The Church’s Results Of Obeying God Series

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