"What Shall We Do?"

Time has passed. Pentecost is here. Those who crucified are worried. The mob who led the charge to crucify Jesus are again present. Jerusalem is as wicked as ever. The nation of Israel has gathered together to worship God and celebrate the harvest just fifty days after crucifying the Song of God. None of the people are convicted. None of them are concerned with the doom on their head. None of them are aware that they are in opposition to the will of God for their lives. But the disciples have received power! The disciples have received the Holy Spirit! It is now time for the Apostles to now venture out into the world and witness to the teachings and Resurrection of Jesus. It is now time for them to what they were called to do, and be who God called them to be. They are now the Church. (Summarize v.1-12)

And make no mistake about it. It is going to take the Holy Spirit to reach the nation of Israel. They have have a terrible record. In so many words thought out scripture God has said Israel has been “hard hearted”, “stiff necked”, “murderous”, “adulterous”, “back slidden”; they have “turned their backs on God”, “worshiped the creation instead of the creator”, “listened to false teachers”, and put their hope in “their military might”; they have chosen for themselves “wicked kings”, they have made partnerships with other nations, they have killed an innocent man and everyone saw it and no body did anything about it. And Just like Israel America has got some issues! (elaborate)

It is going to take the Power of the Sprit of God to change Israel and its going to take that same power to change our nation. But the power is only harnessed when we speak up and do something. Peter, sees the commotion in the crowd, hears the insults and recognizes the crowd and speaks truth to the nation that is in need of Jesus even more than they hatted him.

(What the Spirit does) (what Peter says)

What Shall we Do?

1. Accept Accountability for their Actions

Before any change happens in the heart or mind. Peter’s words hold them accountable for their actions. All of the nation has to accept their role in the crucifixion of the Christ. Peter is not pulling punches, he is not wasting words, he says direct and to the point, that this man Jesus who God made Lord and Christ you killed him. (Preach)

And util people take accountability for their sin they will not receive the gift. We need to stop making excuses and tell the truth about our own role in the death of Jesus. (elaborate) Because although you didn’t crucify Jesus yourself you did play role.

What shall we do? is the right response

2. Repent and Receive the Gift

The only response we have to the Gospel is to believe it. And the only response to believing the Gospel is to repent. You can’t repent of a thing until you acknowledged it. Peter tells them that you must repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. The word “for” in v.38 is best understood as a conjunction and not a preposition.

Repent- Turn the other way. There is no forgiveness without repentance.

Receive the Gift- What does the Holy Spirit do? Equips, Justifies, seals, applies the blood, convicts, Judges, reveals, reminds, restrains, Helps, comes along side and carries the load, intercedes, speaks for us, teaches us, cleans us, keeps, sanctifies,

Fresh Air-Fabreeze

3. Separate Yourself

Peter keeps on preaching. We don’t even know how long he was preaching, we don’g know what else he said. But, we know how he closed. He is emphatic he is loud a boisterous. He is encouraging, urging even, these people to save themselves from this crooked generation. You are currently in a crooked people in a crooked time. Do yourself a favor and get away from them. Separate yourself from the evil that killed Jesus in the first place.

Part of the problem with the church is that there is minimal distinction between us and them. Even to the point we don’t even know who “them” is or who we are supposed to be.