Peters first sermon and best
Reading: Acts chapter 2 verses 12-37.
Ill:
• Pentecost Sunday – the birthday of the Church!
• Speaking of birthdays – I love the story of the man who heard his wife say:
• “I would like to be 8 again”.
In Acts chapter 2, Peter gave his first sermon:
• Now if you want to embarrass a preacher:
• Just ask him how about the first sermon he ever preached went.
• Most of can remember it well, because it was not a very enjoyable experience!!!
• Often during a preachers first sermon they are very, very nervous.
• Often they get very tongue-tied or memory goes blank or they dry up etc.
• Often you feel that you are the wrong person in the wrong place.
• However, for Peter - I believe this first sermon broke all the rules;
• Not only was it his best ever sermon – it was certainly his most influential.
• It ignited a flame that would spread across the whole world,
• And share the message of Christ with incalculable numbers of people.
(A). 4 things to note about Peter’s Sermon:
(1). His sermon is Down to Earth.
(1ST). PETER’S SERMON IS SIMPLE!
Ill:
The great preacher of the early 19th century G. Campbell Morgan says;
• That when his book ‘Life Problems’ was published.
• One critical reviewer wrote concerning it;
• “This man evidently has no use for language
• other than making people know what he wants to say”.
• Campbell Morgan cut out and pasted that review in a book and prayed;
• “The Lord help me to keep right there”.
Quote Leonard Ravenhill after listening C.S. Lewis:
“I was fascinated with his message, and stunned by his simplicity.
That’s preaching!”
• As a preacher there is no merit in trying to be deep and complicated.
• Good preachers can take deep and complicated truths and present them simply.
• Quote:
• "A good preacher makes you see the obvious".
• By that I mean, when you read the passage, you can say;
• "It was here all the time, but I didn’t see it until he pointed out".
(2ND). PETER KNEW HIS AUDIENCE.
• The message preached, was given by a Jew, to Jews (Vs 14, 22, 29, 36).
• So that affected the content of his sermon, what he went on to share.
Ill:
Bob Telford:
• Tease him about the length of his messages (ill: Cut it in half!)
• First thing he always wrote on his paper was "Who am I speaking too!"
Ill:
"Horses for courses" or "Cut your cloth accordingly".
Ill:
• Do a study of Jesus in the gospels:
• Notice how he spoke differently depending on who his audience was:
• Religious people (Scribes & Pharisees).
• Crowds.
• Individuals.
• 12 Disciples.
(3RD). PETER STARTED WHERE THEY WERE AT (verse 22):
• With things they knew;
• Verse 22: "As you yourselves know".
Ill:
• He was going to build a bridge of truth, starting on their side:
• And then take them across that bridge,
• So he could reveal to them truth they didn’t know!
Ill:
One day King George V:
• Was to give the opening address at a special disarmament conference,
• The speech was to be relayed by radio to the U.S.A.
• As the broadcast was about to begin, a cable broke in the New York radio station,
• And more than a million listeners were left without sound.
• A junior mechanic in the station,
• A man called Harold Vivien,
• Solved the problem by picking up both ends of the cable;
• And allowing 250 volts of electricity to pass through him.
• Harold Vivien became the living link that allowed the king’s message;
• To get through to the people - I am sure you can see the application!
Notice:
• Peter actually started his sermon because of a question;
• Verse 12:"What does this mean".
• He started with a question and because "he scratched where they were itching",
• Notice: when he finished, they responded with a question;
• Verse 37: "What shall we do?"
• That is effective communication!!!
(2). His sermon is Bible Based.
• Quoting from Joel (verse 17) and David (verses 25 & 34) from our Old Testament,
• Peter constructs solid, biblical reasons to believe in Christ.
• As Christians our message is not to be based on popular opinion:
• As Christians our message should not simply be what people might like to hear:
• If you want to build people up in their faith or bring them to Christ.
• We need to tell them what the book says (and explain it to them!!!)
Ill:
• When evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) was returning home from a service one night,
• He was robbed.
• The thief, however,
• Found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature.
• As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.”
• The surprised robber paused and Wesley said to him:
“My friend you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here’s something to remember, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!’”
• The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit.
• Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service;
• When he was approached by a stranger.
