The 1st Sermon-The Gospel Message
Acts 2:14-24
Lessons From The Early Church
In an effort to appeal to people today and to their interest and the church today emphasizes a great many different programs and approaches. Small group, culturally relevant worship emphasizing music and drama have become increasingly popular. Many churches look to psychology, management techniques, and advertising strategies have all made significant inroads into the life of the church.
Not all of those things may be harmful. Some in their proper place can even be helpful. But most of the time what has been sacrificed in the flurry of activities and programs is the priority of preaching. Some modern pastors and churches may bid it good riddance. Such was not the attitude of the church through history.
The very first event of church history after the coming of the Holy Spirit was Peter’s Sermon
It lead a group of 120 to seeing 3,000 people saved.
Preaching has always remained central to the church’s mission.
The Gospel is not to be watered down but to spread and shared.
Acts 2:14-24
1) The Believers Infilled-vs. 14-16
a) The believers were excited
b) They were filled with the Holy Spirit
c) They were filled with God’s presence and joy
i) They were excited
ii) They spoke about the wonderful works of God
iii) Expressed joy in what God had done
iv) Witnessed to all who would listen
d) I don’t know how a Christian can walk around in a defeated life
e) Unfortunately they had to give an explanation
f) When people do not understand they try to come up with ways of explaining
i) Faith is for weak minded people
ii) Those people will believe anything
g) So Peter stood to his feet to give an explanation
h) Notice it says that Peter took his stand and the other 11 were with him
i) Peter raised his voice and started to speak
j) What a difference in the Peter who once denied Christ 3 times to the man standing before a crowd getting ready to share the Gospel with them
k) He is talking to the people there
l) And notice the boldness in his voice
m) “let this be known to you and give heed to my voice”
n) There is no hesitation in his heart
o) Peter did not try to yell at them
p) He spoke respectfully but firm and he proceeded calmly to show them their error
q) When people try to ridicule the Gospel we do not have to be cruel
r) We should answer kindly and respectfully yet firmly
s) Proverbs 15:1—“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly
t) I always try to have some sort of introduction
u) But Peter had a great introduction in the Holy Spirit’s coming
v) But before he could begin he refuted the charge that they were drunk by saying it is only the third hour which would have been only about 9:00 AM
w) And since he is going to be speaking probably mostly to Jews he is going to use the OT to explain
x) The Believers were Infilled, but look at the explanation Peter give
2) The Explanation-vs. 17-21
a) Peter is going to beginning here by quoting Joel 2:28-32
b) In the last days he says
c) What are the last days
d) The last days began when Christ came to earth and they will end when Christ returns to earth
e) In the last days includes the great outpouring of God’s Spirit
f) God’s gift of salvation and His Holy Spirit has come for all.
g) In the OT God used prophets to take the message
h) But in these last days it is everyone’s job to take the message
i) God’s gift is available to everyone, male/female, young/old, slave/free, rich/poor
j) The emphasis here is that God pours out His Spirit only upon His servants and upon His handmaidens.
k) Who’s job is it to share the message of Christ?
l) Peter goes on to share that the last days are going to include terrible judgments at the end
m) Acts 2:19-20
n) The Day of the Lord
o) That is the day when Christ returns to execute judgment upon the earth
p) Matthew 24-25
q) And in Revelation
r) But it is a definite Day that is coming upon the earth
s) Note it is coming at the end of the last days at the end of the present age
t) And look at this day
u) Peter says there will be wonders: signs happening in the sky
v) Signs: events and happenings on the earth given by God to warn that the end is at hand
w) Blood and fire and vapor of smoke
i) The sun is turned to dark and blotted out
ii) The moon to be turned into a blood red
x) But the most important issue is what Peter says in verse 21
y) That there is still time to be saved.
z) Two simple things have to happen
aa) You have to call
bb) And you have to call on the name of the Lord
cc) Romans 10:13—“for whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
dd) Romans 10:9-10—“if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made to salvation”
ee) Peter is also going to drive the thrust of the message home
ff) Verse 22 he says Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God
gg) Jesus had God’s approval
hh) With the miracles and wonders and signs
ii) That God performed through Jesus
jj) Where?
kk) In their midst
ll) Peter is telling them you saw these things
mm) You were there
nn) Peter says to them at the time God knew you nailed him to a cross by the hands of godless man and put Him to death
oo) BUT
pp) God raised Him up again
qq) And he put and end to the agony of death since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
rr) Jesus is the resurrection and the life
ss) Hebrews 2:14—“hat through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil”
tt) Our debt is paid in full
