Peter's Sermon Part II

Baby Dedication

1. Welcome and Introduction

Pastor: "Good morning! We gather here in the joy of the Lord to dedicate Levi George Nash, Cason Reed Zimmerman, Baker Crew Zimmerman and Micah James Wilkins: entrusting them into God’s loving care and committing ourselves to raise them in the faith. We rejoice in the life of these children and in God's promise to bless and keep them."

2. Charge to the Parents

Parents: "Do you, present your children before God in dedication, promising to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

"Parents: "We do."

Responsive Reading

Leader: "Will you strive to provide your child with a godly example, daily prayer, and encouragement in the faith?"

Parents: "With God’s help, we will."

Pastor: "Will you seek to direct your child always toward a love of God and a love of others?"

Parents: "We will seek God’s guidance."

3. Charge to the Congregation

Pastor: "Will you, the family of faith, support these parents and their child with love, wisdom, and prayer?"

Responsive Reading

Congregation: "With God's help, we will."

Pastor: "Do you commit to being faithful in your calling as members of the body of Christ, to uphold and encourage them in their Christian walk?"

Congregation: "We commit to living out our faith and supporting them in love."

4. Prayer of Dedication

Pastor: "Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for [Baby's Name], a precious gift. We pray for your grace and wisdom upon them. Guard their steps, enrich their life in spirit, and keep them under the shadow of your mercy. Bless [Parent's Names], give them strength and joy in their parenting journey. In Jesus' name, Amen."

5. Closing Blessing

Leader: "May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Let us go forth in peace and joy, knowing that God is with us. Amen."

Children are now dismissed to childrens church

PETER’S SERMON PART II

Peter is standing with his brothers in Christ behind him, lifted up his voice in all authority, empowered by the Holy Spirit and said to the men of Judea:

Acts 2:22–33 ESV

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

In theology we make a distinction between two Greek words (Kerygma) and (Didache) When you hear writers speak of Kerygma they are talking about the Apostles preaching in the early church. That Karigma points out that Old Testament prophesy is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus.

Last week we saw an example of this when Peter used words form the prophet Joel for the day of Pentecost. Kerygma also is about the life of Christ, His birth from the seed of David to the miracles that He preformed through the power of God and His Crucifixion, death burial and resurrection.

The Didache refers to the teachings that would follow the preaching of the Gospel. After the people recieved salvation they recieved instruction. This is called the Didactic part of the Christian experience.

In Part II of Peter’s sermon we will focus on the Kerygma.

Last week we left off with Peter quoting Joel:

Joel 2:31–32 ESV

31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

Johnathan Edwards:

Advance to next slide: picture of bible

“The Gospel is never truly proclaimed unless it is done against the backdrop of the serious warning God almighty gives of His judgment on all who claim to their impenitent ways, they never acknowledge their sin and come to the cross”

in today’s new age church culture it is not popular to talk about repentance or forgiveness. One should never speak of the stench of brimstone, or give the idea that God will hand out His everlasting judgment on unrepentant people.

However every page of the New Testament gives that warning That is why Joel ends his prophesy with “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This is painted on the backdrop of the pending judgment, which is the day of the Lord.

Acts 2:22 ESV

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—

The miracles of Christ were done for primarily two reasons.

To show Jesus compassion. Jesus genuinely loved the people and when he saw those who with sickness or disease he wanted to help them out of the true compassion and the love he felt for them, but that is not the primary reason.

The claims that Jesus made to be the Son of God were verified, authenticated and demonstrated though the miracles that god performed in Him and though Him.

John 3:2 ESV

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

Nicodemus was the “teacher of Israel” and a devout Jew. He recognized that Jesus came from God because of the signs that He does, miracles and wonders.

The primary reason for a miracle is God giving His approval, His validation that this one, Jesus is speaking the truth.

So in this part of Peters sermon he speaks of the miracles of Jesus because he knows that those listening are fully aware of them.

Acts 2:23 ESV

23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

This is an example of what is called the doctrine of concurrence. This is concept in theology that describes both the divine and human agency in the coexistence of God’s Providence and human free-will.

In other words how God can be sovereign over all and man still have an active free-will.

This is important to understand how God rules over the word.

1. "This Jesus" v23

Peter specifically identifies Jesus, emphasizing His importance and centrality in what follows. The demonstrative "this" serves to point directly to Jesus as both subject and object of divine action and human response.

2. "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God"

“Delivered up:”

This term (Greek: "ἔκδοτον", ekdoton) implies being handed over or given up, often used in judicial contexts. This phrase suggests a passive form where Jesus is being handed over by someone, implying both Judas' betrayal (Luke 22:22) and God’s sovereign will.

“Definite plan and foreknowledge of God”:

This reflects the divine sovereignty. The "definite plan" (Greek: "βουλή", boule) implies a deliberate and sovereign decree, not merely foreknowledge (Greek: "πρόγνωσις", prognosis), but a proactive, ordained plan. This indicates that the events of Jesus' death were not accidental but occurred as part of God’s preordained purpose.

3. "you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men"

“You crucified and killed:”

Peter directly addresses his audience’s culpability in Jesus' death. The use of "you" is accusative, making it clear that Peter's listeners bear responsibility. This confronts the audience with their direct or indirect involvement in Jesus’ death.

