transformed to leap, enter the temple to worship and praise God. This spread quickly. All the people were astonished and came running to them out of awe and curiosity. Now, here is a trap. Who performed the miracle? God. Yet, the people paid their attention to Peter. If Peter enjoys people’s attention, he would fall. Peter denied himself but revealed God’s glory.
First, self-denial
Verse 12 says. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” There were many miracles in the Old Testament. All performed by God. God has performed another miracle today—then why are you astonished and paying attention to me? Peter denied himself. When God gives you success or power, use 50% of it to erase yourself.
Henri Nouwen was already successful in his thirties, becoming professor at the University of Notre Dame and Yale. People took notice of him: “Wow, look! He is young yet remarkable.” Then, his conscience pricked him: “Why are people paying attention to me instead of Jesus? I've lived all wrong.” He resolved, “I need to erase myself.” So, he went to a slum in Peru and served there for three years. Then he thought, “Surely I’ve erased myself by now.”
He returned to the United States. But he was invited to become a professor at Harvard. People paid even more attention to him: “Wow, he even went to serve in Peru. He has talent, character and faith.” Unable to bear his own hypocrisy and inner emptiness any longer, he resigned his professorship and devoted the rest of his life—until his death in 1996—to serving children with disabilities at the Daybreak community in Toronto. His life was to erase himself. That is why Jesus Christ was so powerfully revealed by him to many people.
Folks, we naturally focus on "myself." All our attention is on ourselves—our pain, wounds, failures or success.
You came to church today. Do you see people? Who came and how many came? No. You shouldn't be looking at people. Instead, you must see Jesus. You need to encounter Jesus. When you do, Jesus enters you. Jesus says, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross." Isn't this about erasing the self? That is where grace and power lie.
Secondly, God is the Subject.
If you know who the subject of your life is, you will not be shaken. God appears as the subject in this passage eight times. It is God who healed the lame to walk in the name of Jesus. It is God who exalted Jesus, glorified Him, and made Him Savior.
Wisdom lies in staking your life solely on what God has done. Human endeavors are subject to ups and downs. If you want to live a safe and fruitful life, check this: Is it something that pleases God? Is it something God initiated?
Look at verse 15. ”You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” Theologically, this is very important declaration. It is easy for us to think that we did not kill Jesus, the Son of God. We think that it was the Jews. Yes, it was the Jews and Roman government who crucified Jesus. But it was man’s sin-greed, rebellion, lust and unbelief that killed Jesus. In fact, it is you and I who killed Jesus out of ignorance and greed.
We believe that Jesus is the Christ. "Christ" means King and Savior. He is our King and we are His subjects. Then, do we obey Him? Are we giving gratitude to him and devote ourselves to His purpose? But often we make ourselves king and live according to our own will, treating Jesus as if He were our subject. We come to him for help when we are in need, but we go back to our mundane affairs without commitment. We are the ones who have nailed Him to the cross. Are you aware of it? This is the beginning of restoration and salvation.
Look at verse 18. “But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.” Messiah suffered. People did not understand why. But it was God who planed and fulfilled it. God is the beginning of all things. Life is not accidental or random. If God is present in all your life events, you are free, safe and victorious.
When did man fall? It was when they turned away from God. We have electricity, water, refrigerator, washing machine, car and education in university. In a sense, we live better than the kings of old. Yet, many people suffer from a sense of lack, anxiety and mental panic. Why? Because they live without God.
Folks, you believe in God. But, what happens if you skip worship service, stop praying and join spiritual fellowship by the reason you are busy, tired, or chase worldly pleasures? Are you happy? Don't you feel anxious and feel like you're going crazy?" That is a life without God.
Do you think those who don't believe in Jesus feel safe and happy? We—who pray and worship—struggle by the temptations of the devil. Then do you really think people of the world are happy and comfortable? Those who live without God and those who turn away from Him are merely existing. They are never happy but suffer from anxiety and the fear of judgment. You need to have an eye for it.
You see someone, "I’m struggling, but they have money and good career, so they must feel safe and happy." Absolutely not! They are living in a state of hollowness, mental anarchy and panic.
Everything in the world changes. Yet, one thing remains constant: human nature. Fundamentally, anyone separated from God is wandering and suffering. Separation from God is the root of the problem. Therefore, restoration is returning to God. There is no other way to restore the kingdom of God except through Jesus because he is the way, truth and life toward God.
