It's All About Jesus Acts 2:22-41
Notes
Transcript
It’s All About Jesus
It’s All About Jesus
Intro.
Why don’t we tell other people about Jesus?
Why do we tend to steer away from conversations about our savior?
Last week one of the things we looked at was the fact that God has saved us so that we can proclaim the truth about Jesus.
Not only has he called us but he has empowered us through the giving of the Holy Spirit.
Through this gift we have both the capacity and responsibility to speak for God to both each other and to those who don’t believe.
However, we get overwhelmed with where to start. How do I tell people about Jesus. I am no theologian. I am no biblical scholar. I am no pastor.
I believe that as we examine Peter’s sermon we can uncover a basic pattern for how to present the gospel to those who don’t believe.
It is imperative that we tell others about Jesus. Not so that we grow the church (though that would be great). Not so that we would feel good about ourselves for telling others.
Rather, so that Jesus will be glorified and magnified.
That people will come to know the King of the universe.
That others will know the hope that we have. Know the God that we serve. and worship him as only he deserves.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This is our calling. This is our responsibility. To tell others about this awesome savior.
Acts 2. 22-36 is just one of the 23 sermons in the book of Acts.
F.F. Bruce NICNT: These early sermons regularly included four elements (not always in this order):
announcement that the age of fulfillment had arrived
Account of the ministry, death, and triumph of Jesus
Citation of OT Scriptures that show the fulfillment found in Christ
A Call to Repentance.
All these elements are present in Peter’s Sermon. He has already declared the fulfillment in v. 16.
Peter Begins with the Person and Work of Jesus
The Person and Work of Jesus
“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.
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.’
The Person and Work of Jesus
Jesus was an actual person who lived on this planet in the Middle East.
Let’s not move past this point too quickly.
Jesus existed as a man. At the same time he existed as God.
Noted Historian and Agnostic Professor Bart Ehrman says:
“We have more evidence for Jesus than we have for almost anybody in his time period… I’m not a believer, but as a historian, you can’t just dismiss it, and say ‘We don’t know’. You have to look at the evidence. But there is hard evidence. For example, we have one author who knew Jesus’ relatives and his disciples – Paul.”
“I’ve spent 30 years studying this… I can tell you, that everyone who has looked at this thing seriously, there’s nobody that doubts this.”
Our Faith is rooted in History.
Peter is saying not only did he do these things, but you saw the works he did.
You were there. In fact, Thousands of men and women can attest to the works he did while in your midst.
Jesus, through God’s power and approval did mighty works, wonders, and signs.
Let’s talk about these mighty works, wonders and signs for a minute.
Many skeptics like to trivialize these wondrous works.
Like to brush them off as impossible. B/c they defy the laws of nature
In fact, even Thomas Jefferson created his own version of the Bible completely rejecting the miraculous
“The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.”
People don’t like these stories of Jesus b/c they demonstrate his authority and Lordship.
Jesus didn’t perform these miracles simply b/c he was able to. He performed them b/c they were painting a picture of restoration.
These signs and wonders pointed to something greater than themselves.
They pointed to the reality that Jesus came to overcome and deliver us from our greatest fears.
Jesus showed his power and control over nature when he quieted the storm by saying, “Peace, Be Still”
Or when he cast out the demons demonstrating his power of the evil forces.
When he healed various men, women, and children showing his compassion and power over sickness.
Perhaps, the Most Poignant picture is when Jesus shows us that he can over turn death.
When he raises Lazarus by simply saying “Lazarus, Come Out”
Miracles are not a violation of Nature, but a restoration of nature removing the curse of sin.
It’s an announcement that the King has come to remove the curse.
The King has come to set things right.
The King has come to heal what is broken.
The King has come and all will be right. all will be well. all will be restored.
But in order for that restoration to occur God’s Plan had to be executed.
Jesus’ Death Was God’s Plan brought about by sinful man.
Even upon his death at the hands of lawless men he was vindicated by his resurrection.
