Untitled Sermon (27)

Acts 2:22–41 NKJV

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’ 29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

Intro: Jesus needs to be our focus. He is why we have Church. Jesus needs to be preached in our churches. If a church does not preach Jesus, are they really a church?

The very first message preached in the church age by Peter was centered around Jesus. For the people that Peter was preaching to Jesus was fresh on their minds.

He had been crucified less then 2 months before. He had been seen after the resurrection. Some that where there may have seen some of his miracles. But they were still unsure of who He really was. Now Peter was preaching, trying to prersude them that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.

In Vs. 14-21 was like an introduction. Peter got their attention. Now He would preach, showing them, proving to them who Jesus really was.

For us today when we share to gospel with someone, we are trying to show them who Jesus really is. The one who is a gift from God, to save them from their sins.

To most people Jesus is not their Lord, he is not their Savior. He is just a name. Someone that is talked about at Christmas time, or Easter. But don’t want to talk about Him any other time.

I. HIS WORKS PROVED HE WAS THE MESSIAH. VS. 22-24

Acts 2:22–24 (NKJV)

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

1. Keep in mind that the people that Peter was preaching to took part in the crucifixion of Jesus. Why? Because He claimed to be God. So Peter preaching that He indeed was God, was nothing more then blasphemy. It would take some pretty hard evidence to persuade this crowd what He was preaching was real.

It can be the same for us. Trying to persuade people, lost people that Jesus is real, and has a free gift for them and will forgive them of their sins. It can be even harder for a church member that is lost.

VS. 22 People of Israel listen to what I have to say. There is no excuse for you to keep rejecting Jesus Christ. Peter identified Him as “Jesus of Nazareth”. This identified Him with His own home town. It was the name that written on the inscription on his cross.

1. Peter says he was a man approved of God. He was man, and He was God.

a. Peter talks about the miracles, wonders, works.

2. Miracles: This describes the supernatural character of His works.

N.T records 36 Miracles. Less then a for each month of his 3-1/2 years of His ministry. He did many more. Look at the last VS. in John.

His miracles were great; He walked on the water, He brought sight to the blind, healed the sick, multiplied the fish, and the loaves. It what the miracles did that our focus should be on. Lives were changed.

1. A load mouth fishermen into a great preacher.

2. A tax collector into a generous giver.

3. A demon possessed man into a servant of God.

4. This is what the miracle of salvation will do. T.V show gangs.

5. Wonders: It describes the marveling that takes place in the mind of the those that witnessed the miracles. Matt. 9:33 “And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.”

6. Signs: This gives the intent of God’s miraculous works; they point to a spiritual truth. Throughout the book of Acts “wonders” only occurs in conjunction with “signs” a testimony to the fact that miracles have no valve in themselves except as they point beyond themselves to the divine power behind them and lead to faith. (John Polhill)

a.

7. The people that Paul was preaching to knew, and some had seen the miracles of

Jesus.

II. The crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah. VS. 23

Acts 2:23 NKJV

23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

John 10:17–18 NKJV

17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

1. Jesus is described in Rev. 13:8 “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world”

2. God gave man a free will and he sinned. Because God is a Holy God, he would demand a full payment for sin. So he sent His son Jesus to die and pay the price for our sin.

a. God gave His son to be the savior of the world, delivering Him to His enemies, and He was crucified and slain.

III. The resurrection of Jesus as Messiah VS. 24

Acts 2:24 NKJV

24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

1. The resurrection of Jesus, proves without a doubt that He truly is the Messiah. Peter preached about Christ teaching, His miracles, and His death. But the greatest proof that He was the Messiah was His resurrection.

a. Death could not hold Him. (Song arise my love)

John 2:18-22

VI. The words of David VS. 25-28

Acts 2:25–28 NKJV

25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

1. Elab what some may have been thinking while Peter was speaking.

a. Then he says, “For David speaketh concerning Him”

b. Peter going to God’s word. Ps. 16: 8-11

c. The resurrection of Jesus was the fulfillment prophecy. This was not just Peter giving Peter’s opinion. This was the words of David. What statement began to ster the hearts of people.

2. When we share Jesus with someone. We need to share to truth of God’s word.

The Holy spirit will begin to ster in their heart.

a. The church, it could be one thing said, that speaks to someone’s heart.

That is why Satan will do all he can to disturb a church service, or time you are witnessing to someone. (Elab story about Outlaw visit, and other stories)

V. His resurrection proves that He is the Lord. VS. 29-36

Acts 2:29–36 NKJV

29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

1. The Jews had an elevated view of David, so Peter uses the Psalms to drive the point that Jesus Christ is Lord. He describes the death, the burial of Christ, the promise of the resurrection as it says in the Psalms. Peter’s point is that Jesus Christ is Lord.

2. The Jews began to understand what he was saying. That Jesus was not a mighty religious leader, or a great military leader. He used the unmistakable term “Lord” to identify Jesus as the Messiah who is God Himself.

The truth of this statement brought convection to the hearts of these people.

3. The gospel of Jesus calls for nothing short of total surrender to Him as Lord.

Lord means boss.

4. In order for the Jews to be saved they had to accept Jesus as Lord. VS.21

a. Now he is had told them through the words of David. Who the Lord is Jesus Christ, and He would save them if they called on Him,

VI. Excepting Jesus as Lord, through true repentance. VS. 37-41

Acts 2:37–41 NKJV

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

1. I Wish I had a tape of Peter’s message. It must have been awesome.

a. He preached the truth of God’s word.

b. He preached with the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Convection fall on the people. VS. 37a

a. Pricked the heart. Means to pierce or to stab. It depicts something sudden and unexpected. Means to have deep pain, and anguish. (SIN)

3. This what happens when the word of God is preached, or when we wittiness to someone. A sinner heart is pierced.

4. Look at the question they ask. VS 37. “What shall we do”?

a. I think they were yelling it out. “WHAT SHALL WE DO” The same crowd that was yelling. “CRUCIFY HIM”

b. What power the gospel had to change people.

1. First thing Peter say’s is to repent. VS. 38

REPENT: A deliberate turning away from a previous conduct.

a. The only way to receive true repentance, is to turn form your sin, and turn to God. Elab. I am concerned about people that claim to be saved, but there is no change. II Corn. :17

John the Baptist. “Repent ye; for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”

BAPTIZED: VS. “be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus”

1. Baptism does not save you. There are some that say if you don’t get baptized your not saved. (Thieve on the cross)

2. Baptism for the people on that day. It would show their public break with their believes in Judaism, and it would identify them with Jesus Christ. (Elab on them being publicly baptized)

a. This would be a very drastic act for them. But it would weed out the one’s that were not genuine.

b. It almost seems like Peter was making it difficult to accept Jesus.

c. Accepting Jesus is easy, but living for him publicly can be a challenge.

3. What about for someone today? When we are baptized we are publicly proclaiming our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. So, baptism is your public confession, not in order to be saved; but it show the you have for the salvation you have received.

4. VS. 38 last part “ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”.

1. We will see later in Acts 11:26 Where the term “Christian” is first used. Elab.

a. They were called Christians because they were Christ like. Elab

b. The only they could and the only way we can be Christ like, is through the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Peter is saying all this that I have said is a promise to everyone that God calls out, and is saved.

a. Maybe some people struggle with sin, and have a hard time living a Godly life because don’t have the gift of the Holy Spirit and have never been saved.

VS. 41 Elab. Charter members of a church. These people were charter members of the Church age.

a. They were baptized because their convection was real.

b. about 3000 souls.

1. Pine Grove, reach the lost. 2. What about you. Have you truly repented