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?”
The first Sermon preached by Peter on the Day of Pentecost gives us God’s Pattern for sermon messages. This Sermon was founded in Scripture, backed up with Testimony, and delivered to whoever was present at the time. God orchestrated the whole thing and He is still doing so today IF Preaches and Teachers will seek His Guidance in their ministry.
We find the entire first Sermon Message in Acts 2:14-39. After getting the attention of the crowd, Peter began by reciting the Words of the Prophet Joel. The people in attendance were Jews. They believed in God and the Words of the Prophets. Because they didn’t have many copies of the Scriptures written down, the people committed them to memory. That’s why the Holy Spirit had Peter begin with a Scripture. These Words would hold their attention. The Scripture he quoted is Joel 2:28-32.
After reciting this Scripture, Peter addressed them in a rather stern manner. He said, Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you my Miracles, Wonders, and Signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. (Acts 2:22-24)
With few words, Peter called them on the carpet. He reminded them of Who Jesus Was and What He did. He also reminded them that they were witnesses to many Miracles and that Jesus was indeed the Messiah sent by God but was crucified by their hands. However, God raised Jesus from the dead! In short, Peter reminded them of what they already knew happened.
Then, Peter quoted another Scripture. This was a Prophecy of David that tells of where Jesus is now; after His Crucifixion, Burial and Resurrection. (Psalms 16:8-11) The Jews Peter was addressing that day knew of David and his Prophecies. Peter was attempting to tell them that this Prophecy had come to pass and that Jesus was now seated at the Right Hand Throne of the Father.
Peter had laid it all out for them. He quoted Scripture, reminded them of things they had already seen, and tied it all together. With that, the Holy Spirit led him to give this closing statement: Therefore let all the House of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) There it was! The Truth handed to them in the form of a Sermon.
The next Verse describes their reaction to what they had just heard. 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?” They were under conviction of the Holy Spirit. They knew they were wrong and they wanted to be right in the eyes of God but they didn’t know what to do. So, they asked.
Peter responded in love and said, 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. For the Promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. (Acts 2:38-39) Some 3,000 souls were saved that day.
This is God’s Pattern for a Sermon Message. If you are Called to be a Teacher, Preacher, or Evangelist take these words to heart because the purpose of your Calling is to see people Saved and born-again. God’s Patterns have not changed. They are the same today as they were then.
God will soon……….turn the tide
I love God’s Patterns! Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
