Most pastors remember their first sermon. A lot of preparation usually goes into writing it, selecting the Scripture passages, thinking of exactly what they want to say, what thoughts they want to convey, etc. First sermons usually come after years of study in seminary, or perhaps some time while going through training. In our Scripture passage today to close out this first week following Easter, we read of the Apostle Peter’s first message given the morning of Pentecost, just a few brief weeks following the Resurrection of Jesus, and a few days following His Ascension into heaven. Without wasting any time, Peter began to spread the message of salvation only through Jesus Christ.
Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus took His disciples to the Mount of Olives and in their sight He ascended up into heaven. Shortly before then, He told the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit, which occurred nine days later (Acts 1:3-12; Acts 2:1-4). It was immediately following the occurrence of the Holy Spirit coming upon the believers, when crowds of people in the streets of Jerusalem were hearing what was going on, they questioned what was happening. Peter used this opportunity of the gathered crowd to begin spreading the message of salvation in and through the Name of Jesus.
Peter was bold, not hesitating to let the gathering crowds know exactly what it was that had happened and which they were observing. He didn’t say to himself that he would “let his lifestyle preach the message”, or think that it wouldn’t be proper to push his beliefs on others. Peter knew that this was a message that all needed to hear, and was bold to proclaim it. This first sermon of his was that Jesus is both God and the Messiah (vs. 36), this being shown through His miraculous works (vs. 22), His resurrection (vs 23-35), and sending of the Holy Spirit (vs. 33-35).
The death of Jesus was part of God’s plan, and under His control. It was not a tragic accident that happened and took God by surprise, forcing Him to come up with Plan B, the resurrection. Though Jesus’ death was part of God’s plan for our salvation, it did not absolve the guilt of those who caused it (vs. 23). Many of the people in the crowd that day of Pentecost would also have been in Jerusalem during the Passover, and would have either seen or heard about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Perhaps some even were riled up by the religious leaders to shout out “Crucify Him” when Pilate presented the bloody and beaten Savior to the crowds. Now they were hearing the first post-resurrection sermon of salvation.
The resurrection of Jesus was the ultimate sign that what He said about Himself was true. Without the resurrection we would have no reason to believe in Jesus (I Corinthians 15:13-20). Through the leading of the Holy Spirit Peter quoted from Psalm 16:8-11, to show that these verses were prophesying and referring to Jesus and His resurrection (vs. 25-32). King David, who wrote that Psalm, was not talking about himself, as he died and was buried. David was prophesying about Jesus, whose body did not corrupt or decay.
Peter publicly proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord (vs. 36). He then urged those who listened to his message to repent and accept the Lord Jesus as their Messiah and Savior from their sins (vs. 38). Repent means to turn from your unbelief in the saving power of Christ’s saving death and resurrection, and to turn to Jesus, accepting his death as coverage for our sins. We cannot save ourselves, only Jesus can save us. We must depend on Him for forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and purpose. When Peter said to be baptized “for the remission of sins” (vs. 38), that means as a sign of, or because of. Baptism does not save us or cleanse us from our sins. It is a sign that we give to the world that we have been saved.
Many of those who heard Peter’s first sermon that morning were filled with grief, remorse, and intense spiritual conviction (vs. 37). They were stunned that they had killed their Messiah. Peter didn’t just leave them there. He urged them, as we do today, to turn to Jesus (vs. 40). That day 3,000 people accepted Jesus as their Savior (vs. 41). Today, like Peter did, I urge all who haven’t already to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ, for it is only through Him that we can be saved.
No comments:
Post a Comment