Acts_3_to_4_1-4
7/27/08
“Arrest brings Growth”
Acts_3
I. Review
A. As our study ended last time the church had been birthed and we saw the young church had all things in common and were in one accord.
1. They were caring for one another and the things of the Lord, there was a unity among them that was uncommon.
2. They were full of Joy, Praise for God, and simplicity of heart, their lives if you will were consumed with the resurrected Christ, He was the priority in their lives.
B. And the Lord was adding daily to the church.
1. We saw how God had added to the church multiplied the believers from 120 to 3000 through the blessing of the outpouring of His Holy Spirit to birth the church.
a. In chapters 1 and 2 we see the church growing through blessing.
b. But in chapters 3-7 we see the church growing through testing.
II. The first trial or test that the young church encounters is the arrest of Peter and John which is precipitated by a miracle and a sermon in the Temple complex.
A. The Miracle:
Acts 3:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”
5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
1. Peter and John are often found together in the scriptures.
a. They were partners in the fishing business.
b. They prepared the last Passover together.
c. They raced each other to the tomb of Jesus on that first Easter morning.
d. Often there seemed to be a sort of competition between them for the status of greatest, but that is all gone now and here they are hanging out together worshipping and serving God.
Psalm 133:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing- Life forevermore.
(1) Unity or harmony among the brethren is precious
(2) Unity is refreshing like the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion and is full of blessing.
2. They went up together at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour
a. There were evidently several times for prayer at the Jerusalem Temple.
(1) 9:00 am, noon, 3:00 pm.
b. The ninth hour would be at 3:00 pm and this helps explain 4:3 and their incarceration overnight.
3. And they encounter a lame man (he was over 40 years old we are told in 4:22 and had been crippled from birth).
a. We see the emphasis on his hopeless condition in the description.
b. And every day he would be carried to the gate beautiful (probably the Eastern Gate) to beg for alms from those going in and out of the Temple.
(1) He was a common and needy beggar as were you and I before Christ touched us.
c. As Peter and John walked by this man, he asked for them for alms.
(1) We know that close to two thousand were added to the church that day, so there had to be throngs of people, literally thousands of them.
(2) How many beggars had they passed by already?
(a) We know it so easy to ignore people and situations like this, especially when they are so familiar.
(b) In fact how many times had they walked right by this particular man on their way to the Temple?
i) But today was different, today God had a plan and it involved this man.
(1) The Holy Spirit opened up Peter's eyes and heart to this man and to the will of God for this man at this moment, and for the crowd that gathered.
(3) The Holy Spirit has Peter's attention and so Peter gets this mans attention.
(a) We are told that this raised his expectation that they were going to give him something.
i) Indeed they will, but how much more God is going to bless him than his expectation. (Jesus said)
John 10:10 (NKJV)
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(4) No silver or gold, but what I have I give to you...
(a) What was that Peter had and what did he give away?
(b) We see an incredible act of faith and obedience on the part of Peter here.
i) Imagine pulling a lame man out of a wheel chair!!
ii) Immediately as Peter took his right hand and lifted him up the man's feet and anklebones received strength.
(1) Consider the miracle; this man had never walked in his life, let alone just needing to regain an already acquired skill.
(2) But this man leaps to his feet and walked and he accompanied them into the walking and leaping and praising God with a child like vitality and faith.
(3) And the crowd begins to gather because they knew who this beggar was and what his condition had been and they are filled with awe and wonder.
B. Now the Sermon
1. First Peter interprets the miracle.
Acts 3:11-18 (NKJV)
11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.
12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17 “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
a. A crowd gathers and Peter seizes the opportunity to preach the gospel.
(1) Why do you marvel and why do you look at us as though this has happened through our own power
(a) And he attributes the miracle to Jesus whom he describes as God's servant.
Isaiah 42:8 (NKJV)
8 I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.
(2) He lays out the charge against them.
(a) You denied and delivered up (rejected) His (God's) Servant (whom Pilate wanted to release)...
i) Have we not rejected Christ ourselves, so should we not extend the mercies of God to others.
ii) We have also denied His name.
iii) And we have at times rejected His word.
(b) (Denied and delivered Him up to death) Choosing instead a murderer, and killed the Prince of life...
i) With incredible boldness he tells them the truth, he doesn't pull the punch, but as we see Peter's goal is not to condemn, but to provoke repentance.
(3) Notice the gospel in vv-15 killed and God resurrected...
(a) Peter keeps bringing it back to the simple gospel, for it is the gospel that changes lives.
i) What is the gospel?
(4) He hits them hard, with their guilt, but in vv-17 he gives them an out.
17 “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
(a) They had done it out of ignorance and there is a big difference between intentional and unintentional sin.
i) What to do with the guilt is found in the exhortation we find in verses 19-26
ii) Note Peter points out how all that was done by them fulfilled prophecy.
C. The exhortation.
Acts 3:19-26 (NKJV)
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.
23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’
24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days.
25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
1. Repent and be converted, this is what needs to be done in light of their guilt.
a. Repent is to change ones mind, the entire direction of ones life.
b. Be converted is to turn to or turn back to the worship of the true God.
c. Peter says that if they would repent and be converted they would receive Pardon, there guilt would be removed.
(1) There is a call for personal repentance - sins forgiven
(2) And for national repentance - times of spiritual refreshing.
(a) The outcome of national repentance would have been the return of Jesus and the establishment of the promised kingdom.
(b) But they did not repent.
2. Far too little repentance takes place in the church today, when wrong is done far too often we simply make excuse for it.
a. Pride is a very much like a pit of quicksand that sucks us under, but humility (true humility) would go along way in helping us to change direction and travel a correct course.
3. Peter pictures Jesus as a NT Moses in fulfillment of Deut. 18:15-19 who brings both deliverance and judgment as Moses did.
a. In mentioning Samuel as the next prophet he is making it clear that Joshua did not fulfill Deut. 18:15
Deuteronomy 18:15 (NKJV)
15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,
b. All the prophets in one way or another wrote about these days - the Messianic period.
D. The Arrest.
Acts 4:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
1. The Sadducees came out and arrested them.
a. Because they preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
(1) This greatly disturbed the Sadducees, because the Sadducees did not believe that man had a soul, or that there was life after death, and therefore they did not believe in resurrection!
(a) A lesson for us is that we need to stay teachable, and not reject things simply because this is what I have always believed or been taught.
(b) Jesus had already confronted their error and demonstrated from the scriptures that there is life after death and a resurrection... (see Mark 12:18-27)
b. The fact that this event took place late in the afternoon as described in ch-3 helps understand why they were in custody overnight.
2. Notice the result of the arrest (persecution).
a. The church grew to about 5000 from about 3000!!!
b. God uses the circumstances of our lives, often the circumstance we don't like to produce the most fruit.
(1) We are sp prone to kick and scream, to murmur and complain and God is working out blessing according to His economy and not ours. (Rom. 8:28)
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
(a) Illustration of honeymoon delay in Honolulu.
c. And so we see the church growing through testing.
