The First Sermon - Preaching The Cross

Acts 2:22-24

INTRO: Good morning church! As we drew to a close last week we read in Matthew 28:19-20 that Jesus gave the apostles instructions to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.''” Then in Mark 16:20 we were told, “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.”

We said this period of time was not the end but the end of the beginning. Let’s turn to the book of Acts where we find the writer describes an earlier report he wrote to someone named Theophilus. Acts 1:1-3 – “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

In v. 8 Jesus tells them that they were to be “witnesses to me” to the “end of the earth”. With those thoughts in mind we are not surprised by the events in Acts chapter 2. There are for example the coming of the Holy Spirit (as Jesus had foretold), the speaking in languages not learned, and a reference to a well-known prophecy from the book of Joel. There was also the “first” sermon preached in keeping with the marching orders of the Lord. It was the first occasion recorded of the preaching of the cross by someone other than the Lord Himself. We begin this morning on a day called Pentecost in Acts 2.

I. THE DAY OF PENTECOST

A. This was the first day of the week and we read in - Acts 2:1 – “Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

1. The day of Pentecost was determined by seven Sabbaths (weeks) plus one day ... thus, it was the day we call Sunday. Seven Sabbaths from the Passover Sabbath plus one day.
2. This was one of three great feast days ... the feast of weeks. You can read about it in Exodus 34:22-23 – “And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end. Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the Lord God of Israel.”
3. Certainly, on this day Jerusalem would have been very crowded with worshipers because it was one of those three days when all Jewish males were required to come to Jerusalem to worship. On this particular Pentecost it was the first feast of weeks following the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

B. On this day of Pentecost we are informed of the coming of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:2-4 – “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The coming of the Holy Spirit. This was that which Jesus had promised before death on the cross and before His ascension.

1. Turn with me to: John 16:7-13 – “7. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8. "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9. "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10. "of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11. "of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12. "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13. "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”. – The coming of the Holy Spirit. This is what Jesus had promised before the crucifixion.
2. Then in the gospel of Luke: Luke 24:49 – “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” - This was truly a significant day in God’s plan!
3. Turning back with me to Acts chapter 1. Here are two verses for us to consider: Acts 1:5 & Acts 1:8 – “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Next, in verse 8, and here we see things concerning the coming of the Holy Ghost, the coming of power, and the coming of the Kingdom of God. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The coming of the Holy Spirit. This was indeed a significant day, but that is not all!

C. There was more on this day. There was this incredible speaking in languages by people who had never learned them. We continue to read in Acts the second chapter beginning at verse 5. - Acts 2:5-11 – “5. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak, Galileans? 8. "And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9. "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10. "Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11. "Cretans and Arabs we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.''”

1. “Tongues” were known languages which the speakers had not learned—a phenomenon significant to that time and to that place.
2. Notice here that the writer records the apostles spoke of “the wonderful works of God”.
3. That suggests to me that before the sermon begins, which is recorded, at least in part in Acts 2, that the wonderful works of God are already being expounded. They were already hearing praise to God and hearing of the wonderful things that God has done.

D. We notice as we read on in Acts the people were amazed and wondered about the meaning of it all. Some were wondering if perhaps the apostles were drunk, but verse 16 begins - Acts 2:16-21 – “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17. `And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. 18. and on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. 19. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord. 21. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”

1. The first thing to notice is that Peter by inspiration of the Spirit of God identifies the prophecy of Joel with the coming of the Holy Spirit and the initiation of the messianic age. This point is made very clear.
2. I notice how Peter gives emphasis to these words “who ever shall call on the name...”
3. It is with this statement that Peter transitions to preach of Jesus Christ - crucified, and raised.

II. WHAT HE SAID OF THE LORD ON WHOM THEY(WE) SHOULD CALL?

A. The first thing that Peter says, … lets read in verse 22: - Acts 2:22 – “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know ” The first thing we see is that Jesus Christ is a man approved by God.

1. How do we know this? by miracles, wonders, and signs. This takes my mind to - John 20:30-31 – “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”. And then in
2. John 3:1-2 – “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God;" how did they know? Listen and think about it. "for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” To this Jesus replied ….. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” What I want us to see here is this very logical observation of Nicodemus.
3. Now today’s text, Acts 2:22-24 – “22. "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know 23. "Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24. "whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.”
4. Peter as he preaches in Acts 2 makes it very clear there are some of those people in the audience who had seen the things of which he speaks “...in the midst of you...” he says. Jesus Christ, a man approved of God, how? By miracles and signs which you actually saw he says to them. What else does Peter say?

B. Acts 2:23 – “Him, being delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;” You have crucified and slain this man approved of God.

