Reading: Acts chapter 2 verses 12-37.
• If you want to embarrass a preacher:
• Just ask him how the first sermon he ever preached went.
• Most of can remember it well, because it was not a very enjoyable experience!!!
• Often during a preachers first sermon he is very, very nervous.
• Often you get very tongue-tied.
• Often you feels that you are the wrong person in the wrong place.
Quote: Revd W A Spooner, the English scholar who died in 1930,
• He was reputed to have had a dreadful habit;
• Of confusing his message in the process of giving it:
(a).
• At a wedding he told the groom, 'It is kistomary to cuss the bride.'
• Calling on the dean of Christ Church he asked the secretary; 'Is the bean dizzy?"
(b).
• Giving the eulogy at a clergyman's funeral, he praised his departed colleague as;
• “A shoving leopard to his flock.”
(c). In a sermon he warned his congregation
• “There is no peace in a home where a dinner swells'.
• Meaning, of courses 'where a sinner dwells”'
(d). Speaking to a group of farmers:
• Spooner intended to greet them as “sons of toil,”
• But what came out was. "I see before me tons of soil.”
ill:
• Preacher who asked his wife: “Should I have put more fire into my sermon”,
• Wife replied: “You should have put more of your sermon in the fire”.
ill:
• Welsh Preacher worked himself into a frenzy while preaching on Psalm 42:
• “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul thirsts after you”.
• As he continued he cried:
• “Yes, brothers & sisters, it’s your pants that he wants!”.
In Acts chapter 2, Peter gave his first sermon:
• However, I believe this sermon was his best,
• And certainly his most influential.
• It ignited a flame that would spread across the whole world,
• With the message of Christ
(1). The Context of Peter's Sermon:
(1). Waiting for the Spirit (ch 1 vs 8):
• The disciples were told by Jesus to "Go into all........." but first to "wait in Jerusalem".
• The reason they were to wait, was to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
• Because Jesus had now ascended back to the Father in heaven (Acts 1:9).
• The disciples would need another helper here with them on earth.
• In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon people for a while, then left.
• But now, it's different when he comes upon a person he will stay with that person ever.
In Acts chapter 2 verse 5 that promise was fulfilled:
• The disciples (120 new Christians) were filled with the Holy Spirit,
• And they started praising God in different languages that they had not learnt.
• Worth noting: In verses 6 & 8 the word "Tongue" is used by some translations,
• It is Greek word "Dialektos" which refers to a known language of a country.
(2). Worshipping the Lord (verse 11).
• What the 120 new Christians were doing; they were not preaching the gospel,
• They were "Declaring the wonders of God". That is praising God.
• And this caused a reaction from the crowds;
• Who heard the noise and were drawn towards them,
• Verse 5 says they were "Bewildered", Verse 7: "Utterly amazed",
• Verse 12 "Amazed & perplexed".
(3). Witnessing to the people (verse 14).
• Peter who was filled with the Holy Spirit;
• Then turned this situation into an evangelistic opportunity:
• In the book of Acts whenever someone is filled with the Holy Spirit;
• It is always leads on to evangelism!
• Worship may have been the bait that attracted the crowds attention,
• But it was the gospel that contained the hook that brought folks to Christ!
(2). Analysis of Peter's Sermon:
ill:
• An elderly man stopped at a hearing aid centre and asked about prices.
• “We have them from £25,000 down to £1.50,” the salesman said.
• “What’s the £25,000 one like?”
• “Well it translates three languages.”
• “And what about the one for $1.50?”
• “It’s this button attached to a string,” said the salesman, pushing it across the counter.
• “How does it work?” replied the customer.
• “It doesn’t” replied the salesman;
• “But if you put the button in your ear and the string in your pocket,
• You’ll be surprised how loud people will talk.”
• Peter did not need to shout to be an effective communicator.
• Let’s look at some basic principles in communicating.
(a). His sermon is Down to Earth.
(1ST). PETER'S SERMON IS SIMPLE!
• As a preacher there is no merit in trying to be deep and complicated.
• Good preachers can take deep and complicated truths and present them simply.
• Quote:
• "A good preacher makes you see the obvious".
• By that I mean, when you read the passage, you can say;
• "It was here all the time, but I didn't see it until he pointed out".
(2ND). PETER KNEW HIS AUDIENCE.
• The message preached, was given by a Jew, to Jews (Vs 14, 22, 29, 36).
• So that affected the content of his sermon, what he went on to share.
Ill:
Friend who speaks for a rather long time:
• Tease him about the length of his messages (Cut it in half!)
• First thing he always wrote on his paper was "Who am I speaking too!"
Ill:
"Horses for courses" or "Cut your cloth accordingly".
Ill:
Jesus in the gospels:
• Religious people (Scribes & Pharisees).
• Crowds.
• Individuals.
• 12 Disciples.
(3RD). STARTED WHERE THEY WERE AT (verse 22):
• With things they knew, verse 22: "As you yourselves know".
• He was going to build a bridge of truth, starting on their side:
• And then take them across that bridge,
• So he could reveal to them truth they didn't know!
Quote:
• Evangelicals are great at answering questions that nobody is answering!
