Pentecost
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Before Pentecost the disciples found it hard to do easy things; after Pentecost they found it easy to do hard things.
Adoniram Judson Gordon (Baptist Minister in Boston)
Today, we will be look at the account of the disciples in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost. We see the Holy Spirit has come
on them with power, His presence was indicated by the sound of a great wind, the
tongues of fire and the gift of tongues. A huge crowd was
gathering in amazement trying to understand this strange phenomenon of each one
hearing the Word of God in his own language .
How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.”
The noise started in the Upper Room, had attracted a giant crowd to the Temple courtyard. Very likely there were
hundreds and hundreds of people crowding around the disciples hearing what the
prophet Joel described as one of the most significant workings of God -- the initiation of
the “last days” -- the pouring out of God’s Spirit Himself .We saw how this created a
great commotion, and the Jews were astonished to hear Galileans speaking to them in
their own native languages. The Jews were amazed and perplexed, some even
accusing the disciples of being drunk. They have had too much wine. The accusation
was made that this was the result of too much alcohol.
But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”
There are any number of ways to go about studying this passage, all of which would be
beneficial, but I want to use Peter’s response or how I like to call it.
Peter’s Preaching Practices
There is much we can learn from the how the Holy Spirit
worked through Peter in laying before this crowd of curious listeners, the truth of how
salvation is through Christ alone.
Before we begin we must realize that these practices are of value it they are applied,
not simply written down somewhere and forgotten. Each one of us from time to time
finds ourselves in situations where we were surrounded by a group of curious listeners.
Some were more ready to listen than others. Peter’s presentation of the gospel will help
you, if you make it a point to apply what you learn.
Now, I usually stick with either a one point message or a typical baptist 3 pointer...today we have what is known as a big 10 pointer.
Let’s start with prayer
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:
Peter’s Preaching Practices
1.Expect Ridicule
Whenever things get too serious, some try to avoid the reality by making fun. “This is
just the result of too much wine.” Can you see how what is done in the guise of a
mocking joke, is actually an expression of contempt for the things of God? You can see
this kind of scene played out in any number of situations today.
This kind of mocking laughter could easily have crushed the enthusiasm of the disciples
if it were not for the confidence they had through the Holy Spirit. Have you been the one
who was laughed at? ... taunted? ... made fun of? ... shamed into silence? Then Peter’s
response to those who mocked him, will be of great help to you as you share the gospel to those around you.
Peter’s Preaching Practices
2. Point out Falsehoods
Certainly not every mocking comment is worthy of a response, but when there are ideas
or explanations being made of some clear working of God that are false or misleading, it
presents the believer with an opportunity to speak the truth!
The idea that what was going on here at Pentecost was the result of sinful drunkenness,
was not only irreverent, it was foolish. The idea that 120 believers would all be drunk at
9 o’clock in the morning is rather absurd, particularly when drunkenness was a violation
of God’s commands.
With the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter is now
speaking as an inspired prophet, and gives his first sermon to a huge crowd that had
gathered. Peter’s first sermon is notable; for its place in history (the first sermon in the
age of grace), for its results (3000 saved) and for its application (it is a model for gospel
presentation today).
Peter begins by pointing out that which was predicted by Joel is coming to pass, right
before their very eyes through the events that were now transpiring with the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit.
In Greek, the phrase translated by some of the modern translations as this is what;
was spoken, is literally this is that, which was spoken, which is a technical
formula used to describe fulfillment of prophecy. This which the hearers had witnessed, the
tongues of fire, the sound of a violent wind, the speaking in other languages, was which
was predicted by the prophet Joel some 900 years earlier.
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.
Notice Peter states, In these Last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on
all people” Thus, with the fulfillment of Joel’s prophesy in the out-pouring of the Holy
Spirit, has begun. We have been living in the last days for two-thousand
years, and we are now two thousand years closer to the end.
Peter’s Preaching Practices
3. Meet Them Where They Are
The Gospel is not meant to be complicated. I can not stand when preachers get up and give this huge theological dissertation, when a simple explanation is all that is needed.
Peter knew that these were devoted Jews who knew God’s Word. He takes his listeners from their level
of knowledge and begins to expand upon it.
Peter’s Preaching Practices
4. Use God’s Word :Not Your Word
In order to use Scripture to back up what we say we need to know it. Peter did not have
the New Testament to draw from when he preached on Pentecost, but he did have the
Old Testament. And not only did he have it, he knew it. Peter was able to share what the
Bible said because he knew what the Bible said. That is why it is essential to have a
working knowledge of the Scriptures. I am not saying that you have to quote the entire 66 books, but do know what you are talking about by studying this book. Do not rely on what tradition has said or what you think it should be. The kind of confidence displayed by Peter comes
from being sure of the truth not from being able to predict what someone will say
next.