• He looked John Wesley in the eye and said;
“I was the one who had robbed you years before!
Now I am a believer in Christ and a successful businessman, I owe it all to you”.
• “Oh no, my friend,” Wesley exclaimed,
• “Not to me, but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin!”
Wesley believed in the power of the word of God:
• And as a result this man (one of many) came to faith in Jesus Christ!
• Quote: “Faith comes through hearing and hearing the word of God”.
Quote:
“Some books inform,
Some books reform,
Only the Bible transforms!”
(c). His sermon is Christ Centered.
• The people’s question in verse 12, "What does this mean?"
• Provides Peter with a launching pad from which he fires off truths about Christ.
e.g.
Scan through this passage with me:
• Verse 22: "Men of Israel, listen to this, Jesus of Nazareth".
• Verse 23: "This man" that is Jesus.
• Verse 32: "This Jesus".
• Verse 36: "This Jesus".
Peter stood up before the crowds and he preached Jesus to them:
Ill: ill:
Starving man needs food. In a drought a thirsty man needs water.
Ill:
Sinful human beings need a saviour, a rescuer (forgive past, help in the present).
(4). He was Audible.
• Whenever you stand up before a group of people,
• Make sure you get their attention!
(a).
• Verse 14: "Peter stood up" - make sure you are visible,
• And also any visual aids (ill: amazed how many churches cannot use an projector/OHP).
(b).
• Verse 14: "He raised his voice". - Not saying shout but make sure people can hear you.
• It would have been no good having this great sermon, if no one can hear Peter
• His message would not have got to the other side of the street
• Never mind impacting the other side of the world).
(c).
• While we are being practical,
• Look people in the eye (white of their eyes).
• Ill: “We are down here!”
(B). The Content of Peter’s Sermon (1)
Peter’s sermon divides up into two parts:
PART 1:
• Verses 15-21:
• Peter explains the supernatural events that the crowd had just witnessed.
• i.e. The noise of a rushing wind.
• i.e. What looked like “Tongues of fire” resting on the followers of Jesus.
• i.e. People listening to the disciples – untrained lay preachers speaking in their language!
• i.e. These people had come to Jerusalem from all over the world.
PART 2:
• Verses 22-36: Peter gives 4 proofs that Jesus is the Messiah:
• In these verses Peter paints for his readers a stunning portrayal of Jesus,
• Highlighting four key proofs about Him.
1ST PROOF IS THE PERSON OF JESUS (VS 22-24):
• Twice Peter reminds his hearers that Jesus was a real human being "A man" (vs 22 & 23).
• His hearers had no problem with those words.
• "Of Nazareth" a real place that many of the crowd would know (60 miles from Jerusalem).
• And know of its reputation; "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46)
• They also knew that Jesus was not ordinary (talk of the town, area etc for what he did)
• "Accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs" (v. 22c)
Note these three words he uses:
• Miracles speak of the source of his power (supernatural i.e. God)
• Wonders are displays for the eyes (Unique, should cause people to ask "Who is this?")
• Signs were proof of who he was (Messiah i.e. Luke 4:18-19).
Some of the people in the crowd may well have experienced some of those miracles
• Ill: Fed in the crowd of 5,000.
• Ill: Met or seen Lazarus or knew somebody who had.
• Certainly have heard the rumours, after all the crowds followed him everywhere.
• It was obvious that God’s hand was upon Jesus:
Notice:
• Now that the natural question is answered,
• Another question would be in the minds of his hearers:
"If he was such a good and unique man,
Why should he experience such a brutal death by Roman execution?"
• Peter answers that question by revealing to his hearers that it was part of a plan.
• The death of Jesus was not an accident, not a mistake, not martyrdom. (verse 23):
"This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge".
Even though it was planned by God:
• That Jesus would endure this type of death,
• In no way lessons the crime of those who murdered Jesus.
• Verse 23:
• "This Man . . . you nailed to a cross and put Him to death"
• "This man" who did miracles, wonders & signs which proved his Messiah-ship.
• "You" rejected him and worse still “You” nailed him to a cross.
Ill:
• Rembrandts picture – “The Three Crosses”.
• He painted himself in the crowd – he was also responsible – “our sins”.
Note: "But God" (verse 24) what looked like a disaster, a tragic mistake:
• God has turned into a magnificent triumph.
