Welcome Home everyone
In our passage Acts chapter 2, We have heard Peter’s address to the crowd. That Jesus of Nazareth who was accredited by God and was given over to the authorities to be crucified. And that on the third day he was raised up by God freeing Christ from death and fulfilling the scriptures and the prophecies of Christ Himself. Peter shows them by the words of the prophets and patriarchs God’s word is made true through this Jesus, Peter says, “whom you crucified!” This Jesus was exalted and glorified to the right hand of the Father. Now the whole world is His footstool. And because of all of this Israel should be assured that God has mad this Jesus Lord and Messiah. Next we’ll hear their responses.
My big Idea for the day is to be mindful, because our response is everything. My prayer for today is that by hearing this message we would not just be hearer of the Word, but that we would respond and do the word of God. If you have your Bibles today you can join me in Acts chapter2, verse 37.
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:37-41
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into 2 sections or points.
We Must Receive The Truth
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2:37-39
The first thing we see here, is that the people heard Peter’s Message. But hearing alone is not enough. It says that they were cut to the heart.
The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
Deuteronomy 30:6
Paul mentions this in Romans chapter 2 as well. I tell you today there is parallel Between this being cut to the heart that these people felt and the receiving of Peter’s message. This moment of being brought to repentance is a sacred moment of surrender to Christ Jesus. It’s the moment that the message is fully received and you and me, turn to Jesus. In this, we are symbolically entering into the fullness of the covenants and promises of God for the forgiveness of sin and being reconciled to God Himself. But what shall we do? “Repent and be baptized every one of you” Everything Peter is saying here is summed up in this. Believe on Jesus and follow Him. Not unlike the original calling of the 12.
Follow me
-Jesus
It is only by the name of Jesus that you we receive forgiveness, reconciliation, and the gift of the promised Holy Spirit. Not just for you but for your children and for future generations. God promises this to His people.
but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:6
The first century disciples knew and understood that walking with Rabbi Jesus was a commitment, but the reward far out shined their sacrifice. {Hebraic Discipleship: Bet Sefer (the house of the Book), Bet Talmud (the House of Learning), Bet Midrash (the House of Study} Having been familiar with Torah and failing to progress in the study of their faith had great implications. In one moment perhaps, the realization of their role in Christ’s death brought down the totality of the weight of all their sin. They were crushed inside and moved to repentance.
Here’s why this is important for us today. God through his Holy Spirit is delivering a message to us. Sometimes it’s an encouragement, “I love you.” But sometimes it’s a correction, I love you too much to not instruct/correct you. Are you receiving the His message today? Sometimes we blow it! Most of us do from time to time. Here’s the rub, do we slough it off and make excuses? Or do we receive His message/correction/rebuke?
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32
We must be willing receive the truth.
I’ll move on to my next point.
We Must Respond To The Truth
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:40-41
The truth was they rejected Christ and they had an innocent man put to death. The blood of Jesus was on their hands.
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
James 2:10
For the devout would see this a heavy burden. They would also see a sense of urgency as this man’s blood has made them symbolically/ceremonially unclean before God. Peter Pleaded with them to repent and categorized them as a corrupt generation. The 3000 that received the truth that day and responded to the truth were save and baptized.
Imagine with me what the implications of 3000 souls added to the kingdom would do in our community. Seriously imagine what it might look like if we had a tank out here in the Parking lot and we were baptizing 3000 people who just gave their hearts to Jesus. These people responded to the truth about their sin and they were forgiven. What if we need to receive a truth about spiritual apathy in the church? Will we receive it? How will we respond?
When I first became the pastor here, I asked the Lord for 1000 souls in our community. I pray over this regularly. Maybe my thoughts are too small? Maybe we should All be praying about this collectively. Whatever truth God in Trying to impart. Whether it be a correction, encouragement, or a rebuke… I pray that we are a people that have eyes to and ears to hear. That we could receive the truth. And we would have the heart to respond to the truth of God no matter what that might be. And that in Him we would be free.
How will we position ourselves to receive godly truth? How will we condition our heart in humility to respond to that truth?
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values. This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ. Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today. But God has a plan!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today.
You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late
It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here. Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me?
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’