5. Spirited Gospel Preaching Unleashed (1)

Posted on Posted in Sermon Notes Tagged with , , , ,

Hymns: RHC 245 Channels Only 246 Open My Eyes, That I May See 247 Cleanse Me 

Acts 2:14-41

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Spirited Gospel Preaching Unleashed (1)

OUTLINE

  • Spirit-Filled Men (v14a) 
    • Courageous and Fearless
  • Spirit-Filled Preaching (v14b-36)
    • Bible-Based 
      • Joel 2:28-32 (v17-21)
      • Psalm 16:8-11 (v25-28)             
      • Psalm 110:1 (v34-35)
    • Christ-Centred (v22-36)
      • Christ’s Miracles (v22)
      • Christ’s Death (v23) 
      • Christ’s Resurrection (v24, 29-32)
        • Proof Text: Psalm 16:8-11 (v25-28)
      • Christ’s Ascension (v33)
        • Psalm 110:1 (v34-35)
  • Spirit-Enabled Conversion (v37-41)

INTRODUCTION

Spirited Gospel Peaching Acts 2:14-41. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples with witnessing power, endued with power from on high, they preached the Word. They spoke to many and three thousand were saved. The Holy Spirit came as a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and the “tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them” and the disciples were given the miraculous power to speak in the languages of those present.

In the 28 chapters of the Book of Acts is recorded for us 19 sermons. Studying them carefully will lead us to know that the proclamation of God’s Word is the means by which souls will be saved. Many souls were ushered to the kingdom of God by the fervent preaching of God’s Word.

Leonard Ravenhill wrote in his classic book on Revival in chapter 7 entitled “Is Soul-Hot Preaching a lost art?” said, “Centuries have passed since the Swiss Reformer Oecolampadius forged the phrase, “How much more would a few good and fervent men affect the ministry than a multitude of lukewarm ones! The passing of time has not taken the sting from this statement. We need more “good and fervent preachers.” Isaiah was one such, with his “woe” of confession – “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” And Paul was another such, with his “woe” of commission – “Woe is me, if I preached not the gospel!”

The call to preach is well said in the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:17-25:

1 Corinthians 1:17-25 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.  

This God-ordained means of conveying God’s purpose to men through the preaching of His Word is most clearly seen in the Book of Acts – as we said 19 sermons in 28 chapter recorded in great detail to help us to see the efficacy of preaching and that faith comes by listening to the spoken Word of God. When the Holy Spirit came mightily to fill the hearts of the disciples waiting upon the Lord at the Upper Room, God enabled them to proclaim the truth of the gospel that men might be saved.

We left off last week with the power of the Holy Spirit coming as a rushing wind and tongues of fire, the fiery words of the works of God to cause men to confess God in the hearts.

The people said Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. This miracle from God is explained away as a drunken frenzy that has come upon the disciples. They don’t know what they are saying. They are under intoxication! they are drunk!

That was when Peter stood up to refute these scoffers or mockers of the truth.

  • Spirit-Filled Men (v14a) 
    • Courageous and Fearless
  • Spirit-Filled Preaching (v14b-36)
    • Bible-Based 
      • Joel 2:28-32 (v17-21)
      • Psalm 16:8-11 (v25-28)             
      • Psalm 110:1 (v34-35)
    • Christ-Centred (v22-36)
      • Christ’s Miracles (v22)
      • Christ’s Death (v23) 
      • Christ’s Resurrection (v24, 29-32)
        • Proof Text: Psalm 16:8-11 (v25-28)
      • Christ’s Ascension (v33)
        • Psalm 110:1 (v34-35)
  • Spirit-Enabled Conversion (v37-41)

(1) Spirit-Filled Men (v14a) 

  1. Courageous and Fearless

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Who is Peter? This is a man under conviction. He was a man fully given over to God. He experienced God in his life fully. He is an ordinary fisherman, no education, no proven leadership, no money, there was nothing going for him humanly speaking.

But he was filled with the Spirit to bold stand and represent the 12 apostles, now Matthias with them, to declare the Word of God. The rest of them stood in support as he spoke to the people.

You would not want to be in Peter’s position because you can lose your life anytime. His Master has lost his not many days since but there is a power that was with him, an unexplained courage and boldness, a fearlessness that came upon Him. This is Jerusalem. Enemy territory. Not a playground but a war zone.

Yet Peter was bold to stand and the other apostles stood with him. And the reason for their boldness! Is that they have seen the resurrected Christ. What else? Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit giving him utterance.

John 16:6-13 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Jesus his Master is not a mere man but truly the Son of God. He saw the resurrected Christ. 

Let’s look at John 21. Here we saw our Lord Jesus recommissioning Peter to the gospel work as a fisher of men with the miracle of the abundant catch (John 21:6, 11).