(1) We grow through testing’s and trials more than through times of ease.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday July 20, 2008
Acts 2_14-47
7/20/08
Peter's Sermon
I. In our last study.
A. The Holy Spirit came upon the believers gathered in an upper room some 120 of them, and there were three miraculous signs that accompanied this event.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
1. A crowd gathered and as they heard the praises of God spoken in their own languages by these unlearned Galileans, there were two responses within the crowd to the speaking in tongues.
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?"
13 Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine."
II. Peter begins to give a sermon and first he explains what happened:
Acts 2:14-21 (NKJV)
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’
A. Peter stands and addresses the crowd (not in tongues) with a new found boldness.
1. He tells them that this joyous worship of God is not the result too much wine, but rather it is the result or evidence of the arrival of God's Spirit to dwell in His people.
a. The notion that they were drunk with new wine by 9:00 A.M. was ridiculous.
Commentator Adam Clarke says that most Jews - pious or not - did not eat or drink until after the third hour of the day, because that was the time for prayer, and they would only eat after their business with God was accomplished.
2. Peter uses scripture to explain what has happened quoting from the prophet Joel 2:28-32 that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh.
a. He isn't saying that what has happened there on Pentecost has fulfilled the prophecy of Joel which more specifically pertains to the nation Israel in the end times, and in connection with the "Day of the Lord" or the tribulation period.
b. What Peter is doing by the guidance of the Holy Spirit is making application of this prophecy to the church, a sort of near fulfillment not a final fulfillment of the prophecy (which happens in scripture not infrequently).
(1) This would have been a new concept; it is the dawning of a new era, until this time the Jews believed that God's Spirit was only given to a few select people.
Numbers 11:28-29 (NKJV)
28 So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!”
29 Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!”
c. We need to support our practices, what we do from scripture, a lot of crazy things happen when we don’t.
3. It will be a long time from Peter's sermon here until the gospel is offered to gentile's, but verse-21 makes it clear that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
a. Peter is using this opportunity to evangelize the Jews that have gathered as a result of what has happened that day in the upper room.
III. Next Peter explains how it happened.
Acts 2:22-35 (NKJV)
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
A. Peter shifts the focus to Jesus declaring to them that Jesus rose from the dead just as He promised and that the resurrection proves He is the Messiah.
1. Resurrection is victory over death, and while man has done a lot to stave off death for a time, death still comes to every man.
a. There have even been some who have been raised from the dead only to die again.
b. But Jesus Himself came out of the grave, never to die again proof indeed that Christ was no mere man.
B. Peter offers up four proofs of the resurrection to the crowd that had gathered.
1. First he points to the person of Christ Himself.
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
a. He says alright guys listen up, let me remind you of some things you already know, you watched His life, you saw the wonderful miraculous things He did because He did them among you, and you know they attest to the truth that God's hand was on Him, indeed that He was sent from God.
b. And while it is true that all these were part of God's plan and perfect foresight of all that would happen, you with your lawless hands have crucified Him and put Him to death.
(1) From this point of view we see a terrible crime, and it is incredible that one such as Jesus should be defeated by death.
Remember what was said as and how they mocked Jesus as He hung on the cross
Luke 23:35 (NKJV)
35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
(2) But verse-24 gives us another perspective in which we see that it was a great victory.
24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
(a) God raised Him up from the dead, there being no fault in Him, by a loving act of sacrifice He took on Himself the sins of the world for which He tasted of death, but death could not hold Him.
(b) The word translated pain here is a telltale clue, it is the Greek word odin /o·deen, which describes the pain of childbirth.
i) The suggestion being that the Tomb was like a womb that Christ was born out of in Resurrection Glory.
Acts 13:33 (NKJV)
33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’
2. The second proof is a prophecy by David from the Psalms.
Acts 2:25-31 (NKJV)
25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
a. Peter quotes from Psalm 16:8-11 making the point that David was not talking about himself when he wrote this, David died and is still buried in the tomb which he was laid in and was still there as Peter spoke.
(1) Rather David as a prophet was writing of the Messiah and that HIS soul would not remain in Hades or His body in the grave where it would decay.
(a) Jesus thus fulfilled the prophecy and was therefore the Messiah.
3. Thirdly Peter points to the witness of the believer’s in verse-32
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
a. After His resurrection Jesus appeared numerous times to His followers over the forty days between His resurrection and ascension, to as many as 500 of them on one occasion, and He gave them the commission to be witness to others that He was alive.
(1) So the question comes up were they reliable witnesses. and the answer is absolutely.
(a) First off the disciples did not believe and they had to become convinced themselves.
Mark 16:9-14 (NKJV)
9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
Acts 1:3 (NKJV)
3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
(b) But they became eye witnesses and so strong was there belief that in spite of great persecution, opposition, and even death they stuck to their story.
i) We might discount it if there were only a few for a short period of time, but is was the majority if not all of them, holding on to their belief in the resurrection all the way to their deaths.
(1) So convincing was their testimony that rather than a small following which eventually died out, the number who have believed and who spread the testimony has grown throughout the centuries.
(2) This really is an impeccable, and unimpeachable witness.
4. The fourth proof is the presence of the Holy Spirit
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
a. His logic goes like this, if the Holy Spirit is in the world, then God must have sent Him.
(1) As we have seen already Joel promised that one day the Holy Spirit would come, Jesus also promised to send the gift of the Holy Spirit to His people.
Luke 24:49 (NKJV)
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
John 14:26 (NKJV)
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 15:26 (NKJV)
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
Acts 1:4 (NKJV)
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;
(a) If Jesus were dead He could not send the Spirit, but since the Spirit has come Jesus must be alive.
(2) What is more is He couldn’t have sent the Spirit unless He had ascended to Heaven and the Father
John 16:7 (NKJV)
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
(a) Peter quotes from Psalm 110:1 (vv 34-35) a verse which again could not have applied to David, connecting it to the ascension, in fact Jesus had used this verse to refer to Him self and demonstrated to the Pharisees that it could not apply to David (see Matthew 22:41-46)
C. Peter's conclusion serves as both a declaration and an accusation, that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Christ, the Messiah, but Israel had killed her Messiah (her Savior), was there then any longer hope, and the answer is a resounding yes as Peter moves on with another explanation.
IV. Peter now explains why it happened.
Acts 2:36-41 (NKJV)
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
A. He declares them guilty of killing God's Son, who is both Lord and Christ, the Holy Spirit uses Peter's word to convict their hearts, undoubtedly they felt some fear of God's penalty for their crucifying the Messiah He had sent them.
1. In light of this conviction in their hearts they address a question not just to Peter, but to all the disciples (while Peter is the spokesman all the disciples stand there as witness against them); “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
2. Peter responds to their question by telling them how to be saved, and that they also by putting their faith in Jesus will receive the Holy Spirit.
a. Salvation comes by repenting of your sins and believing on Jesus.
