The Greatest News Story

Good morning! I want you to take a moment and think about something with me.

How often do we hear about a sensational news story, only to find out later that there's a different side to the story, some truth that wasn't initially reported?

It happens all the time in our 24/7 news cycle, doesn't it? Misinformation, half-truths, rumors—they swirl around us, causing confusion, sowing doubt.

Two thousand years ago, there was another news story that shook not just a town, or a region, but the entire world.

The central character: a man named Jesus from Nazareth.

The headlines might have read: "Miracle Worker Crucified!" or "Tomb Found Empty!" Rumors spread like wildfire—Jesus's followers stole His body; the Roman soldiers fell asleep; it was all an elaborate hoax.

Yet, just like in our times, the truth was there, waiting to be revealed. And the man to deliver it was Peter, once a simple fisherman, now a fisher of men, under the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today, we will journey together through Acts 2:22-35, as Peter delivers the truth about Jesus Christ to the masses gathered at Pentecost.

As we dig into these scriptures, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to us as well, changing not only our lives here and now, but also for eternity.

So, are you ready to uncover the truth behind the headlines? Let's dive into the Word of God.

Let’s read our text...

Acts 2:22–36 NKJV

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’ 29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

In Peter’s sermon at Pentecost he first explained what had happened, the Spirit had come (vv. 14-21). We looked at that last week.

He then goes on to explain how it happened. Jesus was alive!

His first proof was the person of Jesus Christ. His audience already knew that Jesus was a real person from the town of Nazareth.

Peter wanted his audience to recognize Jesus for who He really was.

Jesus is the Son of God

Recognize the Powerful Ministry of Jesus

Acts 2:22 NKJV

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

In this verse, Peter reminds the crowd of the undeniable proof of Jesus' divine authority—His miracles, wonders, and signs.

He performed these not in hidden places but out in the open, among the people.

Healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish—Jesus was God's promise in action.

Today, we too should open our eyes to recognize Jesus' work in our lives, whether in miraculous healing, unexpected provision, or peace amidst chaos.

The Crucifixion Wasn’t an Accident

Acts 2:23 NKJV

23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

In the grand narrative of Jesus' life, even His death was no accident. It was part of God's set purpose and foreknowledge.

Peter pointed out to the crowd that while they had a hand in Jesus' death, it was all part of God's redemptive plan.

This should instill in us an unwavering trust in God's sovereignty.

Even when life seems out of control, we can rest assured that God's purpose prevails.

Jesus’ Death Wasn’t the End

Acts 2:24 NKJV

24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Peter delivers the climax of his message here—the Resurrection.

Despite the seeming finality of the cross, death could not keep its hold on Jesus. It was simply impossible.

This is our triumphant hope as followers of Jesus. No matter how dark the night, we can trust in the coming dawn, knowing that Jesus has conquered death itself for us.

Each of these truths prompts us to recognize Jesus anew.

To see His miracles in our daily lives, trust in His sovereign plan, and embrace the hope of His Resurrection.

Let us strive to keep these truths at the forefront of our minds as we navigate our lives, testifying to the miraculous life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Peter’s second proof of the Resurrection was the prophecy of David.

King David Wrote About the Risen Messiah

The Hopeful Vision of David

Acts 2:25–28 NKJV

25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

In these verses, Peter quotes David's prophetic words about the Messiah from Psalm 16:8-11.

These verses obviously could not apply to David who was already dead and buried. Being a prophet of God, David wrote about the Messiah, that His soul would not remain in hades (the realm of the dead) or His body in the grave where it would decay.

David's faith was so strong that he saw the Lord always before him, guiding him.

This prophecy is filled with hope. It spoke of a holy one who wouldn't be abandoned to the realm of the dead, whose body wouldn't see decay, and who would be filled with joy in God's presence.

For us today, this prophetic hope should be an anchor for our souls. When we embrace God's prophecies, we invite hope, guidance, and joy into our lives.

David’s Prophecy Was Revealed in Jesus

Acts 2:29–31 NKJV

29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

Peter clarified that while David was speaking about his descendant, the prophecy wasn't about himself. David died and was buried. His tomb was a testament to that.

However, David, being a prophet, spoke of the future—the Resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus. This was a prophecy fulfilled, proving the dependability of God's promises.

As we delve into the Word, we should seek to understand and embrace prophecies, seeing them as promises from a faithful God, pointing us toward His plans for the future.

Embracing prophecy means trusting in God's promises, recognizing their fulfilment in Jesus, and looking forward to their ultimate fulfilment when Jesus returns.

In our daily lives, we should be ready to stand on these promises, confident in God's faithfulness, and share this hope with others.

Peter’s third proof was the witness of the believers.

The Followers of Jesus Gave Witness to the Resurrection

There is the Undeniable Testimony of the Jesus’ followers

Acts 2:32 NKJV

32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

Were these people dependable witnesses? Can we trust them? We certainly can!