Peter’s audience knew the Scripture and so he used it to explain the current situation.
The resurrection of Jesus needed to be explained in the light of prophecy. Peter first
quotes Joel because Joel prophesied that there would be a pouring out of God’s Spirit
on the great day of the Lord. Peter then uses this to explain that these individuals were
living in the “last days”. What they were witnessing was a sign that God had begun His
final acts of salvation!
Next Peter quotes their well-loved prophet-king, David.
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.
Understand that all of these
Jews awaited the Messiah of which Scripture spoke. The problem was that their present
earth-bound thinking could not see that Jesus was that Messiah. Peter goes on to point out that David was not speaking about Himself but
about the Messiah. The Messiah could not be held by death -- a truth readily accepted
by the Jews.
“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.
Yet the evidence of David having died and been buried was right
before them. Josephus, one of the earliest historians, attests to the fact that in the first
century there remained a monument known as “the Tomb of David”. This being the
case, David was speaking prophetically of the Messiah. Peter points out that what was
prophesied was fulfilled in Jesus. David was pointing to His resurrection.
Peter’s Preaching Practices
5. God’s Way is the Only Way
Twice Peter demands that this crowd of Jews “listen”.
When we speak the truth of the gospel message -- in whatever form that may take --
people must not get the idea that this is just one of many opinions floating around our
society.
Peter’s Preaching Practices
6. Preach The Hard Stuff
Don’t be afraid to call sin, sin!! Peter in v. 23 says this
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.
Peter doesn’t shy away from it just because it was a hard truth. It was the truth and still
is, and as such we needn’t be hesitant to say so when it is needed. We don’t have to be
able to explain all that God does. If we could, He would be a much smaller god than we
would care to worship. We simply need to be willing to speak the truth in love.
Peter’s Preaching Practices
7. God Is At Work
We must become accustomed to pointing out to others that, “God is responsible for
what you see going on around you.” I say “become comfortable saying” ... because we
don’t have any problem believing it, we just have a problem making it a regular part of
our conversation with unbelievers.
Six times, in eight sentences, Peter names God as the One at work in the events being
discussed.
“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.
“God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When questions are being asked as to the meaning and cause of current
events in our day, we need to be ready with the answer, “It is God at work.”
Peter’s Preaching Practices
8.Use Your Testimony
In this case it is a corporate testimony as Peter represents the other believers, but he
makes clear that he and the others were witnesses of Christ’s resurrection. He does not
attempt here to prove that God raised Jesus from the dead. He simply states it as fact
and bears witness to it. He says that the resurrected Christ had appeared to him and
the other disciples, Peter implies that if you doubt what I say, you can go and ask them.
This is the beauty of our testimony to God’s work -- no one can deny it. Whereas we
may not be able to always defend each point of doctrine, there is no denying God has
changed us at the core of our being. The key is to be consistent in word and action in every aspect of our lives.
You can not claim Christ and live like the devil or blame the devil for your actions.
Peter’s Preaching Practices
9. Apply It
Rather than just speak of what God had done in Christ’s life, death and resurrection,
Peter makes sure to include his listeners in the story.
“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.
Each person had a hand in putting
Christ to death, whether their voice was heard along with the multitudes crying “Crucify
Him, crucify Him” or simply their sinful nature required that God’s Son should die.
He was speaking to you and including you in those responsible for Christ’s death. As a hearer,
you would not be able to leave that place without at least hearing that something was
required of you because of your sin. This is something we must include in our message
as well.
Peter’s Preaching Practices
10. What is Required?
We must leave the hearer with a sense that what they have heard requires
action on their part!
Then everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Peter did not leave them without hope. When the crowds recognized the part they had played in the
crucifixion of God’s Messiah they cried out,
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 responded with what I want you to hear clearly today
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.
Jesus, the Messiah must be recognized by every hearer of the gospel as not simply the
One who can save us from our sins, but also as the One who has rule over our lives.
We don’t place our faith in Him simply because He has something to offer us, we place
our faith in Him because we must! We may acknowledge His authority now voluntarily or
we will do so involuntarily at the end of days. Jesus is Lord whether men recognize
it or not. It is sad, to hear people dismiss the claims of Christ
as though He was just an option out of many.
