2013 Acts #4: an exposition of Acts 2:14-40. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 9, 2013.
Intro:
It wasn’t that he was unaccustomed to speaking. In fact he often spoke too much. It wasn’t a lack of courage – in his life he had often done what no one else would dare to do. But somehow things were different that day. A huge crowd had gathered. His mind must have gone back to the events of just a few weeks before when he had failed miserably. Then his courage failed. Today was different – he was emboldened. There was a fire within his bones. He was anointed and he had to speak. He stood his ground. He spoke with eloquence and boldness not his own. And the results were – well, unbelievable. Such was the occasion of what could be called the first “Christian sermon.” Our text this morning is found in the second chapter of Acts.
Text: Acts 2:14-40
So much had happened in such a short time. Just 7 weeks before he was in that upper room with the Lord Jesus and his fellow disciples. He could not believe his ears when the Lord Jesus talked of betrayal. “Not me Lord,” Peter insisted. “I would die for you.” And he meant it as his actions later that night proved. But his heart sank when the Lord Jesus said, “Peter, before this night is over you will have denied even knowing me three times.” Peter vehemently denied Jesus’ claim. But eventually the pain in his master’s voice shamed him into silence. As he thought back to that night and relived each of those denials – each one was like a knife in his heart. Try as he might he could not block out those awful memories. But he also remembered the sweet, tender moment when the risen Lord appeared to him. He looked into those eyes and instantly knew the grace and forgiveness of his God. And now, today, he felt a power he had never known. The truth of who Christ is and what he had accomplished in the plan and purpose of God was flooding his mind and soul. Peter was about to bust! He had to preach the “good news.”
It was the Day of Pentecost. The celebration of God’s harvest. Celebration of God’s giving the Law at Sinai. People from all over the Roman world were present in Jerusalem. The power of God fell as had been promised by the Lord Jesus. There was the sound of a violent, rushing wind. There were tongues of fire over each head – Peter and the other apostles made their way into the streets and began to declare the glory of God. People from all over the world were hearing the gospel in their native tongue. There was great confusion as the people struggled to make sense of all this. Then Peter addressed the crowd. (Read the text for the message.)
- It was an “electric” moment.
- It was a moment of high drama.
- It marked the beginning of a new day with the people of God.
- This was the beginning of the fulfillment of the task assigned.
The ministry of reconciliation had been committed to his followers and now Peter stands and boldly begins that ministry. This sermon at Pentecost serves as a model for authentic ministry. There are all kinds of models for ministry. There is great debate today about how we should go about the task assigned. Some question the need to preach as a means of accomplishing the work – but Acts two reminds us that:
Thesis: Authentic ministry demands that we boldly declare the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Completion of the task assigned demands gospel preaching.
There are three things I want us to note about gospel preaching from our text.
- Gospel preaching flows from the Spirit’s enabling. (2:14-21)
- Gospel preaching focuses on the person and work of the Lord Jesus. (2:22-36)
- Gospel preaching forcefully calls for repentance and faith. (2:37-41)
Conclusion:
Gospel preaching demands each of these elements. The enabling of the Holy Spirit. The Message of Jesus and a call for repentance.