Witnessing in Jerusalem - Acts 2:29-41 (Sermon)
Welcome
Thank you, worship team. Today marks the third week of our Mission Month. This year, we are asking (and answering), “Where is God working?” We heard from people like Ivan last week and Jeff this week in Sunday School. The theme verse is Acts Chapter 1, verse 8. Let’s read it out loud together:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”(Acts 1:8, ESV).
As many of you know, through designated giving, we run a budget of pledges starting in June and running through May to support missions worldwide. Last year, our church pledged $120,000! Thanks to your generosity, we have exceeded our planned budget and raised $133,000. That is incredible! Thank you.
The previous year, we gave a record $161,000, or about 20% of our annual giving.
Way to go!
With that money, we support,
Jeff Dryden, with Word Partners in Central Asia,
Mike Bowden, with TEAM,
Justin Vander Ark, with To Every Tribe,
Mitchell Wimbush, with Wycliffe Bible Translators,
Irian and Sarah Hernandez, teaching at a seminary on the border, train pastors from South and Central America,
John Mehn, who helps plant churches in Asia with Converge,
Gil Zinke, with TLI in North Africa,
Edwardo Mendez, who helps provide audio translation of the Bible through Spoken,
Jonathan Swift, with the Great Sea Commission around the Mediterranean Sea.
And a couple whom I won’t name or tell you where they are, for security reasons.
We also support organizations like
Converge Worldwide,
India Rural Evangelical Fellowship,
Center Lake Bible Camp,
Converge Regional Church Planting,
Additionally, people here give outside our annual giving and volunteer their time to organizations like Life Plan, Michigan Migrant Ministries, and River of Life.
HOW TO GIVE
As _ said in the announcements, pray about how you can participate. You might not be able to go internationally because of your health, abilities, and interests. However, we can send people. Your support allows us to send Pastor Mike and Jeff tomorrow to Romania to train pastors for a week. We have our kids pray about it, too. They each pray and offer something. Even if it is a small amount, we are making a big difference together. When you know what you want to give, put that pledge in the offering box at the back or turn it into the office. We have one person tallying the amount. From that total, we budget for the coming year. We already have over 4,400 pledged. The last day to turn in your card is May 28th. Thanks again.
TOPICS
Today,
I am going to focus on our local witness.
Pastor Mike has talked about our regional witness,
Tre Moore, the US Director of IREF, will speak next week. Ivan Veldhuizen, the Vice President of Converge World Wide Missions, discussed our global witness last week.
BIBLE
With that, let’s dig into the Bible. I want us to go into Acts Chapter 2 to explore the first time the church obeyed the command to witness locally. That is Acts Chapter 2, starting at verse 29. The words will be projected on the screen. And if you can, please stand with me in honor of God’s Word. I am going to have F.C. G. read for us.
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:29–41, ESV)
Thank you. Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word. We need you to inspire, equip, and train us to witness who you are, what you have done, and what you desire. In Jesus’s name, we pray, amen. You may be seated.
Context
The context of this passage is that Jesus recently ascended into heaven. The disciples waited ten days, and then the Holy Spirit came with the sound of rushing wind from heaven in what looked like tongues of fire resting on their heads. They went outside into the city of Jerusalem and spoke languages that they had never learned. They were reporting about God’s work. Some of those listening were hearing and thought that these followers of Jesus were drunk. It sounded like babble. Peter replied that it couldn’t be because it was too early. Then, he began a sermon, telling the people what they were seeing. This is his longest recorded sermon in the Bible.
CONTENT
His sermon has three parts. Each part begins with Peter addressing the audience,
First, the men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem (vs. 4),
Second, the men of Israel (vs. 22),
And finally, his brothers (vs. 29).
(These are different ways to address the same group.) Peter connects the Old Testament to Jesus throughout this short message, which makes sense because his audience is Jewish.
ORGANIZATION AND POINT
The portion we read has three sections:
29-36 David’s Prophecy
37-39 Dialogue with Peter and the Crowd
40-41 Summary of the Sermon’s Effect.
Peter’s point was that Old Testament prophecy and this experience of people speaking in tongues demonstrated that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah. Let me repeat that.
SECTION 1 = VERSE 29
Let’s examine this message to see how it can help us share our faith with our neighbors. If you have your Bible, open Acts Chapter 2, verse 29. We will explore the last part of his message.
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day” (Acts 2:29, ESV).
BROTHERS
Who were these brothers that Peter spoke to? We know that he has one brother, Andrew. However, Andrew knew all this information and had experienced the Holy Spirit. We also know that the Christians call each other brothers (and sisters), but they, too, would understand what is going on. No, Peter was calling his fellow Jewish countrymen brothers. They were Jewish by birth, like you might be a Michigander, Chicagoan, or Minnesotan, like me. Were women and children around, likely; however, we don’t know for sure, nor is that the focus.