When we submit to God and when He rules over us, peace and assurance come to us. Therefore, Peter said, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” People often feel agony and distress. They take anti-depressant medicine or counselling. They meet their friends or travel. They try to improve their human condition; better academic performance, make more money, have a good career or recognition from the world. But these things are temporary and relativistic. We hear the solution from Peter’s sermon. “Repent and turn to God.” When we repent, we are forgiven. Our guilt, shame, fear and wounds must first be wiped out by faith in the blood of Jesus. Then the Holy Spirit dwells in us that we are free from all condemnation and fear as children of God. Then we live with God’s provision and peace.
Don’t say you have no sin to repent. Or don’t say you are better than others. Peter thought like that. But when he stood before Jesus, he cried out, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” He was forgiven and refreshed.
Third, faith through Jesus.
Read verse 16. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him. Where does faith come from? From me or from Jesus? There is a faith that comes from man (me) such as through yoga, meditation, or mind control. That is not the faith that gives us salvation. Salvation does not come from within us but from outside. When Titanic sank and the passengers were afloat in that cold dark night, what they could do was nothing except waiting for salvation from outside. Man under sin, death and eternal judgment of hell can only be saved from Jesus who shed his precious blood on the cross. Do you believe this? This world is still chaotic because people try to solve the problems by their own efforts and ideas. No, we need salvation from outside, Jesus. Yes, It was faith that came from Jesus that healed the lame.
Life is broadly divided into two paths. One is the path of Descartes and the other is Pascal’s. These two paths decide man’s destiny.
The path of Descartes is, "I think, therefore I am (exist). (Cogito, ergo sum)" ‘I’ is the ultimate standard—my thought defines the benchmark. Everything begins from me. Descartes’ approach suggests that man can find God by one’s own thoughts. It all starts with "me." This is very similar with Buddhism.
However, this approach weak and unstable because it relies on the ‘self.’ You know the "self," don't you? It is prone to ups and downs and easily distorted.
There was a devoted Christian who was diagnosed with a serious illness. Suddenly, he began to doubt his salvation. "Am I truly saved? What if I die today and be thrown into hell?" He was consumed by fear and anxiety. He visited his pastor for prayer. His pastor read John 3:16 to him: "Whoever believes... shall not perish but *might or might not* have eternal life." The man protested, "Pastor, does that make sense? Isn't it supposed to be 'that they *may* have eternal life'?" The pastor replied, "But *you* are the one saying 'might or might not!'"
Where does the basis for eternal life and salvation lie? With God—because He loves man. There is another foundation: Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross for sinners while we were sinners. Salvation and eternal life come simply by believing in God’s love and Jesus’ blood on the cross. My own performance—whether I do well or not has nothing to do with salvation. That is why we need faith that comes from Jesus. Jesus loved me, died for me, forgave me, and rescued me from sorrow, anxiety, failure, illnesses and eternal judgment of hell. Do you believe this? If so, you have received eternal life.
Jesus died for me. This is the foundation: faith that comes from Jesus. Only with this can one possess the assurance of salvation and true peace.
Pascal said, “Man is a thinking reed"—a being of duality. A reed is fragile; so, too, is man. He is frail and limited. Yet he is great. Why? Because he is aware of his own wretchedness. Among all created beings, man alone recognizes his wretched existence with guilt, shame and fear of judgment. He acknowledges that he is a sinner.
The tax collector understood his own wretchedness. This is his greatness. He dared not even lift his eyes toward heaven. Instead, beating his breast and weeping, he prayed, "Lord, have mercy on me, for I am a sinner." And he was justified.
“I am a wretched reed. I am ill, wounded, broken, weak and wretched. Who can rescue me? Jesus! Without Jesus, I am nothing and I can’t do anything and I can’t survive. This is the source of power and assurance—just like the lame who rose to his feet by putting his faith in the name, Jesus. Faith that comes from Jesus heals us, rescues us from discouragement and despair, and grants us courage and strength.
Second, possessing this faith makes us to interpret our past and present accurately. We struggle because we cannot interpret our lives accurately. Verses 17–18 says, “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. “God fulfilled what he had foretold.” Many people fail to understand, “Why? Why do (did) I suffer?” God fulfilled according to his good plan and purpose. Faith that comes from Jesus makes us interpret what has happened to us accurately. Illness, failure, wounds and all life events—in Jesus Christ, we come to realize, "Ah, no wonder. That explains why."