Jesus’ death was not a surprise to God. He knew and planned it to happen.
This wasn’t some kind of Plan B. This was the Plan from the very beginning.
There is a delicate balance and a mystery between God’s Plan and human responsibility.
God knew and foreordained Jesus’ death. But people were the cause of Jesus’ Death.
This can lead some to believe in fatalism. That if God is in complete control than I don’t have to do anything.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
We are personally Responsible for every decision we make.
After Jesus’ death, there was his glorious resurrection.
Beautiful “it was not possible for him to be held by it (death)” v.24
His Purity, His Holiness, His Goodness was impossible to keep dead.
It was impossible b/c it wasn’t the plan for his death to remain.
It was impossible b/c the plan was to provide salvation and demonstrate new creation.
It was impossible b/c God has power over all the universe even the curse of death.
Jesus is the fulfillment of what was promised in the OT.
He is the one who has come to restore what is broken.
He is the one who has come to set things right.
He is the one who has overcome the curse of sin and death.
He is the one who has fulfilled the Law.
He is the promised Messiah. Savior. Redeemer.
Because Jesus is all of these things he is not just Savior, but he is also Lord.
The Lordship of Jesus
“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.
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.” ’
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
The Lordship of Jesus
Paul continues his appeal to all those present with the demonstration of Jesus’ Lordship.
David is one of the key figures in all of the OT Scriptures.
He was, in fact, a picture of the Messiah, JC, to come.
Messiah simply means “Anointed One”
David is one who is looked at as a Key figure in Israelite History.
So much so that Peter refers to him filling 2 offices that of King and Prophet.
He is revered and beloved by the Jewish people.
However, David was far from perfect. He was not the promised messiah that came to restore and reconcile God’s People.
David, as important as he was, is dead. His grave still exists.
But David was the recipient of a promise.
The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: “One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne.
The Lordship of Jesus
As great as David was for the Israelites there is still one greater that was promised. One that was Lord of all. Lord over all.
In Fact, David spoke of one the one who would not be abandoned to the grave. One who would have an eternal reign. One who would be Resurrected.
This Jesus is The Messiah.
He is the promised one. He is the one you should bow down an worship.
Peter is saying that we know he is the one b/c we were eyewitnesses to his being alive after his death.
In the NT, and in fact for Christianity, Eyewitness testimony is key evidence for the resurrection story.
When these Gospels and Letters were written, notice that there are men and women mentioned by name throughout the stories.
Why would the authors of these narratives and letters provide these names.
Theologian Richard Bauckham in his book Jesus and the Eyewitnesses essentially states that these names are put here as footnotes for 1st Century Believers to go and verify what is being read.
It is important for us to understand and believe the truthfulness behind the Gospels and the account of the resurrection. Because if the Resurrection isn’t true than our faith is in vain.
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Everything we believe rests and hinges upon the resurrection of Christ.
David predicted Jesus’ Resurrection, but he also called Jesus Lord.
During Jesus’ life an ministry many questioned his authority and Lordship.
In Jewish categories, the father always had dominance over the son. So, since David preceded Jesus by one thousand years, it was inconceivable to the Jew that David would look to Jesus as his Lord.-Sproul
However, in Ps. 110 David calls one of his descendents Lord.
Jesus is that descendant. He is the Lord. He is the messiah. He is the one that the world was waiting for. He is the one that brings healing. He is the one that brings fullness and hope.
He is the one who died so that we could have life.
I said it before and I’ll say it again:
Many of us like the idea of Jesus as savior, but we really don’t like the idea of Jesus as Lord.
Have you submitted to Jesus’ Lordship?
Often in church we use the language, (I’m guilty of it too) that I want to make Jesus Lord and Savior.
However, whether or not you want Jesus to be Lord of your life is not the proper perspective.
He is Lord of All. Even your Life. But if you are not submitting to his Lordship than you stand opposed to him. You are living in sin.
I read this book many years ago called The Christian Atheist the author was pointing out that we love the idea of God, but we don’t want to live for God.