• Because he raised Jesus Christ from (vs 24) the "Agony of death".
• That word "Agony" or "Pains" means "birth-pangs";
• Suggesting the tomb was a "womb" out of which Jesus was born in resurrection glory.
2ND: PROOF WAS THE PROPHECY OF DAVID (VS 25-31):
• Peter quotes from three Old Testament Psalms:
• Psalm 16, Psalm 132 & Psalm 110.
Ill:
• Peter uses David,
• One of the great heroes of Jewish faith as witness for the prosecution:
• 980 years earlier, David wrote the words quoted in verse 27
• "That his body would not decay in the grave".
• These words from Psalm 16 verses 8-11 could not apply to David,
• Because (verse 29): "David did die & was buried & his body did decay in the tomb."
• So therefore his words must apply to someone else:
• Peter says they were prophetic words concerning the Messiah:
• And that prophecy had now been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.
• Peter then quotes from two more Psalms – No 110:1 & No 132:11 as further evidence
• In forming his hearers that Jesus of Nazareth; the man they killed was the Messiah:
Verse 31:
• David "Seeing what was ahead spoke of the resurrection of the Christ".
• Paraphrase: David looked ahead and could see these events happening.
• And verse 31: God being true to his promise; kept his word:
• "He was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay".
3RD PROOF IS THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (VS 33).
• In verse 32 Peter says; "We are all witnesses of this".
• We have seen the risen Christ with our own eyes,
• We have touched the risen Christ, we have handled him,
• And not just us - others have seen and touched him too!
Peter goes on to say this Jesus who you crucified and who God raised from the dead:
• Is now seated "having been exalted to the right hand of God" (v. 33)
• Peter mentions the ascension, the going back into the Father’s presence.
• Ill: Winning podium.
• Ill: He has the gold medal!
• Proof that God has accepted the person and work of Jesus.
• And given to it his seal of approval.
• What a contrast; "People" rejected and crucified him.
• But God has exalted and honoured him. (You did your worst, God his best).
4th PROOF IS THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (VS 33).
• Skilfully drawing his point further;
• In verse Peter reveals that it was this same Jesus who:
"Having received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, . . . has poured out what you now see and hear"
• Jesus the one you crucified and left for dead;
• He Himself is the one behind this tongues/many languages miracle (vs 33).
• Note: Follow Peter’s logic (it’s brilliant),
• If Jesus was just a man, then he is dead, and he cannot send the Holy Spirit
• But if the Holy Spirit is here, seen the proof of that with your own eyes & ears,
• Then Jesus must be alive to have sent him.
And so in verse 36 Peter announces his verdict upon the listening crowd:
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this; God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ".
• To paraphrase Peter is literally saying in verse 36: (pointing) Guilty!!! I rest my case.
• Jesus was your Messiah and you rejected and killed him!
• But God has raised him back to life and vindicated him!
(4). Effect of Peter’s Sermon
• For many in the crowd, the penny had finally dropped, they suddenly realized,
• That they had contributed to the killing of God’s Messiah.
• Verse 37: "Cut to the heart", they asked the disciples, "What shall we do?"
• In verse 38: Peter gives them the answer.
3 THINGS TO NOTE FROM VERSE 38:
(1). REPENT:
ill:
Motorway miss your turning.
• Change your mind and attitudes regarding Jesus Christ,
• Instead of being opposed to Jesus, now they were to be his followers.
• And they were promised something or rather someone,
• The gift of the Holy Spirit, to help and strengthen and to guide them.
(2). BE BAPTIZED:
• And Peter says to the crowd:
• Prove you have believed in Jesus the Messiah by being baptized.
• In other words, publicly let folks know that you are following him!
• Believing may be personnel, an inward and invisible thing,
• But it is never to be a private, secret thing
• ill: Wokingham lady.
• Back to verse 36:
• "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ".
Following Jesus Christ is twofold:
• It is not only believing the right things,
• i.e. that he is the Christ, the Messiah.
• It is also acknowledging him as the Lord, the boss, the King of your life.
• And if the King gives a command, you obey!!!
(3). Receive the Holy Spirit.
• Ill: Holy Guest.
• Ill: The other self of Jesus!