Do not jump to conclusion too quickly. Joseph was sold by his half-brothers. He was falsely accused and imprisoned. Peter failed to catch a single fish though he worked hard all night. How do you know if it's a good thing or a bad thing?" Life is a blessing in disguise.
Do you know how often things we deemed "bad" turned out to be good? How can you be certain that is a failure? It might lead to a massive breakthrough by God’s guidance. Do not interpret life events hastily. Wait. Wait until when? Until Jesus shows you his good purpose. Romans 8:28 says, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”
Third, it makes us a source of blessing.
Peter’s sermon ends with verse 25-26. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” This is a quote from Genesis 12:2–3. God called and blessed Abraham and raised him as a blessing for all peoples on earth. And his offspring, Jesus blessed the lame and the people in Jerusalem and the world. This is God’s fulfillment of his plan. You receive a blessing of salvation and healing from Jesus and that blessing is to flow to others through you.
Peter was a cripple spiritually. Though he was a disciple of Jesus, he denied Jesus and run away. Yet, after experiencing the Risen Jesus, he rose from his guilt and spiritual slump to walk and leap. Then he helped a lame stand up and inspired countless others. God blessing came to Peter. Then he flew it to the lame and then out to many more people. This is the fulfillment of God’s plan. Receive God’s blessing. Then share it with others.
Stagnant water is bound to corrupt. If you hoard your money, time and talents without flowing them to serve others, these things make you corrupt.
A beggar died. Surprisingly more than $I million was found at the spot he bagged. He wasn't a beggar indeed. But he was a beggar because of his life attitude. Are you afraid to use your money, time and talents to serve others? If so, you are a beggar.
Friends, a blessing is not just having a good career, lots of saving and recognition. A true blessing is to let what you receive from God flow to serve others in need in the name of Jesus. This is why God blesses you. If you have something you aren't using, give it to someone else; then, something new will come to you. When we share and give generously of what we have, the grace and power of Jesus will be overflowing through us to many people.
Acts 3:11-26
The first miracle of the early church; Peter raised a lame. The man was instantly transformed to leap, enter the temple to worship and praise God. This spread quickly. All the people were astonished and came running to them out of awe and curiosity. Now, here is a trap. Who performed the miracle? God. Yet, the people paid their attention to Peter. If Peter enjoys people’s attention, he would fall. Peter denied himself but revealed God’s glory.
First, self-denial
Verse 12 says. When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” There were many miracles in the Old Testament. All performed by God. God has performed another miracle today—then why are you astonished and paying attention to me? Peter denied himself. When God gives you success or power, use 50% of it to erase yourself.
Henri Nouwen was already successful in his thirties, becoming professor at the University of Notre Dame and Yale. People took notice of him: “Wow, look! He is young yet remarkable.” Then, his conscience pricked him: “Why are people paying attention to me instead of Jesus? I've lived all wrong.” He resolved, “I need to erase myself.” So, he went to a slum in Peru and served there for three years. Then he thought, “Surely I’ve erased myself by now.”
He returned to the United States. But he was invited to become a professor at Harvard. People paid even more attention to him: “Wow, he even went to serve in Peru. He has talent, character and faith.” Unable to bear his own hypocrisy and inner emptiness any longer, he resigned his professorship and devoted the rest of his life—until his death in 1996—to serving children with disabilities at the Daybreak community in Toronto. His life was to erase himself. That is why Jesus Christ was so powerfully revealed by him to many people.
Folks, we naturally focus on "myself." All our attention is on ourselves—our pain, wounds, failures or success.
You came to church today. Do you see people? Who came and how many came? No. You shouldn't be looking at people. Instead, you must see Jesus. You need to encounter Jesus. When you do, Jesus enters you. Jesus says, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross." Isn't this about erasing the self? That is where grace and power lie.
Secondly, God is the Subject.
If you know who the subject of your life is, you will not be shaken. God appears as the subject in this passage eight times. It is God who healed the lame to walk in the name of Jesus. It is God who exalted Jesus, glorified Him, and made Him Savior.
Wisdom lies in staking your life solely on what God has done. Human endeavors are subject to ups and downs. If you want to live a safe and fruitful life, check this: Is it something that pleases God? Is it something God initiated?
