Principles to Share Jesus Effectively: Peter's 1st Sermon

Introduction

Turn to Acts 2:14-36. D

I remember as a young teenager hearing Ray Comfort preach on witnessing. It changed my life and approach to sharing my faith.

I learned an approach that used the Law to bring people to their need of a Savior. This is essential in a non-religious society. In today’s message though Peter is preaching to a very religious group of Jews of both men and women. And he reaches to their need of Jesus very pointedly. I want us to examine what he did to reach three thousand for Christ that Pentecost morning.

This message could be called preaching effectively, but since preaching is communicating God’s mind to others, I decided to call it How to share your faith effectively.

Preaching is essentially declaring the Gospel to others.

Rash preaching disgusts; timid preaching leaves poor souls fast asleep; bold preaching is the only preaching that is owned by God.

Rowland Hill (English Evangelical Leader)

Let’s look at how Peter started sharing his faith through preaching.

Acts 2:14–36 KJV 1900

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

D. Jesus is Lord and Christ.

P. If we will effectively reach others we must declare who God said Jesus is.

T. To properly exalt Christ to His rightful position, we must do three things.

Reject erroneous assumptions. (Acts 2:14-15)

Reason from Scripture’s authority and what they see and know. (Acts 2:16-35)

Reveal God’s mind about Jesus to them. (Acts 2:36)

1. Denounce false assumptions explicitly.

Acts 2:14–15 “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.”

Explain

Peter acts as the representative for the 12 apostles. Peter and the eleven got in a group. And Peter acted as the spokesmen for them all. He addresses the people with a booming voice which grabs their attention from all the excitement and wonder going around them. One of the leaders of the group is going to address what is going on and provide some answers.

His audience: All who have come to the feast and those who live in Jerusalem. The audience was a religious audience. They were a devout audience. They were an audience that was concerned with pleasing God and following his rules.

The false assumption was that the Christians who were miraculously speaking in human languages they never learned were really just drunk.

Peter quickly renounces such an idea as false.

Till this day people commonly get drunk at night.

The time of day was the third hour which is 9 am by our time standard.

It was common practice in the Jews day to not eat or drink till after 9 am or the third hour.

The wines of those days were weak and it was not until the 9th century that distilled spirits was invented.

Additionally it was socially unacceptable to be drunk in both Jewish and Roman society and wine was commonly diluted by 3 parts water to 1 part wine which allowed flavor, but also sanitized the water.

Argue

Sometimes the temptation is to not address the problem.

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Win Some

The temptation is always to be agreeable with people, gentle and general. Daily someone says, “I never discuss politics or religion with anyone.” This is not only untrue, but a sad commentary on people with convictions. Every Christian, as Paul said to Timothy, is entrusted with the gospel and is expected to win laborers for His kingdom. (See

Peter tackles the problem head on. In fact, if you were to read the first word of his sermon it begins with a word that translates “NOT” in our English language. Word order depicted importance in the Greek. Peter was first and foremost seeking to separate the Holy Spirit’s work from any accusations of impropriety.

Some in the Word of Faith movement, a charismatic offshoot, throw around the term being drunk in the Spirit. This is an unbiblical idea.

The context clearly rejects the idea. Acts 2:15 “For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.”

The Scriptures clearly forbid drunkeness.

Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

God wants us to be in control of our bodies. The “drunk in the spirit” calls for lack of control and got questions.org rightly accuses the movement to be more alligned with the drunken orgies to the Roman false god Bachus.

Being filled with the Spirit always is one that is submitted to God.

Galatians 5:16–17 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

1 John 3:24 “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”

Therefore, obedience to the Bible’s commands is evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

God strictly forbade priests from drinking of the fruit of the vine before ministering before the Lord. (Leviticus 10:8–9 “And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:” )

Every Christian is a priest to God and therefore should abstain from intoxicating beverages. Revelation 1:6 “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” We also should refrain from fermented beverages when ministering to the Lord.

Illustrate

If you are going to save a person from drowning they need to know the dangers of drowning and the necessity of grabbing onto the life preserver.

Jesus is the one and only life preserver. There are not many ways to heaven. So the first step to winning a person to Christ is to remove the misconceptions they may have so they can see the truth plainly.

Apply

We cannot not ignore the errors and let it coexist.

We must be honest about the truth and what it entails.

Even those who are religious are not opposed to making snide remarks, but we must boldly point out the facts and remove the doubts of those who have heard their mockeries.

2. Reason from Scripture’s authority and from what they see and know.

Acts 2:16–35 “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.…”

Explain

Reasoning from Scriptures authority: Three OT texts referenced: Joel 2:28-32 in Acts 2:17-21; Psalm 16:8-11 in Acts 2:25-28; Psalm 110:1 in Acts 2:34-35; and an allusion to Psalm 132:11 in Acts 2:30-31

Scripture #1: Joel 2:28–31 “And it shall come to pass afterward, That I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids In those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, Blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, Before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.”

