sf872 - Scriptural Preaching - 2 THE INGREDIENTS OF A CHURCH AFLAME (Acts 2 14-36)
Acts 2:14-36, Key 2:14, 36
Introduction
Background – The Ingredients of a Church Aflame
Supernatural power (2:1-13); Scriptural preaching (2:14-36); Saved people (2:23-40); Spiritual program (2:41-47)
The centrality of preaching
The world constantly tries to downplay and disregard preaching.
Preaching was central in Jesus’ ministry.
Matthew 4:17 (NASB) 17From that time Jesus began to preach…”
Luke 4:43 (NASB) 43But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God …, for I was sent for this purpose.”
Preaching was central in the early Church.
Mark 16:15 (NASB) 15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Acts 4:2 (NASB) 2… they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Acts 14:7 (NASB) 7and there they continued to preach the gospel.
Preaching was central in Paul’s ministry.
1 Corinthians 1:17 (NASB) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel…
Preaching is to be central in the Church today!
1 Corinthians 2:1,3,4 (NASB) “1And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 3I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
1A. Scriptural Preaching is Expository
Expository preaching is the Spirit-empowered explanation and proclamation of the text of God’s Word with due regard to the historical, contextual, grammatical, and doctrinal significance of the given passage, with the specific object of invoking a Christ-transforming response. Stephen Olford (AEP, 69)
1B. Peter identified his subject (2:14-15)
His subject was contemporary
His subject was controversial
2B. Peter employed the scriptures (2:16-21)
The fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. (2:16)
The facts of Joel’s prophecy. (2:17-21)
Ø The Spirit of God: a present advent. (2:17-18)
Ø The Judgment of God: a postponed apocalypse. (2:19-20)
Ø The Salvation of God: a permanent assurance. (2:21)
2A. Scriptural Preaching is Evangelistic
Evangelism is derived from the Greek word euaggelion, meaning “gospel,” or “good news.”
1B. The manner of Jesus’ life (2:22)
His was a humble life (2:22a)
“Jesus the Nazarene,” speaks of the condensation in leaving the glory of heaven to live in a humble Galilean village.
Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV) 5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
His was a unique life (2:22b)
“attested to you…”
Ø Miracles – dunamis, powerful, supernatural
Ø Wonders – teras, the marveling that takes place when a person witnesses a miracle
Ø Signs – semeion, to point to a spiritual truth.
His was an open life (2:22c)
“you yourselves know.”
Ø Men do not reject Jesus because of lack of knowledge or proof, but because of their own evil.
John 3:19 (NKJV) 19And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
2B. The meaning of Jesus’ death (2:23)
Jesus’ death was predestined (2:23a)
Ø “Delivered up” – (ekdotos) to be betrayed into the hands of your enemy.
Ø “Predetermined” – (horizo) to mark out with a boundary, or to determine.
Ø “Plan” – (boulomai) refers to God’s will, design, or purpose.
Ø “Foreknowledge” – (prognosis) to know and to cause to happen. It is the means by which Christ’s deliverance to His enemies took place.
Man’s guilt is personal (2:23b)
Ø Peter presents the total sovereignty of God alongside the complete responsibility of man.
Ø Men are responsible not for God’s plans but for their own sins.
Jesus’ death was essential
Ø Isaiah 53 & Psalm 22
Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV) 22And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
3B. The miracle of Jesus’ resurrection (2:24-32)
He conquered death (2:24-26)
Ø Death could not hold Him because of divine power
Hebrews 2:14 (NKJV) “14…that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil”
Ø Death could not hold Him because of divine promise.
John 2:18-19 (NKJV) 18So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” 19Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Ø Death could not hold Him because of divine purpose.
John 14:19 (NKJV) 19“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
He conquered defilement (2:27-32)
Ø Jesus is greater than death.
Ø Jesus is greater than David.
4B. The magnificence of Jesus’ reign (2:33-36)
The proof has been given. (2:33)
Ø The coming to the Holy Spirit in power is an earnest of what is to come.
The prophecy will be fulfilled. (2:34-35)
Ø Jesus is awaiting His final coronation.
The prince has been crowned. (2:36)
Application
1. The preaching of the gospel must be central to all we do as a church.
2. To be Christian and Scriptural preaching must be expository.
3. To be Christian and Scriptural preaching must be evangelistic.
4. When the gospel is proclaimed we should expect people to respond.
SCRIPTURAL PREACHING
The Ingredients of a Church Aflame – Part 2
Sunday, January 30,2000 - Acts 2:14-36, Key 2:14, 36
Introduction
Preaching was central in ________________ ministry. (Matthew 4:17; Luke 4:43)
Preaching was central in the early Church. (Mark 16:15; Acts 4:2; Acts 14:7)
Preaching was central in ________________ ministry. (1 Corinthians 1:17)
Preaching is to be central in the Church today! 1 (Corinthians 2:1,3,4)
1A. Scriptural Preaching is Expository
1B. Peter identified his _________________ (2:14-15)
His subject was contemporary
His subject was controversial
2B. Peter employed the _________________ (2:16-21)
The fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. (2:16)
The ________________ of Joel’s prophecy. (2:17-21)
Ø The Spirit of God: a present advent. (2:17-18)
Ø The Judgment of God: a postponed apocalypse. (2:19-20)
Ø The Salvation of God: a permanent assurance. (2:21)
2A. Scriptural Preaching is Evangelistic
1B. The _____________________ of Jesus’ life (2:22)
His was a ___________ life (2:22a; Philippians 2:5-8)
His was a unique life (2:22b)
His was an __________________________ life (2:22c; John 3:19)
2B. The ___________________ of Jesus’ death (2:23)
Jesus’ death was predestined (2:23a)
Ø “Delivered up” – (ekdotos) to be betrayed into the hands of your enemy.
Ø “Predetermined” – (horizo) to mark out with a boundary, or to determine.
Ø “Plan” – (boulomai) refers to God’s will, design, or purpose.
Ø “Foreknowledge” – (prognosis) to know and to cause to happen. Foreknowledge is the means by which Christ’s deliverance to His enemies took place.
Man’s guilt is __________________________ (2:23b)
Jesus’ death was essential (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 & Hebrews 9:22)
3B. The ___________ of Jesus’ resurrection (2:24-32)
He conquered ________________________ (2:24-26)
Ø Death could not hold Him because of divine power (Hebrews 2:14) (
Ø Death could not hold Him because of divine promise. (John 2:18-19)
Ø Death could not hold Him because of divine purpose. (John 14:19)
He conquered defilement (2:27-32)
4B. The magnificence of Jesus’ __________ (2:33-36)
The proof has been given. (2:33)
The prophecy will be fulfilled. (2:34-35)
The prince has been crowned. (2:36)