The Might of the Christ's ressurection

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive Church at the Ballpark: Acts 2:22–41

One of the things that have puzzled historians for years is why Christianity spread so fast in its earlier days.

● The group Jesus left behind was relatively small, and they weren’t very influential people—they were fisherman and carpenters.

● And Christianity didn’t advance through conquest. For the first 400 years no one really picked up a sword in defense of it.

● It didn’t make its followers rich. In fact, it usually led to them losing their homes and fortunes.

What happened? How did the early church accomplish so much for Jesus? What happened? Let go back the beginning

Acts 2 is wild if you think about it! Sometimes we forget that the opening chapters of Acts aren’t very long after the crucifixion of Jesus.

It’s only been a 6 weeks...

So it is in this city we find the followers of Jesus and Peter of all people stands up!

Acts 2:14 “14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:”

In the city where Jesus was beaten and killed viscously

Where Jesus closest followers fled!

Peter swore and denied Jesus to a little girl

Now he’s preaching to the same crowds that killed his Lord…

Even after this look at their lives!

James- Beheaded

Phillip crucified

Matthew killed by axe

James clubbed

Peter Crucified

Jude Crucified

Bart Crucified

Thomas Speared

Simon Crucified

Paul Beheaded

What happened? Where did this boldness come from?

Jesus died

Beaten, battered, stabbed, embarrassed

DEAD!

Buried and sealed!

HE DID NOT STAY DEAD!

HE AROSE!

The resurrection!

What changed was they met the resurrected Jesus!

Acts 1:3 “3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”

HE WAS REALLY ALIVE!

Spake, Ate, Slept

Seen of over 500

Touched by Thomas

What changed was they knew the resurrected Christ!

Knowing him inspired their zeal and boldness!

Acts 4:20 “20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Thats what should move us!

Do we really KNOW and BELIVE our Jesus is alive!

KNOWING THE RISEN JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING!

-desires, perspective, pain, desires, life, motivations

Col 3:1 “1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

If you know the risen Jesus you have to go all in!

Let’s examine Peters message here

Acts 2:22-24 “22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”

Person (2:22)

Jesus of Nazareth a man

He was real!

felt, cried, got weary… they whole human experience!

Heb 4:15 “15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Of Nazareth- a real historical person from a real place!

This ain’t a fairy tale

Proof (2:22)

Approved of God!

He was more than a regular man!

He is the Christ/Messiah

The anointed king, ruler, judge

Proven by his signs and wonders!

Prophecies!

Virgin birth , Bethlehem, Egypt, heal the sick, etc

A professor at Westmont College, has calculated the probability of one man fulfilling the major prophecies made concerning the Messiah. After examining only eight different prophecies, they conservatively estimated that the chance of one man fulfilling all eight prophecies was one in 10^17.(10 with 17 zeros)

God’s Son

Matthew 3:16-17 “16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Passion (2:23)

He was delivered and crucified

All part of God’s plan!

Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive B. Peter Preached about the Meaning of Jesus’ Death

the purpose of the cross, as we learn from this message, is substitution: the Just for the unjust. Christ died for us: He took our place.

That shed blood saves all men!

Changes lives, payed for your sin!

Eph 1:7 “7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Presentation (2:24)

He rose!

Loosed the pangs of death

“Took the ”

He beat death

became life!

Col 3:4

Peter and the 12 witnessed it!

Can I tell you what this resurrection can do for you? It is what pushed these followers! Let me just give you three things that it did for them

1- God’s power was realized

Eph 1:19-20 “19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,”

2- Death’s potency was relegated

Rev 1:18 “18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

1 Cor 15:55-57 “55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

3- Assured them that lives they were presenting would too be raised

1 Cor 6:14 “14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.”

They could give their life because they had confidence of a resurrection

It is at the end of this Peter implores the crowd with what I am going to ask of you as well.

Acts 2:32 “32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”

Acts 2:36 “36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Faith in our Lord and his resurrection ought to change everthing