Acts 2:22-41 "The Truthfulness & the trustworthin of the Word of God"

Good Morning .. Pause

I welcome you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Out Scripture meditation is from Psalm 16:1-2 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”

THE LORD CALLS US TO WORSHIP HIM

*God’s Word of Greeting

*Call to Worship… Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

PLEASE RISE FOR THE SINGING OF GODS WORD

Psalm of Praise

Psalm 16B Preserve Me, O God - Insert (TPH)

INVOCATION:

Father we now call upon you to be with us and be in our presence.

And illuminate our minds by your Spirit and Word.

We thank you Father in all things in Christ name Amen.

PLEASE BE SEATED

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S CALL

Responsive Reading

Psalm 16 verses 1-11 pg. 788

Keep me safe, O God.

for in you I take refuge.

I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.

I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life;

You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

*LET US PRAY

Prayer of Confession and Repentance

Grant, Almighty God, that, since you have until now so kindly invited us to yourself, and daily invite us,

and often interpose also your threatenings to rouse our inattention,

and since we have been inattentive to your reproofs,

as well as to yourKindness to us your children

Help us to not proceed in our wickedness, and thus provoke the vengeance that we deserve

Help us to anticipate your wrath by true repentance,

and be humbled under your hand,

even by your Word,

that you may receive us into favor,

and nourish us in your paternal bosom,

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Assurance of Pardon……Hebrews 9:11-14

English Standard Version Chapter 9

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

LET US RISE FOR THE SINGING OF GODS WORD

Hymn of Thanksgiving Psalm 110B “The Lord Has Spoken to My Lord” (TPH)

LET US PRAY

Congregational Prayer

Lord, teach us to be resigned to your will; teach us to delight in your law;

teach us to have no will but your will; teach us to be sure that everything you do is good

and is the very best that can be done.

Help us to leave our concerns in your divine hands, being persuaded that you have sway even over evil; that out of it you bring good,

till your high purposes shall develop in your own perfect glory,

and in the perfect bliss of all those who put their trust in you.

Father we Pray for _____________ and we ask for all these things in the powerful, glorious, majestic, and wonderful name of Jesus Christ Amen.

YOU MAY BE SEATED

THE LORD FEEDS US FROM HIS WORD

TURN IN YOUR COPY OF GODS WORD TO psalm 16

I chose Psalm 16 becasue it is what Peter quotes in his sermon this morning written down in the book of Acts chapter 2.

Hear now the Word of the Lord

Scripture Reading……...………………..……..…… Psalm 16 “A Miktam of David. Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Let the Lord add his blessing to this reading of His Word.

Turn in your copy of Gods Word to Acts 2:22-41

Hear now the Very Word of God

Acts 2:22-41 The Truthfulness of the Word of God"

English Standard Version Chapter 2

22 “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— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 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;

26  therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

my flesh also will dwell in hope.

27  For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

or let your Holy One see corruption.

28  You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

29 “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. 30 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, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 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. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

35  until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 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?” 38 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. 39 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.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The Grass withers and the Flower Fades but the Word of our God shall stand Forever.

SERMON The Truthfulness and Trustworthiness of the Word of God.

HP The Truthfulness and Trustworthiness of the Word of God.

Vs 22-24The truth that Jesus was killed according to the Foreknowledge of God.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

22 “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— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24

Christs death did not catch God the Father or Christ off guard.

It was the will of God that he should be put to death.

It was the definite plan of God.

Christ the second person of the Godhead from all eternity new this was going to happen to him.

It was his mission.

It was his purpose as the second person of the trinity the God/man

It was Christ who said in Luke 22:42-43

English Standard Version Chapter 22

42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

Jesus new it was going to happen all the way back in Luke 22:42-43

But he new before that as well.

Becasue it was the definite plan of God

The foreknowledge of God.

And what is foreknowledge

foreknowledge refers to the all-knowing, omniscient nature of God whereby He knows reality before it is real, all things and events.

Jesus new his death was coming before the foundation of the World.

Jesus knew he was going to be put to death by those who witnessed his miracles.

He knew they would kill him.

He knew they would ignore his mighty works and wonders and signs.

And not only did he know it.

He had David write it down for us in Psalm 16 and Psalm 110 for the church to quote and remember then in Peters Sermon

And for me to point out to you this morning.

Theses two Psalms are quoted in our passage today

in verses 25-28 & verse 34.

This is one of the reasons that the word God is not only True but it is Trustworthy.

Becasue not only did Christ know he was going to die for the sins of his people the sins of these lawless men who would put him to death.

Christ shared it through the Word of God with Men throughout History before he was even Born.

Becasue who is the Word according to John 1:1-3

John 1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Men who didn't deserve this grace he would bestow on them. the Truth of His Word.

The Wisdom of His Word.

Men who deserved hell and the pains of it for all eternity for there rebellion against God.

But Christ shared this Word with them.

And what Did Christ share with David and all that would read his words throughout history?

