Acts 2: Roles of the Local Church

MPT: Luke wanted the church to know that the Holy Spirit is working through the lives of believers in the local church by being witnesses, being Gospel centered, and being a faith family.

MPS: Embrace what the Holy Spirit is doing in your life and serve the church for the sake of the Gospel.

Three roles of the local church.

INTRODUCTION

Let’s continue worshipping our Lord together, if you have your Bibles, I ask that you turn to Acts chapter 2, we will look at the full chapter of Acts 2. If you are unfamiliar with the Bible that is okay, Acts is the 5th book in the New Testament, you have the 4 Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John then Acts. If you didn’t bring a Bible, in the pew in front of you there is a copy to use, and if you don’t own a Bible please keep that copy, take it home, read it and learn about the God who loves you, again Acts chapter 2. We are continuing our break of 1 Corinthians but will pick back in with chapter 14 next week.

My wife Ariana and I love football. We love both college and the NFL. My favorite NFL team is the Carolina Panthers, any other panther fans? Ariana, loves the Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Washington Redskins. Back in 2009 when Ariana and I were dating, we got the privilage to go to a Washington Redskins game against the New Orleans Saints at FedEx Field where Washington’s stadium is. It was Ariana’s first ever NFL game so it was a cool to experience that with her, and we even had special tailgate tickets that granted us access to a really cool pre-game event, it was a really fun time. One particular play stands out to me from that game. I’m going to set it up for you.

The Saints are on Washington’s 44 yard line, it’s 3rd and 26 with 43 seconds left in the first half and Washington is winning 17-10. With it being 3rd and 26 it’s an obvious passing situation. Drew Brees takes the shotgun snap and almost immediately gets rushed by defensive end Andre Carter, Brees evades the tackle and is scrambling when three other Redskin defensive linemen close in on him. Brees desperately throws the ball in the direction of Tight End Jeremy Shockey but Washington’s Safety Kareem Moore intercepts the pass. He isn’t tackled so he proceeds to run to gain more yards after the interception. Saint’s WR Robert Meachum comes in contact with Moore. Rather than tackling him, Meachum strips the ball from Moore and then runs it in for a New Orleans touchdown. The Saints would go on to win that game 33-30, and in fact, they would win the Super Bowl that season against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

In football, each player has a specific role that they contribute to the team. For Kareem Moore, his role as a defensive safety is to project the endzone and prevent the other team from scoring. Anything outside of that is a bonus, including an interception. But because his role doesn’t require him to run with the ball often, he was not prepared to project the ball properly from being stripped, and it turned his interception, into a touchdown for the other team. He was operating outside of his role.

The local church also has roles, and at times when the church feels it’s going above and beyond and thinks it’s doing something great, it can actually be harmful to the church. In Acts chapter 2, we are going to see how the Holy Spirit is preparing the local church to embrace the roles designed for it. Luke, the author of Acts, wanted the church to know that the Holy Spirit is working through the lives of believers in the local church by being witnesses, being Gospel centered, and being a faith family. So this morning we are going to see these roles of the local church.

I ask if you are able, to stand to your feet as we read out of God’s Word together. I’m going read verses 22-31.

CONTEXT

Acts was written by Luke the Gospel writer, and begins where the Gospel of Luke left off, and provides a glimpse into the first three decades of the early church (ca AD 30–63). Before ascending into heaven, Jesus commissions His disciples to be His witnesses from Jerusalem to the end of the Earth. In fulfillment of this command, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, the early church expands. Acts shows what it means to be part of Jesus’ mission to the world. The apostles set the example of what it means to be fully devoted to Christ and enveloped by the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 1 starts with Jesus telling his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for God’s promise, which is baptism with the Holy Spirit. After Jesus tells them this, the disciples watch him ascend into Heaven. Then two men in white clothes (could be angels) ask them what they are doing. Basically, they are telling the disciples it’s time to get to work. Another disciple, Matthias, is chosen to replace Judas, and they along with others waited in Jerusalem, about 120 in total.

This brings us to chapter 2.

(1-21): The first role of the local church is to BE A WITNESS.

(1): Pentecost occurs 50 days after Passover, and is typically a celebration of the harvest. The apostles and their friends were all in one place. This event shows an important connection between the cross and the Spirit. Jesus dies at the time of passover, and His spirit arrives at Pentecost. We should not separate the Spirit from the atoning work of the Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ.

