The First Sermon - The Birth of the Church

Happy Father’s Day

There is a story about a man who stopped in the grocery store on the way home from work to pick up a couple of items for his wife. He wandered around aimlessly for a while searching out the needed groceries. As is often the case in the grocery store, he kept passing this same shopper in almost every aisle. It was another father trying to shop with a totally uncooperative three-year-old boy in the cart.

The first time they passed, the three-year-old was asking over and over for a candy bar. Our observer couldn’t hear the entire conversation. He just heard Dad say, “Now, Billy, this won’t take long.” As they passed in the next aisle, the three-year old’s pleas had increased several octaves. Now Dad was quietly saying, “Billy, just calm down. We will be done in a minute.” When they passed near the dairy case, the kid was screaming uncontrollably.

Dad was still keeping his cool. In a very low voice he was saying, “Billy, settle down. We are almost out of here.” The Dad and his son reached the checkout counter just ahead of our observer. He still gave no evidence of losing control. The boy was screaming and kicking. Dad was very calming saying over and over, “Billy, we will be in the car in just a minute and then everything will be OK.”

The bystander was impressed beyond words. After paying for his groceries, he hurried to catch up with this amazing example of patience and self-control just in time to hear him say again, “Billy, we’re done. It’s going to be OK.” He tapped the patient father on the shoulder and said, “Sir, I couldn’t help but watch how you handled little Billy. You were amazing.” Dad replied, “You don’t get it, do you?” I’m Billy!”

Scripture: Acts 2:14-41, Joel 2:28-32

Beginning Challenge - Prayer at the end....

Introduction

We’ve been on an incredible journey through the book of Acts, watching how the risen Jesus shaped His followers into a powerful force for the Kingdom of God. We’ve seen His resurrection declare victory over sin and death, His ascension commission His disciples to carry on His mission, and the Holy Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost empower them to move with boldness and purpose.

Now, in this final sermon of the series, we arrive at the pivotal moment where it all comes together—the birth of the Church. Everything we’ve talked about has been leading to this. The timid, uncertain followers of Jesus are transformed into bold witnesses. Peter, once afraid and unsure, now stands up and proclaims the message of Jesus with power and conviction. It’s the moment when the Gospel first rings out with clarity and strength, and thousands respond in faith.

Today, as we look at Peter’s first sermon, we’re not just seeing a piece of history worthy of the finest place in the greatest museum—we’re witnessing the moment the Church was born. This is where the movement ignited, and it’s the same message that continues to transform lives all across the world today.

Main Teaching

Acts 2:14–41 CSB

Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “Fellow Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning. On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. I will even pour out my Spirit on my servants in those days, both men and women and they will prophesy. I will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me in Hades or allow your holy one to see decay. You have revealed the paths of life to me; you will fill me with gladness in your presence. “Brothers and sisters, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay. “God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.

The Gospel is Preached with Boldness

"Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd..." - Acts 2:14

Just seven weeks earlier, Peter had denied Jesus three times, terrified of being associated with Him. Three times...a couple of people and even a temple servant girl.

But now, everything is different. Peter now stands in front of a massive crowd in Jerusalem—probably some of the very people who had called for Jesus’ crucifixion—and raises his voice without hesitation. He’s showing how Jesus has fulfilled OT prophesy. Joel/David

So what changed for Peter? The Holy Spirit.

When Jesus ascended to heaven, He promised that the Holy Spirit would come and empower His followers to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8). And at Pentecost, that promise happened.

We see Peter, hear Peter … a very different person now. Being transformed into a witness for Jesus.

Peter’s message was clear ...

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." Acts 2:36

Peter’s witness challenges us today. Too often, we let fear hold us back from sharing the Good News.

We’re afraid of judgment, rejection, or awkwardness.

But hopefully, Peter’s transformation reminds us that this trust/boldness/even humility before others... doesn’t come from within—it comes from the Spirit of God living within us.

If we want to be like Peter, we need the same Spirit. We can’t do this mission on our own.

We must pray for the Spirit to fill us, transform us, and move us beyond fear into faithful witness.

We must trust the word, The Messiah, and this call to share the gospel to the ends of the earth. To be His witness.

The Gospel is Rooted in Scripture

When Peter is addressing the crowd, he doesn’t rely on his own stuff—he roots his message in Scripture.

Quoting from the prophet Joel, he declares, “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel...” (Acts 2:16, NIV), ...what you see here is what Joel talked about. (Joel 2:28-32). Peter makes it clear that this prophecy is being fulfilled right before their eyes.

But Peter doesn’t stop there. He also points to King David’s words in Psalm 16, declaring that David spoke of the Messiah’s resurrection long before it came to pass: “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your holy one see decay” (Acts 2:27, NIV). Peter emphasizes that David was not talking about himself but was prophetically speaking of Jesus, whose resurrection was the undeniable proof of His Messiahship.

Peter’s message is powerful because it is rooted not in human ideas but in the Word of God. He shows the crowd that everything they are witnessing is part of God’s redemptive plan—a plan foretold in Scripture and fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Jesus the anointed King.

So...our witness needs to be rooted the same way...in truth...in God’s Word.

