Acts the Story Continues (9)

Owning Your Faith

Last week we talked about owning your sin and also we discussed not allowing people an easy way out with sin. Jesus is not an

In addition too. He IS...

We cannot marry sin with our faith. WE cannot bend the gospel to make it easier to accept.

Today we are going to discuss owning our faith. And the best way to own it is first to be able to explain it. I know not everyone has a gift with words and for some people it is difficult to convey their thoughts, but if you cannot explain why you believe in Jesus than you have to ask yourself why do you believe in Jesus.

Peter, in his sermon, outlines some very good points as to why we should believe in Jesus. Not only that if you read and truly study this section of scripture it gives you the best way to evangelize. How do you bring someone to Christ?

So the First point Peter brings up is

You Saw Him

Acts 2:22-

Acts 2:22–24 ESV

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

But Pastor we didn’t see him. We can’t use this. But you can. One of the reasons I believe in Jesus is because in all the arguments of the bible, the recounts of historical events, the wording and translations—with all of this in question No one has, in my studies, ever denied Jesus existed. To do so would be to discount 3 major religions. Christianity, Islam, and Judahism. Of all the arguments most people don’t question his exisitance at some point. They may question the authority he came in—fully God, fully Human, was he a profit. But Peter isn’t tackling this debate.

He simply is stating he was alive, and you cannot find his grave. Which 2000 years later is still a very valid argument. Also another very valid were the miracles he did. Again the same religions state he did them. The arguement is a valid arguement and the victory that this arguement suggests is the pivitol point of salvation. This would leave the question of the resurrection. Many people saw it, but it’s still easy to brush off. They saw him die. The news had to reach every corner of the world. So Peter points to David

Acts 2:25–31 ESV

For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

Acts 2:25-

But Pastor, you cannot use the bible to explain the bible. But you can and here is why. Although Archaeological proof of David’s life and impact in this world is limited there are artifacts that show he lived and that he was king. There is proof that he wrote these letters.

So what then is David Saying. David is speaking of the resurrection of Jesus.

Acts 2:31–35 ESV

he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’

The promises in the verse are astounding. The breaking of the chains of death. The setting free, not just the forgiveness of, but being set free from sin. Never to be a slave.

and lastly

The Witness of believers

Acts 2:33 ESV

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

Peter is stating you cannot deny what is right in front of your eyes. You may want to call it something else, but you cannot deny it. The beautiful part about this who thing is that unless Jesus resurrected from the dead we could not have the Spirit of God.

John 16:17 ESV

So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?”

John 16:7 ESV

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Jesus had to ascend for this great miracle whom thousands of witnesses had seen to occur.

Then Peter gets right to the point

Why did this happen? To save us!

Acts 2:36–44 ESV

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one 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, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

This is why I believe it is imparative for us to hold fast to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is the power and the evidence of the backbone of the gospel. Dr’s cannot explain away my wife’s miraclous back healing. They cannot explain away the undeniable proof of cancer remission. People cannot explain a way a word of wisdom given in the proper time. Or a word of knowledge stating things otherwise unknown by the person speaking.

They cannot explain the ridding of demons and mental illness that has been healed.

The only 2 options you have when everything is laid out on the table is either to repent and be baptized or walk away. Next week will discuss what happens after salvation and the importance of being involved.