Do Something! (Apr 23, 2023) Acts 2.14a, 36-41

The crowd is restless and animated. They just heard a speech that now has them in a frenzy. What to do? What to do? Someone says “I know, let’s go and find those who did this!” And the crowd, hearing as the words spread, agrees. So, they charge headlong into the city to find those who did this thing that has them in such a fury. A lone man stands watching them and says, “Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, take thou what course thou wilt.”

Now, if you remember your high school English classes you will know that I am referencing the play, Julius Caesar. The scene I described is the aftermath of Marc Antony’s famous “Friends, Romans, Countrymen” speech. Though this is a play, there is some truth to the fact that there was a speech that stirred up the masses after the death of Julius Caesar and caused the common folk of Rome to try and avenge his death on those who had perpetrated it. It is a great speech and in the hands of Shakespeare, one can really be engrossed and feel the emotions of those listening. Why, one might agree that the crowd was correct in hunting down those responsible.

We find today a speech being made and the emotions and actions that follow. This is part of the famous Pentecost speech that Peter makes telling those listening that the Holy Spirit has come and that Jesus was the Messiah. He goes into great depth about…well, we might save this for a later date. Always leave them wanting more is the lesson learned in speech class. Peter does this in a masterful way.

We know that there is more to the speech than what I read this morning because of the word “therefore”. In fact, verse 36, where I began, is the end of the speech. But what a powerful ending: “Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”[1]Now, Peter is not accusing the entire Jewish nation of killing Jesus. His accusation is one that is toward the leaders of the Jews who were in cahoots with the Roman authorities. What was said by Peter led to the crime of Anti-Semitism over the centuries. But there is an element of truth to what Peter says when he says that this is the Jesus whom you crucified. The people were the ones who did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah and because of their unbelief, they in effect crucified Jesus. Because of our unbelief we do the same thing. So, let’s not get all judgmental of “the Jews” when we are capable of, and have done, the same thing.

But there is a response to this speech, much like Marc Antony’s. The people are “cut to the heart”, they feel it within themselves that something must be done. And so, they ask what they should do. Peter then tells them to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus, and they would receive the Holy Spirit. To repent is to turn around, to have a change of mind, to do a 180. It is to turn around and go a different path than one was going before. This was the teaching of John the Baptist whom many in the crowd probably heard and knew his message. John said to repent for the one who would forgive sins was coming. Peter’s message was that the one who could and would forgive sins came and would forgive if the people turned from their sins. The message is the same for us today. We must repent of our sins, even those that we do not know we have committed. We must have a change of mind and call upon the Lord for the forgiveness of sins. And in doing so, we, like those in this passage, will receive the Holy Spirit. As Willie James Jennings says: “And it all begins with a simple but terrifying question: “What should we do?””[2]

Peter continues his telling of what they should do by saying that this promise is for all, children, families, those far away, everyone whom the Lord calls. This promise of the forgiveness of sins and the promise of the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit who enabled this man who forsook his master when the rubber met the road. This man who when confronted with the resurrection of the Lord still did not believe until he was shown the nail prints and the side that was pierced. This was the man on whom the Holy Spirit was given who now was calling people to repentance and the forgiveness of sins of which he knew his and how they would affect lives.

This is not the end of the exhortation that Peter gives. He continues with many other arguments, convincing those listening that the Messiah came and was alive now, that the Spirit promised to them would show them and convince them of his rising and of his glory. Peter finishes with a rhetorical flourish of saying that they are to “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”[3]

And the people believe. They believe in droves. They come to be baptized and ask for the forgiveness of sins, in all about 3,000. But there is something that needs to be noted here. They come in response to the message preached. William Willimon points out that “…their action is response, not initiative…”[4] He also states that none of what they have done or experienced or have a natural inclination to do will save them because they are, as we are, a part of the “crooked generation”. He continues by saying, “It is not so much “Save yourselves…” but let yourself be saved! Here is salvation, not as earnest human striving but salvation beyond such striving, salvation which only comes as the call and work of the Spirit which both testifies to and enacts salvation among the crowd.”[5]

The response called for not the initiative. This is again a part of stewardship. We have been given so much that it is impossible to not respond in some way. David Mosser says that Peter’s sermon/speech does this: “it confronts the world’s idols, it led to hearers’ self-reflection, it calls for confession, and it offers words of gracious forgiveness and pardon. But Peter’s sermon offers a crucial feature for its listeners-it calls for a response.”[6] Stewards are called to give a response. That may be prayer, that may be working for the church, that may be serving on the Session, that may be giving money to the church. Whatever is the response, it is given in recognition of the gifts that God loaned to us, gifts of time, talent, and treasure.

But we are oftentimes in need of reminding that we are part of a crooked generation and the idols that we follow. Mosser states that “Whenever we elevate nation, family, lust for material possessions, or unhealthy attachments to working for our daily bread, then we replace God with an idol.”[7] And when we replace God with an idol, we forget what was given to us and how we are to use it.

It is said that churches work on an 80/20 percentage: 80 percent of the work is done by 20 percent of the people. When we do not know what to do, too often we do nothing. We let others do the work and wonder what happens. And the fault often lies with the ones working, including myself. There is a need seen and someone will do it. If someone says they do not know what to do, then ask them to do something.

There is a movie that I really enjoy named Serenity. In it there is a character named Shepherd Book who has provided counsel and encouragement to the main character Mal. He has also served as a conscience to Mal who does not really believe in anything. Shepherd’s home is attacked and Mal finds him wounded and dying. They speak of things that have happened and Mal tells him that he plans to be bored by many more of his sermons. Shepherd knows he is dying and he takes Mal’s face in his hands and says, “I don’t care what you believe in, I just want you to believe!” I would like to paraphrase the man who said this by saying to the stewards out there, I don’t care what you do for the church, just do something! Tell the good news, feed the hungry, paint the walls, ring the handbell to start service. Just do something!

[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989. Print. [2]Jennings, Willie James. Acts. Ed. Amy Plantinga Pauw and William C. Placher. First edition. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2017. Print. Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible. [3] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989. Print. [4]Willimon, William H. Acts. Atlanta. John Knox Press. 1988. 36 [5]Willimon, William H. Acts. Atlanta. John Knox Press. 1988. 37 [6]Mosser, David N. the Stewardship Companion. Louisville, Westminster John Knox Press. 2007. 37 [7]Mosser, David N. the Stewardship Companion. Louisville, Westminster John Knox Press. 2007. 38