John 21:6 (KJV) And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

John 21:7-8 (KJV) Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

John 21:11 (KJV) Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

Our Lord, their Master, was alive and continue to command them as He did before! 

John 21:9-11 (KJV) As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

John 21:12 (KJV) Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

Peter had denied the Lord three times. The resurrected Christ, appearing the third time after He was risen from the dead (John 21:14), asked Peter three times “lovest thou Me?” and commissioning him as an under-shepherd who is under the authority of Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd, emphasizing their roles as servants and guides and not rulers. Serving under Christ as servant leaders, not claiming lordship over the flock but leading by example.

1 Peter 5:2-4 (KJV) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

(2) Spirit-Filled Preaching (v14b-36)

  1. Bible-Based Joel 2:28-32 (v17-21)Psalm 16:8-11 (v25-28)             Psalm 110:1 (v34-35)
    1. Christ-Centred (v22-36)
      1. Christ’s Miracles (v22)
      1. Christ’s Death (v23) 
      1. Christ’s Resurrection (v24, 29-32)
        1. Proof Text: Psalm 16:8-11 (v25-28)
      1. Christ’s Ascension (v33)
        1. Psalm 110:1 (v34-35)

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 

The third hour is 9am in the morning. The Jewish day begins at 6am.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Peter did not speak his own words. He spoke from the Old Testament. He declared the Word of God to the people. The prophet Joel wrote of the judgment of God upon the land by a locust invasion that will destroy the entire land – the agricultural-based economy will be destroyed. After pronouncing judgment, Joel speaks of God’s blessing that will come in the latter days.

Joel 2:28-32 (KJV) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

He was referencing to Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would come upon the people. And Peter refers to this text because it is the clearest prophesy of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He links is to explain God’s mercy has come in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ.

The “last days” speaks of the period between Christ’s first and second coming – Hebrews 1:1-2 (KJV) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last daysspoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

1 John 2:18 (KJV) Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Peter 3:3 (KJV) Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

It includes the time of the personal ministry of Christ, from Pentecost, and from the beloved on down to the “Day of the Lord” when Christ will come back to reign! 

“To prophecy” means to speak in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it may be foretelling the future. Sometimes it may be rebuking win or telling people how to be saved, but always it will be speaking out in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. To prophecy is to speak with the power and wisdom of God when one is moved by the Holy Spirit. Every Christian can witness and every Christian can be filled with the Spirit for this witnessing. [John R. Rice]

The purpose of the prophesying, speaking in the Spirit to win souls, is given in verse 21, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

As everywhere this power of the Holy Spirit is promised for witnessing, so here the fullness of the Spirit prophesied by Joel and which began to occur at Pentecost was to result in people being saved.

“The day of the Lord” means the time when Jesus comes in judgment to reign. Just as the Great Commission, given by Matthew promises, “And, lo, I am with you alway, until the end of the world,” that is, the consummation of the age, so is the fullness of the Spirit promised for the witnessing and soul winning here commanded. [John R. Rice]

Peter hereby proclaimed that a new age had begun and this was the public inauguration of the age, the first massive public attempt to carry out the Great Commission. Now God offered the Holy Spirit to all Christians for that purpose. He explained the pouring of the Holy Spirit with the supernatural manifestations of saving power, along with incidental miracles by showing from Joel 2:28-32 that this was fulfilment of prophecy.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Peter cited again Psalm 16:8-11 to describe the prophecy of the Resurrection (v25-28)! David died but the greater David, Jesus Christ, rose from the dead.

Psalm 16:8-11 (KJV) I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence isfulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Peter quoted a third passage in Psalm 110:1 on the ascension of Christ to heaven (v34-35) to be at the right hand of the Father directing human affairs from heaven.

Psalm 110:1 (KJV) A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Peter’s bold facing of the sin question. In v23, they had taken Jesus “and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Him”. All true evangelism must deal early and definitely with sin. He v38 he will command them to repent, so he shows the wickedness of their hearts in hating, rejecting and crucifying Jesus. [John R. Rice]

It was a Bible sermon. First, he shows from Joel that the present pouring out of the Holy Spirit was prophesied and is part of God’s plan for getting out the Gospel. Then he quotes from Psalm 16 to show that David had foretold the resurrection of Christ. Then he quotes from Psalm 110 to show that the Father has Jesus at present sitting on the right hand in Heaven until the time when He will come back to reign (v34-35).

Peter drives straight to his man conclusion, “That God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Jesus is the prophesied Christ, the Messiah of Israel. He is the only Saviour.

Then Peter gives the urgent conclusion that they should repent. Then where was an extended period of testifying, exhorting, answering questions and applying the truth of the Scriptures he had quoted (v40).

(3) Spirit-Enabled Conversion (v37-41)

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

The people were pierced in their hearts. Many submitted to Christ and were saved.

To be continued…