Prior to Christ’s resurrection, the disciples did not even believe that He would be raised from the dead; and they themselves had to be convinced (Mark 16:9–14; Acts 1:3).

They had nothing to gain by preaching a lie, because their message aroused official opposition and even led to the imprisonment and death of some of the believers.

A few fanatics might be willing to believe and promote a lie for a time, but when thousands believe a message, and when that message is backed up by miracles, you cannot easily dismiss it. These witnesses were trustworthy.

In this verse, Peter declares the crux of their testimony: Jesus is alive.

Not just Peter, but all the apostles and early believers were witnesses to this extraordinary truth. They had seen the risen Christ; they had encountered Him personally.

This underscores the call for each of us to be witnesses, to testify about our personal encounters with Jesus in our lives.

Our testimonies, born out of personal experiences of God's work, can be powerful tools in drawing others to Christ.

Peter’s fourth proof of the resurrection of Christ was the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Crowd Witnessed the Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:33 NKJV

33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate evidence of Jesus' resurrection and ascension.

The Spirit, poured out on all believers, is Jesus' promise fulfilled, the proof of His position at the right hand of God.

Peter reminds us that the Holy Spirit, working in and through us, is an irrefutable testimony of the living Christ.

As believers, we have the incredible privilege of carrying this evidence within us.

We must become willing vessels for the Spirit's work, allowing the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in and through our lives.

In our journey of faith, let us take up the mantle of becoming witnesses.

Let's share our personal testimonies and showcase the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

In doing so, we continue the legacy of those early believers, echoing their declaration: "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it."

God Exalted Jesus

Acts 2:34–35 NKJV

34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

Peter here contrasts the position of David with that of Jesus. David, though a great king and prophet, did not ascend to heaven. Instead, he pointed to someone greater—the Messiah.

Jesus, who has been raised and exalted, is now seated at God's right hand, a place of honor and authority.

As believers, we must recognize and submit to Jesus' lordship in our lives, understanding that He reigns supreme over all. Our challenges, our doubts, our fears—Jesus has triumphed over them all.

Living in the Spirit is a transformative experience. It involves recognizing the Holy Spirit's work within us and submitting to the lordship of Jesus in our lives.

As we walk this journey, let us daily seek the Spirit's guidance and surrender to His transformative power, echoing in our lives the truth of Jesus' exalted position.

Our Responsibility is to Accept the Truth and Respond to It

Peter Gives a Bold Declaration

Acts 2:36 NKJV

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

This verse contains a bold and confrontational declaration by Peter, pointing out the grave error committed by his audience in crucifying Jesus.

But more importantly, it establishes the identity of Jesus as both Lord and Messiah—titles of authority and salvation, respectively.

As modern believers, we too must confront and accept this truth: Jesus, the one who was crucified, is indeed the Lord and Savior.

We must not shy away from the raw, sometimes uncomfortable, reality of the Cross, for it is at the heart of our faith.

Respond in Faith

Peter's proclamation prompts a response, a choice. It requires the hearers to reassess their understanding and attitude towards Jesus.

Today, we too are confronted with the same truth, and the same choice.

How do we respond to the reality of Jesus being both our Lord and our Messiah?

Do we accept His lordship over every aspect of our lives? Do we embrace Him as our Savior, believing in His atoning work on the cross?

Accepting the truth is more than mere intellectual assent; it involves a transformation of our hearts, attitudes, and actions.

It challenges us to live differently, shaping our worldview and directing our behavior.

In the coming week, let's ponder this truth afresh and examine our response.

Are there areas in our lives where we have yet to acknowledge Jesus as Lord? Let's invite Him into those areas.

Are there places in our hearts that need to be reminded of His saving grace? Let's bring those to Him in prayer.

And as we do so, may we become, like Peter, bold witnesses to the transformative power of Jesus, our Lord and Messiah.

Next Steps: Let’s live the Message

Daily Recognize Jesus as Lord: Take a few moments each day to recognize and acknowledge Jesus as your Lord. This could be through prayer, meditation, or journaling. Consciously invite Jesus to guide your thoughts, words, and actions in all areas of your life. This is a practical step towards accepting Jesus' lordship and allowing Him to transform your life.

Share Your Testimony: Identify one person in your life who doesn't know about your faith or the transformative power of Jesus. Share your personal experience of encountering Jesus and the changes it brought in your life. This simple act of witness continues the legacy of the early believers and fulfills our call to be Christ's ambassadors.

Engage with Scripture: Take time this week to read and meditate on Psalm 16 and Psalm 110 that Peter referenced in his sermon. Reflect on how these Psalms prophesy about Jesus and what they tell us about His lordship and messiahship. This will deepen your understanding of Jesus as both Lord and Messiah, and strengthen your faith.

Remember, each of these steps are a pathway to experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit, becoming a living witness, and truly being part of the 'Witnessing Church' in our everyday lives.