Road Trip #6 – Stop Sign
Acts 2:22-24, 32-41 (p. 759) August 17, 2014
Introduction:
It’s an octagon because scientists say this is one of the most attention getting shapes. (I think a donut shape or a drumstick shape is more attention getting).
It’s red because that is the most attention getting color. It’s big and simple. Just 4 letter in white S.T.O.P. Stop!
[I remember working one summer at bluegrass Christian Camp. I didn’t make it home for about a month and when I came home I took the same roads I always did. As I came down Clays Mill Road I breasted a hill...gas pedal down. It was raining, so I was at least being a little cautious in my pickup truck. And after I crested the hill I encountered a brand new stop sign where before it had been a straight through street...now it was a 4 way stop.
I slammed on the brakes...slid sideways through the intersection and came to rest parallel parked on the other side of the street, facing the opposite direction. I got out looked at that sign as if it were a space alien, looked around. There was no one there. And then I got down on my knees to thank God for sparing my life and someone else’s.
That stop sign came out of the blue. It got my attention when I was least expecting it.]
On this Road Trip we call life. God in His amazing grace sometimes does that with us spiritually.
Before we deal with that truth I wanted to share with you real quotes recorded by the Eagle Insurance group immediately after an accident took place:
[“Coming home I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I do not have.”
“I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother in law and then drove over the embankment.”
“In an attempt to kill a fly I drove into a telephone pole.”
“I pulled to the side of the road and realized there was smoke coming from under my hood. I realized there was an engine fire, so I took my dog and smothered it with a blanket.”
(MY FAVORITE) The claimant had collided with a cow. When asked what warning he gave his answer was: A horn...when asked about warning that was provided by the other party? His answer: A moo.
The final one I’ll share: “As I approached an intersection a stop sign appeared in a place where no stop sign had ever appeared before!”]
In our text in Acts Chapter 2 God is miraculously putting up a spiritual stop sign where none had ever appeared before.
Let’s look at some history before this day in Acts 2. How we got to this place on the Road Trip?
I. THE DISCIPLES STOP AND WAIT FOR GOD’S SPIRIT
The Apostle Paul lists the Lord’s appearances after the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. He says, “He appeared to Peter, then the 12, after that more than 500 brothers...then James and all the apostles...and last of all to me also, one abnormally born.” (v. 5-7)
Jesus appears to the disciples and others for 40 days after His resurrection. In fact on the 3rd time He appears to His disciples He reinstates Peter...restores him.
They are fishing...just as they’d been 3+ years earlier when He called them. And just like then they’ve caught nothing. Once again He tells them to put their nets into deep water. So they do. They catch so many fish the net begins to tear. 153...He tells them to get some fish and have breakfast. And then he has an intimate conversation with Peter.
JOHN 21:15-17 (p. 757)
Jesus asks...“Peter do you love me.”
Peter responds, “Lord you know everything...you know I love you.”
Not 1 time, or 2 times, but 3 times...1 for each denial. Coincidence, I think not.
There’s a lot I could say about this discussion and restoration. How Jesus uses the word for love “agape” (God’s love). And how peter responds to the first 2 “do you love me’s?” with “Lord (Phileo) you know I love you...using the word Phileo basically, “Lord You’re my best friend.”
But Jesus knew...just like the emotions that said “Lord I’ll die for you...even if the others deny you I never will.” That emotional “friendship,” wasn’t enough. Only a different type of love will keep you faithful even when you don’t “feel” like it. “Agape” love that loves no matter what you feel.
Peter hears that truth...It hurts him according to John. And he finally responds...“Lord I love you (Agape). And Jesus says if that’s true “Take care of my sheep, love them.”
None of us can love and take care of other people with just the power of friendship. I can like my “small circle” of friends...but I cannot open my heart to others like God does.
There was only one way Peter could do that and only 1 way you and I can go beyond the cliques.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit...which is “Jesus living in us and through us.” Peter could only become a real shepherd of sheep through this power. The gift God has promised to invade His heart...it’s true for every one of us as well. The final words of Jesus are recorded in Acts 1. Listen to them.
ACTS 1:4-5 (p. 758)
Jesus put up a stop sign. Peter, James, John...all the disciples were told...“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (v. 8)
After Jesus says this “He is taken up before their very eyes and a cloud hid Him from their sight.” (v. 9)
What do they do...they stop. They wait like Jesus has told them to do. They head back to Jerusalem.