CONFIDENCE
Verse 29 tells us that Peter was convinced of what he said. He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt and will argue that his audience should also be confident. Of what?
SEQUENCE
What was he so sure about? He was confident that King David had died and was buried, and the location of his tomb was in Jerusalem. Those were irrefutable facts. Everyone agreed about them. Yet, not all would agree with what Peter said about Jesus. They would agree that Jesus lived, died, and was buried in a tomb in Jerusalem. They would agree that his tomb was empty. However, up to this point, they didn’t believe Jesus was a king or alive. He connected to his audience. We can, too, share our witness. There are connection points we have with our neighbors. He is connecting the dots. We have neighbors, co-workers, brothers, and sisters with whom we can share our experiences. How would they respond to Peter’s testimony? Let’s keep reading.
SECTION 1 = VERSE 30
Look at verse 30. Peter continued his message:
“[David]Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne” (Acts 2:30, ESV).
When did God swear to David that he would set one of his descendants on his throne? [2 Samuel, Chapter 7.] In that passage, Nathan, a prophet, came to David and predicted that one of David’s descendants would reign forever. Who was that descendant? David had many sons. He had a few of his sons die in his lifetime. A few ascended to the throne: Solomon and Absalom. However, neither would be the promised king.
DAVID A PROPHET
David was a prophet. He wore many hats. He was a shepherd, musician, composer, commander, husband, father, and king. When did he act as a prophet? In the Psalms. His predictions (like other Biblical prophecies) didn’t read like a road map or a weather report, with a 40% chance of rain, high in the 70s, and partly cloudy.
SECTION 1 = VERSE 31
What did he predict? Look at verse 31. There are three related details that David predicted that Peter wanted to bring to his audience’s attention:
“He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ [That is another name for Messiah], that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption” (Acts 2:31, ESV).
David predicted.
The resurrection of Jesus,
Jesus was not left in Hades,
And Jesus’s skin didn’t rot.
What Psalm was that? If we go back a few verses, Peter cited Psalm 16. Look at Verse 25.
I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence. (Acts 2:25b–28, ESV)
The prediction about this Messiah doesn’t say when it would occur. David didn’t know it would be about a thousand years before Jesus would be born, live a perfect life, die a sinner’s death, and rise victoriously. The Bible tells us people see things through a glass dimly in a sense (1 Corinthians 13). We don’t know everything. David didn’t know everything. We only know what God reveals. And sometimes, our knowledge is more explicit in the rearview mirror. Yet, God sees all and knows all. It is clear to him and can be mud to us.
HADES
What did David mean by Hades? If you know much about Greek culture, Hades is a Greek concept, not Jewish. What was going on? Returning to Psalm 16, the translated word is “Sheol.” Hades is the Greek translation for Sheol. Jesus would not remain in this other world for long; he would return from the dead. Another thing that Peter did in his witness is that he went back to the Bible. He quoted the Bible. The Bible is living and active. It is sharp like a razor blade and can do what we can’t do supernaturally. God can use the Bible to help us communicate powerfully and spiritually.
SHEOL
(What is Sheol? Sheol was where the good and evil go after they die. It is a place with punishment as well as blessing. Both are temporary disembodied states until the Day of the Lord or Judgment Day. Then, those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire and suffer some hellish reality. At the same time, those whose names are in the book will move from some paradise to a New Heaven and a New Earth. We don’t have much more information on what the afterlife will be like in the Old Testament. However, we know how we can enjoy and enter into paradise. The Bible says that all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. Anyone can be saved if their trust is in him. The Apostle’s Creed, written in the 2nd Century, says that Jesus descended into Hell [or Hades] and rose on the third day. Understanding what Peter meant by Hades or what David meant by Sheol can help us reconcile that in Jesus’s last words, he said he went to paradise the day he died.)
SECTION 1 = VERSE 32
Look back at verse 32:
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32, ESV).
Notice that Peter used the word “we.” “We all are witnesses.” Peter was not alone. The others attested that Jesus rose from the dead, too. They knew Jesus. Such corroborating evidence cements the case for the resurrection, which we celebrated at Easter. As we think of witnessing and sharing the hope we have, something about experience can be incredibly persuasive. People have a hard time arguing with testimonies. It’s one’s experience. For Peter and his friends, they were experts. They interned in a sense with Jesus for three years, eating, drinking, working, living, learning, listening, and watching his every move. They saw his last days. The guards took Jesus into custody and beat him. The friends were there. They knew where his body was buried. Some saw the empty grave. He met with all his followers in the Upper Room, at the seaside, and at the mountaintop. They were not hallucinating. Over 515 people saw Jesus alive after he had been dead and buried for three days.