Look at verse 15. ”You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” Theologically, this is very important declaration. It is easy for us to think that we did not kill Jesus, the Son of God. We think that it was the Jews. Yes, it was the Jews and Roman government who crucified Jesus. But it was man’s sin-greed, rebellion, lust and unbelief that killed Jesus. In fact, it is you and I who killed Jesus out of ignorance and greed.
We believe that Jesus is the Christ. "Christ" means King and Savior. He is our King and we are His subjects. Then, do we obey Him? Are we giving gratitude to him and devote ourselves to His purpose? But often we make ourselves king and live according to our own will, treating Jesus as if He were our subject. We come to him for help when we are in need, but we go back to our mundane affairs without commitment. We are the ones who have nailed Him to the cross. Are you aware of it? This is the beginning of restoration and salvation.
Look at verse 18. “But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.” Messiah suffered. People did not understand why. But it was God who planed and fulfilled it. God is the beginning of all things. Life is not accidental or random. If God is present in all your life events, you are free, safe and victorious.
When did man fall? It was when they turned away from God. We have electricity, water, refrigerator, washing machine, car and education in university. In a sense, we live better than the kings of old. Yet, many people suffer from a sense of lack, anxiety and mental panic. Why? Because they live without God.
Folks, you believe in God. But, what happens if you skip worship service, stop praying and join spiritual fellowship by the reason you are busy, tired, or chase worldly pleasures? Are you happy? Don't you feel anxious and feel like you're going crazy?" That is a life without God.
Do you think those who don't believe in Jesus feel safe and happy? We—who pray and worship—struggle by the temptations of the devil. Then do you really think people of the world are happy and comfortable? Those who live without God and those who turn away from Him are merely existing. They are never happy but suffer from anxiety and the fear of judgment. You need to have an eye for it.
You see someone, "I’m struggling, but they have money and good career, so they must feel safe and happy." Absolutely not! They are living in a state of hollowness, mental anarchy and panic.
Everything in the world changes. Yet, one thing remains constant: human nature. Fundamentally, anyone separated from God is wandering and suffering. Separation from God is the root of the problem. Therefore, restoration is returning to God. There is no other way to restore the kingdom of God except through Jesus because he is the way, truth and life toward God.
When we submit to God and when He rules over us, peace and assurance come to us. Therefore, Peter said, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” People often feel agony and distress. They take anti-depressant medicine or counselling. They meet their friends or travel. They try to improve their human condition; better academic performance, make more money, have a good career or recognition from the world. But these things are temporary and relativistic. We hear the solution from Peter’s sermon. “Repent and turn to God.” When we repent, we are forgiven. Our guilt, shame, fear and wounds must first be wiped out by faith in the blood of Jesus. Then the Holy Spirit dwells in us that we are free from all condemnation and fear as children of God. Then we live with God’s provision and peace.
Don’t say you have no sin to repent. Or don’t say you are better than others. Peter thought like that. But when he stood before Jesus, he cried out, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” He was forgiven and refreshed.
Third, faith through Jesus.
Read verse 16. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him. Where does faith come from? From me or from Jesus? There is a faith that comes from man (me) such as through yoga, meditation, or mind control. That is not the faith that gives us salvation. Salvation does not come from within us but from outside. When Titanic sank and the passengers were afloat in that cold dark night, what they could do was nothing except waiting for salvation from outside. Man under sin, death and eternal judgment of hell can only be saved from Jesus who shed his precious blood on the cross. Do you believe this? This world is still chaotic because people try to solve the problems by their own efforts and ideas. No, we need salvation from outside, Jesus. Yes, It was faith that came from Jesus that healed the lame.
Life is broadly divided into two paths. One is the path of Descartes and the other is Pascal’s. These two paths decide man’s destiny.
The path of Descartes is, "I think, therefore I am (exist). (Cogito, ergo sum)" ‘I’ is the ultimate standard—my thought defines the benchmark. Everything begins from me. Descartes’ approach suggests that man can find God by one’s own thoughts. It all starts with "me." This is very similar with Buddhism.
However, this approach weak and unstable because it relies on the ‘self.’ You know the "self," don't you? It is prone to ups and downs and easily distorted.