We don’t proclaim or share or tell of... our own ideas or opinions; we talk about truth that has been revealed to us through the Bible and through the Spirit.

When we do this, we know that the truth of God will demand a response from others. It might not be right away. We’re not looking for angry arguments. We want people to truly think about life and truth and eternity. And this happens with The Spirit and God’s Word.

So let’s think about this....The Gospel Calls for a Response

Revised Main Teaching Points:

4. The Gospel Calls for a Response: Transformation and Community

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Acts 2:37 CSB

When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

Peter's sermon was not a theological lecture...it was truth.

The people's reaction, being "cut to the heart," ...meaning they were truly in a pivotal point in life.

Movie quote from The Day the Earth Stood Still -

Peter's response is a blueprint for true change (the beginning of transformation as Paul states it):

● Repentance (Metanoia): This isn't just regret; it's a complete turning away from a life dominated by self and sin, and a turning towards God. It’s a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. It’s not just “I’m sorry” It truly is dying to yourself. To your ways to the world’s ways.

● Baptism: This is a public declaration of allegiance to Jesus the Christ. It's an outward symbol of an inward transformation, a washing away of the old (dying to yourself) and a new birth into Christ. It's a visible act of joining the community of believers.

● Receiving the Holy Spirit: This is the empowering presence of God, the guarantee of our inheritance, and the source of our ongoing transformation. The Spirit equips us for service, empowers us for witness, and transforms us to the image of Christ. Those people gathered are watching that take place right there… the Holy Spirit changing the disciples’ lives.

In that historical moment...The result was an immediate beginning of transformation:

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day." This wasn't just a numerical increase; ...but don’t just think about the numbers… this was the start of a Spirit-filled community.

This wasn’t about numbers...this was about people finding true life in God...and with each other. This wasn’t just a rebirth of a number of individuals...it was the birth of a community....a community rebirth if you will.

Think about that...a community rebirthed through the transformation of the Holy Spirit.

That’s what we want … right?

The Gospel still demands a response. It's not a suggestion; it's a divine imperative.

We are continually faced with the choice: will we surrender to Christ, or will we remain in our own ways? Every single day.

And to be sure...what’s God’s Hope here?

God wants this...He had His son make disciples who could make disciples to be His witnesses - witnesses of His death and resurrection....

all so we could be obedient minions under His wrath?

No...because He loves us...He loves you. He wants to live eternally with you.

The Church is Born and the Mission Continues

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SLIDE

Acts 2:42 CSB

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

The birth of the Church at Pentecost was the inauguration of a living, breathing legacy. This community, born in the power of the Spirit, was characterized by:

● Apostles’ Teaching: They were committed to learning and living out the truth of the Gospel. This highlights the importance of biblical instruction and discipleship. They were committed to becoming new disciples under Jesus...through the apostles...

● Fellowship (Koinonia): They shared life together, supporting and encouraging one another. Meals together This emphasizes the value of community and mutual care, concern....this is the community under our loving King.

● Breaking of Bread: They celebrated meals and the Lord’s Supper, remembering Christ’s sacrifice and anticipating His return. This underscores the centrality of worship and remembrance.

● Prayer: They were constantly in communication with God. They were dependent on God. Prayer with and through the Spirit, God’s Spirit....which now lives in them....

This was more than a movement.

From that moment, the mission of Jesus—to make disciples of all nations—was taking huge steps forward.

The Church became the vehicle through which the Gospel (the good news of Jesus) would spread to the ends of the earth.

And we’ve inherited this legacy. That’s why we’re here today.

The Church is not a building or an organization; it is the body of Christ, a living organism empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God lives in the church...the community of Jesus followers.

We are called to continue the mission that began at Pentecost, to be witnesses to the transformation that can happen through the Holy Spirit. (cf. Matthew 22)

v.43....Great awe fell on everyone....

Conclusion

Through the last 8 weeks since Easter

This is not just a story from the past; it is our story.

The same Spirit who transformed Peter and the early disciples is alive and active today, ready to transform us and empower us to be His witnesses.

So as we leave this building today...lets think about some things....

● Let us speak truth. Truth found in the Gospel with clarity and conviction, knowing that God is with us.

● Let’s become unshakeable....rooted in the Word of God, allowing it to shape/transform our thoughts, words, and actions. Let’s be awesome students of Scripture, ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us.

● Let’s keep dying to ourselves so we can allow the Spirit to transform us...give us new life through new birth.

● Let’s always focus on this Jesus Community: Let us commit ourselves to the fellowship of the Church, supporting and encouraging one another as we journey together. Let us build a community of love, grace, and truth.

● Commit to the Mission: Jesus said...Make disciples of all nations. Let us be His ambassadors, sharing the Gospel with those who have yet to hear.

Let’s be light that Jesus called us to be. Let us not shrink back in fear or complacency. Let us step out in faith, empowered by the Spirit, and declare the good news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.

....For NICC...what’s this look like? In two weeks....on Saturday morning, June 28, Discipleship breakfast. We’re going to begin to flesh this out...learning to be committed disciples...so we can be great disciple makers. I’ll be up here for a few minutes praying as we head into this focus on being disciples of Jesus. Join me if you’d like.

Let’s pray together.