Obediently Preaching Christ
Acts 2:14-24
Psalm 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. NKJV
When we surrender our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we become new creations in Him, however, we still have distinct personalities.
Stephanie Adams said, “We each have a God-given personality.
Do you wonder how the LORD could use someone like you? I have struggled almost my entire life with my personality.
I’m nothing like those legendary Southern church ladies—you know, sugary sweet, soft-spoken, always humming a hymn, and consistently positive no matter how dire the circumstance.
It wasn’t until I began to understand what God says about me that I could learn to release my anxieties about measuring up to some unrealistic standard”
Please open your Bibles to Acts 2 as we continue in that study.
Last week, we learned how the Holy Spirit came upon the Disciples on the Day of Pentecost.
This Day of Pentecost was the birthday of the Church.
The Disciples had received the remission of sin by the Cross, and now they received the filling power of the Holy Spirit!
This Day of Pentecost was a partial fulfillment of Joel!
On the Day of Pentecost in the Old Testament, Israel received the Law. On the Day of Pentecost in the New Testament, the Church received Grace with the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. NKJV
Once filled with the Spirit, these men preached the Gospel, and people coherently heard the Gospel, in their own language!
The Disciples spoke and people from all different language groups understood the Gospel in a clear and powerful way.
But we also learned that some mock when the LORD moves. In Acts 2, some mocked and asked if these Disciples were drunk.
When you walk according to the flesh, there is bondage! The question is are you open to hearing His voice today?
Today’s passage follows immediately after the scene from last week and we will learn how Peter preached his first sermon.
I. But Peter.
Read Acts 2:14-15
Some may ask why Peter was used to deliver this sermon.
Even though Peter had denied the LORD Jesus Christ three times and failed in other ways, Peter’s personality was bold and forward as he had become an outspoken defender of the faith.
Remember this sermon by Peter was an answer defending the Disciples, to some who mocked the move of the Holy Spirit when they asked in Acts 2:13 if these Disciples were drunk.
A few weeks ago, we discussed how they chose Matthias as the twelfth Apostle, well here Matthias is present with the others.
Acts 2:14 Peter, standing up with the eleven. Judas was gone at this point and Paul had not yet been converted.
Notice Peter “Raised his voice”. Do you think that the people there heard the Gospel in their own native language?
We already learned that when the Disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they preached the Gospel, and people in Jerusalem coherently heard the Gospel in their own language.
But here Peter stands up and boldly preaches. Remember after Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane…
Matthew 26:69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
Matthew 26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying."
Matthew 26:71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth."
Matthew 26:72 But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!"
Matthew 26:73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you."
Matthew 26:74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.
Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So, he went out and wept bitterly. NKJV
The denying, crying Peter, had the same personality he had before, but once filled with the Holy Spirit, there was a remarkable change in his actions.
Peter received courage and boldness once he was filled with, or controlled by, the Holy Spirit.
This is evidence of what we spoke of a couple of weeks ago…
The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:16, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” NKJV
I love how Peter started his sermon by correcting the lies that came from the mockers before he presented the Gospel to them.
Peter said, “For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.”
Adam Clarke said that most Jews, who were very religious or not, did not eat or drink until after the third hour of the day because that was the time for prayer.
The third hour of the day was 9:00 am and it was customary for Jewish people to perform their religious duties before they would have their first meal of the day, let alone drink alcohol.
John Stott said, “Nor, must we add, did the believers’ experience of the Spirit’s fullness seem to them or look to others like intoxication,
Because they had lost control of their normal mental and physical functions. No, the fruit of the Spirit is ‘self-control,’ not the loss of it.”
After Peter corrected their lie and assumption, he tells the people what they have just witnessed.
II. The prophecy of the Baptism of the Spirit.
Read Acts 2:16-18
Peter declared the events that had just happened were a part of the prophecy in the Old Testament in Joel 2.
Pierson, “Peter did not say of that Pentecostal enduement, ‘Now is fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.