Well lets read it in verses 25-28

Acts 2:25-28 “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.’”

These verses contain the truth of the Prophecy given to David.

Vs. 25-35 The truth of the Prophecy given to David

And this prophecy is not about David its about Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah who would come.

The Messiah whom all Israel would be waiting for.

Verse 25 says

vs 25 That Christ would be at the right hand of God by the inspired words given to David.

When you hear something awesome like Christ will be at the right hand of God.

And that he can’t be shaken. That means Christ can never be removed.

vs 26 speaks about Christ’s gladness because of this truth that God would not be kept in the grave and that the Gospel would be fulfilled through Jesus and it was Jesus that rejoiced with his tongue.

Christ flesh will dwell in hope

Becasue the Cross is not the end of the story for our Messiah,

Because God the Fathers promise is True.

That Christ Jesus’s soul would not be abandoned to Hell.

And He would not see corruption because we serve a God who has risen.

And yes you heard that right Christ had a soul.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism questions 21 & 22 share some great truths about who Christ is lets look at them.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 21

Question 21

Who is the Redeemer of God’ s elect?

The only Redeemer of God’ s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Tim. 2:5–6) who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, (John 1:14, Gal. 4:4) and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, for ever. (Rom. 9:5, Luke 1:35, Col. 2:9, Heb. 7:24–25)

Question 22

How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, (Heb. 2:14,16, Heb. 10:5) and a reasonable soul, (Matt. 26:38) being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, (Luke 1:27,31,35,42, Gal. 4:4) yet without sin. (Heb. 4:15, Heb. 7:26)

So yes our text proves many of these truths today.

When the text says He would not see corruption

does this mean that Christ did not die and did not suffer the pain of Hell prior to his resurrection?

of course not.

Christ did die for our sins

Christ did descend into Hell for three days prior to his resurrection.

This is the teaching of Scripture and the teaching of the Westminster Larger Catechism

Our Larger Catechism question 50 states

The Westminster Larger Catechism Question 50

Question 50

Wherein consisted Christ’ s humiliation after his death?

Christ’ s humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried, (1 Cor. 15:3–4) and continuing in the state of the dead, and under the power of death till the third day; (Ps. 16:10, Acts 2:24–27,31, Rom. 6:9, Matt. 12:40) which hath been otherwise expressed in these words, He descended into hell.

God the Father would not let his sons jesus see corruption

God the Father knew the paths of Jesus life.

God the Father made Christ full of gladness when he was raised to the right hand of God the Father.

Christ is in the presence of God.

the Son is reunited with the Father.

And The Father is reunited with the Son.

And the Son will always and continually be making intercession for us with the Father.

We see in verses 29-34 that Peter continues his argument or discourse about why we should see Christ in this prophecy.

Vs. 25-35 The truth of the Prophecy given to David and The Truth that Christ has Risen

29 “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. 30 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, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 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. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

35  until I make your enemies your footstool.”

and verse  36 tells us the truth that Christ has Risen

English Standard Version Chapter 2

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Luke is saying David’s in the grave.

If there is anything left of his body its a Skelton or dust depending on how he was buried.

When we die our bodies will be like davids

in the ground decomposing.

But Christ was different

Christ Body is not in the grave like David’s

Christ has not only fulfilled one Prophecy of God but a second from Psalm 110

Psalm 110 (ESV)

A Psalm of David.

The Lord says to my Lord:

“Sit at my right hand,

until I make your enemies your footstool.”

The Father promised Jesus Christ

That is who the two Lords are

God the Father and God the Son

God the the Father said sit at my right hand

God the Father is making all Christ’s enemies his footstool.

All those who are enemies of God

All those people on earth who’s father is the devil.

All the non elect will be made Christs footstool.

They will all eventually be made to bow to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

And they will not be spending three days in hell.

But all of eternity in Hell.

I would not want to be there one minute.

Not for one second.

Because only those who turn to Christ for redemption.

Only those who turn to Christ for Salvation

Will be in his presence and loving and faithful servants of the King of Kings

Only those who love him now in this life will be in his presence

Only those who love to read His word today will he make intercession for.

All those who hate Christ and hate his law will be made his footstool.

And that is where all Christs enemies belong in Hell and under his feet.

And the Word of God is True because Christ has risen.

Christ has taken the punishment for all those the Father has given him.

And this is the truthfulness and trustworthiness of the Word of God.

That Prophecies written down thousands of years ago came true and the Word of God can be trusted.

And the fulfillment is happening with the Prophecy of Joel coming true the Prophecy of David coming True.

Christ is in heaven on his throne.

And we have been given the Holy Spirit and another promise has been fulfilled and the saints saw the spirit in cloven tongues of fire and heard the miracles of everyone speaking of the wondrous acts of Christ By people who didn’t even speak their language but all of a suden I understand them.