(2): The Greek word “pnoe” means wind and breath. So the breath of God filled the whole house. Just as the Spirit consecrated the temple in the Old Testament, so here the Spirit is consecrating a new temple, God’s new-covenant people.

(3): Tongues like flames that rested on each one. In the OT, God’s presence is represented through fire, so God’s presence rested on them.

(4): This is where they received the Holy Spirit and He immediately began working in them. I want you to know that these empowered individuals spoke in known dialects, we will touch more on that in a minute. It’s important to note the difference between baptized with the spirit, and filled with the spirit. Baptisim with the spirit happens immediately upon salvation, this happens only once, all sales final, no refunds or exchanges. The filling of the spirit is different. While all believers have the Holy Spirit in them at all times, we are filled at different times for the work of the ministry. In this instance, the apostles were both baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit to speak in different languages.

(5-10): Okay, Jerusalem was populated with many different nationalities, devoted Jews and otherwise. A crowd gathered because of the loud wind, and they could hear the apostles speaking in their own language. The disciples were from Galilee, which was not known for its sophisticated education, so this makes since as to why these people were amazed at the apostles for speaking their language.

Most translations use the word tongues. I want to reinforce what Pastor Buck and I believe on this. We both believe the word tongues means discernable languages. Think of it this way, this is the only chapter in the New Testament that is specific when it gives a definition of tongues and in this case, it means foreign languages. All other new testament texts just say tongues, and are not specific. So I want to air on the side of letting Scripture interpret Scripture. What I mean by that, is we know the definition of tongues from this chapter, so I believe this is the definition we should use when tongues is mentioned moving forward.

(11-13): We see a large list of the diverse people gathered around the disciples. There is also diversity in the reactions of these people. Some were confused, and some said they were drunk. Now stick with me here. I don’t think these people were confused and judgmental about the disciples speaking in their language, I think, those reactions are because of this line in verse 11, we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God. Remember, these are devoted Jews from all over, they are not followers of Jesus, so the confusion and accusation of being drunk is becuase Peter and the gang are preaching the Gospel.

(14-16): Peter By the power of the Spirit, the man who had denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54–62) now preaches boldly before the crowd

(17-18): The last days that Peter is quoting from in Joel is the time period after Christ ascends into Heaven. So, Peter means they are now living in the last days, which means we are living in the last days, the next step from here is Christ’s triumphant return. We see that the Holy Spirit is for all believers, young boys and girls, senior saints and servants. There is no gender, age or socio-economic discrimination from the Holy Spirit. And looks what is repeated twice, prophesy. We heard Pastor Buck recently preach in 1 Corinthians 12 about prophesy. I think the gift of prophesy is executed in two ways, direct revelation from God and retelling previous revelation of God.

(19-21): These three verses are pointing to the judgment and return of Christ. Which is why all of this leads up to us being witnesses. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the coming judgement of all mankind, there is a sense of urgency to get the Gospel out there. So one way to respond to being a witness is to

DO YOUR PART

People have their own way of sharing the Gospel, and that’s great, but you have to be speaking the Gospel. One thing I hear often, and we heard Pastor Buck preach on this last week, is I share the Gospel by the way I live. Now, yes, that is correct, we should be living our lives in a way that show we are not like the world, but that doesn’t mean much if you aren’t telling people why you aren’t like the world. The reality is, you can live the best Christian life out there, but there are people dying and going to hell wondering why you are different, instead of knowing why. So do your part but also

DON’T BE AFRAID

I know y’all like to talk, and I do too. Remember back when I preached in Proverbs about money, and I talked to the guitarist for Danny Gokey for several minutes? I can talk your ear off about guitars, board games, and college football all day long. The thing is, there a lots of topics we love to talk about, becuase they come naturally to us. One common objection to not having Gospel conversations is that it doesn’t come naturally to me. Well, that’s true, Gospel conversations don’t come naturally because we are broken people, that is why believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit, to lead us into having Gospel conversations. We just fall back on our flesh too often.

Another objection is that people are afraid. What are we afraid of? Of being made fun of, or disliked? Guess what, that’s going to happen. Look back at verse 13, the disciples were accused of being drunk! You will be mocked, laughed at, and shunned becuase of your faith, but if one person you talk to puts their faith in Christ, is that not worth it? Church, if we really believe what we believe is really real, then why do we let our flesh get in the way?

