Peter's Sermon Pt. 1

Acts 2:14-21

Introduction

As the crowds began to gather in Jerusalem after hearing of the Holy Spirit coming Peter is going to preach the first sermon after the filling of the Holy Spirit.

So much had happened in such a short period of time, and now a man who had denied Jesus and went back to fishing was going to preach a message where 3,000 people get saved.

When we look at the Historical setting of this time we know that the sermon being preached here was primarily for the Jewish men and women that were gathered here after seeing the sign of the Holy spirit and the gift of tongues, but I believe the message preached by Peter in 33 A.D. is relevant in 2023 as well.

One of the key verses of this sermon is verse 21 where it say “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”

I’m thankful for the whosoever’s in the Bible, that word means “any one” This means the Gospel is not limited to a select few but available to anyone who is will to accept the free gift of Salvation!

This morning I want us to look at the preacher, the patrons, and the Prophecy.

The Preacher Vs. 14a

I think it would be a disservice to pass over the fact as to who is preaching here.

We see here the man who had boldly denied Christ, was about to boldly proclaim Christ

Peter is an interesting guy in the story of Jesus, he had lots of ups and downs as he walked through this Christian life. How many of us would agree that we have ups and downs in our Christian lives as well? There are times when we are on fire and times when we feel far from God, but God is never the one that moves from us but rather we move from God.

He was one of the first called by Jesus.

Remember they had been fishing all night and didn't catch anything and Jesus shows up, tells them where to toss their nets and they catch a great load of fish. Peter forsakes his nets and follows Jesus.

Peter always seems to be answering questions that aren’t asked and sometimes gets himself in trouble.

I also think about the time Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water until he took his eyes of Jesus and began to sink, while we look at this as a lack of faith, he still had the faith to step out of the boat unlike the other disciples.

When Jesus is washing His disciples feet and Peter tells him you’ll never was my feet and Jesus tells him if he wouldn't allow Jesus to wash his feet that Peter would have no part with Him. Peter then tells him to not only wash his feet but also his hands and his head.

As Jesus is telling of the betrayal that he is about to experience Peter asks if he can follow him, and then tells Jesus he will lay down his life for him. Jesus answers and asks him the question “will you lay down your life for me” Then tells him that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows. In Luke Jesus told Peter that Satan desired to have you, but that Jesus prayed for Him

Aren’t you thankful that although Satan still desires to have us that Jesus prays for us as well! We aren’t fighting Satan alone Jesus is praying for us every day. The prayers of Jesus are way more powerful than the power the devil has.

Remember in the Garden of Gethsemane as Christ is betrayed by Judas and arrested, Peter comes and cuts Malchus’ ear off and Jesus put it back on and told him that he had to drink of this cup.

As Peter is following Jesus to his trial

he stops by a fire and someone recognizes him as a follower of Jesus, and he said he didn’t know who this man was

This happened 2 more times as he was making his way through the city and one of the accounts says that when peter was accused of following Jesus he began to cuss and told them he didnt know who Jesus did. In Luke 22:60-61 “And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.”

After this Peter went out and wept bitterly.

In John 21 Peter and a few of the others went back to fishing, they had forsaken their nets and followed Jesus at the beginning of their call and now they had returned to those nets that they had forsaken.

They again went fishing all night and didn’t catch a thing. As they are making their way back to the shore after getting skunked they see a man standing on the shore and he asks the question did you catch any fish. (how many of us have been fishing and didn’t catch anything and as your’e heading back to your car, it seems like every person asks if you caught anything and you hang your head in defeat as you tell them you didn’t catch anything. I bet this is how Peter felt as he made his way back to the shore) Jesus tells them again where to cast the net and John realizes this is Jesus and tells peter.

As they are sitting on the shore eating, Jesus asks peter 3 times if he love Jesus more than these and on the third time Peter says Lord you know everything and you know that I love you, Jesus answers with Feed my Sheep which is exactly what Peter would do in the book of Acts.

Remember we are never to far gone for Jesus to use. Jesus doesn’t throw us away, rather he restores us like new!

This is a good reminder for all of us, when we mess up we shouldn't run from God but rather we should run too God.

The Patrons vs. 14b-15

As Peter stands to preach he is joined by the 11 apostles. The stood together being unified by the message of the Gospel.

He addressed 2 groups of people

Ye men of Judea

all ye that dwell at Jerusalem

Judea was a country and Jerusalem was a city inside Judea. Judea means land of the Jews

There were men and women from all over the area that were there for Pentecost but they left with far more than a feast.

Peter answers the scorners question found in verse 13 here in verse 15.

He tells them these men aren’t drunk, its only 9 AM.

These men aren’t drunk they are full of the spirit which is promised in the Old Testament book of Joel.

The Prophecy Vs. 16-21

When Peter says “this is that” he is referring back to the sound that came from heaven, the cloven tongues of fire, and the preaching in many languages. He was telling them that all of these things weren’t some sort of Pagan manifestation but it would be like an important old testament prophecy found in Joel 2:28-32 that would be fulfilled at the day of atonement.

The phrase last days is speaking of the dividing line between the Old Testament and New Testament, a time where God worked through Israel to now where God’s primary agent to get the Gospel to the world.

There are some who believe the pouring out of the Holy Spirit here in acts 2 is a partial fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel and there are others who believe that this is not. I believe that the prophecy is for the Jews and is therefore to be fulfilled for them. I believe Peter was giving them a picture of what had just happened

When we look at the prophecy of Joel we see

Joel revealed spirit baptism would happen to Israel only

all elements of Jewish society would experience it

It would happen after the battle of Armageddon at the second coming of Christ

it would be accompanied by celestial phenomena

The fulfillment of the day of atonement would happen

The fulfillment of Joels prophecy will be the day of atonement not the feast of pentecost.

Im thankful that whether this prophecy was partially fulfilled or not vs 21 is able to be fulfilled any day.

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

Matt. 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, But there's something about that name.

Conclusion

Jesus has left the invitation open to any person to call upon his name for salvation. Jesus is the only way to heaven, and you can trust him with your eternity. Come this morning and we can show you from the Bible how you can be saved.

Christian, maybe you find yourself like peter did in a time of defeat, taking on the shame of your sin, let me remind you this morning, just as the prodigal son found the father waiting for him with open arms, Jesus is waiting for you. will you come home?