SOUND THE ALARM!
Notes
Transcript
THIS WEEK’S THEME: A MISSION WITH A MESSAGE
WORD FOR THE WEEK IS MEDIATOR: IT IS ONE WHO STANDS BETWEEN GOD AND HUMANITY, PROVIDING ACCESS TO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH CHRIST ALONE.
MEMORY VERSE: 1TIMOTHY 2:5 - “FOR THERE IS ONE GOD AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MEN, THE MAN CHRIST JESUS.”
SERMON FOCUS - WE CAN HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH CHRIST ALONE.
SERMON PASSAGE: ACTS 3:12-20, 24-26
24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days.
25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
SERMON TITLE: SOUND THE ALARM!
SERMON TITLE: SOUND THE ALARM!
“THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF A WATCHMAN…
A MAN STATIONED ON THE WALL…
NOT FOR COMFORT—BUT FOR RESPONSIBILITY.
HIS JOB WAS SIMPLE, BUT IT WAS SERIOUS:
👉 WATCH FOR DANGER
👉 WARN THE PEOPLE
BECAUSE THE SAFETY OF THE CITY…
RESTED ON THE SOUND OF HIS VOICE.
IF THE ENEMY WAS COMING…
IF DANGER WAS APPROACHING…
IF DESTRUCTION WAS NEAR…
THE WATCHMAN DIDN’T HAVE THE LUXURY OF SILENCE—
HE HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY TO
SOUND THE ALARM!
BUT HERE’S WHERE IT GETS HEAVY…
IF THE WATCHMAN SAW THE DANGER…
AND SAID NOTHING…
IF HE NOTICED THE THREAT…
AND STAYED QUIET…
LISTEN TO WHAT GOD SAID IN Ezekiel 33:6
6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’
THAT MEANS:
SILENCE BECOMES SIN
AWARENESS BECOMES ACCOUNTABILITY
SEEING THE DANGER CREATES RESPONSIBILITY
BUT IF THE WATCHMAN SOUNDS THE ALARM…
AND THE PEOPLE IGNORE IT…
THEN THE RESPONSIBILITY SHIFTS.
THE WATCHMAN IS FREE…
BECAUSE HE SPOKE UP!
NOW DON’T MISS THIS…
IN Acts of the Apostles 3…
PETER IS STANDING BEFORE A CROWD—
A CROWD THAT IS:
AMAZED… BUT MISINFORMED
INTERESTED… BUT NOT CONVERTED
WATCHING… BUT NOT REPENTING
AND PETER REALIZES SOMETHING…
👉 THIS IS NOT JUST A CROWD…
👉 THIS IS A MOMENT OF ACCOUNTABILITY
SO WHAT DOES PETER DO?
HE DOESN’T:
COMPLIMENT THEIR CURIOSITY
CELEBRATE THE MIRACLE
STAY SILENT TO KEEP THE PEACE
INSTEAD…
👉 HE SOUNDS THE ALARM!
HE TELLS THEM:
WHAT THEY’VE DONE — “YOU DENIED… YOU KILLED…”
WHO JESUS IS — “THE PRINCE OF LIFE…”
WHAT THEY MUST DO — “REPENT THEREFORE…”
BECAUSE PETER UNDERSTOOD SOMETHING WE MUST NEVER FORGET:
“WHEN YOU SEE THE DANGER…
YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DECLARE THE TRUTH!”
AND HERE’S THE QUESTION FOR US TODAY…
IF WE SEE:
SIN DESTROYING LIVES…
PEOPLE WALKING TOWARD JUDGMENT…
SOULS HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION…
WILL WE STAY SILENT?
OR WILL WE STEP UP…
AND
SOUND THE ALARM!
SOUND THE ALARM!
🔥 TRANSITION
“AND WHEN YOU SOUND THE ALARM…
YOU CAN’T JUST MAKE NOISE—
YOU MUST GIVE A MESSAGE!
YOU MUST TELL THEM THREE THINGS…”
ANNOUNCE THE REJECTION
ANNOUNCE THE REDEEMER
ANNOUNCE THE REQUIREMENT
I. ANNOUNCE THE REJECTION
I. ANNOUNCE THE REJECTION
PETER DOES NOT AVOID THE TRUTH
HE JUMPED RIGHT INTO IT
LOOK AT VERSE 13
13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
13 “THE SERVANT JESUS: YOU DELIVERED HIM OVER AND DENIED HIM…
14 YOU DENIED THE HOLY ONE AND JUST ONE FOR A MURDERER
15 YOU KILLED THE PRINCE OF LIFE, WE ARE WITNESSES
PETER DID NOT AVOID THE TRUTH
YET HE BALANCED
CONFRONTATION WITH COMPASSION:
LOOK AT VERSE 17
17 “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY DID IT IN IGNORANCE
THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING
LIKE CHRIST SAID ON THE CROSS
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE MAY ACT OUT OF IGNORANCE
YET, IGNORANCE DOES NOT
AND CANNOT:
CLEAR THE GUILT OF SIN
YOU ARE STILL GUILTY
IGNORANCE CANNOT
CANCEL CONSEQUENCES
YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW
IGNORANCE CANNOT
CHANGE GOD’S STANDARD
CIRCUMVENT JUDGMENT
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
THEIR REJECTION DID NOT DERAIL GOD’S PLAN;
IT ACCOMPLISHED IT.
