Completing The Mission That Jesus Began
Telling People About Jesus
Acts 2:14-42
God has called us to Complete the Mission that Jesus began. To do that, we must be “Telling People About Jesus”. People that you come in contact with every day. We must make it the pattern of our lives.
Peter's message to the people on the day of Pentecost is a great example to us of how to tell people about Jesus. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to live in the believer and the Church of Jesus Christ was born.
This was the beginning of the new covenant, but not a new religion. We serve the same God as did the Old Testament saints. The church is just the next part of God’s ancient plan, the plan that He began in the garden with Adam and Eve, when they sinned. It is a continuation of what God did with Abraham and Moses.
God made a covenant with Israel through Moses.
Jesus the Messiah was the fulfillment of that covenant. In the last days, God has given us The New Covenant through Jesus the Son of God. Jesus offed himself as the final sacrifice for all sin and all sinners. Jesus died for the sins of Adam and Eve and Abraham and Moses and all the Old Testament saints who had believed God and put their faith in the coming Messiah. The people of “the one true God” have always been those who put faith in the Messiah and that is still true today. The Church is the true spiritual descendent of Abraham. We are the Children of faith.
The day of Pentecost is strategically important because it is the first opportunity for the church to proclaim the Good News of Jesus the Messiah. And thus it gives a pattern for the church and every believer even today.
The Spirit of God created the interest for the message by the sound wind, and the disciples speaking in each person’s native language. They were amazed and astonished.
How does the Spirit of God create the interest for the message in people around us today? The Spirit creates interest by manifesting the supernatural qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control NIV.
When people around us see these supernatural qualities, they are going to be amazed and interested in knowing about our God.
These disciples were mostly Galileans. They did not have formal education. Is a formal education necessary to tell people about Jesus and to tell people what the Bible says? No!
You do need to read your Bible, you do need to be in church and study. But you do not need a formal education.
Read Acts 2:14-42
There are a number of principles that we learn from this passage that help us tell people about Jesus.
1. Appropriate the Spirit’s Power.
Look at Acts 2:14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: NIV
Now where did the disciples get that boldness? This is probably the same crowd that Peter had run from when a little girl asked him if he knew Jesus.
They were filled with the Spirit. They were under His control. The Spirit had filled them with His power and boldness. They had appropriated the Spirit’s Power.
If you don’t have the courage to speak to people about Jesus, there is a simple reason. You are not filled or controlled by the Spirit. If you lack courage and power, all you need to do is to yield to the Spirit who lives in you.
In Acts 1:8 you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses NIV
Success in witnessing is sharing the Good News in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
We need to appropriate the Spirit’s in order to tell people about Jesus.
T.S. The next principle learn is
2. Be gentle and respectful
Acts 2:14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
NIV
What does Peter call the people "Fellow Jews” NIV, Peter address them in a gentle and respectful way. He identifies with them. He does not present himself as better than they are.
Acts 2:40 “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them,” NIV
Peter was very compassionate. He genuinely cared about the people he was talking to.
1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, NIV
When you speak to a person, identify with them. Be gentle and respectful. Communicate that you are not better than they are. Show real compassion.
Remember that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
T. S. 3rd principle
3. Begin where the person is.
The people were asking in Acts 2:12 “What does this mean?" NIV some thought they were drunk.
Acts 2:15 These men are not drunk NIV, Peter began where they were by answering their question.
How did Peter know what people were asking? He was listening.
Do you listen to the people around you? What are some of the questions that people are asking that you know?
Ill.
-How do you know which religion is the right one?
-Does everybody go to heaven?
-If God is a loving God why is there so much evil in the world?
Listen to the person and begin where they are. Do your best to answer their questions.
T. S. 4th principle
4. Take the person to the Bible for their answers.
Peter takes his audience to Joel 2:28 and gives them the answer to their question.
Read Acts 2:17-21
Peter knew that his audience was familiar with the expression, the last days.
The last days was an important expression and a common Old Testament expression, "for the messianic times." The term “last days” referred to the time when the Messiah would come. The last days began when Jesus began his ministry on earth.
1 Peter 1:20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
NIV
Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son NIV
Hebrews 9:26-27 he (Jesus) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. NIV
Peter does not assume that his audience understands the meaning of this passage. He explains it and uses it to explain the coming of the Holy Spirit and to point them to the Messiah, Jesus. It also drove into their hearts the need for salvation because the expression “the last days” is associated with the final judgment of God.
When you answer a person’s questions from the Scripture, don’t assume that they have any knowledge of the Scripture. Most people today do not know any of the Bible.
You need to explain everything. You also need to use words that they know the meaning of. When you use Biblical words, you need to explain them.
ILL. The blood of Christ. You need to saved. From what?
Begin where they are, don’t assume that they have any knowledge of the Bible. Explain everything.
T. S. The 5th principle
5. Always focus on Christ
From this passage we see 4 way can focus
(1). Focus on the fact that Jesus was and is God.
Listen to what Peter says.
Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
Peter points to the fact that Jesus was God in human flesh. This was attested to by miracles, signs and wonders.
When you talk to people about Jesus, focus on the fact that Jesus was and is God. He is not just a prophet or great teacher.
(2). Focus on the fact that Jesus died on the cross for sin.
Listen to what Peter says.
Acts 2:23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
Peter points out the fact (that they knew) that Jesus died on the cross and it was their sin of rejection of the Son of God that put Him there.
When I talk to people, I tell them that Jesus died and paid for every wrong thing that you and I have ever done. He died for your sins. He took your punishment. Make it personal, because it is.
(3). Focus on the resurrection of Christ and the evidence for the resurrection of Christ.
Listen to what Peter says.
Acts 2:24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. NIV
Peter focuses on the resurrection and then he quotes Scripture to support the resurrection of Christ. Then he explains it.
Read Acts 2:25-28
Listen to Peter’s explanation.
Read Acts 2:29-32
Peter and all of the disciples could give eyewitness testimony to the resurrection of Jesus. There were more than 500 eyewitnesses on one occasion that saw the resurrected Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, NIV
When you talk to someone about Jesus focus on his resurrection. Name me one other religious leader that was raised from the dead.
You and I can also share a testimony of what we have seen Christ do in our life since we came to know Him.
(4.) Focus on Jesus as the only way to receive forgiveness for sin and to go to heaven.
Listen to Peter
Read Acts 2:32-36
Peter points to the exaltation of Jesus to the throne of God. This is a clear reference to Him as God. He is both Lord and Messiah. Peter showed them the only one that could save them from their sin was Jesus Christ.
When we talk to people about Jesus we need to focus on Jesus as the only way. There is no other way. There are not many ways. There is only on way!
We need to focus on Jesus don’t get sidetracked.
T. S. The 6th principle
6. Help the person to receive Christ.
Listen to Peter
Read Acts 2:37-39
Peter did not just leave them wondering what to do. He let them know what to do. He told them they needed to turn from their rebellion against God and His Messiah and receive Jesus as their God and Savior and follow Him.
When you talk to someone be sure to let them know how to receive Christ as their Savior. Offer to pray with them.
T. S. The 7th principle
7. Follow up
Read Acts 2:40-42
They were added to the Church and taught by the church and cared for by the church.
When you lead someone to Christ make every effort to bring them to the church family so that they can help you to disciple them.
Conclusion:
God has called us to Complete the Mission that Jesus began. To do that, we must be “Telling People About Jesus”. People that you come in contact with every day. We must make it the pattern of our lives.
Peter's message to the people on the day of Pentecost is a great example to us of how to tell people about Jesus.