“By the hands of lawless men: “

Roman executioners were known to be lawless men. or outside the Jewish law. They played a role in the death of Jesus but unknown to them they are part of God’s plan. The Jewish people that shouted “give is Barabbas” instead of setting Jesus free, they chose to demand His crucifixion. They had no idea that they were a participant in God’s sovereign plan of redemption.

Acts 2:24 ESV

24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

The court of man tried, convicted, sentenced and executed the greatest man to ever live but the heavenly judge responded to the greatest injustice in the history of the world by raising Jesus from the dead.

The skeptics say: how can you believe that this Jesus was raised from the dead? They say, if we know anything when people die they stay dead.

The fact that Jesus rose from the dead should not be the question: the question should be, how can a man live a sinless life. The bible tells us that sin brings death. That is why Peter says “it is not possible for Jesus to be held by death.

Paul said:

1 Corinthians 15:17 ESV

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

Peter then turns his attention to David in the Psalms.

Acts 2:25–28 ESV

25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

Many of David;s Psalms were prophetic every Jew in Israel knew that. Many of them predicted the coming of the Messiah.

Peter wanted the Jews to know who he is speaking about:

Acts 2:29 ESV

29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

This would be the same thing as us saying to Islamist today: Muhammad is dead and burred, or to the Buddhist , Buddha died and he stayed dead.

That is the point that Peter is making, Davis died and he is still dead…Jesus died and He is alive, He defeated death.

Acts 2:30–31 ESV

30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

This prediction was made 1000 years before, a time before anyone had ever heard of Jesus of Nazareth.

Acts 2:32–33 ESV

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

Peter is first affirming the resurrection of Jesus.

Analysis: Peter asserts the resurrection of Jesus as a fact, witnessed by the disciples ("we are all witnesses"). This is crucial for several reasons:

Historicity and Verification: The disciples claim to be direct witnesses, providing a first-hand account, which is meant to lend credibility to their testimony.

Foundation of Christian Faith: The resurrection is central to Christian theology as it demonstrates Jesus' victory over death and sin, affirming his divine nature and messianic role.

Here are six proofs of the resurrection of Jesus

1. Biblical Accounts

Gospels: All four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) detail the resurrection, including appearances of Jesus after his death. These accounts provide descriptions of empty tombs, encounters with Jesus, and transformations in the disciples.

Epistles: Paul’s letters, especially 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, offer an early creed about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, which Paul notes was witnessed by him as well as over five hundred others at one time.

2. Early Christian Testimony

Martyrdom: The willingness of the apostles and early Christians to endure persecution and death can be seen as a testament to their strong belief in the truth of the resurrection.

Rapid Growth of Christianity: The rapid spread of Christianity, despite social and political opposition, suggests that the early Christians were profoundly motivated by their convictions regarding the resurrection.

3. Historical and Textual Criticism

Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Scholars assess the historical reliability of the Gospels based on criteria such as multiple attestation (independent verification from more than one source), coherence (consistency with known historical facts), and cultural and contextual plausibility.

Pauline Epistles: The epistles of Paul are considered authentic and are dated to within 20 years of Jesus' death, providing a near-contemporaneous account of Christian beliefs.

4. Empty Tomb

Jewish and Roman Sources: The fact that opponents of Christianity at the time argued that the disciples stole Jesus’ body implicitly acknowledges that the tomb was empty.

Women as Witnesses: In the cultural context of the time, women were generally not regarded as reliable witnesses. The fact that women were reported to have discovered the empty tomb is argued to be a point in favor of the Gospel accounts’ authenticity, as it is unlikely that early Christians would fabricate a story with less credible witnesses.

5. Changed Lives of the Disciples

Transformation: After the death of Jesus, the disciples were described as fearful and disheartened, but after the resurrection, they became bold and public advocates for their faith.

Conversion of Skeptics: Notable conversions, such as that of Paul, who was initially a persecutor of Christians, and James, the brother of Jesus, who was skeptical during Jesus’ ministry, also underscore the impact of the resurrection as an historical event.

6. Philosophical and Theological Arguments

Existential and Moral Transformations: Beyond historical and textual evidence, some argue from the existential impact of the resurrection in the lives of believers, suggesting that the enduring and transformative power of the resurrection experience provides a form of moral and spiritual evidence.

Let the word of God leave you changed

As we conclude our reflection on the miracles, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us not merely be hearers of these truths, stunned by the magnitude of God’s grace, but let us be transformed by them.

Consider this: if the tomb is indeed empty, if Christ has truly risen as we proclaim, then what does that require of us? The resurrection is not just an event to be acknowledged—it is a call to be answered.

Today, as you step out from this sanctuary, remember that each step you take is a step in the resurrected life of Jesus.

You are called not just to live, but to live profoundly transformed, carrying the message of an empty tomb and a risen Lord into a world that craves authenticity and truth.

Let the reality of Christ's victory over death empower you to face your own trials, your own Golgothas, not with fear, but with the courage of one who knows the end of the story.

Let this truth stagger you: Christ is risen, and we are invited to rise with Him.

The call is clear, the vision is grand, and the promise is sure. As you leave today, carry with you the awe and wonder of what you have heard, and let it echo in every moment of your lives.

For in Christ, death has lost its sting, and the grave its victory. Be transformed, for the risen Lord goes before you, and His Spirit empowers you. This is not merely a message; it is the reality in which we now live. Amen.