ACTS 1&2   A Pod of P's

  Preaching methods and preaching styles have changed a great deal over the past half century.  Back in those days, a long time ago, a good sermon usually had three points that all started with the same letter. For those who were very much into alliterated headings it was surprising how often the points all started with the letter “P”. The life of Joseph, for example, could be summed up as from the PIT to the PRISON to the PALACE. I do not want to preach about Joseph today but here, at the beginning of the Book of Acts, I have a pod that is bursting with P’s.             

 PROMISE  Acts 1:4-8

“..wait for the Promise of the Father,” ......8 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." 

 PRAYER Acts 1:14

  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

PETER Acts 1:15

Peter features twice in the revelation of this unfolding story.

PROPHECY:  Peter proclaims God’s Prophetic Word.

20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms:109:8 'Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it'; and, 'Let another take his office.'  

Phenomena: Acts 2:1-3

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

POWER Acts 2:4 

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  

They heard, They saw, They experienced.    

PEOPLE Acts 2:5-13

Two different responses

And 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. Their Response 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." 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?"

13 Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine."

PETER PREACHES the first Christian gospel message. Acts 2:14ff

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: Joel 2:28-32

His message was based on Scripture.

On this occasion he began with Joel's prophecy of the giving of the Holy Spirit.

21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORDShall be saved.'  

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 purpose 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.

His message focused on Jesus but it was aimed at his hearers.

25 – 32 Jesus' death burial, resurrection and ascension.

 For David says concerning Him:

'I foresaw the LORD always before my face,For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. 27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the ways of life;You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'  

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. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, 36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Jesus poured out His Spirit on His return to Heaven

He poured out this which you now see and hear.

People's response.

They Repented  Believed and were Baptised

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?"

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. 39 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." And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 

God’s promises still stand.

Prayer is still the key that unlocks God’s promises.

The power of the Holy Spirit is still given in answer to believing prayer.

Preaching with power is the result of a Spirit-filled life.