ACTS 1:13-14 (p. 758)
In an upper room they wait. (Is it the upper room? We don’t know). There are 120 believers together, including the Apostles, many women, including Mary, Jesus’ mother. They are joined together in constant prayer according to verse 14.
While they wait and pray, they choose Mathias to take Judas’ place as one of the 12.
[How important is praying for God’s will and His way? It’s the first thing they did! How important are godly leaders that put His way and will first? It’s the 2nd thing they did.
Both of these priorities are essential to any healthy church and we need to get back to seeking God, and recognizing those individuals that “ARE ALL IN” more than Robert’s Rules of Order...or any other worldly method of policy and procedures. These 120 believers are waiting and praying for God to act as He’s promised...and He delivers.]
ACTS 2:1-13 (p. 758)
Pentecost (50 days)...it’s the closing festival of Passover. Another name for it is “Atserret” which means “STOP.” It’s the stop sign for the harvest season 7 weeks after Passover on the 50th day. The Harvest is celebrated. No wonder God choose this day as the “Birthday” of the church where a spiritual Harvest would be celebrated.
For that to take place:
II. THE PEOPLE HAD TO “STOP” AND BE CONVINCED OF GOD’S PLAN
God fearing Jews from every nation under heaven have travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover and Pentecost. And on this day when the Holy Spirit has been given to the Apostle’s and He’s enabled them to speak in their native tongues...It’s like you and I hearing an English voice in an all Spanish speaking country (or vice versa). We’d head toward it. Only this was a crowd that heard their own languages from Galileans. The crowd was utterly amazed. “How is this happening? What does it mean?”
Some even accused the Apostles of being drunk...at 9 am.
What is happening here is the exact opposite of Genesis 11, where in pride man decided he would build a tower to heaven. So God confused their languages to make them scatter...we know it as the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:5-9)
Sin, pride, self sufficiency...no need for God...God confused their plan.
Now on Pentecost He unites through those languages. His plan has always been the gospel. So Peter, the restored, looks at the people, with the 11 other apostles at his side and says:
ACTS 2:22-44 (p. 759)
God’s set purpose and foreknowledge (plan)
“You, with the help of “wicked me” put Him to death. Nailed Him to a cross, BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD.”
Remember the man preaching this had denied knowing Jesus to a servant girl just 7 weeks ago.
Peter gives a history lesson in Acts 2 to answer the two questions “How is this happening?” and “what does it mean?”
1. “How is this happening?” The prophet Joel told us
ACTS 2:17-21 (p. 759)
2. “What does it mean?”
It’s essential to make you “STOP.” All this is intended to “impact your eternal destiny.” This Jesus who did miraculous things among you, who you helped crucify and put to death.
“GOD raised this Jesus to life and WE are witnesses of it!” (Acts 2:32)
“Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified both Lord and Messiah (King & promised one) (v. 36)
What does all this mean? STOP...Realize God’s plan...Realize your sin...STOP and consider what you’ve done and where you’re headed on this Road Trip.
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart.”
None of us will change our way of living. None of us will do a U-turn on the road we’re on, unless something dramatic happens to stop us and warn us.
You cannot be saved until you realize you’re lost...and it is the primary work of the Holy Spirit to stop lost people and make them see the truth of their sin. He did it for me...that’s what “cutting of the heart is!”
It makes you...and all of those in Acts 2 ask an important question: “what should we do?” Peter’s answer:
ACTS 2:38-41 (p. 759)
Conclusion:
“Repent and be immersed (baptized) every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ...for the forgiveness of your sins...to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It’s God’s promise to you, your children and all who are far away – for all whom God calls.
Peter pleads...“Please, Please, save yourself from this corrupt generation!!! Please!!!”
[I don’t know why God spared my life on Clays Mill road that day...or the hundreds of times before. I’m not sure why he gave me chance after chance after chance after chance to STOP...until one day His Spirit broke through, His message of a Savior, who died for my sin cut my heart. On that day I turned toward God...and on that day I was buried with Christ...and on that day I was given the promised gift of His Holy Spirit. My Road Trip hasn’t been the same since.
I’m sure there were more than 3,000 people there that amazing day. 3,000 responded to Peter’s message...but some said no. I’ll continue down the road I’m on...some still do.
Let’s pray.