HERE IS THE SOBERING REALITY:
A CURE REJECTED DOES NOT LOSE ITS POWER—
IT ONLY LOSES ITS BENEFIT TO THE ONE WHO REFUSES IT.
JESUS IS THE CURE
HE IS THE REMEDY GOD PROVIDED FOR HUMANITY’S SIN PROBLEM
YET HE WAS DENIED
HE WAS DESPISED
HE WAS REJECTED.
ISAIAH FORETOLD IT IN ISAIAH 53
THE APOSTLE JOHN PROCLAIMED IT
IN JOHN 1:11
11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
PETER DECLARED BEFORE THE CROWD.
THIS IS WHY WE MUST SOUND THE ALARM
WE MUST ANNOUNCE THE REJECTION
HUMANITY IS GUILTY—
GUILTY OF CHOOSING
LIES instead of THE TRUTH
DARKNESS instead of LIGHT
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
HUMANITY IS GUILTY—
GUILTY OF CHOOSING
PLEASURE instead of PURITY
OUR WILL instead of HIS WILL
SELF instead of the SAVIOR
SOUND THE ALARM
SOUND THE ALARM
TELL PEOPLE THE TRUTH
THEY HAVE CHOOSE SOMETHING
OR SOMEONE ELSE
THEY MUST RECOGNIZE THEIR REJECTION OF
THE KING OF ALL KINGS
THEY MUST RECOGNIZE THEIR REJECTION OF
THE LORD OF LORDS
AND ACCEPT WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THEM.
WHEN YOU ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM
REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT JUST
RINGING THE BELL
YOU ARE REVEALING THEIR REJECTION OF CHRIST
ANNOUNCE THEIR REJECTION AND THEN ANNOUNCE THE REDEEMER
II. ANNOUNCE THE REDEEMER
II. ANNOUNCE THE REDEEMER
12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
PETER IMMEDIATELY REDIRECTS ATTENTION AWAY FROM HIMSELF:
HE THESE WORDS BEGAN TO REDIRECT THE CROWD’S FOCUS.
HE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THE HEALING DID NOT COME
BY HUMAN POWER OR GODLINESS.
GOD ALONE IS RESPONSIBLE, LOOK AT VERSE 13
13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
HE IDENTIFIES JESUS AS:
GOD’S SERVANT (V. 13; CF. ISAIAH 52:13
13 Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.
THE HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS ONE(V. 14; CF. PSALM 16:10
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
THE AUTHOR OF LIFE (V. 15; CF. JOHN 1:4
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
AND THE PROMISED MESSIAH.
LOOK AT VERSES 24-26
24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days.
25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
FROM SAMUEL ONWARD,
THE PROPHETS SPOKE OF THESE DAYS.
V25 GOD PROMISED ABRAHAM
THAT THROUGH HIS SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH WOULD BE BLESSED,
PETER DECLARES THAT JESUS IS
THAT PROMISED REDEEMER.
THIS IS NOT A NEW MESSAGE—
IT IS THE FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN.
PETER ANNOUNCES THAT REDEMPTION IS FOUND IN A PERSON.
THE MIRACLE WAS ONLY A SIGN
JESUS IS THE SAVIOR.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
SOUND THE ALARM
SOUND THE ALARM
ANNOUNCE THE REDEEMER
ANNOUNCE THE REDEEMER
TELL MEN WOMEN BOYS AND GIRLS THAT
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
ANNOUNCE TO THEM WE HAVE
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
ANNOUNCE TO THEM
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
ANNOUNCE THE REDEEMER
ANNOUNCE THE REDEEMER
ANNOUNCE THAT
HE SAVES SINNERS
HE RESTORES AND RENEWS THE REPROBATE
HE REMAKES AND REDEEMS THE ROTTEN
HE RECONCILES THE WICKED
SOUND THE ALARM
SOUND THE ALARM
TELL THEM . . .
THE ONE THAT DIED ON THE CROSS /
IS THE ONE THAT GIVES ETERNAL LIFE
THE ONE THEY REJECTED /
THE ONE THAT RESTORES
THE ONE THEY DENIED /
THE ONE WHO OFFERS REPENTANCE AND REFRESHING
III. ANNOUNCE THE REQUIREMENT
III. ANNOUNCE THE REQUIREMENT
PETER MOVES FROM EXPLANATION TO INVITATION.
IN VERSE 19, PETER SAYS
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
“REPENT THEREFORE AND TURN BACK, THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE BLOTTED OUT.”