Dr. Jim Shaddix is a professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where Pastor Buck and I attend, he also preaches all over the country. He told a story about how we was on a plane from North Carolina to Mississippi to preach on this very text. He said on the plane he had his ear buds in preparing for the sermon, and the lady beside him nudged him to show him how beautiful the clouds looked at that moment. Dr. Shaddix said he acknowledged her then went right back to preparing his sermon. Later, he said he couldn’t believe how he burshed off such an easy opportunity to share the Gospel, just so he could continue preparing a sermon about sharing the Gospel.

Y’all I get it, missed opportunities happen, but we are called to share the Gospel, and we need to be intentional about it, so do your part, and don’t be afraid.

(22-36): The second role of the local church is to BE GOSPEL CENTERED.

(22-24): Jesus’ miracles, Peter said, were God’s way of verifying Jesus’ claims to the Jews (1 Cor. 1:22; 14:22). Even though the Jews and Romans rejected Jesus and His message, Peter explains that God had a plan for Jesus' death all along, and nothing could stop it from happening. (Isa 53:12; Luke 22:22; 1 Pet 1:20–21). Jesus then rose from the dead, where death now has no sting for those who put their faith in Christ. Peter then quotes Psalm 16:8-11.

(25-28): Peter understands David’s trust in Yahweh to be rooted in his belief that God will ultimately overcome death through the Messiah.

(29-31): Peter is saying that because David is still dead, that he was not talking exclusively about himself. Remember who Peter is preaching to, devout Jews. Peter is reminding his audicence of the Davidic covenant in which God promised that one of David’s descendants would reign forever (2 Sam 7:14–15). God kept this promise in Jesus, David’s descendant, whose reign will not end.

(32-33): In this short phrase, Peter is expressing the Gospel and also the Trinity. I want to bring this graphic up again, you’ve seen it before. We see that our God is one God in three persons. The Father is God, the Son is God and the Holy Spirit is God, all three are God, but the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. Peter is expressing that God in each of these persons is working your life. The Father ordained your salvation, the Son bought your salvation and the Holy Spirit applies the work of that salvation in your life. From the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit.

(34-36): Even David, who may not have fully grasped the idea of the Trinity knew that someone far greater than himself would fullfil God’s promises of an everlasting kingdom, someone who at the same time distinct from Yahweh, but also David’s Lord.

So as we have a role to be a Gospel Centered chruch, we need to remember that

ALL SCRIPTURE POINTS TO CHRIST

When you are reading on your own, leading a Bible study, or just having a discussion about Scripture, remember that it all points to Jesus. Luke 24:27 says “Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he (meaning Jesus) interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.”

From Genesis to Revelation, the entire infallible and inerrant Word of God points to Jesus.

As we remember that all Scriputre points to Christ, we also need to remember that at this church

ALL EVENTS POINT TO THE GOSPEL

If you’ve been to any event we’ve hosted here on campus, then you will have heard the Gospel message clearly presented. From the backpack drive, movie night and game night, the Gospel was delivered in a clear and concise way so that everyone on our campus knew they have a Savior.

But not just community events, the Sunday morning event will point to the Gospel as well. When Pastor Buck, Pastor Josh Martin, or myself is up here, you will hear the Gospel, and our job is protect this pulpit, so anyone who preaches in this church is going to preach the Gospel, no matter what book of the Bible we are in.

Nothing we do on this campus is to bring glory to ourselves, it is to show this community that Jesus came to earth, lived the full human experience, from conception to death, and lived it perfectly, the way God has designed it to be lived. Becuase of sin, we all deserve eternal separation from God, but Jesus, being completely blamless, paid that debt we owe, by taking on all of our sin, and died the death that we deserve on the cross. Then three days later, he defeated death by raising again where he is now sitting at the right hand of God, and those who put their faith in Him, will get to spend eternity in the presence of God.

The Gospel is why we are here, and that is why we are a church who will be Gospel Centered.

(37-47): The third role of the local church is to BE A FAITH FAMILY.

(37-40): We see Peter urging this large gathering to respond to the Gospel, repent and turn their lives to Christ. To be adopted by God and become brothers and sisters in the faith.