A promise foretold by Joel hundreds of years before is being fulfilled. Joel may have prophesied as early as the ninth century BC.

The promise of the Holy Spirit has come. He is being poured out like a torrential downpour upon all flesh.

Prior to this the Holy Spirit only indwelt people for special missions or a select few people.

King Saul -

1 Samuel 11:6 “And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.”

1 Samuel 16:14 “But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.”

King David -

1 Samuel 16:13 “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

Psalm 51:11 “Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me.”

We see it on the 70 elders of Israel in the wilderness (Numbers 11:25), upon wicked Balaam who was hired to curse Israel (Numbers 24:2); upon messengers of Saul (1 Samuel 19:20); Azariah son of Oded (2 Chronicles 15:1); Zechariah the priest (2 Chronicles 24:20); and even the prophecy of Christ’s ministry (Isaiah 61:1).

It was a primarily external ministry as God acted upon select of his people.

Visibly displayed His presence in the tabernacle and temple.

This is a new era, a new dispensation of time. Now God freely indwells all His people and freely gives his Spirit.

to all who believe upon Him. (Eph. 1:13; 2 Cor. 1:22)

It is a permanent indwelling. (John 14:16)

He bears witness within us. (Romans 8:15-16)

A careful reading of the context of Joel will reveal this is partially fulfilled now, as both Jews and Gentiles have received the promise of the Holy Spirit. As we read through the book of Acts this was very surprising to the Jewish apostles.

The prophecy of Joel will be completely fulfilled at the second coming of Christ. Peter quotes Joel regarding signs in the heaven and earth and warns that it is soon approaching, but not yet here.

Peter expects Jesus to come again and warns Israel the Day of the Lord is nigh.

This promise was BEFORE the Day of the Lord. This day of the Lord is reference to a time of judgement and blessing. To the wicked, a period of judgment by God in the last days. We also call it the great tribulation, Daniel’s 70th week, the time of Jacob’s trouble, etc.

Why did Peter quote this text?

It was an authoritative rejection of the mockers claim of drunkeness.

God outpoured his Holy Spirit in baptism upon the 120 natives of Galilee spoke in the 16 languages they never learned before! The crowd is dumbfounded how this could be. Peter points to it as a fulfillment of Joel when God promised to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh.

God is giving space of repentance before his judgment on the world in the day of the Lord.

He encourages his fellow Jews to turn to Christ in faith.

Reasoning from what they have seen and known: Acts 2:22-24; 29-34.

Acts 2:22–24 “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”

The Works of Jesus are reasoned: They had witnessed the ministry of Jesus Christ among them. It was something they all knew or at least had heard about.

The approval of Christ by God was shown in miracles, wonders, and signs.

Jesus urged his disciples on that basis if they had problems believing he was God out right. John 14:11

John 10:37–38 “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”

God had worked throughout history to affirm his messenger and message through signs and tokens.

Since God’s Word has been completed there is not a need for this kind of affirmation any longer. (1 Corinthians 13:10)

It was the way the Jews knew God was talking to them and what they required. Jesus had Jews request further signs to show he was Christ (John 2:18; 6:30) and the Apostle Paul noted this requirement in 1 Cor. 1:22a.

The apostles were given miracles working powers to assure that what they wrote was the Word of God. Hebrews 2:3–4 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

The recent death of Jesus is reasoned:

It was God’s determinate counsel and foreknowledge: It was God’s plan. It wasn’t a surprise. He had been planning that Christ die as the Savior of the world before the world began. (Eph. 1:4)

It was accomplished through them by their wicked hands in crucifying and killing him.

Matt 27:24-25 recounts how Pilate ceremoniously washed his hands to show he was free from the blood of Jesus and the angry mob of Jews cried “his blood be on us and our children.”

They lawlessly accused their Savior to death when their was no sin in Him. (1 John 3:5)

The resurrection of Jesus asserted. (Acts 2:24)

God raised Jesus from the dead.

Death’s power was thrown down like a strong wrestler might throw off a weak contestant. Death’s pains Death could not hold Jesus.

The people were likely thinking yeah right, but then Peter wields the sword of the Word of God and cuts again to the heart as he quotes from King David their most respected King and sweet Psalmist.

Reasoning from Scriptures authority #2: Psalm 16:8–11 “I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Peter applies this to Christ: A prophecy of Jesus.

Jesus trusted God: Trust in the Lord for help.

Gladness of heart

Glory rejoices.

Soul hopes.

These speak of Jesus death and resurrection. Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The promise of the resurrection foretold.

The promise of eternal life is from God through Christ.