(1) It is on the basis of the remission of their sins having taken place they should be baptized, not be baptized in order to be saved (Baptism is an identifying with Christ).
b. Only by repenting and believing on Jesus could they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, a promise that was both for Jews, and for Gentiles (those that were afar off)
Galatians 3:2 (NKJV)
2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—
Galatians 3:14 (NKJV)
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
B. Peter not only told them how to be saved he also invited them to take up the offer and BE SAVED.
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
1. As a result about three thousand responded, believed and were thus saved; and added to the church which was that day birthed.
V. As the chapter closes we find the church walking in the Spirit and growing.
Acts 2:42-47 (NKJV)
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
A. We see in these verses the activity and progress of the church.
1. In order to grow spiritually and become effective witnesses for Christ the new converts needed instruction in the Word of God, and to fellowship with other believers.
a. The same is true today.
b. Note they continued steadfastly that is they gave unremitting care to the Apostles doctrine (what the Apostles taught - because they had learned it from Jesus Himself), and in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(1) Study of the word.
(2) Fellowship which is more than simply being together, but "having in common" which probably refers to participation in the blood of Christ, co-operation in the work of the gospel, material goods and sharing with those in need.
(a) It was a voluntary sharing and the motive was love.
(3) Breaking of bread probably refers to regular meals they shared together, but they probably paused at the end of the meal to remember Jesus with what we call "the Lord's Supper" with bread and wine which were common provision in Jewish meals.
(4) Prayers seeking help from heaven, an expression of dependence upon God.
2. Weirsbe points out
a. The Church was unified:
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
b. It was magnified
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
c. It multiplied
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
d. The testimony of the church was powerful not just because of miracles that were performed but the witness of their love for one another, and the way they served the Lord.
3. These Christians were not content to meet once a week, but came together daily, the activity of the church was daily activity because the resurrected Christ was a living reality to them.
a. Their faith was not a weekly routine they fulfilled, but a day-to-day reality they lived.
VI. And so it was that the church was birthed on that Pentecost day, and it has been a living growing body ever since. (A little about the nature of the Church)
A. Jesus refers to the church as yet future when He addresses Peter's confession of who He Jesus was. (So it was not yet in existence)
Matthew 16:16-20 (NKJV)
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
1. “I will build” is a statement looking to the future, and the rock on which He will build it is not Peter, but Peter's confession.
a. Christ is the Son of God; He is the foundation or the Rock on which the church is built.
B. As a body the Church is a living organism, not an organization.
1. A careful study of the church in the book of Acts shows that they organized in response to problems,
a. You can organize the Holy Spirit right out of the church.
b. On the other hand God is not the Author of confusion so organization takes place to correct or prevent problems.
2. It is however Christ who is the head of the church and who is to direct its activities through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
C. As a body, a living organism, it has a Genetic Code, the Genetic Code is as follows (sometimes called the mission of the church and the order is important).
1. To Glorify God and enjoy Him forever (this is man's highest calling and should permeate everything he does).
2. To Edify itself (see Eph. 4:11-14)
3. To Purify itself
a. Jesus performs this (Eph 5:26)
b. The Father does this (John 15:1)
c. We should do this individually (1 John 3:2-3
d. The Church should do this (1 Corinthians 5:1-7)
4. To Educate - We are told to make disciples not just converts.
5. To Evangelize the world (Matthew 28:19)
6. To Act as a Restraining and Enlightening force in the world (Matthew 5:13-16)
a. We do this as we are salt and light: salt preserves and light exposes.
7. To Promote all that is Good (Gal 6:10)
8. If the genetic code is intact the body is healthy, if the code is lost in a cell there is a malignancy or deformation (so this list must be kept in order regardless of what specific area of ministry we participate in).
a. Losing sight of this is one of the reasons that things go wrong and become unhealthy. (Causes tend to exalt themselves over and above glorifying Jesus)
D. Let us nor lose sight of what we are supposed to be and what we are to be all about, we are the church of Jesus Christ, He is the head we His body, we live for His pleasure and His glory, and we are the means through which He relates to the world around us.
1. Finally the offer still exists today:
Acts 2:21 (NKJV)
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’
a. If you have not already called upon Jesus, I urge you to do so today and be a part of what He has going on in the church. He is the only one and the only way that sin can be forgiven and eternal life enjoyed.
7/20/08
Peter's Sermon
I. In our last study.
A. The Holy Spirit came upon the believers gathered in an upper room some 120 of them, and there were three miraculous signs that accompanied this event.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
1. A crowd gathered and as they heard the praises of God spoken in their own languages by these unlearned Galileans, there were two responses within the crowd to the speaking in tongues.
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?"
13 Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine."
II. Peter begins to give a sermon and first he explains what happened:
Acts 2:14-21 (NKJV)
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’
A. Peter stands and addresses the crowd (not in tongues) with a new found boldness.
1. He tells them that this joyous worship of God is not the result too much wine, but rather it is the result or evidence of the arrival of God's Spirit to dwell in His people.
a. The notion that they were drunk with new wine by 9:00 A.M. was ridiculous.
Commentator Adam Clarke says that most Jews - pious or not - did not eat or drink until after the third hour of the day, because that was the time for prayer, and they would only eat after their business with God was accomplished.
2. Peter uses scripture to explain what has happened quoting from the prophet Joel 2:28-32 that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh.
a. He isn't saying that what has happened there on Pentecost has fulfilled the prophecy of Joel which more specifically pertains to the nation Israel in the end times, and in connection with the "Day of the Lord" or the tribulation period.
b. What Peter is doing by the guidance of the Holy Spirit is making application of this prophecy to the church, a sort of near fulfillment not a final fulfillment of the prophecy (which happens in scripture not infrequently).
(1) This would have been a new concept; it is the dawning of a new era, until this time the Jews believed that God's Spirit was only given to a few select people.
Numbers 11:28-29 (NKJV)
28 So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!”
29 Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!”
c. We need to support our practices, what we do from scripture, a lot of crazy things happen when we don’t.
3. It will be a long time from Peter's sermon here until the gospel is offered to gentile's, but verse-21 makes it clear that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
a. Peter is using this opportunity to evangelize the Jews that have gathered as a result of what has happened that day in the upper room.
III. Next Peter explains how it happened.
Acts 2:22-35 (NKJV)
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
A. Peter shifts the focus to Jesus declaring to them that Jesus rose from the dead just as He promised and that the resurrection proves He is the Messiah.
1. Resurrection is victory over death, and while man has done a lot to stave off death for a time, death still comes to every man.
a. There have even been some who have been raised from the dead only to die again.
b. But Jesus Himself came out of the grave, never to die again proof indeed that Christ was no mere man.
B. Peter offers up four proofs of the resurrection to the crowd that had gathered.
1. First he points to the person of Christ Himself.
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
a. He says alright guys listen up, let me remind you of some things you already know, you watched His life, you saw the wonderful miraculous things He did because He did them among you, and you know they attest to the truth that God's hand was on Him, indeed that He was sent from God.
b. And while it is true that all these were part of God's plan and perfect foresight of all that would happen, you with your lawless hands have crucified Him and put Him to death.
