Stay Faithful Series

“Stay Faithful”

Acts 2:42-43

We finished last week the first known sermon after Jesus has ascended to sit on the right hand of the Father.

This is also the first action after the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The results seem to be profound and almost unbelievable, but not when God is involved.

I do not say that we are powerless if we do not see the same results but it should be something we strive for; that the preaching be filled with God’s power and not intended for entertainment but rather that God would touch hearts and the hearers would then feel compelled to do as the Bible said.

I. The Effect Of Gospel Preaching

Vs. 37 “…they were pricked in their heart…”

I do not see an awe from Peter speaking, but rather they were moved by a conviction of their sinful condition.

Gospel preaching ought to have that effect on both the lost and the saved.

The lost should live in a sense of lostness (lost with no hope outside of Christ).

The saved should rejoice in truth preached and then ask the Holy Spirit to deepen their faith through obedience.

II. The Response Of Gospel Preaching

Vs. 41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized…”

The response came from the preparation not the presentation.

Act 1:14 “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

They walked together

They prayed together

They agreed together (they voted to add Matthias as an Apostle)

They went out together (they were all present while Peter spoke)

III. The Results Of Gospel Preaching

Vs. “….the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

The result was 3000 souls saved!

I do not need to see thousands saved to be obedient in the Gospel message.

I cannot touch anyone’s heart

I cannot convict another person

I cannot save anyone

I cannot make anyone believe

I can only be faithful where the Lord has placed me and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work.

My job/calling, as all should be, is to be faithful and ready to give an account to those God would put in my path.

IV. The Continuation Of Gospel Preaching

Vs. 42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Continued - to exist, to happen, to be present

In other words They made themselves available.

Stedfastly - to be devoted or constant to one, to persevere and not to faint, to show one’s self courageous for

Apostles’ doctrine - They adhered to, or attended on, their teaching or instruction.

Literally means that the Apostles taught what they were taught by Jesus.

Ephesians 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

Colossians 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”

2 Timothy 3:14 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”

Fellowship - koinonia (koy-nohn-ee’-ah) – communication, association, participation

Breaking of bread - Many believe that this was the “The Lords Supper” but I see this was the continuation of their fellowship as they shared a meal together. As described in Vs. 46

Bread - Bread was the main course in a meal, ingested for nourishment and when they ate bread they broke the bread and did not cut it.

Prayers - pray earnestly, to call out to God.

V. The Outcome Of Gospel Preaching

Vs. 43 “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”

Fear - that which strikes terror, also reverence

Fear is listed 385 times in the Bible.

I wonder if that is because it is so effect.

Fear can be used as a stopping point, to keep us from doing something harmful.

But fear can also be a great motivation; when we know of danger or threat fear can drive us to do the extraordinary.

Ask the mother who picked up a car because her child was trapped under it.

As a person who runs into a burning building to bring out someone who is trapped.

Fear ought to be the driving force to hand out a Gospel tract or to testify to a stranger about who Christ is.

Every soul - Every person or individual; that is, upon the people generally; not only on those who became Christians, but upon the multitudes who witnessed these things.