FURTHER PROOF OVER TIME
Additionally, none stood to profit financially from a book deal or a leadership position for convincing people of these facts. This was not a multi-level marketing scheme. Those who signed up to be Christians were giving their lives to suffering, persecution, and even death in some cases. Why? Who would do that? They were convinced at the core that their message was worth it. It was like having the cure for cancer. You know it, and everyone around you is dying of it. They need treatment. Yet, many think they are fine and are offended that you would suggest they are sick. They will call you arrogant, and some will resort to violence at such a suggestion. Yet, you love your family at least enough that you will share it, even give up your life. Peter not only connected with people’s experiences and used the Bible, but he also shared his own experience.
SECTION 1 = VERSE 33
Jump to verse 33:
“Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:33, ESV).
Peter appealed to his audience’s experience again. If you recall, they saw the Holy Spirit giving people the supernatural ability to speak languages they didn’t know. And Peter pointed to that to say it was where God was at work. God’s handiwork is all around us. Just take a look at the Big Dipper, or the Moon.
I went on a hike yesterday, and as I was climbing up the dunes with a few of my kids, we were amazed to see the giant moon in the evening air right over the horizon. It was like we were on another planet. God is amazing. He made that! We can look at the beautiful white, pink, and purple Trilliums. God is beautiful. We can watch the waves, wind, and thunder's power and think of God’s power. You can point people to that. You can see all the near misses and opportunities that might have been someone’s demise and point to God’s mercy. We can’t control what people do with our witness. Our job is to be faithful. That seems to be what Peter was doing in verse 33.
SECTION 1 = VERSE 34
Now look at verse 34. Peter transitions to another Psalm and a prophecy of David.
For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. (Acts 2:34–36, ESV)
This was a quote from Psalm 110 (the most quoted psalm in the New Testament). Jesus quoted it of himself in Matthew Chapter 22. Jesus used David’s prediction to demonstrate that the Messiah would be superior to King David himself. He was David’s Lord, sitting at the LORD’s right-hand side.
YAHWEH
Like the variation found in Psalm 16, in Hebrew and Greek, we have differences in the words for Lord. The first Lord in Psalm 110 is in all caps, which indicates the name of Yahweh. God prohibited taking his name in vain in the Ten Commandments, so they didn’t pronounce it. Instead, they wrote four consonants without the vowel marks to indicate God’s name. The other one, with the capital “L” and lowercase Adonai, represents David’s Lord, who is subject to Yahweh and sits at his side. The Messiah was more than a messianic man. He was the Lord.
SIN
Now, in verse 36, what did Peter say again? He challenged the people. “God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” He pinpointed his audience’s culpability, their guilt. They killed Jesus. Some may have hammered the nails or lifted the cross. Some were complicit in calling for his crucifixion. Some may have done neither, but everyone carries this burden of guilt and sin, making us accomplices in the murder of Christ. We are selfish, prideful people. Before God converted our hearts, the Bible tells us that we were his enemies, doing things our way and serving ourselves. We were spiritually blind and sick with sin. People make themselves little gods and sovereigns over their world, and when things don’t go their way, there is hell to pay. Peter was challenging the people of Jerusalem with harsh words, “You crucified Jesus.” In our witnessing, we, too, may need to challenge people. If a person does not see one’s need, then Jesus’s death is meaningless. People have to accept the bad news before the good news is good.
SECTION 2 = VERSE 37–39
That brings us to the second section, verses 37 through 39, and their response. Peter had shared his experience, touched on their experience, and pointed to Scripture. What was the result? It was incredible! Look at verse 37:
“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37, ESV).
I would love to have that happen last week, this week, or any other week. What if you shared about Jesus’s love, and people were cut to the heart this week? What if, after talking to you, people asked, “What shall we do?” That would be amazing. How did Peter respond? Keep reading:
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent’” (Acts 2:38, ESV).
REPENTANCE
What did he mean? To repent is to turn away from something toward something. I think of baseball. You are running for third base and caught in a pickle. You need to turn in the opposite direction to avoid getting out. When we sin, God doesn’t want it to continue and get taken out. Sin is destructive. God wants us to follow him and his ways.