Reasoning from what they have seen and known #2: Acts 2:29 “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.”

The Jews could go to the Sepulchre of King David and see it. They were within walking distance of it. It had an inscription on it too.

King Herod the great is recorded by Josephus the Great Jewish historian, to have erected a large marble monument to mark David’s grave. The people could go to it and see it.

The site is unsure today, but the point is Peter used what they had seen and known to make his point.

Jesus’ grave was empty. They could also go to Jesus’ grave and see that Jesus was not there. Jesus defeated death.

Reasoning #3 from the Scriptures (Acts 2:30-31 with Psalm 132:11; 16:10) “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;”

David knew he wouldn’t be the one who would be King on his own throne forever. It would be his Holy Son, the incarnate son of God born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14)

Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Reasoning #3 from what they have seen and know. (Acts 2:32-34a)

Acts 2:32–34 “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,”

The witness we give you in tongues in your own language and now in my native tongue are proof that God raised up Jesus.

Jesus is now at the right hand of the Father.

As foretold by Jesus (Matt. 26:64)

As seen by Stephen (Acts 7:55-56)

The apostles told (Acts 5:29-31; Col. 3:1; Heb 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22)

Makes intercession there for believers. (Rom. 8:34)

One alluded to Psalm 132:11 “The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.”

Psalm 110:1 “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

Christ is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant.

Christ’s death and resurrection has defeated all the spiritual powers, but he has yet to exercise his dominion in a visible kingdom in the world.

Argue

Those that know, do. Those that understand, teach.

Aristotle

Peter was taught of Jesus and he wanted his audience to understand what he knew. He wanted them to trust Christ as their Savior.

Strive to know more than that you are saved, strive bring understanding to others of how they can be saved so the Spirit of God has something to work with.

Illustrate

The difference between the preaching that does nothing and the preaching that does something is the difference between preaching before people and preaching to people.

George Campbell Morgan (British Preacher)

We cannot expect to be effective witnesses if we do not reason from both the authority of Scripture and work from what they know.

Apply

Answer objections of the religious with God’s Word. Answer unbelievers objections using God’s word and using sources they also respect. In short, KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE.

It is something to use God’s Word to convince, but relating God’s Word to what they know and proving it true is even more powerful. Peter preached for his audience and we ought to witness in a way that makes it clear why the Bible is correct.

We must also realize although the Bible makes sense to us and is very clear, there are many who refuse to listen and accept the truth. (Prov. 4:6; 1 Cor. 13:6; 2 Thess. 2:10-12)

2 Thessalonians 2:12 “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Many freely choose to reject Christ because they will not believe the truth. God doesn’t force any to trust or reject Christ.

After reasoning with them from what the authority of Scripture and what they have seen and known. Go for the knock out punch.

Always bathe your witness in prayer. Remember before Peter preached, he had been in earnest prayer. Pray in earnest before you minister for God.

3. Reveal God’s mind about Jesus to them.

Declare God’s mind courageously and exactly.

Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Explain

Peter addresses The House of Israel directly -

Peter wants Israel to know beyond a doubt who Jesus is.

Jesus is God’s chosen Messiah: Matthew 16:16 “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus as the God-man is exalted as Lord. Philippians 2:10–11 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Peter didn’t have the conception yet of Jesus as the Savior of the world.

Acts 10:45–46 “And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God...”

1 John 4:14 “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

Peter casts judgment on them: You are guilty of murder.

Ouch! That cuts to the heart.

We all likewise are guilty. Jesus would not have had to die if the human race never fell into sin.

God hath made that same Jesus whom ye crucified both Lord and Christ.

Argue

Why wasn’t Peter nice about it? He needed to get a self-righteous people to see them as God saw them: lost sinners.

Illustrate: Lostology

Apply

Do not minimize sin. Maximize so that the grace of God appears that much greater. Romans 5:20 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”

Use the ten commandments to reveal sin and condemnation to the Lake of Fire. Revelation 21:8 “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Use the Gospel of Jesus to give hope. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Show that Jesus is the way. Peter asserted Jesus is not just a Savior he is the Lord God.

We are saved confessing he is the Savior. Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

We live right by acknowledging Jesus rightful rule as Lord of our lives.

Declare his rightful authority and saving power.

Good preaching always moves people to worship Christ and submit to His authority in their lives.

Exalt God’s Word and therefore exalt Jesus Christ.

Do not be shy about declaring who Jesus is. Peter could have been in some very hot water.

Conclusion

If we will effectively share Jesus. We must first remove erroneous assumptions those we are seeking to share Christ have. Then reason with them without compromising Scriptural authority from what they have seen and known. But most importantly we must exalt Jesus. He is Lord and Christ.

My friend do you know Jesus as your Savior.

My friend do you live like Jesus is your Lord, or do you live like your the boss.