1. Peter first plainly tells them that Jesus’ death was God’s plan. Notice how he says it; “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,” - His death had everything to do with our calling on His name for salvation.
2. Recall in: 1 Peter 1:19-20 – “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you”. This was no accident. It was not something that Pilate decided. It was part of God’s plan long before there was an earth, and was something that had to be done to take care of the sins of people like you and me.
3. Peter goes on to say in Acts 2:23 “you have taken by lawless hands”. In other words, they were guilty.
4. It may be true that it was the Romans that actually killed Jesus by crucifying Him. For the Jews, themselves, could not do this at that particular time. Nevertheless, they were responsible! Who was it that brought Jesus, the Jewish leaders, and who was it that cried “crucify him, crucify him”? It was the Jewish mob. From the Jewish religious leadership down to the mob it was they who were also guilty. There is still more.

C. Peter goes on to say in: - Acts 2:24 – “whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” “whom God raised up”

1. Preaching the cross does not end with the cross! That is the magnificent truth we are privileged to declare to the world even today.
2. Preaching the Cross continues with this great fact: “Whom God raised up”
3. In 1 Corinthians 15:14 – “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain.”- The resurrection is “the rest of the story”. Many of us have actually heard or heard of Paul Harvey. Paul Harvey was a news commentator and he always told of something and then went on to tell “the rest of the story”. This “rest of the story” made it all complete. The Cross is part of the story, but the rest of the story is the resurrection. The preaching of the cross is considered by many people to be foolishness. Folks, crossless preaching is powerless preaching. The wonderful thing about preaching the cross is that we do not have to end with a death. We are privileged to continue with a resurrection, a living savior.

D. Peter continues on and takes pains to confirm the resurrection fact. All knew Jesus died on the cross. How does he do this?

1. First by prophecy Peter quotes from the prophecy in Psalms chapter 16. Let’s read that and then we need to look at what Peter says about this prophecy. Start in Psalm 16:8-11 – “8. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
2. Thus Peter says, Acts 2:29-31 – “29. "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30. "Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31. "he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.”
3. Second, Peter appeals to eyewitness testimony - Acts 2:32 – “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.” There is a common expression that is something like “we are going out to witness” or ‘we are his witnesses”. Folks, neither you nor I are a true witness, for neither you nor I saw the risen Christ, but the apostles did! They are God’s witnesses not I. I may give testimony through the preaching of God’s word but it is through my faith that I believe and not by sight. The apostles were witnesses however. They saw the risen Christ.
4. Third, Peter appeals by David’s testimony - Acts 2:33-35 – “33. "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 34. "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: (These are the words of David in Psalm 110:1 – ) `The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, 35. till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'''” David acknowledges his Lord. Approved of God? Oh, yes. Crucified by wicked hands? Oh, yes. Raised by the power of God, and this confirmed by the resurrection.

III. THE GREAT CONCLUSION?

A. “...Jesus, whom you crucified...” is your Lord and your Christ - Acts 2:36 – “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

1. Notice that Peter refers again to the cross. He is not accusing the Romans. It is the Jews to whom he is speaking.
2. Lest we get too caught up in thinking about the guilt of the Jews let me remind you that you and I, though we were not present on that day on Calvary, are as guilty of the sin as they, for we practice sin in our lives and it is for our sin Christ died. 1 John 2:2 – “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

B. They are complicit the in crucifying of the Lord. What are they to do? We read next that very question - Acts 2:37 – “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?''”

1. They face a situation we all face when we sin. Once the deed was done there were things that could not be changed. They could not change the fact that Jesus had been crucified. They could not change the fact that they had cried out for his crucifixion.
2. They are cut to the quick. They are pierced through and stand convicted in their deeds.
3. They feel acutely their guilt and the fact that it can not be undone. “… What are we to do?”

C. Because of the cross, here is the answer - Acts 2:38 – “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Here is what you can do. You can’t change what you have done. You can’t change the fact you have sinned. But…

1. You can repent. There must be repentance (more than just acknowledging guilt). It must be a change of mind leading to a change of life. That is what they were told to do. You can’t change the facts, but you can change your direction, your life, by changing your mind.
2. You can be baptized then ... into the death of Jesus. Romans 6:3 – “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” By doing this they could receive the blessing and benefits of the sacrifice of Jesus at the cross. It becomes mine when I am baptized.
3. According to Acts chapter two there were many who did exactly that. Acts 2: 41 – “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; …”

CONCLUSION: Because He died on that cross, I can live again. Because He lives, I have a real tomorrow.
Because He lives, folks, we have the hope of eternity. If your sins are remitted, you receive that forgiveness. On that day of Pentecost we are told that about three thousand souls were added unto them. Three thousand people! Thinking of their sins, applying the lesson to themselves, understanding they could not change what was done.
Have we ever felt what those people felt? I wonder. Is the fact of our sin just an intellectual thing? Do we understand how we hurt God with our sin? I don’t know. They did. 3000 of them were baptized on that day and added to the Lord’s church--because He lives.

I wonder this morning, is there anyone hearing this message, that needs, because He lives, to claim the benefit of the death that He died? To claim the blessing of that sacrifice? Is there anyone here who needs to be baptized for the remission of their sins? Each of us must decide what we are going to do with the death of Christ and the fact of His resurrection. If you have that need, or if you have any other need, we stand ready to assist as we invite you to come while we stand and sing.

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Adopted from Sermon by: Cecil A. Hutson