This Jesus

[0:00] What a joy it is to be here, isn't it? It may not feel like that for some who have been up since the crack of dawn. And if you fall asleep, I won't be offended.

[0:13] I might fall asleep myself. It's great to be here, it really is. It may not always seem like that, but to gather together with the people of God. To gather in a place where you're going to hear the word of truth.

[0:25] Where else are you going to get that? And to gather still at this time is just wonderful. I don't know what you did last week for September weekend, if you did anything, or if you got away, or did anything interesting.

[0:37] Me and my wife and my kids had a couple of outings, not on Sunday, but on Saturday and on Tuesday. We went to Blair Drummond, saw the animals, it was fantastic. And I was telling somebody about all the different things, and they said, oh, how are you going to top it this weekend?

[0:51] And I honestly, you know, I honestly said and honestly thought, well, do you know what? I get the privilege of preaching from Acts 2.

[1:03] That'll top it. I get the privilege of giving a half-decent sermon about a 2,000-year-old brilliant sermon preached by Peter. Isn't that wonderful?

[1:14] So don't worry about this morning if it's just half-decent, because you're going to hear from Peter. And Peter is full of fire, and he has some astounding words to say to those who would hear.

[1:31] So let me remind you where we are. Acts chapter 2, we're reading from verse 14. But the whole of Acts chapter 2 takes place for the most part on this one day, in this one morning.

[1:47] It's the day of Pentecost. It's the harvest festival. And I should say just now as well, if any of you are struggling under your face coverings or anything like that, please don't be afraid. Just pull it down.

[1:58] Or pull it up if you want to wear it as a hat. That's fine. But don't be afraid to take it off if it's bothering you. Just go for it. It's fine. So we're in the day of Pentecost, 2,000 years ago.

[2:09] We saw the surprising moment where the Spirit of God was poured out on these followers of Jesus. We saw that last time. And none of the thousands of people expected anything like that. And although Jesus said that to the disciples, that that would happen, they didn't know when it would happen, and they didn't know that it would happen exactly like that.

[2:28] And 10 days after Jesus said that, Jesus, 10 days after he ascended, the day of Pentecost arrives. Thousands and thousands of people come from every corner of the world, flooding the Holy City for this one-day event, all heading for the temple, for this festival of thanksgiving to God.

[2:44] It was Sunday. It was only 9 o'clock in the morning. The sun is shining brightly. The big festival is just starting. And everyone's flooding the city gates and the temple grounds.

[2:55] Everyone's going to give thanks to God. Thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people heading to one place. This was rush hour. This was the morning traffic. And remember, there's nothing to separate these group of disciples out from the crowd.

[3:10] They're just a small group among a thousand other groups. But God does something to single out these Jesus followers in an extraordinary way. And the place where they were becomes the center of commotion.

[3:21] And they're suddenly in the spotlight as an incredible sound from heaven like mighty Russian wind is filling a place where these Jesus followers are. Fire is appearing, resting on them.

[3:33] And they were just a small few among the thousands. Yet suddenly these Jesus followers are singled out by God. And they begin speaking in all the languages of all the people from all around the world speaking the mighty works of God.

[3:48] So all the heads are turned. All the focus is now on this group. And everyone is perplexed. Many are left asking, what does this mean? While others mockingly say, they are filled with new wine.

[4:01] But they're not filled with new wine. No, they're filled with the Spirit of God. It's an extraordinary interruption. That's what you need to understand. Right at the start of this major feast day, before the festival even really begins, God brings it to a halt.

[4:16] This festival of thanksgiving to God, He brings it to a halt. He interrupts this major ceremony of the Jews to do something incredible with the followers of His Son Jesus.

[4:28] So today we begin with a question that's still hanging in the air. What does this mean? And thankfully Peter does all the work. This sermon's 2,000 year old sermon explaining this.

[4:41] A once uneducated fisherman from Galilee now schooling the Jews on the scriptures. God does extraordinary things through ordinary people. Consider me.

[4:54] There really isn't anything extraordinary about me. I'm not saying even today you'll be amazed, but if you knew me in school or when I was first working, you wouldn't have expected me to be up here preaching Christ from the Bible.

[5:08] In any case, thankfully today we get the ministry of Peter, the best friend and apostle of Jesus. So to understand Peter's explanation, we need to understand that situation.