There was a devoted Christian who was diagnosed with a serious illness. Suddenly, he began to doubt his salvation. "Am I truly saved? What if I die today and be thrown into hell?" He was consumed by fear and anxiety. He visited his pastor for prayer. His pastor read John 3:16 to him: "Whoever believes... shall not perish but *might or might not* have eternal life." The man protested, "Pastor, does that make sense? Isn't it supposed to be 'that they *may* have eternal life'?" The pastor replied, "But *you* are the one saying 'might or might not!'"
Where does the basis for eternal life and salvation lie? With God—because He loves man. There is another foundation: Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross for sinners while we were sinners. Salvation and eternal life come simply by believing in God’s love and Jesus’ blood on the cross. My own performance—whether I do well or not has nothing to do with salvation. That is why we need faith that comes from Jesus. Jesus loved me, died for me, forgave me, and rescued me from sorrow, anxiety, failure, illnesses and eternal judgment of hell. Do you believe this? If so, you have received eternal life.
Jesus died for me. This is the foundation: faith that comes from Jesus. Only with this can one possess the assurance of salvation and true peace.
Pascal said, “Man is a thinking reed"—a being of duality. A reed is fragile; so, too, is man. He is frail and limited. Yet he is great. Why? Because he is aware of his own wretchedness. Among all created beings, man alone recognizes his wretched existence with guilt, shame and fear of judgment. He acknowledges that he is a sinner.
The tax collector understood his own wretchedness. This is his greatness. He dared not even lift his eyes toward heaven. Instead, beating his breast and weeping, he prayed, "Lord, have mercy on me, for I am a sinner." And he was justified.
“I am a wretched reed. I am ill, wounded, broken, weak and wretched. Who can rescue me? Jesus! Without Jesus, I am nothing and I can’t do anything and I can’t survive. This is the source of power and assurance—just like the lame who rose to his feet by putting his faith in the name, Jesus. Faith that comes from Jesus heals us, rescues us from discouragement and despair, and grants us courage and strength.
Second, possessing this faith makes us to interpret our past and present accurately. We struggle because we cannot interpret our lives accurately. Verses 17–18 says, “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. “God fulfilled what he had foretold.” Many people fail to understand, “Why? Why do (did) I suffer?” God fulfilled according to his good plan and purpose. Faith that comes from Jesus makes us interpret what has happened to us accurately. Illness, failure, wounds and all life events—in Jesus Christ, we come to realize, "Ah, no wonder. That explains why."
Do not jump to conclusion too quickly. Joseph was sold by his half-brothers. He was falsely accused and imprisoned. Peter failed to catch a single fish though he worked hard all night. How do you know if it's a good thing or a bad thing?" Life is a blessing in disguise.
Do you know how often things we deemed "bad" turned out to be good? How can you be certain that is a failure? It might lead to a massive breakthrough by God’s guidance. Do not interpret life events hastily. Wait. Wait until when? Until Jesus shows you his good purpose. Romans 8:28 says, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”
Third, it makes us a source of blessing.
Peter’s sermon ends with verse 25-26. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” This is a quote from Genesis 12:2–3. God called and blessed Abraham and raised him as a blessing for all peoples on earth. And his offspring, Jesus blessed the lame and the people in Jerusalem and the world. This is God’s fulfillment of his plan. You receive a blessing of salvation and healing from Jesus and that blessing is to flow to others through you.
Peter was a cripple spiritually. Though he was a disciple of Jesus, he denied Jesus and run away. Yet, after experiencing the Risen Jesus, he rose from his guilt and spiritual slump to walk and leap. Then he helped a lame stand up and inspired countless others. God blessing came to Peter. Then he flew it to the lame and then out to many more people. This is the fulfillment of God’s plan. Receive God’s blessing. Then share it with others.
Stagnant water is bound to corrupt. If you hoard your money, time and talents without flowing them to serve others, these things make you corrupt.
A beggar died. Surprisingly more than $I million was found at the spot he bagged. He wasn't a beggar indeed. But he was a beggar because of his life attitude. Are you afraid to use your money, time and talents to serve others? If so, you are a beggar.
Friends, a blessing is not just having a good career, lots of saving and recognition. A true blessing is to let what you receive from God flow to serve others in need in the name of Jesus. This is why God blesses you. If you have something you aren't using, give it to someone else; then, something new will come to you. When we share and give generously of what we have, the grace and power of Jesus will be overflowing through us to many people.