BAPTISM
That is not all Peter told them to do in this large group discussion. What else did Peter tell them to do? [Be baptized.] Right. Let’s keep reading:
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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. (Acts 2:38b–39, ESV)
[Be baptized]. What did that mean? The Greek word for Baptism, “βαπτίζω” which means to dip. You may recall that Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptist. He went under the water of the Jordan River, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him. Jesus used this sign as an outward demonstration of submission. It demonstrates conviction by action. Last year, we had a record number of people get baptized. They shared their stories of faith, and then, in the evening, we went to Warren Dunes for a service on the beach. Baptism symbolizes being buried in the water and dead to an old life and coming out to a new one. It identifies us with Jesus. I think it is kind of like the Real ID. It demonstrates your citizenship, age, and driver’s status. However, it is not you. It is a representation. It is a record.
In the same way, being baptized represents what God has already done in our hearts; it doesn’t do something to us. It doesn’t save us. (If you wanted to do that, we could make that happen before the weather warms up, but not in Lake Michigan. Just talk to me, Joe, or Mike. And, if you wish, we can get you baptized this summer on August 10th.) After the service, we will have a baptism. It is pretty cool. I have been talking with my friend Penny for years, and she has decided that today is the day. Stick around for a few minutes after the service and go to the gym, where we will baptize her. Pray for her, too. This is a big step, physically and spiritually.
IN JESUS CHRIST
Such faith in Jesus results in God sending his Spirit to dwell in the heart. This promise is for all, near and far, no matter how long one has run away from God. That is good news.
SECTION 3 = VERSES 40–41
Go to verse 40:
And with many other words he [Peter] bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:40–41, ESV)
Peter was faithful to the command of Christ to be a witness to his Jerusalem. When the Holy Spirit came, he got out there and preached to the people. He obeyed and continued to obey. It was not once and done. Peter kept speaking, sharing, teaching, preaching, writing, and witnessing. As we talk about missions, it is not once and done. We are to persevere. We are to keep on sharing our faith. We do it in our actions and words. We do it in season and out.
CROOKED
What happened because of Peter’s faithfulness to God’s leading? God multiplied the church by 2500%! People were convicted of their need for Jesus. They turned away from their sin and got baptized. What would happen if 3000 were added to our numbers in one day? We would have to plant a church, build, do, and offer more. Wouldn’t that be exhilarating?
APPLICATION
As we conclude, let’s think of our circles. How did Peter obey the command of Jesus to be a witness to those in his kneck of the woods? Here are four things I see from Peter’s witnessing that can be helpful in ours:
He shared his experience.
He went back to the Bible.
He connected with people.
He challenged them.
FOUND
Let’s leave that slide up. First, for those of you who follow Jesus, what has been your experience? Peter shared part of his. He knew Jesus lived, died, and was buried. He knew he was killed for his teaching. It is good to know your own story of faith. Some people will give you two sentences to share. Others are open to a minute version. And a few would love to have a conversation. If you follow Jesus, have repented of your sins, and have been baptized, take a moment this week to articulate your experience with God.
BIBLE
Secondly, Peter went to the Bible. In High School, a wise older single mom challenged me to read through the Bible in a year. She said, “How can you say you believe it if you don’t read it?” She made it her goal to read it so that she could know it. I decided to try that, too. God used her in my life. Let me encourage you to read the Bible like she did to me.
CONNECT
Thirdly, Peter connected with people where they were at. If we wall ourselves in from the outside, we will never be able to share with those around us about God’s love and power. What circles has God placed you in, and how can you participate? There is a student here who plays at a local chess club. I coach soccer. I talked to one of you who has helped a neighbor with errands. Let us be in the world but of it. They won’t know we are Christians or Christ if they don’t know us.
CHALLENGE
Fourthly, Peter challenged these strangers like I am challenging you. God calls us to confront, but also wants us to season our words with grace. We need to be careful, Spirit-led, and kind. Questions can be helpful. Jesus used plenty. Be curious, not investigative or on an inquisition. Seek to understand people. Look for connecting points. Peter seemed to. People may not want to hear a verse and not a lecture, but they may let you ask how you can pray for them and pray. However we go about it, remember that people don’t want to be projects, sold, manipulated, pressured, judged, or lectured. We must work hard to follow God’s lead and trust that he is already at work, on the throne, and calling people to himself. He is responsible for convincing people.
LOST
Maybe God is not calling you to be a witness locally but to repent and be baptized. Time is running out. We still live in a crooked, depraved generation. Our world is broken. Only God can fix us. God came to save us. Will you trust him? He is worth it and worthy. Have you repented of your sins and been baptized? This may call you to take that step of faith and let the world know you will follow Jesus and not hold back. If that is you, let me know. Let’s get you baptized.
PRAY
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for Peter and his obedient witness. Please help us to obey your call to be witnesses. Teach us what that means. Give us your Word. Convince our hearts that we can share our experience with you and connect to people’s experiences so that many more come to faith in you.
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