• God gave us two ears and one mouth, that ought to teach us something.
Notice:
• Peter actually started his sermon because of a question;
• Verse 12:"What does this mean".
• He started with a question and because "he scratched where they were itching",
• Notice: when he finished, they responded with a question;
• Verse 37: "What shall we do?"
• That is effective communication!!!
(b). His sermon is Bible Based.
• Quoting from Joel (verse 17) and David (verses 25 & 34) from our Old Testament,
• Peter constructs solid, biblical reasons to believe in Christ.
• As Christians our message is not to be based on popular opinion:
• As a Christians our message should not simply be what people might like to hear:
• If you want to build people up in their faith or bring them to Christ.
• We need to tell them what the book says (and explain it to them!!!)
Ill:
• When evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) was returning home from a service one night,
• He was robbed.
• The thief, however,
• Found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature.
• As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.”
• The surprised robber paused and Wesley said to him:
“My friend you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!’”
• The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit.
• Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service;
• When he was approached by a stranger.
• He looked John Wesley in the eye and said;
“I was the one who had robbed you years before!
Now I am a believer in Christ and a successful businessman, I owe it all to you”.
• “Oh no, my friend,” Wesley exclaimed,
• “Not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!”
Wesley believed in the power of the word of God:
• And as a result;
• This man (one of many) came to faith in Jesus Christ!
(c). His sermon is Christ Cantered.
• The people's question in verse 12, "What does this mean?"
• Provides Peter with a launching pad from which he fires off truths about Christ.
Scan through this passage with me:
• Verse 22: "Men of Israel, listen to this, Jesus of Nazareth".
• Verse 23: "This man" that is Jesus.
• Verse 32: "This Jesus".
• Verse 36: "This Jesus".
Peter stood up before the crowds and he preached Jesus to them:
Ill: ill:
Starving man needs food. In a drought a thirsty man needs water.
Ill:
Sinful human beings need a saviour, a rescuer (forgive past, help in the present).
(d). He got their attention.
• Whenever you stand up before a group of people,
• Make sure you get their attention!
• Verse 14: "Peter stood up" - make sure you are visible,
• And also any visual aids (ill: amazed how many churches cannot use an OHP).
• Verse 14: "He raised his voice". - Not saying shout but make sure people can hear you.
• It would have been no good having this great sermon, if no one can hear Peter
• His message would not have got to the other side of the street
• Never mind impacting the other side of the world).
• While we are being practical,
• Look people in the eye (white of their eyes).
(3). The Content of Peter's Sermon (1)
Peter’s sermon divides up into two parts:
• Verses 16-21: He explains the events that they have witnessed.
• Verses 22-36: He explains who Jesus Christ really is.
(a). The first part of his sermon: an Explanation of events (verses 16-21).
• Not all the people were amazed and bewildered by the disciples actions;
• That is praising God in different languages:
• Some in the audience were sceptics and accused them of being drunk (vs:13).
• But just think that through for a moment, it's crazy.
Ill:
• Most drunk people I know and have met;
• Talk nonsense when they have been drinking:
• But in the case of the 120 Christians the opposite happens,
• They speak intelligently, in other languages (15 geographical locations are mentioned).
• It would be powerful alcohol;
• That makes a Galilean fisherman speak in Italian or Arabian! (Lingaphone would be out of business)
Peter rises to his feet and explains to the crowds what was going on.
• He gives an explanation of what the baffling miracle means.
• He first explains what the miracle is not;
• "These men are not drunk" he argues, "It is only nine o' clock in morning" (v. 15).
• Ill: Video: ‘Pubs aren’t open yet!’
Peter says it is not alcohol that has taken over the 120 Christians but something else has;
• Then Peter explains what the miracle is, it is the fulfilment of prophecy.
• In verses 16-18, Peter quotes from the Old Testament book of Joel:
• Centuries earlier, Joel foresaw a time when God would pour out His Spirit.
• "This," Peter tells the crowd, "is what you are now witnessing."
Notice:
• Peter then links the giving of the Spirit with salvation; Verse 21:
• "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved".
• That statement is a natural link into the second part of his sermon;
• God's plan of salvation demonstrated in Jesus Christ.
(3). The Content of Peter's Sermon (2)
The second part of his sermon: an Explanation of Jesus (vs 22-36).
• Peter paints a stunning mural of Jesus,
• Highlighting four proofs about Him.
1ST PROOF IS THE PERSON OF JESUS (VS 22-24):
• Twice Peter reminds his hearers that Jesus was a real human being "A man" (vs 22 & 23).
• His hearers had no problem with those words.
• "Of Nazareth" a real place that many of the crowd would know (60 miles from Jerusalem).
• And know of its reputation; "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46)
• They also knew that Jesus was not ordinary (talk of the town, area etc for what he did)
• "Accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs" (v. 22c)
Note these three words he uses:
• Miracles speak of the source of his power (supernatural i.e. God)
• Wonders are displays for the eyes (Unique, should cause people to ask "Who is this?")
• Signs were proof of who he was (Messiah i.e. Luke 4:18-19).
Some of the people there may well have experienced some of those miracles
• Ill: Fed in the crowd of 5,000.