[5:21] Because these Jews who have flooded into the city, they would have been there 50 days before for Passover as well. Most of them would have been there. Most of them would have remembered the commotion 50 days earlier when the crowds were shouting, crucify Him.

[5:38] Most of them would remember that. Many of them were perhaps shouting that too. Most of them would remember the choice to release Jesus or this zealous insurrectionist, Barabbas.

[5:51] Most of them would remember the strange darkness that came over the land. And most of them would remember the rumors about the curtain being torn in the temple. Most of them would remember the commotion surrounding this radical rabbi who was crucified in Passover.

[6:04] What was his name again? Ah, yes. Jesus of Nazareth. That was him. Well, I wonder if there will be any commotion at this festival like there was the last.

[6:16] Indeed there was. No sooner was the festival getting started when God completely interrupts it with another commotion. And who is at the center of this commotion? Well, none other than the followers of that same radical crucified rabbi who caused the last one.

[6:32] What does this mean? Well, let me read Peter's explanation as though we are right there at the time and the Jews have just asked the question. Let's read from Acts 2.

[6:47] I'm going to read from verse 11 but you can just catch up when we're there. So, they were all hearing them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.

[6:59] That's what they're saying. All were amazed and perplexed saying to one another, what does this mean? But others mockingly said, they are filled with new wine. But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give ear to my words.

[7:21] But these people are not drunk as you suppose since it's only the third hour of the day. It's only 9 a.m. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel.

[7:33] And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my spirit and all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams even on my male servants and female servants.

[7:48] In those days I will pour out my spirit and they shall prophesy and I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapour of smoke.

[7:58] The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[8:12] Peter continues, men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst as you yourselves know.

[8:28] This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

[8:45] For David says, according to him, 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.

[8:56] 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 and you will make me full of gladness with your presence.

[9:11] 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.

[9:22] 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.

[9:35] That he was not abandoned to Hades nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up and of that we are all 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.

[9:58] 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.

[10:10] 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?

[10:33] 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 promises for you and for your children and for all who are far off everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.

[10:55] And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them saying save yourself from this crooked generation. So those who received his word were baptized and there were added that day about three thousand souls and they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers and all came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles and all who believed were together and had all things in common and they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need and day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes they received their food with gladness with generous hearts and praising God and having favour with all the people and the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

[11:56] Amen. Well you see this is just not just an explanation of what's going on Peter is connecting the dots for these people so that they see the life-changing truth of who the true God really is.

[12:13] Is that not often the case? I wonder what truths we are not seeing because we haven't connected the dots in our minds. What things might we be missing because we separate things out in our minds?

[12:26] Over here we think that this is the will and plan of God and then over here perhaps this current pandemic and all these restrictions as though they are two separate things but they're not separate conflicting things.

[12:41] Not that God causes pandemics but nothing absolutely nothing can stop or thwart the will of God and the plan of God. God is working through all things.

[12:55] So all these thousands of people flooding the temple on Pentecost have disconnected two things. Two things in their mind that should not be disconnected and everything that Peter says is all about connecting these two things and these are the two things.

[13:14] Over here when they think about the Lord their God they have in mind the one who gives the harvest. That's why they're at this festival with these two loaves giving thanks to the God of the harvest.

[13:26] They have in mind the God who is the creator of the heavens and the earth. The one who has been the God of Israel since the days of Abraham. The God who crushes their oppressors. The God who set them free from slavery and destroyed the enemy in the Red Sea.

[13:41] The God who led them by fire and smoke. The God who gave them manna from heaven. The God whose glory filled the temple and whose fame spread across the earth. The one true God.

[13:53] Their God. The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. That's their God. That's who they think of when they think of the Lord their God. But over here on the other hand there is this Jesus.

[14:05] This Jesus. Their God and a radical rabbi who healed some people yes. Had some followers get into arguments with Pharisees and was eventually crucified in Passover.

[14:18] Their Lord the Lord their God and this Jesus. A crucified dead radical rabbi. and they've got it completely unconnected in their mind. A living God and a dead rabbi.

[14:31] And Peter isn't content just to explain the languages thing. You see these people were just hearing about the mighty works of God and their own languages yet from the lips of the disciples of that dead rabbi.