(1) From this point of view we see a terrible crime, and it is incredible that one such as Jesus should be defeated by death.
Remember what was said as and how they mocked Jesus as He hung on the cross
Luke 23:35 (NKJV)
35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
(2) But verse-24 gives us another perspective in which we see that it was a great victory.
24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
(a) God raised Him up from the dead, there being no fault in Him, by a loving act of sacrifice He took on Himself the sins of the world for which He tasted of death, but death could not hold Him.
(b) The word translated pain here is a telltale clue, it is the Greek word odin /o·deen, which describes the pain of childbirth.
i) The suggestion being that the Tomb was like a womb that Christ was born out of in Resurrection Glory.
Acts 13:33 (NKJV)
33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’
2. The second proof is a prophecy by David from the Psalms.
Acts 2:25-31 (NKJV)
25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
a. Peter quotes from Psalm 16:8-11 making the point that David was not talking about himself when he wrote this, David died and is still buried in the tomb which he was laid in and was still there as Peter spoke.
(1) Rather David as a prophet was writing of the Messiah and that HIS soul would not remain in Hades or His body in the grave where it would decay.
(a) Jesus thus fulfilled the prophecy and was therefore the Messiah.
3. Thirdly Peter points to the witness of the believer’s in verse-32
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
a. After His resurrection Jesus appeared numerous times to His followers over the forty days between His resurrection and ascension, to as many as 500 of them on one occasion, and He gave them the commission to be witness to others that He was alive.
(1) So the question comes up were they reliable witnesses. and the answer is absolutely.
(a) First off the disciples did not believe and they had to become convinced themselves.
Mark 16:9-14 (NKJV)
9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
Acts 1:3 (NKJV)
3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
(b) But they became eye witnesses and so strong was there belief that in spite of great persecution, opposition, and even death they stuck to their story.
i) We might discount it if there were only a few for a short period of time, but is was the majority if not all of them, holding on to their belief in the resurrection all the way to their deaths.
(1) So convincing was their testimony that rather than a small following which eventually died out, the number who have believed and who spread the testimony has grown throughout the centuries.
(2) This really is an impeccable, and unimpeachable witness.
4. The fourth proof is the presence of the Holy Spirit
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
a. His logic goes like this, if the Holy Spirit is in the world, then God must have sent Him.
(1) As we have seen already Joel promised that one day the Holy Spirit would come, Jesus also promised to send the gift of the Holy Spirit to His people.
Luke 24:49 (NKJV)
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
John 14:26 (NKJV)
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 15:26 (NKJV)
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
Acts 1:4 (NKJV)
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;
(a) If Jesus were dead He could not send the Spirit, but since the Spirit has come Jesus must be alive.
(2) What is more is He couldn’t have sent the Spirit unless He had ascended to Heaven and the Father
John 16:7 (NKJV)
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
(a) Peter quotes from Psalm 110:1 (vv 34-35) a verse which again could not have applied to David, connecting it to the ascension, in fact Jesus had used this verse to refer to Him self and demonstrated to the Pharisees that it could not apply to David (see Matthew 22:41-46)
C. Peter's conclusion serves as both a declaration and an accusation, that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Christ, the Messiah, but Israel had killed her Messiah (her Savior), was there then any longer hope, and the answer is a resounding yes as Peter moves on with another explanation.
IV. Peter now explains why it happened.
Acts 2:36-41 (NKJV)
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
A. He declares them guilty of killing God's Son, who is both Lord and Christ, the Holy Spirit uses Peter's word to convict their hearts, undoubtedly they felt some fear of God's penalty for their crucifying the Messiah He had sent them.
1. In light of this conviction in their hearts they address a question not just to Peter, but to all the disciples (while Peter is the spokesman all the disciples stand there as witness against them); “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
2. Peter responds to their question by telling them how to be saved, and that they also by putting their faith in Jesus will receive the Holy Spirit.
a. Salvation comes by repenting of your sins and believing on Jesus.
(1) It is on the basis of the remission of their sins having taken place they should be baptized, not be baptized in order to be saved (Baptism is an identifying with Christ).
b. Only by repenting and believing on Jesus could they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, a promise that was both for Jews, and for Gentiles (those that were afar off)
Galatians 3:2 (NKJV)
2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—
Galatians 3:14 (NKJV)
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
B. Peter not only told them how to be saved he also invited them to take up the offer and BE SAVED.
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
1. As a result about three thousand responded, believed and were thus saved; and added to the church which was that day birthed.
V. As the chapter closes we find the church walking in the Spirit and growing.
Acts 2:42-47 (NKJV)
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
A. We see in these verses the activity and progress of the church.
1. In order to grow spiritually and become effective witnesses for Christ the new converts needed instruction in the Word of God, and to fellowship with other believers.
a. The same is true today.
b. Note they continued steadfastly that is they gave unremitting care to the Apostles doctrine (what the Apostles taught - because they had learned it from Jesus Himself), and in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(1) Study of the word.
(2) Fellowship which is more than simply being together, but "having in common" which probably refers to participation in the blood of Christ, co-operation in the work of the gospel, material goods and sharing with those in need.
(a) It was a voluntary sharing and the motive was love.
(3) Breaking of bread probably refers to regular meals they shared together, but they probably paused at the end of the meal to remember Jesus with what we call "the Lord's Supper" with bread and wine which were common provision in Jewish meals.
(4) Prayers seeking help from heaven, an expression of dependence upon God.
2. Weirsbe points out
a. The Church was unified:
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
b. It was magnified
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
c. It multiplied
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
d. The testimony of the church was powerful not just because of miracles that were performed but the witness of their love for one another, and the way they served the Lord.
3. These Christians were not content to meet once a week, but came together daily, the activity of the church was daily activity because the resurrected Christ was a living reality to them.
a. Their faith was not a weekly routine they fulfilled, but a day-to-day reality they lived.
VI. And so it was that the church was birthed on that Pentecost day, and it has been a living growing body ever since. (A little about the nature of the Church)
A. Jesus refers to the church as yet future when He addresses Peter's confession of who He Jesus was. (So it was not yet in existence)
Matthew 16:16-20 (NKJV)
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
1. “I will build” is a statement looking to the future, and the rock on which He will build it is not Peter, but Peter's confession.
a. Christ is the Son of God; He is the foundation or the Rock on which the church is built.
B. As a body the Church is a living organism, not an organization.
1. A careful study of the church in the book of Acts shows that they organized in response to problems,
a. You can organize the Holy Spirit right out of the church.
b. On the other hand God is not the Author of confusion so organization takes place to correct or prevent problems.
2. It is however Christ who is the head of the church and who is to direct its activities through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
C. As a body, a living organism, it has a Genetic Code, the Genetic Code is as follows (sometimes called the mission of the church and the order is important).