THis passage in Acts make me think of a passage in 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:54-56 states

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55  “O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

And lets praise God with verse 36

English Standard Version Chapter 2

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

He is Lord and Christ

King and Reedemer

Ruler and Helper

He is our Prophet our Priest and Our King

So how should we respond with this knowledge

verse 37 -40 apply to all those who are under the wrath and curse of sin and who turn to Christ.

Vs. 37-40 The Truth of Salvation and the Call to be Baptized

English Standard Version Chapter 2

37 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?” 38 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. 39 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.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:37 Peter’s preaching proved effective,

He not only persuading his hearers minds but convicting their consciences.

If Jesus of Nazareth was indeed their appointed Messiah,

then no guilt could be greater than the guilt of treating him as he had been treated.

If they had refused him in whom all their hope of salvation rested,

what hope of salvation was left to them now?

There only choice in this dilemma would be to cry out in anguish of heart, “What are we to do, brothers?”

And it is the internal witness of the Holy Spirit that is convicting them of their sin.

And just as they did then.

We have the internal witness of the Holy Spirit that cuts us to the heart.

We are called to Repent

And if we are his we will Repent

Repent of what.

Repent of every transgression the spirit convicts us off

If we are liers we will repent of those lies and ask God for forgiveness and those that we lied to for

that the 9th commandment.

If we have broken the 7th commandment and lusted after someone else’s spouse we would ask God for forgivness and those that we have sinned against.

If we have used the Lords name as a cuss word. We would ask God for forgivness of that sin and any who heard us speak such awful things.

But beloved we must know the commandments to actually know if we have transgressed them.

Peter proclaimed if your cut to the heart repent of these sins.

Be baptized in the name of Christ for the forgivness of all these sins.

And the Holy Spirit will be with you always.

And not only you but the promise is for you and for your children

Raise your children in the nurture and admonish of the Lord.

Don’t leave them Blind tell them of the Law of God.

tell them that their sinners before an all powerful God.

Tell them that there is redemption in and through only one.

The Lord Jesus Christ our King and our Reedemer.

And that they and you should take verse 39-40 seriously

Lets Read 39-40

English Standard Version Chapter 2

39 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.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

Acts 2:40 Peter is here bearing his reasoned witness to the facts of the gospel and to the promise of salvation.

The generation to which his hearers belonged had been not effected by Jesus as a “faithless and perverse generation”

and as an “evil generation” because of its unbelieving response to him and his message according to (Luke 9:41; 11:29).

But there was a way of deliverance from the judgment

The deliverance of which Joel had spoken was to be enjoyed by a remnant of the whole people;

Not Just Jews but Gentiles as well in facts everyone who would call on the Lorf

So now Peter urges his hearers to make sure they are believers,

by a repentant calling on the Lord,

To declare to the world that they belonged to this remnant

and by this declaration of theis faith in Christ save themselves from this perverse generation.

The New Church is forming

as the believing remnant of the old Israel and the nucleus of the new.

This promise is for EVERYONE WHOM THE LORD CALLS.

AND if the spirit is convicting you of your sin and your Need for him.

Then your response should be as the 3000 in our text.

Turn from this crooked and wicked generation.

And wouldn't it be wonderful if we had 3000 actually here today?

well we would not be meeting in this facility for much longer would we.

Becasue if 3000 were here in our midst today and they heard the Word and the Spirit awakened them.

Living Stone would need to meet in a field until we could find a larger facility.

Becasue we would Baptize them and continue to teach them everything the Lord has commanded until he returns at the end of time.

Let us pray to that end.

That the Lord would grow his church by his people hearing the Word and continuing in the Word through the Spirit.

And that they would turn to Jesus Christ and Know the Truthfulneess and Trustworthness of a Reedemer

who was promised to us in history

and who has come and was crucified and

raised from the dead

and who lives to continually make intercession for all his people.

Let us Pray

CLOSING PRAYER

Father I pray that today your people have heard you speaking to them this morning.

Help us to apply this in our walk with you and with our brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Help us to show the Love of Christ to others in sharing your Word and Gospel Call to Salvation with this lost and this dying world.

Help us to be witness for you Lord here in Wichita Falls and good disciples.

Help us to have comfort in the knowledge that we will live forever with you.

And help us to look forward to that day when you will say well done you good and faithful servant enter into the rest of your Lord.

And we pray in Jesus Christ name.

Amen

LET US RISE

*Psalm of Response Psalm 23A The Lord’s My Shepherd (TPH)

WE ARE DISMISSED WITH GOD’S BLESSING

Let us Pray

Father in heaven be with and keep this your people throughout the week.

Father in heaven encourage these your people to discuss with their families the sermon and how they can apply this to the people who they run into through the week.

And father help them through your spirit to have a stronger walk with you and to make this word preached effectual in their lives.

In Christ name

Amen

Closing Psalm:

Closing Hymn TPH 567 Doxology

Praise God from whom all Blessing Flow; praise him all creatures here below; Praise him above ye heavenly host praise Father Son ands Holy Ghost Amen.