Step Forward - Psalm 110

Intro

First Sermon

I once read the biography of Billy Graham. There was a moment in his life when he was a young preacher. He went into churches to preach evangelistic messages. But at that time, no one was coming to know Jesus. He would give an invitation, but no one would take a step forward. Frustrated, Billy turned to a mentor for help. The mentor offered to spend three days with Billy where they would do one thing: pray. Each day they’d pray together, and then in the evening, Billy would preach at these churches.

Setup

Peter preaches the first message in the book of Acts and perhaps his most important message in his life.

Reminder of what is happening in Acts 2

Acts 2:2–6 NLT

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

In Acts 2, the reason for tongues was evangelism.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Power from Heaven! (Acts 2)

However, now there would be two changes: the Spirit would dwell in people and not just come on them, and His presence would be permanent, not temporary

John 14:16–17 NLT

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

We do not need to wait for the Holy Spirit to come: he came on the day of Pentecost. He has never left the church.

John Stott

Now, it was time to step forward.

Acts 2:14–18 NLT

Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.

Peter steps forward and responds.

How can I step forward for Jesus?

Layout

He is Alive.

He is Better.

He is Salvation.

He is Power.

Main Text

Jesus is Alive

Acts 2:25–28 NLT

King David said this about him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’

Psalm 16:8–11 NLT

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Acts 2:29–30 NLT

“Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne.

We serve a living God who is still alive and working today. That’s whose hands we are in.

Matthew 16:15–18 NLT

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

If Jesus is alive, then my future is already written.

If Jesus is alive, then my problems are already solved.

If Jesus is alive, then I can preach the Gospel without fear.

I can look at my friend and say because Jesus is alive, he has saved, he has redeemed me, and that same salvation is here for you.

If the Holy Spirit is in the world, then God must have sent Him.

But if Jesus is dead, He cannot send the Spirit; therefore, He must be alive.

Jesus is Transcendent.

We must show people that Jesus is not only true, but better.

Acts 2:33–35 NLT

Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” ’

Psalm 110:1 NLT

The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”

New Testament writers quote this verse more than any other Old Testament passage.

The Psalm was used in Jerusalem for king’s coronations, now it is being used to celebrate the King of Kings.

Luke 20:42–44 NLT

For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”

Knowing Jesus is at right hand helps us process our own faith, and also reminds that there is hope for the world.

Our culture is a culture that is ripe for the harvest.

People need Jesus.

We must have a yearning in our hearts to see our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family have relationship with Jesus.

Jesus is Salvation.

Closing

On the first day, they prayed that God would give Billy an anointing. That evening, nothing different happened when he preached. On the second day, they prayed the same thing. That evening, once again nothing happened. On the third day, Billy felt something shift in their time of prayer. It was a palpable shift where the tangible presence of the Lord came over him. That night when he preached, everything changed. Not even halfway through his sermon, people in the Church were already repenting of their sins and giving their lives to Jesus. The difference? The presence of and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

After that night, his mentor told him that the world will know the name Billy Graham.

The power of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit is what changes the world.

He loves you, He lives in you, and He’s going to lead you as you lead others, so step forward.