1. To Glorify God and enjoy Him forever (this is man's highest calling and should permeate everything he does).
2. To Edify itself (see Eph. 4:11-14)
3. To Purify itself
a. Jesus performs this (Eph 5:26)
b. The Father does this (John 15:1)
c. We should do this individually (1 John 3:2-3
d. The Church should do this (1 Corinthians 5:1-7)
4. To Educate - We are told to make disciples not just converts.
5. To Evangelize the world (Matthew 28:19)
6. To Act as a Restraining and Enlightening force in the world (Matthew 5:13-16)
a. We do this as we are salt and light: salt preserves and light exposes.
7. To Promote all that is Good (Gal 6:10)
8. If the genetic code is intact the body is healthy, if the code is lost in a cell there is a malignancy or deformation (so this list must be kept in order regardless of what specific area of ministry we participate in).
a. Losing sight of this is one of the reasons that things go wrong and become unhealthy. (Causes tend to exalt themselves over and above glorifying Jesus)
D. Let us nor lose sight of what we are supposed to be and what we are to be all about, we are the church of Jesus Christ, He is the head we His body, we live for His pleasure and His glory, and we are the means through which He relates to the world around us.
1. Finally the offer still exists today:
Acts 2:21 (NKJV)
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’
a. If you have not already called upon Jesus, I urge you to do so today and be a part of what He has going on in the church. He is the only one and the only way that sin can be forgiven and eternal life enjoyed.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Acts 2_1-13
Acts 2_1-13
7/13/08
“A promise kept”
Acts_2_1-13
I. As we resume our study we want to be reminded that:
A. The success of the early church was the power of the Holy Spirit at work through them and their total dependence upon God.
B. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to glorify Christ in the life of the believer.
John 16:14 (NKJV)
14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
II. With this in mind we resume our study of Acts in chapter-2:1
Acts 2:1-13 (NKJV)
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
A. We see the church waiting for the Spirit, as Jesus instructed.
1. They were in one accord and in one place
a. They shared the same heart and love for God, the same trust in His promise, and they were gathered together geographically.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
2. And on the day of Pentecost this wonderful event occurs where the Spirit of God came upon them.
a. Pentecost means "fiftieth" because this feast was held fifty days after the feast of Firstfruits.
(1) Weirsbe points out the calendar of Jewish feasts in Leviticus 23 is an outline of the work of Jesus Christ.
(a) Passover pictures His death.
(b) Firstfruits pictures His resurrection.
(c) Pentecost pictures the birth of the church.
i) At Pentecost the Jews celebrate the giving of the Law.
ii) But Christians celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit.
B. Three special signs marked this special time.
1. A sound from heaven; the sound of a mighty rushing wind, and divided tongues of fire sat "upon" each one of them.
a. The association of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit and the sound of a rushing mighty wind probably connects in some way with the fact that the word used for Spirit is the same word that means breath or wind and this is true in both Hebrew and Greek.
b. And the significance of cloven or divided tongues of fire probably ties to prophecy of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11
Matthew 3:11 (NKJV)
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(1) The underlying picture of fire is often purification, such as the refiners fire which burns out impurities.
(a) Fire burns away what is temporary and leaves what is permanent.
(b) The Holy Spirit fills us not merely for abstract power, but to bring purity.
(2) The tongues of fire we are told sat on each one of them (each believer there).
2. (vv4) “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
a. In response to being filled with the Holy Spirit we read that those who were present (the 120 not only the twelve Apostles) began to speak in other tongues, that is in languages they had never learned, but they spoke them as the "Spirit" gave them utterance.
3. We are told that there were dwelling in Jerusalem at that time (Pentecost) Jews who were devout men from many other nations and when they heard the sound (probably the sound of rushing wind) that a multitude came together (to check it out) and they heard each one of them the Christians speaking their own native languages.
a. And what they heard the Christians speaking in these foreign languages was "the wonderful works of God verse-11" and all that heard were amazed or astonished and perplexed.
(1) Listed for us are nations and languages represented among the multitude who heard the wonderful works of God declared in their native tongues.
9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
(2) This astonishment perplexity was compounded because a big portion of those speaking in these other tongues were Galileans who were known as uncultured and poor speakers.
4. This became an occasion of honest inquiry for some- verse-12
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
a. But other excused away this wonderful work of God- vers-13
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
b. The same is true today, God still does marvelous things, supernatural things, some see and inquire further, others just want to dismiss God and what He does.
III. The gift of Tongues. (I am indebted to David Guzik for his commentary as a source for much of what I share concerning the gift of tongues...)
A. This gift has been the focal point of much controversy in the church
1. Most would agree that this was a gift God gave to the church at least at what time, but a lot of the controversy centers on what God's purpose for tongues.
a. Some believe the gift of tongues was given primarily as a sign to unbelievers
1 Corinthians 14:21-22 (NKJV)
21 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
(1) And that it was a miraculous means to communicate the gospel in different and varies languages.
(a) They believe that this sign is no longer needed and is therefore no longer present in the church.
b. Others argue the point, that while the gift of tongues was a sign for unbelievers according to 1 Corinthians 14:21-22, the primary purpose of this gift is as a gift of communication between the believer and God.
1 Corinthians 14:2 (NKJV)
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
(1) And therefore is still a gift given by God today.
2. Many make the mistake in interpreting Acts-2 assuming that the disciples used tongues to preach to the crowd that had gathered, but this is incorrect.
a. We are plainly told that what they heard was the believers declaring the wonderful works of God.
(1) They simply overheard the believers that were gathered that day declaring praise and thanksgiving to God exuberantly, not preaching.
(2) A sermon was preached that day as we shall see later in this chapter, it was preached by Peter and in the common language of the day which was Greek.
3. The gift of tongues is primarily a personal language of prayer where the believer communicates with God beyond the limits of knowledge and understanding.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (NKJV)
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
a. Apparently the gift of tongues plays an important part in the life of the individual believer, but has a small role in the corporate life of the church.
1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (NKJV)
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
(1) Especially in public meetings
1 Corinthians 14:23 (NKJV)
23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
(2) When tongues are practiced in the corporate life of the church they are to be carefully controlled and never without an interpretation given by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:27-28 (NKJV)
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
(3) The gift of tongues is not a gift given to every believer
1 Corinthians 12:30 (NKJV)
30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
(a) The Greek expects a negative answer.
(b) The gift of tongues is not the evidence of the filling of the Holy Spirit and this emphasis and the pressure it produces leads many to counterfeit it in an attempt to prove to themselves and others that they are Spirit filled.
i) It often becomes a means for men to attract attention to themselves, where the real exercise of this gift draws attention to Jesus.
4. The question comes up are there two separate gifts, that of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance which we read about in Acts-2, and that which we read about in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 or are they the same gift.
a. My thought on this is that the differences have more to do with circumstances in which the gifts are exercised rather the gifts themselves but I will let you do the homework for yourself and come to your own conclusion.
