Opening: Think back to a time when you were able to give someone some good news.
Maybe it was when your child received special recognition or was accepted to
college, or that a friend did not have cancer. What does it feel like to share
good news? How motivated are you to spread that news far and wide?
Scripture: Read Acts2:14-36.
Insights:
- In the beginning of Acts 2, all the believers are speaking in a variety of languages to the people gathered. Though we are not told what they were saying, it was probably not a weather report! However, after questions about the physical condition of the speakers, Peter becomes the primary spokesman for the disciples. In fact, the only messages recorded in the book of Acts are by Peter, Stephen (Acts 7) and Paul. Peter has become “the rock” (see Matthew 16:18).
- Peter begins his sermon by quoting Joel 2:28-32. God says that He will pour out the Holy Spirit on His people – men and women alike – “and they will prophesy.” The word “prophecy” is not limited to “telling the future,” but really means “declaring the word of God. That’s what the Old Testament prophets did, and now that is what the servants of God – all of them – are to do.
- Though the people hearing Peter’s sermon knew that Jesus was a man whom God used, they still crucified Him. Despite all the miracles and signs, they did not believe His message, nor that He was the Messiah. Unfortunately, this is true today as well. People know about the life, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus, yet they still do not make Him their Messiah, their Leader/Lord, and their Forgiver/Savior.
- The Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus are the key tenets of the Christian faith. Without the sacrificial death of Jesus, the penalty for humanity’s sins is left unpaid except by the sinner. And without the defeat of death, we cannot be offered eternal life. The Gospel is not the Gospel without the Cross and the Resurrection.
Life
Questions:
- Have you ever thought of yourself as one who prophesizes – declares the message of God? The Bible talks about individuals with the spiritual gift of prophecy (see Romans 12:6). But Paul also writes, “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.”[1] In what ways and settings might you be one who declares the message of God?
- Peter concludes this section of the sermon with “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”[2] Isn’t that a wonderful way to conclude any message, any endeavor, any witness, and any life testimony – “Jesus is Lord and Messiah!” How can you do this?
Prayer: For us to be declarers of the message of God – the Cross and the
Resurrection – in our words, actions, and lives.
