Great Sermon, Preacher
One part of ministry that comes with the territory of being a pastor is the critiques of the message that is shared every week. Typically, people are kind and gracious to my face. Over the pot roast at home, it may be a different story. But, to me they usually are very complimentary or at worst quiet.
Truth be told, many times folks are being considerate and just want to say something nice because that’s what people do, especially here in the south. Sometimes, the comments are noticeably different because God has indeed spoken a powerful word to the heart of someone listening to His Spirit. Either way, I try to be grateful for the kind words and pray that God could somehow use His Word to impact a heart for His glory.
Having preached week after week for over 20 years, this type of verbal dancing is something that I have grown accustomed to. When I read Acts 2:14-36, I’m not sure that anyone said anything to Peter after his sermon because it seems that everyone present realized that this was a message from God, Himself, not Peter.
What made this sermon so great?
First, God used a transformed man to preach this life-changing message. Peter, the denier, became Peter the evangelist. How? He had a face to face encounter with his resurrected Savior (see John 21) and he was unmistakably filled with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:1-13).
Second, Peter was proclaiming the gospel, that is the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to pay the penalty for sin and win the victory over death for all who believe. That gospel message has incredible power (Romans 1:16). In the power of the gospel, the message of hope, victory, and transformation is found.
Third, the sermon was awesome. Peter starts with a reminder that God’s plan has been foretold and described in what we call the Old Testament. Peter quotes from the prophet Joel and reminds people that God has been moving toward these moments since Adam sinned in Genesis 3. Then, Peter moves to the proclamation of all that Jesus accomplished. Because of the life of Jesus, the death of Jesus on the cross, and the resurrection of Jesus, Peter says: “this Jesus, whom you crucified (has been made) both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36, CSB).
Finally, the response of the people is noteworthy. The crowd was “pierced to the heart” (Acts 3:47). The message cut deep into their hearts and souls. They realized their sin. They understood their need for a Savior. And, they called out asking what they needed to do. “Repent” was the short answer.
That message has not changed. Have you come to realize the weight of your sin? Let me point you to the love of a Savior, Jesus. Turn to Him and He will save you, too.
(Questions/Responses jeff.perkins@mbclife.org)