(1) When the gift of tongues is genuinely and properly exercised the address is to God and not to men, so when you here a gift of tongues and an interpretation that address man "thus says the Lord..." something is amiss.
b. I will say that I think it silly to divide over this, I want all the gifts God has for me, but I believe that the gifts He gives are to be exercised decently and in order, they serve to Glorify and draw attention to God and not to men.
(1) And they don't make you go crazy and out of control (Remember the fruits of the Spirit work in conjunction with he gifts of the Spirit of which self-control is involved)
1 Corinthians 14:32-33 (NKJV)
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 (NKJV)
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
IV. Now as Chapter-2 continues Peter preaches a sermon the outline of that sermon is as follows.
A. First in verses 14-21 Peter explains what has just happened and he supports what happened from scripture.
1. This is a very important lesson for us.
B. Then he explains how it happened in verses 22-35
C. And then he explains why it happened in verses 36-41.
D. Finally as the chapter closes we see the church walking in the Spirit, our vision for the church here at CCSJ comes from Acts 2:42 coupled with the great commission.
E. Let me challenge you to read ahead and do some study on your own this week with this outline in mind.
F. Closing remarks
1. We are told if we walk in the Spirit we won't fulfill the lust of the flesh
2. If we are walking in the Spirit we will be fulfilling the will of God and His purposes for us (individually and corporately)
3. The success of the early church was the power of the Holy Spirit at work through them and their total dependence upon God.
4. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to glorify Christ in the life of the believer.
a. God may your Spirit be the wind the drives us and moves us forward to do your will
b. May your Spirit be the fire that purifies us so that we are single minded with an eternal perspective
c. May your Spirit give voice to us and move our speech for you exaltation and your glory.
And remember God keeps His promises and He has promised us His Spirit, His power to help us!
7/13/08
“A promise kept”
Acts_2_1-13
I. As we resume our study we want to be reminded that:
A. The success of the early church was the power of the Holy Spirit at work through them and their total dependence upon God.
B. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to glorify Christ in the life of the believer.
John 16:14 (NKJV)
14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
II. With this in mind we resume our study of Acts in chapter-2:1
Acts 2:1-13 (NKJV)
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
A. We see the church waiting for the Spirit, as Jesus instructed.
1. They were in one accord and in one place
a. They shared the same heart and love for God, the same trust in His promise, and they were gathered together geographically.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
2. And on the day of Pentecost this wonderful event occurs where the Spirit of God came upon them.
a. Pentecost means "fiftieth" because this feast was held fifty days after the feast of Firstfruits.
(1) Weirsbe points out the calendar of Jewish feasts in Leviticus 23 is an outline of the work of Jesus Christ.
(a) Passover pictures His death.
(b) Firstfruits pictures His resurrection.
(c) Pentecost pictures the birth of the church.
i) At Pentecost the Jews celebrate the giving of the Law.
ii) But Christians celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit.
B. Three special signs marked this special time.
1. A sound from heaven; the sound of a mighty rushing wind, and divided tongues of fire sat "upon" each one of them.
a. The association of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit and the sound of a rushing mighty wind probably connects in some way with the fact that the word used for Spirit is the same word that means breath or wind and this is true in both Hebrew and Greek.
b. And the significance of cloven or divided tongues of fire probably ties to prophecy of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11
Matthew 3:11 (NKJV)
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
(1) The underlying picture of fire is often purification, such as the refiners fire which burns out impurities.
(a) Fire burns away what is temporary and leaves what is permanent.
(b) The Holy Spirit fills us not merely for abstract power, but to bring purity.
(2) The tongues of fire we are told sat on each one of them (each believer there).
2. (vv4) “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
a. In response to being filled with the Holy Spirit we read that those who were present (the 120 not only the twelve Apostles) began to speak in other tongues, that is in languages they had never learned, but they spoke them as the "Spirit" gave them utterance.
3. We are told that there were dwelling in Jerusalem at that time (Pentecost) Jews who were devout men from many other nations and when they heard the sound (probably the sound of rushing wind) that a multitude came together (to check it out) and they heard each one of them the Christians speaking their own native languages.
a. And what they heard the Christians speaking in these foreign languages was "the wonderful works of God verse-11" and all that heard were amazed or astonished and perplexed.
(1) Listed for us are nations and languages represented among the multitude who heard the wonderful works of God declared in their native tongues.
9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
(2) This astonishment perplexity was compounded because a big portion of those speaking in these other tongues were Galileans who were known as uncultured and poor speakers.
4. This became an occasion of honest inquiry for some- verse-12
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
a. But other excused away this wonderful work of God- vers-13
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
b. The same is true today, God still does marvelous things, supernatural things, some see and inquire further, others just want to dismiss God and what He does.
III. The gift of Tongues. (I am indebted to David Guzik for his commentary as a source for much of what I share concerning the gift of tongues...)
A. This gift has been the focal point of much controversy in the church
1. Most would agree that this was a gift God gave to the church at least at what time, but a lot of the controversy centers on what God's purpose for tongues.
a. Some believe the gift of tongues was given primarily as a sign to unbelievers
1 Corinthians 14:21-22 (NKJV)
21 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
(1) And that it was a miraculous means to communicate the gospel in different and varies languages.
(a) They believe that this sign is no longer needed and is therefore no longer present in the church.
b. Others argue the point, that while the gift of tongues was a sign for unbelievers according to 1 Corinthians 14:21-22, the primary purpose of this gift is as a gift of communication between the believer and God.
1 Corinthians 14:2 (NKJV)
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:13-15 (NKJV)
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
(1) And therefore is still a gift given by God today.
2. Many make the mistake in interpreting Acts-2 assuming that the disciples used tongues to preach to the crowd that had gathered, but this is incorrect.
a. We are plainly told that what they heard was the believers declaring the wonderful works of God.
(1) They simply overheard the believers that were gathered that day declaring praise and thanksgiving to God exuberantly, not preaching.
(2) A sermon was preached that day as we shall see later in this chapter, it was preached by Peter and in the common language of the day which was Greek.
3. The gift of tongues is primarily a personal language of prayer where the believer communicates with God beyond the limits of knowledge and understanding.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (NKJV)
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
a. Apparently the gift of tongues plays an important part in the life of the individual believer, but has a small role in the corporate life of the church.
1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (NKJV)
18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
(1) Especially in public meetings
1 Corinthians 14:23 (NKJV)
23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
(2) When tongues are practiced in the corporate life of the church they are to be carefully controlled and never without an interpretation given by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:27-28 (NKJV)
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
(3) The gift of tongues is not a gift given to every believer
1 Corinthians 12:30 (NKJV)
30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
(a) The Greek expects a negative answer.
(b) The gift of tongues is not the evidence of the filling of the Holy Spirit and this emphasis and the pressure it produces leads many to counterfeit it in an attempt to prove to themselves and others that they are Spirit filled.
i) It often becomes a means for men to attract attention to themselves, where the real exercise of this gift draws attention to Jesus.