“We believe in God, but live as if he doesn’t exist.”
Or maybe you would categorize yourself as a “Carnal Christian.” You have accepted Jesus as your savior, but are waiting to make him your Lord when it becomes more convenient for you.
Do you love your sin more than you love Jesus?
I know that I shouldn’t look at those raunchy images on the screen. But it feels real good.
I know that I shouldn’t live with my boyfriend/girlfriend, but it’s really convenient and easier this way.
I know that I shouldn't gossip, but I have a hard time controlling my tongue.
I know that I should be honest in my business ventures, but I need to make more money.
I know that I should be more generous to the church, but I like my money.
I know what Jesus wants from me, but I don’t like it. So I am not going to do it.
Christ is Lord. Either you submit or you are rebelling. If you are rebelling you are not his friend, you are his enemy.
He makes his enemies his footstool.
This doesn’t mean that there isn’t grace to be found when we slip up and sin, but if we are consciously choosing to disobey Jesus then we need to examine our relationship with him.
Here in the last few verses of this section we see the proper response to Jesus.
The Response to Jesus
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.
Peter had preached a sermon that cut through the hearts of those present.
In v.12 those present asked “What does this mean?” and now they follow up with the question “What shall we do?”
Peter responds that what they should do is Repent.
To Repent means to turn away from something and go the opposite direction.
From Sin to obedience.
Confess that you are sinful. That you are responsible for Jesus’ death and submit to his Lordship.
Then you will receive forgiveness for your sins.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Call on his name and he will save you.
Peter also calls them to be baptized.
Some look at this text and argue that you cannot be saved without being baptized, but if we take into account all of scripture we will see that that simply isn’t true.
However, what is apparent to me and to baptists historically is that Baptism comes after belief.
I know that we have some in our congregation that come from a Catholic Background.
I do as well. And we were baptized as infants or as children.
What I want you to think about is what does baptism mean?
Baptism is the outward expression of an inward change.
Meaning that baptism should take place after belief.
There are many men and women much smarter than I that have argued and debated the tenets of both infant baptism and “believer’s baptism.”
I ask that you do the study for yourself. Think about this. Search the Scriptures.
Know that if you come and want to be baptized. No one will judge you.
In fact, We will celebrate with you. We will be excited for you.
Outward expression of an inward change. Simply a declaration that you are following Jesus.
There are many who need to know the promise of Life found in Jesus. Because this promise was made “for all who are far off” and repent from their sins.
God is still calling people to himself and in that we can be excited.
We will probably never see 3000 people come to know Christ at one time, but we can be used to preach the gospel to those far away.
I want to see our church be a light in the darkness.
We should be spreading the good news of Jesus to everyone that doesn’t know him.
Tweet: If Christians get as comfortable sharing the Gospel as they are sharing their opinions, we’ll see a harvest of souls like never before.
Sharing the gospel is simple, but it isn’t easy.
To share the gospel you need to do like Peter did talk about Jesus and what he did.
Our sinfulness.
Perfect Life, Sacrificial Death, Resurrection.
Then the fact that there needs to be submission to his Lordship.
And offer an opportunity for repentance.
I have a challenge for each of you.
I want you to take out your bulletin, phone, or Scripture journal and I want you to write down 5 names of unbelievers that you know from Family, Co-Workers, Neighbors, Kid’s Sporting events, etc.
I want you to commit to doing one of these each day for each of the people on your list.
1. Pray for them
2. Serve them
3. Invite them to church
4. Share the gospel with them
Jesus is still saving people and he invites us and commands us to join him.
For this time of invitation I want you to reflect on this challenge.
We’re not going to sing, but Mrs. Helen is going to play for just a few moments.
Pray about those you know that don’t know the Lord.
This is going to stretch you and move you out of your comfort zone, but I promise you it will be worth it. I promise you that God is in it.
If you haven’t given your life over to Jesus. There is no better time than the present.
he is calling you. Will you answer?
Pray.