Does Jesus Cut to the Heart or is He Just Over Your Heart?

Acts 2:36-39 - "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself."

Jesus is a powerful Name! In fact, it is the Name above all names.

Salvation comes through Christ alone (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).

Prior to these verses, Peter preached to a multitude of men that had gathered, telling them about how Jesus had been prophesied about and those things had been fulfilled before their very eyes. And when Peter said it is He that they themselves had crucified, they were "cut to the heart" In other words, they realized what they had done and were remorseful. And then they asked, "What shall we do?"

Great question! Because when you realize how much God loves you, even sending His Son to die for your sins and through Him offers you eternity with Him you too will be cut to the heart and wonder what to do to make things right.

Peter said, "Repent and be baptized..." Repent is simply a turning away from sin and turning to Jesus. Jesus will meet you in the very spot you decide to turn around. The LORD simply asks you to receive His Son.

Some people just wear a cross over their heart, but will you be cut to the heart, knowing that God has called you to His heart with an eternal love?

Restore a kingdom for temporal people or people for an Eternal Kingdom?

Acts 1:6-8 - "So when they had come together, they asked Him, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'"

This took place after Jesus' resurrection and just before His ascension.

Do you ever find yourself consumed with your current personal life, hoping that God keeps restoring the current kingdom instead of looking to and seeking the benefit of God's Eternal Kingdom?

I'm not saying that you should abandon life and commit to being a monk. God requires us to be good stewards of those things He's entrusted you with. 

The key word is "consumed". A Good way to find out what you are consumed with is to ask yourself, "What occupies my thoughts and time?" 

Is it finances (lack or pursuit of)? Is your career what you "eat, sleep and drink"?  Is your hobby what relaxes you and puts you in a peaceful state of mind?  Are you consumed with exercise? Are you consumed with food? You can even be occupied with "R&R" - Rest and Relaxation (too much).

Jesus' disciples were asking if He was going to restore their present, earthly conditions by ruling, but He wasn't concerned about that...that time will come. For now, Jesus simply commanded them to focus on building and laying up treasures in heaven.

It's no different today. 

How do we focus on building and laying up treasures in heaven?

By leading people to Jesus Christ and teaching them the Bible. Your life for God will be a treasure you send out ahead of you that will be waiting for you in heaven.

Matthew 6:19-21 - "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Be a witness to people for Jesus for an Eternal Kingdom and lay up treasure in heaven.

Money is for Using

"True stewardship requires investing and spending, not just guarding and saving." - Sutton Turner in "Invest Your Gifts for His Mission"