4. The question comes up are there two separate gifts, that of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance which we read about in Acts-2, and that which we read about in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 or are they the same gift.
a. My thought on this is that the differences have more to do with circumstances in which the gifts are exercised rather the gifts themselves but I will let you do the homework for yourself and come to your own conclusion.
(1) When the gift of tongues is genuinely and properly exercised the address is to God and not to men, so when you here a gift of tongues and an interpretation that address man "thus says the Lord..." something is amiss.
b. I will say that I think it silly to divide over this, I want all the gifts God has for me, but I believe that the gifts He gives are to be exercised decently and in order, they serve to Glorify and draw attention to God and not to men.
(1) And they don't make you go crazy and out of control (Remember the fruits of the Spirit work in conjunction with he gifts of the Spirit of which self-control is involved)
1 Corinthians 14:32-33 (NKJV)
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 (NKJV)
39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
IV. Now as Chapter-2 continues Peter preaches a sermon the outline of that sermon is as follows.
A. First in verses 14-21 Peter explains what has just happened and he supports what happened from scripture.
1. This is a very important lesson for us.
B. Then he explains how it happened in verses 22-35
C. And then he explains why it happened in verses 36-41.
D. Finally as the chapter closes we see the church walking in the Spirit, our vision for the church here at CCSJ comes from Acts 2:42 coupled with the great commission.
E. Let me challenge you to read ahead and do some study on your own this week with this outline in mind.
F. Closing remarks
1. We are told if we walk in the Spirit we won't fulfill the lust of the flesh
2. If we are walking in the Spirit we will be fulfilling the will of God and His purposes for us (individually and corporately)
3. The success of the early church was the power of the Holy Spirit at work through them and their total dependence upon God.
4. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to glorify Christ in the life of the believer.
a. God may your Spirit be the wind the drives us and moves us forward to do your will
b. May your Spirit be the fire that purifies us so that we are single minded with an eternal perspective
c. May your Spirit give voice to us and move our speech for you exaltation and your glory.
And remember God keeps His promises and He has promised us His Spirit, His power to help us!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Sunday July 6, 2008
Acts 1:12-26
7/6/08
“The starting point”
Acts_1_12-26
I. Now after Jesus ascended into heaven while they watched, we read.
Acts 1:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.
13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
A. Obedience to Christ
1. Jesus had told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them and the received power to be effective witnesses of Him.
a. So they journey from the Mount of Olives which is where the ascension took place back to Jerusalem which was a Sabbath days journey or about 3000' (3/4 of a mile) according to Jewish tradition.
(1) It was thought that the distance between the camp and the tabernacle in the wilderness was 2000 cubits (3000')
Conjecture probably from:
Joshua 3:4 (NKJV)
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”
2. Obedience, following good instructions contains blessings and brings us benefit, and this is all the truer when as it pertains to the instruction or commands of God.
a. What a wonderful thing it is to let this picture penetrate our hearts, for 40 days they have experienced the resurrected Christ appearing in their midst, after all hope had been lost, and He has been speaking to them about the kingdom of God during this time.
(1) Then He tells them to wait, and He ascends into the clouds headed for heaven as they watch.
(2) And here they go back to Jerusalem to wait according to His instructions.
3. We don't like to obey and we don't like to wait (these are problematic of our fallen nature).
a. But when we are full of God's Spirit, His Spirit bears fruit in our lives!
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
(1) Ever tried to build something without following the instructions (not obeying) usually because we can't wait we are impatient, and the frustration etc. that brings.
(2) But if you have ever struggled through and disciplined yourself to read and follow the instructions, you discovered that the designer had a better plan than you and your way would have led to failure or rework...
(a) If only we would learn to obey and wait!
(b) Jesus already said in waiting they would receive power to do, but look at some other benefits of waiting (for God to direct, to empower, to provide)
4. Waiting on the Lord
Psalm 25:5 (NKJV)
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:21 (NKJV)
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.
Psalm 37:9 (NKJV)
9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:34-36 (NKJV)
34 Wait on the Lord, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.
Psalm 130:5-6 (NKJV)
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
Proverbs 8:34 (NKJV)
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 64:4 (NKJV)
4 For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
5. Now as they waited in that upper room a number of people are listed as being there
13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
a. We note Mary the mother of Jesus and His brothers who were apparently converted or began to believe in Him as a result ot the resurrection where they had not believed before:
John 7:5 (NKJV)
5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
(1) His brothers (actually half brothers)
Mark 6:3 (NKJV)
3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
B. Unity( with one mind, with one accord, with one passion)
1. They had a common purpose of mind
Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison". The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonise in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ's church.
Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G3661
2. We are too quick often in trying to artificially put this together or make this happen.
a. We base success or the vibrancy of a church or it's leaders on whether they do things the way that we want or think they should be done (the activity of the church)
(1) Committee's attempting to steer churches or it's leaders.
(a) Often causes great division.
(2) Or you have a church where the pastor is the master and he tells everyone else what to do
(a) The result may be a lot of activity and seem exciting but it doesn't really have life and it fizzles when the man is not there to keep it energized. (Because it was a work of man).
i) And those involved are involved often with alterior motives.
3. Unity is achieved when we play as a team, and we let God be the coach and call the plays...
a. He gives the instruction and assigns the players and then a real work of God is the result and there is a common passion given by God that is really a work of God, but in and gthrought the lives of human instruments.
(1) This is what we want to wait for God to do, and this is what we watch unfold as the disciples are gathered together and were in one accord, that is, they were "WAITING" for God to move them, motivate them, empower them, give them further instructions.
(a) My son has been given certain instructions but he doesn't know beyond the fact that he is to show up on a certain date, and then wait for further instructions. (Some general ideas of what may be coming, but that is not enough to act on yet).
C. Prayer
1. They continued with one accord in prayer and supplications, that was there one activity they prayed together in unity asking God to snow them what they needed to know and do.
a. Note it was not just individual prayer for individual direction (I am sure they did that also), but it is here WE are Lord what would you have US to do?
(1) So many critics of the church but very few who will come together "with one accord" and wait in prayer for God to speak and show His plan.
(a) are you a critic or are you part of what God is wanting to do, and how do you know?
i) Well this text would appear to be a picture of what should be happening.
D. They obviously believed in prayer and they believed that God speaks to us through His word, look how the text goes on.
II. Prayer and the Word of God was there key activity while they waited for God to lead them.
Acts 1:15-26 (NKJV)
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”
18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.
19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
A. Peter stood up and addresses the rest of the group (120 people) and he is motivated by what scriptures says concerning their circumstance as they are waiting, stating that they needed to replace Judas and the office or position he vacated.
20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’
1. He recognizes that the words of David in the psalms speak about Judas and his desertion of his part in the ministry.
a. Judas had deserted his office through his sin (not his suicide)
b. Judas had obtained a part in the ministry but abandoned it through his sin, what a wonderful truth that we "GET" to serve Jesus and one another, it is not by compulsion.
c. Peter points out that Judas had been a part of their "apostolic" ministry an office which was now vacated and needed to be filled, but it seems clear that Peter is not suggesting that their is to be apostolic succession.
