Summary: What if the church had church, and collectively we just focused on Jesus? What kind of impact would we have if we were like-minded, and simply told others what Jesus has done? THIS was the first church's mission!

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 3

The Church’s Results of Obeying God

Acts 2:13-47

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- Might ask, “Why Acts?” Keep this in mind throughout this series:

-- We’ve already unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)

-- And looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)

- However … in order to get to Revelation – we have to focus on the NOW

-- The “NOW” is found in Acts – it is the things we must be doing as the Church

-- It is the example of what the Church should follow in order to reach the world

- Last week we saw the beginning of the Church – the Holy Spirit given

-- It was a unifying moment because it happened collectively – all received Him

-- It drove the disciples to declare what they knew: “the good works of God”

- Today, I want you to see the “what’s next” – it’s a truly encouraging text

-- Consider: God has just filled their hearts & He has motivated them to ACT

-- So, what result, or action comes from God’s incredible gift to them?

- Hang onto your hats … if you are a follower, this is good stuff!

- Read Acts 2:13-47 / Pray

- TR: Peter declares to the crowd …

Point 1 – Today is the arrival of God’s Grace (vv13-24)

- FACT: The gospel will always result in different reactions

-- Some were amazed

GR: existémi; to stand aside, to be amazed

-- Some decided to mock

GR: chleuazó; mock, jest (accused of being drunk)

- But, when the Spirit came, the true result was one of hope & encouragement!

• They expressed great joy in telling what God has done

• They bore testimony to all who would listen (btw, people are still listening)

- APP: This is the result of what God does: when He comes you must respond

-- Peter felt this in his heart, and so he stood and gave one of the best sermons

-- Feel that I simply need to just highlight, and not add too or take away from it:

- He declares it is the day of prophecy being fulfilled (v16) HOW does he do this?

-- Peter quotes the OT (scripture testifies to scripture):

-- Joel 2:28-32, “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.”

- Peter emphasizes that what they heard was coming has now arrived! He says:

• Today begins the last days of Earth’s history

-- The Earth’s time is not in human time – always remember that

-- Else, we get easily trapped into thinking that we can predict God’s timing

• Today begins the last days of God’s work

-- The last days of God’s work is a timetable that only He knows

-- But the work of God continues – it is to save souls who Jesus died for

• Today begins the last days (final age) of God’s plan for humanity

-- We studied Revelation for a reason – so we would know the final plan of God

-- But also, so we (as a church) would be prepared to share with everyone

-- It is not about knowing all the answers – but living our days faithful to Him

• Today begins the dispensation of grace - this is the age of the Gospel

-- We have come to a time in history where the grace of God is available to all

-- It is through the death of Jesus – who they killed – that we now have access

- TR: With that as his introduction, here is the sermon outline …

Point 2 – Peter’s first sermon to the Jews (vv25-40)

RE: This is the first sermon ever preached in the “NT” church …

- Outline: Peter focuses on four different proofs regarding the resurrection:

• The prophecy of David concerning Jesus (vv25-28)

-- Jews would have greatly respected and known David’s words / actions

-- Providing this has happened brings credibility and proof to the prophecy

• The testimony of Peter (vv29-31)

-- Peter amplifies that David died, and is still buried here in their city

-- But, Jesus, who was dead – raised to life and is no longer in the grave

• The account of the eyewitnesses (the disciples) (v32)

-- Amplifies: We have all seen it, and we can all testify that we are not crazy

-- We are not imagining that this has happened – we saw it firsthand

• The exaltation and ascension of Jesus into Heaven (vv33-36)

-- Peter amplifies the truth about where Jesus is: right hand of God

-- When He departed, He gave to us the Holy Spirit, and now we are here

- BIG APP: What Acts does is give us a crystal-clear path for salvation:

• It causes deep conviction: the people cried out “What shall we do?” (v37)

-- GR: katanussó; pierced; pricked – stirred their hearts; were pulled to action

• Peter gives them a simple plan: Repent and be baptized (v38)

• Why? For the forgiveness of your sin and to receive the Holy Spirit (v39)

• What does that bring? God’s promise and God’s grace to you! (v39)

- Call to action: He pleads with them! Save yourself! 3,000 are saved! (v40)

-- GR: sothete; to save – do exactly what Peter preached

-- GR: skolios; crooked, perverse, unjust – we are not straight, sinners

- TR: Knowing this sermon, seeing the results, what must we do?

Point 3 – What is the strategy for the Church? (vv41-47)

- Take note of what the disciples did as a result of the infilling of the Spirit

-- Coupled with the power of Peter’s words – they had a mission before them

-- RE: Jesus said to Peter, Matthew 16:17-18, “Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

- APP: This shows us the traits which characterized the daily lives of believers

-- It is always profitable when God makes it clear what the church should be doing

-- Spoiler: He never leaves us wandering about - His direction is very clear!

- ALL churches need to look at this and compare it to their goals & vision

-- It is exactly why we offered ‘100 different ideas’ for outreach last week

-- I will have more on that in the coming week or two, other discussions to be had

-- Why? We have to start somewhere – if we don’t plan, then we plan to fail!

- Know this … Acts says that the Believers became 6 things (we should also):

1. A people who received the word (v41)

Made it personal

2. A people who were devoted (v42)

It reprioritized their lives

3. A people who stirred others with godly fear (43)

They had to tell others

4. A people who were together – sharing in ministry (vv44-45)

Hospitable

5. A people who were unified (v46)

Without unity you have chaos

6. A people who worshipped and praised God daily (vv46-47)

Focused

BIG IDEA

- Why does this matter? Look what God did when they acted this way! (v47b)

-- God added daily to their numbers those who were being saved – repented of sin

-- In v40 we see that 3,000 were saved … then in 47 people continued to be!

-- What if the church just had church, and just focused on Jesus???

- Pray