(41-42): We see three thousand people put their faith in Christ. They all got baptized, devoted themselves to Gospel centered teaching, participated in the Lord’s supper together, and prayed together. They became a faith family.

(43): The CSB and ESV have the word awe, but some of you reading the KJV see the word fear. I get why the CSB and ESV chose the word awe, because a proper fear of the Lord is to reverence, to stand in awe of. That we have an understanding that God is mighty and sovregin, and we are to submit to live our lives accordiing to His will. We need to recognize the awesome power of our God, that’s what fear is.

(44-47): Do you see the sense of community? They cared for one another by selling their posessions to help fellow believers. They met daily in the temple to pray with each other, they shared in the Lord’s supper together. They enjoyed fellowshipping with each other, and more and more people were saved and joined them.

Church, this was a faith family, and a faith family

SERVES TOGETHER

These new believers started serving one another to help any who were in need. I know that our church has a heart for helping each other and to serve this community. I’ve seen this church care for one another and show up to help. I see more and more people showing up to serve with every event we have, and on Sunday mornings. Y’all are answering the call to serve, but there is still a lot to do. We need to continue seeing members of our faith family stepping up to serve. That looks different for everyone. Some have great organizational skills, some are great with children, some are talented musicians, or singers, some are like me, strong and and manly who can help move things around, some are just good at talking with people. Whatever your spiritual gifting is, you should be using it in service for the sake of the Gospel. And if you don’t have the physically capacity to serve, I get that too, that’s why a faith family also

PRAYS TOGETHER

Not everyone can be here for events, or not everyone has the ability to serve on Sunday mornings, but you can pray. With the new year approaching, we are starting life connection groups fifteen minutues later at 9:30, and honestly, that is more of a soft start, the first ten minutes or so of life connection group is conversation and catching up, so if you roll in fifteen minutes late you are okay. I encourage everyone to try and make it to life connection groups. But, you don’t need a Sunday morning to meet and pray. There are lot’s of ways you can get involved with prayer. Every Wednesday evening, we gather in this room for about an hour, and we pray. We give thanks and adoration to God, we petition the prayer requests of our people, we pray for a revival to take place in this community. That hour we are together is so encouraging, I want to see our Wednesday night prayer group grow. I understand that some of you are committed to serving other places on Wednesday nights, some work or have young childeren with early bedtimes, but I know there are some in here who can make it, and if you can, we would love to have more join us on Wednesday evenings. We are also participating in Pray Charlelston. On the 23rd of each month, our church will is committed to praying for our city. We need to cover that whole day. I have QR code here on the screen where you can sign up, if you aren’t tech savvy that’s okay, come talk to me or Pastor Buck after service and we can get you in contact with someone to help you sign up. But let’s be a church that prioritizes prayer. A faith family also

FELLOWSHIPS TOGETHER

We read that every day these believers met, worshipped, prayed and fellowshipped together. They would turn their worship into fellowship and their fellowship into worship. They loved each other and loved being around one another. I know pastor Buck and I are still pretty new, but we have loved getting to know y’all better, and building relationships with you. Look, we aren’t the best at it, but we genuinelly want to know each of you on a deeper level. We try to talk to every single person that walks through this door, but some of you come in right as service starts and leave right when it ends without giving us a chance to talk. We are a community of believers, we should enjoy the company of one another, especially on Sunday after we have finished worship. Iglesia Evangelica’s worship service starts at 2, they should be kicking us out when they come in because we are enjoying each other’s company so much. That’s why Pastor Buck and I love doing the pot lucks once a quarter. We haven’t been great at communicating that but we want to be more intentional about it in the future.

Y’all, those in this room who have put their faith in Christ, we are all one family, let’s serve and love each other like one. Let’s pray

INVITATION

The praise and worship team are going to make their way back up, for a time of invitation. If you are a believer in this room, I hope this passage from Acts reminds you on how you can play a role in the local church, and encourages you into being a witness, being Gospel centered, and being involved in the faith family.

If you aren’t a believer in this room, I want you to know that there is a Father who loves and created you, a Savior that died for you, and a Holy Spirit that wants to live in you to guide you into living the live you were designed to live. We are going to sing a song together, and however you need to respond this morning, I’ll be up front.