(1) Because he makes it clear that a qualification of an apostle was that he was an eye witness to the ministry of Jesus from His baptism to His resurrection.
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
(2) Two men were possible candidates in their eyes and Matthias (gift of God) was chosen.
2. Judas hung himself and split open in the process, and with the betrayal money a field called the field of blood was purchased by the Sanhedrin.
B. Observations
1. The believed in and saw the need for prayer.
a. We will see that prayer plays a significant role throughout this book and some mighty things God does through prayer.
(1) What a cool thing that Peter steps up, takes charge and they begin to seek God in prayer for direction.
2. Clearly they believed that God would guide and direct them and that His word plays an important part in His leading!
a. Guide THEM not just guide some one else!
3. We need to note Peter quotes from scripture.
a. God is opening up their understanding to His word.
Communion
7/6/08
“The starting point”
Acts_1_12-26
I. Now after Jesus ascended into heaven while they watched, we read.
Acts 1:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.
13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
A. Obedience to Christ
1. Jesus had told them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them and the received power to be effective witnesses of Him.
a. So they journey from the Mount of Olives which is where the ascension took place back to Jerusalem which was a Sabbath days journey or about 3000' (3/4 of a mile) according to Jewish tradition.
(1) It was thought that the distance between the camp and the tabernacle in the wilderness was 2000 cubits (3000')
Conjecture probably from:
Joshua 3:4 (NKJV)
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.”
2. Obedience, following good instructions contains blessings and brings us benefit, and this is all the truer when as it pertains to the instruction or commands of God.
a. What a wonderful thing it is to let this picture penetrate our hearts, for 40 days they have experienced the resurrected Christ appearing in their midst, after all hope had been lost, and He has been speaking to them about the kingdom of God during this time.
(1) Then He tells them to wait, and He ascends into the clouds headed for heaven as they watch.
(2) And here they go back to Jerusalem to wait according to His instructions.
3. We don't like to obey and we don't like to wait (these are problematic of our fallen nature).
a. But when we are full of God's Spirit, His Spirit bears fruit in our lives!
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
(1) Ever tried to build something without following the instructions (not obeying) usually because we can't wait we are impatient, and the frustration etc. that brings.
(2) But if you have ever struggled through and disciplined yourself to read and follow the instructions, you discovered that the designer had a better plan than you and your way would have led to failure or rework...
(a) If only we would learn to obey and wait!
(b) Jesus already said in waiting they would receive power to do, but look at some other benefits of waiting (for God to direct, to empower, to provide)
4. Waiting on the Lord
Psalm 25:5 (NKJV)
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:21 (NKJV)
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for You.
Psalm 37:9 (NKJV)
9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:34-36 (NKJV)
34 Wait on the Lord, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.
Psalm 130:5-6 (NKJV)
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
Proverbs 8:34 (NKJV)
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 64:4 (NKJV)
4 For since the beginning of the world Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
5. Now as they waited in that upper room a number of people are listed as being there
13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
a. We note Mary the mother of Jesus and His brothers who were apparently converted or began to believe in Him as a result ot the resurrection where they had not believed before:
John 7:5 (NKJV)
5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
(1) His brothers (actually half brothers)
Mark 6:3 (NKJV)
3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.
B. Unity( with one mind, with one accord, with one passion)
1. They had a common purpose of mind
Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison". The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonise in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ's church.
Strong, James: The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Text of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurrence of Each Word in Regular Order. electronic ed. Ontario : Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996, S. G3661
2. We are too quick often in trying to artificially put this together or make this happen.
a. We base success or the vibrancy of a church or it's leaders on whether they do things the way that we want or think they should be done (the activity of the church)
(1) Committee's attempting to steer churches or it's leaders.
(a) Often causes great division.
(2) Or you have a church where the pastor is the master and he tells everyone else what to do
(a) The result may be a lot of activity and seem exciting but it doesn't really have life and it fizzles when the man is not there to keep it energized. (Because it was a work of man).
i) And those involved are involved often with alterior motives.
3. Unity is achieved when we play as a team, and we let God be the coach and call the plays...
a. He gives the instruction and assigns the players and then a real work of God is the result and there is a common passion given by God that is really a work of God, but in and gthrought the lives of human instruments.
(1) This is what we want to wait for God to do, and this is what we watch unfold as the disciples are gathered together and were in one accord, that is, they were "WAITING" for God to move them, motivate them, empower them, give them further instructions.
(a) My son has been given certain instructions but he doesn't know beyond the fact that he is to show up on a certain date, and then wait for further instructions. (Some general ideas of what may be coming, but that is not enough to act on yet).
C. Prayer
1. They continued with one accord in prayer and supplications, that was there one activity they prayed together in unity asking God to snow them what they needed to know and do.
a. Note it was not just individual prayer for individual direction (I am sure they did that also), but it is here WE are Lord what would you have US to do?
(1) So many critics of the church but very few who will come together "with one accord" and wait in prayer for God to speak and show His plan.
(a) are you a critic or are you part of what God is wanting to do, and how do you know?
i) Well this text would appear to be a picture of what should be happening.
D. They obviously believed in prayer and they believed that God speaks to us through His word, look how the text goes on.
II. Prayer and the Word of God was there key activity while they waited for God to lead them.
Acts 1:15-26 (NKJV)
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,
16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;
17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”
18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out.
19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”
26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
A. Peter stood up and addresses the rest of the group (120 people) and he is motivated by what scriptures says concerning their circumstance as they are waiting, stating that they needed to replace Judas and the office or position he vacated.
20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it’; and, ‘Let another take his office.’
1. He recognizes that the words of David in the psalms speak about Judas and his desertion of his part in the ministry.
a. Judas had deserted his office through his sin (not his suicide)
b. Judas had obtained a part in the ministry but abandoned it through his sin, what a wonderful truth that we "GET" to serve Jesus and one another, it is not by compulsion.
c. Peter points out that Judas had been a part of their "apostolic" ministry an office which was now vacated and needed to be filled, but it seems clear that Peter is not suggesting that their is to be apostolic succession.
(1) Because he makes it clear that a qualification of an apostle was that he was an eye witness to the ministry of Jesus from His baptism to His resurrection.
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
(2) Two men were possible candidates in their eyes and Matthias (gift of God) was chosen.
2. Judas hung himself and split open in the process, and with the betrayal money a field called the field of blood was purchased by the Sanhedrin.
B. Observations
1. The believed in and saw the need for prayer.
a. We will see that prayer plays a significant role throughout this book and some mighty things God does through prayer.
(1) What a cool thing that Peter steps up, takes charge and they begin to seek God in prayer for direction.
2. Clearly they believed that God would guide and direct them and that His word plays an important part in His leading!
a. Guide THEM not just guide some one else!
3. We need to note Peter quotes from scripture.
a. God is opening up their understanding to His word.
Communion
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