• Ill: Met or seen Lazarus or knew somebody who had.
• Certainly have heard the rumours, after all the crowds followed him everywhere.
• It was obvious that God's hand was upon Jesus:
Notice:
• Now that the natural question is answered,
• Another question would be in the minds of his hearers:
"So why should he experience such a brutal death by Roman execution?"
• Peter answers that question by revealing to his hearers that it was part of a plan.
• The death of Jesus was not an accident, not a mistake, not martyrdom. (Verse 23):
"This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge".
Even though it was planned by God:
• That Jesus would endure this type of death,
• That in no way lessons the crime of those who murdered Jesus.
• Verse 23:
• "This Man . . . you nailed to a cross and put Him to death"
• "This man" who did miracles, wonders & signs which proved his Messiah ship.
• "You" rejected him and worse still you nailed him to a cross.
"But God" (verse 24) what looked like a disaster, a tragic mistake:
• God has turned into a magnificent triumph.
• Because he raised Jesus Christ from (vs 24) the "Agony of death".
• That word "Agony" or "Pains" means "birth-pangs";
• Suggesting the tomb was a "womb" out of which Jesus was born in resurrection glory.
2ND: PROOF WAS THE PROPHECY OF DAVID (VS 25-31):
• Peter quotes from three Psalms:
• Psalm 16, Psalm 132 & Psalm 110.
Peter uses David, one of the great heroes of Jewish faith as witness for the prosecution:
• 980 years earlier, David wrote the words quoted in verse 27
• "That his body would not decay in the grave".
• These words from Psalm 16 verses 8-11 could not apply to David,
• Peter says in verse 29: "David did die & was buried & his body did decay in the tomb."
So therefore his words must apply to someone else:
• They were prophetic words concerning the Messiah:
• And that prophecy had now been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.
• Peter then quotes from two more Psalms No 110:1 & No 132:11 as further evidence
• In forming his hearers that Jesus of Nazareth; the man they killed was the Messiah:
• Verse 31: David "Seeing what was ahead spoke of the resurrection of the Christ".
• Paraphrase: David looked ahead and could see these events happening.
• And verse 31: God being true to his promise; kept his word:
• "He was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay".
Then brining that fact right up to date, Peter says (Vs 32) "We are all witnesses of this".
• We have seen the risen Christ with our own eyes, we have touched him, handled him,
• And others have too!
Peter goes on to say this Jesus who you crucified and who God raised from the dead:
• Is now seated "having been exalted to the right hand of God" (v. 33)
• Peter mentions the ascension, the going back into the Father's presence.
• Proof that God has accepted the person and work of Jesus.
• And given to it his seal of approval.
• What a contrast; "People" rejected and crucified him.
• But God has exalted and honoured him. (You did your worst, God his best).
3RD PROOF IS THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (VS 33).
• Skilfully drawing his point further;
• In verse Peter reveals that it was this same Jesus who:
"Having received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, . . . has poured out what you now see and hear"
• Jesus the one you crucified and left for dead;
• He Himself is the One behind this tongues miracle (vs 33).
• Follow Peter's logic (it's brilliant),
• If Jesus was just a man, then he is dead, and he cannot send the Holy Spirit
• But if the Holy Spirit is here, seen the proof of that with your own eyes & ears,
• Then Jesus must be alive to have sent him.
And so in verse 36 Peter announces his verdict upon the listening crowd:
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this; God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ".
• To paraphrase Peter is literally saying in verse 36: (pointing) Guilty!!! I rest my case.
• Jesus was your Messiah and you killed him!
Effect of Peter's Sermon
• For many in the crowd, the penny had finally dropped, they suddenly realized,
• That they had contributed to the killing of God's Messiah.
Ill: ill:
Mel Gibson; The passion’. Rembrandt Painting ‘Three Crosses.
• Verse 37: "Cut to the heart", they asked the disciples, "What shall we do?"
• In verse 38: Peter gives them the answer.
Peter immediately offers them a two step solution:.
(1). REPENT:
ill:
Motorway miss your turning.
• Change your mind and attitudes regarding Jesus Christ,
• Instead of being opposed to Jesus, now they were to be his followers.
• And they were promised something or rather someone,
• The gift of the Holy Spirit, to help and strengthen and to guide them.
(2). BE BAPTIZED:
• Believing may be personnel, an inward and invisible thing,
• But it is never to be a private, secret thing
And Peter says to the crowd:
• Prove you have believed in Jesus the Messiah by being baptized.
• In other words, publicly let folks know that you are following him!
• Back to verse 36:
• "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ".
Following Jesus Christ is twofold:
• It is not only believing the right things,
• i.e. that he is the Christ, the Messiah.
• It is also acknowledging him as the Lord, the boss, the King of your life.
• And if the King gives a command, you obey!!!
Ill:
Peter himself was a man under orders, Jesus gave him orders in Matthew 28:19:
• "Go into all the world and make disciples baptizing them...."
• A disciple is someone who obeys the master.
• So a Christian is someone who not only believes in their head & heart about Jesus.
• But someone who proves that belief by obeying Jesus.
