Sermon Central
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Hearken To My Words Series
Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Jul 19, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: Those that were in Jerusalem were hearing the Gospel message, but in their native or natural tongue.
Hearken To My Words”
Acts 2:12-22
A great event is taking place in our text today.
Those that were in Jerusalem were hearing the Gospel message, but in their native or natural tongue.
In the last words of verse 11 “…we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”
We ask; what is “the wonderful works of God?”
John Gill says “not the works of creation and providence, though these are great and wonderful; but of redemption, pardon, atonement, justification, and salvation, by the Messiah, by his obedience, sufferings, and death, and also of his resurrection from the dead.”
Seems to be a problem because those that were speaking were not the religious leaders from the Temple but lowly fishermen, tax collector, farmers (Perhaps), unknown for others.
The point is that these men were not of the higher education, but rather simple men who followed Jesus.
Whether the gift of tongues was the speaking or the hearing it should be clear that something very special has taken place.
As I stated before “the gift of Tongues” was not for entertainment, nor is it a reward for devotion to the Lord.
Tongues was intended for the use of preaching the Gospel message to the Jewish nation which required a sign that God had intervened.
1 Corinthians 1:22 “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:”
Vs. 12 “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?”
All - each, every, any, all, the whole,
Amazed - to throw out of position, displace, throw into wonderment, astounded, besides one’s self.
In doubt - to be entirely at loss, to be in perplexity
(Often we hear the statement, “I just can’t believe this is happening.”)
What meaneth this? - This seems to be a question that they had no answer for and therefore did not expect an answer.
Vs. 13 Others mocking said, What meaneth this.
Mocking - to make a joke of, this can be done with expression as well as in words.
It should not surprise or offend a Child Of God that those who do not know God will make fun of those who do.
We ought to stand without shame for our Saviour.
What meaneth this - In other words “These men are drunk.”
The same response from Peter in Vs. 15
Notice 2 questions Vs. 13 “What meaneth this.”
Vs. 37 “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Question one (1) is the natural response when you see a Spiritual Event “What meaneth this.”
Question two (2) is a Spiritual awakening from the Holy Spirit “what shall we do?”
There may be someone here who has the same two (2) questions. “Is this real?” “I know it’s real now what do I do about it?”
The answer is so simple that it almost seems too easy.
Vs. 38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Verses 14-41 was will study as Peter’s sermon on Pentecost.
Vs. 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (9AM) 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Verses 14-16 is an introduction and testimony as to what is taking place with great power from God.
Verses 17-22 is point 1 as Peter reminds them what Joel said: Joel 2:28-32 Same words as Peter speaks in theses verses.
Acts 2:17-21 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Conclusion:
So the question for today is not “What meaneth this.”
But “what shall we do?”
If you are here today without Christ the answer seems almost too simple; Trust Christ for salvation:
For the saved: What can we do to tell others?