“But, more guardedly, ‘This is that which was spoken;’ that is to say, Joel’s words furnish the explanation of this first Pentecost, though this does not finish their fulfillment.” (Arthur Pierson)
While the Holy Spirit was filling these believers and all of these signs and wonders were happening, Peter decided to test all things by the Word of God.
Again, this was only part of the prophecy from Joel, which was primarily about the judgment that was going to come on Israel.
But even with judgment, the LORD always promises hope in the midst of judgment for those who will repent and follow Him.
The LORD promised future blessings for Israel and one of those promises was the future outpouring of His Holy Spirit.
The Joel 2 prophecy said the Spirit of God would be poured out on all flesh, but on Pentecost, a partial fulfillment happened, with an ultimate fulfillment coming during the last days.
In one sense, we are living in the last days because the last days is a term that refers to the time of Messiah, from the ascension of Christ until His bodily return at His physical second coming.
Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:1, But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Timothy 3:3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
2 Timothy 3:4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. NKJV
The last days will also be marked by specific signs and events showing the approaching judgment as described in the Bible which is also called "the end times" or "the last hour."
We also know that the rapture will occur seven years before the bodily return of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. NKJV
Immediately after the rapture of the Church, a time known as Jacob’s Trouble will begin and last for seven years.
Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it, and it is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. NKJV
After the seven-year Tribulation period known as Jacob’s Trouble is completed, Jesus will physically return to earth, when the ultimate fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy will take place.
Here at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit indwelt believers. During the Old Testament times, certain people were empowered by the Spirit at certain times for specific purposes.
With the New Covenant in Christ, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit happens for all who call upon the name of the LORD.
1 Corinthians 6:19 do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? NKJV
This also meant that salvation was available to the Jew or the Gentile, anyone who would call on the name of the LORD.
There are many verses where the LORD told Israel to be a light to the whole world, but the Jews hated the Gentiles and did not proclaim the salvation of the LORD to them.
Once the Church began, the Gospel went into the whole world.
III. The Tribulation period.
Read Acts 2:19-21
Most Old Testament prophecies have dual fulfillments; a partial fulfillment, that happens soon after the prophecy was given, and a full fulfillment, that happens sometime in the future.
A partial fulfillment of a prophecy occurs close to the time the prophet spoke, but it is a partial fulfillment with more to come.
The ultimate fulfillment of a biblical prophecy is usually found in the person of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. NKJV
This prophecy was partially fulfilled in the immediate term when a young woman in the royal court, got married as a virgin, had relations with her new husband, and had a son.
It was ultimately fulfilled when Jesus was born to Mary who had never known a man and Jesus was Immanuel, God with us.
The Old Testament promised a king from the line of David who would restore Israel as God's special nation. This promise will be fulfilled in full when Jesus returns.
Again, this part of the prophecy of Joel 2 written here in Acts 2, pertains to the End Times.
The prophecy of Joel 2 written here in Acts 2, has been misunderstood because of what Peter said at Pentecost that this is what was spoken of in Joel.
The Holy Spirit was poured out upon the believers on the Day of Pentecost with signs of fire, speaking in other languages and a noise like a mighty rushing wind.
But again, this was a partial fulfillment, not the ultimate.
Now, because Peter quoted it and declared that what they were seeing was what Joel had spoken about, people have assumed that it was the complete fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel.
But again, Peter didn't say it was the fulfillment of the prophecy, this was just the beginning of the outpouring of God's Spirit.
The complete fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy pertains to the End Times and the nation of Israel, when the LORD will restore to them a position of divine favor and blessing, as His firstborn.
Just before the portion of Joel in Acts 2, we read...
Joel 2:27, Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. NKJV
The Church is not Israel, and Israel is not the Church.
Joel 2:30 "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the LORD has said, Among the remnant whom the LORD calls. NKJV
This portion of the prophecy about Israel is yet to be fulfilled.