REPENT MEANS TO TURN—
TO TURN FROM THE WAY YOU HAVE BEEN GOING,
FROM THE WAY YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING,
AND FROM THE WAY YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING—
AND TO TURN TO CHRIST IN FAITH.
WHEN WE REPENT,
THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT
GOD BRINGS FORGIVENESS.
LOOK AT JEREMIAH 33
8 I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.
LISTEN TO GOD IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.
TELLS US THAT OUR SINS ARE WIPED AWAY. BUT REPENTANCE DOES NOT STOP WITH FORGIVENESS;
IT ALSO BRINGS REFRESHING.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
TEACHES THAT RENEWAL COMES FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD. WHEN GOD ENTERS OUR LIVES, HE REFRESHES US FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
REPENTANCE ALSO LEADS TO RESTORATION.
26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
TELLS US THAT GOD BLESSES US
BY TURNING US FROM OUR INIQUITIES
AND SETTING US ON A NEW DIRECTION.
THINK OF IT THIS WAY:
WHEN YOU ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY,
SLOWING DOWN IS NOT ENOUGH—YOU HAVE TO TURN AROUND.
JESUS HIMSELF SAID IN
3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
PAUL REMINDS US THAT GOD IS NOT LOOKING FOR PEOPLE
WHO ARE MERELY SORRY FOR DOING WRONG,
BUT FOR THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE GODLY SORROW.
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
WHEN YOU ARE GODLY SORROW
YOU RECOGNIZE THAT YOU HAVE NOT LIVED UP
TO WHO GOD CREATED YOU TO BE,
AND THE BIBLE SAYS IT PRODUCES REPENTANCE
THAT LEADS TO SALVATION.
GOD DOES NOT CALL US TO FEEL SORRY ABOUT SIN—
HE CALLS US TO TURN FROM IT.
TURN FROM WICKEDNESS TO THE WAYMAKER
TURN FROM YOUR MESS TO THE MASTER
TURN FROM SIN TO THE SAVIOR
TURN FROM CORRUPTION TO CHRIST
TURN FROM SIN TO THE SON, FROM YOUR MESS TO THE MESSIAH
TURN FROM DARKNESS TO DELIVERANCE, FROM CORRUPTION TO CHRIST
TURN FROM YOUR WAY TO HIS WAY, FROM YOUR LIFE TO HIS LORDSHIP
TURN FROM REBELLION TO REDEMPTION, FROM FAILURE TO FORGIVENESS
HE IS ABLE
He redeemed THE reprehensible
He delivered the damned
He saved the shameful
He rescued the repulsive
He forgave the foolish
CONCLUSION:
IF YOU ARE SAVED…
IF YOU HAVE BEEN REDEEMED…
IF YOU KNOW JESUS…
👉 YOU ARE A WATCHMAN ON THE WALL!
YOU SEE PEOPLE EVERY DAY:
AT WORK
IN YOUR FAMILY
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
IN THE STORE
IN YOUR CONTACTS
AND MANY OF THEM ARE:
WALKING IN DARKNESS
LIVING IN SIN
HEADED TOWARD JUDGMENT
AND GOD HAS POSITIONED YOU…
NOT JUST TO SEE THEM…
👉 BUT TO SAY SOMETHING TO THEM!
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A PREACHER…
YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE A TITLE…
👉 BUT YOU DO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY!
🔥 “WHEN YOU SEE THE DANGER…
YOU ARE CALLED TO SOUND THE ALARM!”
THAT MEANS:
TELL THEM ABOUT JESUS
SHARE THE GOOD NEWS
INVITE THEM TO CHRIST
WARN THEM WITH LOVE
POINT THEM TO THE SAVIOR
🔥 “DON’T JUST SEE PEOPLE… SPEAK TO PEOPLE!”
🔥 “DON’T JUST KNOW THE TRUTH… TELL THE TRUTH!”
🔥 “DON’T JUST COME TO CHURCH… GO ON MISSION!”
BECAUSE HERE’S THE TRUTH…
SOME PEOPLE WILL NEVER COME TO THIS BUILDING…
BUT THEY WILL COME ACROSS YOUR PATH.
SOME PEOPLE WILL NEVER HEAR MY VOICE…
BUT THEY WILL HEAR YOURS.
👉 AND IF YOU DON’T SOUND THE ALARM…
WHO WILL?
NOW LISTEN CLOSE…
THE SAME ALARM YOU HEARD TODAY…
IS THE SAME ALARM YOU ARE CALLED TO SOUND!
👉 IF YOU’RE LOST — RESPOND TO THE ALARM
REPENT AND COME TO CHRIST TODAY
👉 IF YOU’RE SAVED — REPEAT THE ALARM
GO AND TELL SOMEBODY ABOUT JESUS
BECAUSE ONE DAY…
THE ALARM WILL SOUND FOR THE LAST TIME…
NO MORE WARNINGS…
NO MORE OPPORTUNITIES…
NO MORE INVITATIONS…
