Peter's First Message

Peter’s First Message

Acts 2:14-36

Jeff Hughes – February 9, 2003

Calvary Chapel Aggieland

I. Introduction

a. All of us here can probably relate to our first time speaking or performing in public. Unless you are one of those individuals that has ice water in their veins, it was no doubt a nerve-wracking experience. I remember I was nervous and my palms were sweating for a speech I had to give in school one time. My delivery was horrible because I was so nervous. Praise the Lord that I have gotten over that!

b. We are going to look at one of those situations today. We will get a peek at a Pastor’s first sermon. But, it’s going to be a lot different. We won’t see stuttering or stammering, we will see power and poise, as the gospel is delivered effectively to a large crowd gathered by God for the sole purpose of hearing His message.

c. But, first, let’s get a little background. Last week, we saw that the disciples were gathered together, in the upper room, on the East side of Jerusalem, and that the Holy Spirit had arrived. The sound of the Holy Spirit filling the house was amazing and drew a large crowd, but what came after was even more miraculous. The crowd that gathered hailed from all over the Roman Empire. They heard the disciples speaking in their native languages. They heard the disciples glorifying and praising God in their native languages. That was truly a miracle, and the miracle the crowd saw that day drew them to the disciples, and the miraculous events surely served as a witness to what was going to be said that day.

d. At the end of the day, and as we will see next week, three thousand people come to Christ after hearing the message that day in Jerusalem.

e. Just like last week, we have a lot to cover today. Today’s study is out of Acts chapter 2, verses 14 through 36. Twenty-two verses. A marathon by my standards. But, we are going to get a chance to a chance to look at all of Peter’s message in its entirety. This will be fruitful for us today.

f. But first, let’s pause for a moment of prayer, and let’s ask the Lord to come and bless our study in His Word today.

II. PRAYER

III. Illustration

a. A story is told of two men who got into conversation on a boat when returning from India. One was an English sportsman and the other was a missionary. The sportsman said, "I’ve been in India for 25 years, and I never saw one of the natives converted." "That’s odd," answered the missionary, "did you ever see a tiger?" "Hundreds of them” was the reply, "and I have shot dozens in the hunt." "Well, I have been in India for many years," said the missionary, "but I have never seen a tiger. But under the power of the Gospel of Christ, I have seen hundreds of the natives of India turn to the Savior!" You see, one loved hunting and was looking for tigers. The other loved individuals who needed God and was looking ways to bring them to Jesus!

b. Likewise, a guest preacher came one Sunday in midwinter to an appointment. The day was unusually stormy and bitterly cold, and he found the building empty. However, he took his seat in the pulpit and waited. One man came in, and at the appointed hour the preacher stood up and opened the service. At its close the man in the pew departed without waiting to face the minister. About twenty years later, the same preacher was approached by a stranger. "Do you remember," he asked, "preaching years ago to one man?" "Yes, I do, indeed," replied Dr. Lyman Beecher. "If you are that man, I have wanted ever since to meet you." "I am the man," was the answer. "That sermon saved my soul, and led me into the ministry. The converts of your sermon, sir, are all over Ohio.

c. Guys, the gospel is powerful stuff. It changes lives. It is effective, just as God designed it. We have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s jump in.

d. As I said earlier, our study today comes out of Acts chapter 2, starting in verse 14. Acts is just past John in the New Testament and before Romans. Follow along with me starting at verse 14.

IV. Study

a. Intro

i. 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ’And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ 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."