IV. Jesus took the pains of death.
Read Acts 2:22-24
As Peter was beginning his sermon, he immediately went to the heart of the matter, and that is Jesus. If Jesus is not preached, the sermon would have been worthless.
Murray Capill said, “We don’t just want to preach true information about Christ;
“We want to present Him to people in the most compelling way we can so that they come to love, praise, trust, and desire to know Him better.” (Murray Capill)
Ultimately, of course, only the Spirit of God can impress the facts of the gospel on people’s hearts in a life-changing way.
Paul said in Colossians 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. NKJV
Notice Peter said Jesus was a Man attested (proven) by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst”.
John 10:25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
John 10:26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. NKJV
Then notice Peter said, “Being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God”
Peter knew and proclaimed that Jesus’ death was the plan of God from the beginning of time. This same Peter said…
1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
1 Peter 1:20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
1 Peter 1:21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. NKJV
Peter was clearly letting the people there that day know that even though the Cross of Christ was the LORD’s plan for our salvation, the people sin was responsible for His death.
Those who rejected Jesus and called for His execution were responsible for the actions of their lawless hands.
Notice Peter said, “It was not possible” This is part of a quote from Psalm 16 explaining how Jesus could not be held by death.
Jesus paid for our sin by dying on the Cross, but once the work was finished, He defeated death and the grave and victoriously rose from the dead.
Notice, “Having loosed the pains of death” in the original language, this actually means “birth pains.” Jesus became the first born-again Man as He rose from the grave.
Paul explains, Colossians 1:15, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” NKJV
R.A. Bertram said, “The abyss can no more hold the Redeemer than a pregnant woman can hold the child in her body.”
V. Practical Application.
We started with Psalm 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. NKJV
When we surrender our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we become new creations in Him, however, we still have unique personalities.
Do you struggle with your personality? Are you wondering how in the world God could use someone like you?
We should not allow our personalities to be an excuse for carnal behavior nor should we use our personalities as an excuse for not obeying the command to reach the world for Christ.
The LORD doesn’t completely change our personalities, He uses them for His purposes as we are transformed by His Spirit.
We need to understand what the LORD says about us, to learn to release our anxieties about measuring up to some unrealistic standard, and allow the LORD to work through our personality.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. NKJV
The LORD saved us because He loves us and wants to spend eternity with us, but He also wants us to live for Him.
Henry Blackaby said, “If we are Christians, we have living in us all of God’s provision for a broken world. Christ living in us, will make a difference through us.
If people around us are not being affected by Christ, we must consider whether there is sin in our lives hindering Christ. If so, this indicates a heart problem.”
Jesus is not the Lord or boss of my life, if He is not having His way in my life.
Peter, in Acts 2, was not an excellent communicator, however, once empowered by the Holy Spirit, he spoke with power as he shared with dying people around him how to find life.
What the LORD is asking us to do is allow Him free reign in our lives and obediently follow Him. Surrendered to His Spirit.
The LORD will use you in ways that you could have never imagined.
Missionary Charles Thomas Studd said, “Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.”
We cannot allow fear, being timid, or anything else hinder us from sharing Christ when He asks us to tell someone.
The main criteria for sharing Christ are:
• Be led by the Holy Spirit and don’t rely on yourself.
• We need to be prayed up and ready to give an answer for the hope that lives with you with gentleness and respect.
This means we are not pushy, arrogant, know-it-alls, or use guilt trips. The Holy Spirit does the work, we should be used as an instrument for Him, nothing more or we are out of order.
• We should have a basic knowledge of the Bible and the Gospel message, i.e., know the Romans Road or some other way of communicating God’s plan of redemption.
• Learn to have good listening skills, both hearing the LORD as well as the person you are sharing with.
• Share your testimony. Share what the LORD has done in your life. Answering, “How is it working for you.”
• We should have a desire to see the lost become saved.
At the end of the day, sharing Christ is simply spreading of the good news of Christ. Hoping to see dead people come to life.
Evangelism is an act of love and obedience towards Jesus who loved us and gave Himself for us.