[14:44] And though it's strange because of the language thing at least with the things that they were hearing these Jews probably would have said hallelujah amen. The mighty works of God hallelujah this is our God.

[14:57] But they don't even realise that this Jesus who they crucified is that God who did the mighty works. And that's what Peter wants to connect in their minds. See they're coming from every corner of the world to give thanks to God but they don't realise that 50 odd days before during the previous festival they were party to the death of God's son.

[15:18] See this realisation is going to happen time and time again in the book of Acts. Remember in Acts 5 we get that warning the Jews get that warning from Gamaliel he says that if this undertaking is from man it will fail but if it's from God then those who oppose it will be found opposing God.

[15:40] And then again in Acts chapter 9 Paul's shocking realisation that when he thought he was being zealous for God he was actually persecuting God's son.

[15:52] So Peter isn't content just to stop at verse 15 he's not content just to say no no no no no we're not drunk it's only 9am he doesn't stop there he isn't even content to stop at verse 21 he quotes Joel doesn't he this is what the Lord is doing pouring out his spirit in the last days before the great and magnificent day of the Lord and all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved to which the Jews would say hallelujah amen but Peter doesn't stop there he's not content to stop there because they think that they know who that Lord is but little do they know that just 50 days before they crucified him the Lord that they think they know hallelujah amen they have crucified see see if these things are not connected in their minds surely they will perish if these things are not connected in anyone's mind even today then no one will be ready when the day of the Lord comes and that's what we heard last time you'll only be on the right side if you are with the apostles believing in Jesus the son of

[17:04] God because he was made both Lord and Christ how can anyone be saved unless they call upon the name of the Lord and how can anyone call upon the name of the Lord unless they know what that name is the name of Jesus Christ see these thousands of Jews at the time thought they know who the Lord was but Peter says no it's not enough the name that you need to call upon is the name of Jesus Christ verse 38 the reason why people mock the reason why they don't recognize what is going on the reason why they are mocking about oh you're filled with new wine and they don't recognize what's going on is because they didn't recognize Jesus their own Messiah see the thing is it's easy isn't it it's easy to think that you're one of the good guys the Jews thought that they were one of the good guys it's easy to think that you're on the right side of things to think that the enemy is somewhere out there but the thing is and this is a shocking realization the enemy of God is the one who is the problem isn't it easy to think that we can pay our own way it's a matter of pride isn't it we don't want to help surely if we are mostly good that will be enough but as

[18:48] John said in Wednesday and Jamie said last week that's not enough there's no confidence at all in our goodness no amount of good deeds will ever be enough enough as Paul says in Galatians if keeping the law could make us right with God then there was no need for Christ to die the fact that he died is a witness to the fact that we cannot do it on our own otherwise he wouldn't have died so it's not about how good you can be it all hangs on everything for them then and for us now it all hangs on what we do with this Jesus that's the point that Peter's making now you have to admire Peter this is a brilliant sermon Peter's absolutely ablaze if anyone knew him before you wouldn't expect a sermon like this to come from Peter he's not a public speaker he doesn't come from the University of Jerusalem he doesn't have any degrees he's just some untrained fisherman from

[19:48] Galilee but he spent time with Jesus isn't it amazing what can happen when you spend time with Jesus he spent time with Jesus the scriptures were open to him and his mind open to the scriptures he was filled with the spirit of God and passionate for the truth about Jesus and I know you all are passionate for the truth about Jesus and you spend time with Jesus Peter is passionate about that he spent time with Jesus and now he skills these Jews on Old Testament prophecies they don't see that Jesus is the Messiah in their mind they don't see that their Lord is this Jesus and they're one and the same they don't see that so Peter gives them five proofs Peter gives them five proofs five proofs that Jesus is in fact the Lord and Christ and when the penny drops for those of them that it drops when the penny drops that this

[20:51] Jesus is their Lord they're cut to the heart that's why they're cut to the heart it's not good enough to ask what does this mean that's a great question but it's not good enough to ask what does this mean you have to get to the place of asking what shall we do see it's not just about understanding something but doing something Peter knows this it's not enough to know what it means they need to do something about it see we mustn't be content even as Christians we mustn't be content with just explaining the meaning of things to people as if the gospel is just some sort of enlightenment the gospel requires action the good news is only good to those who do something about it who receive it who repent who believe it's not enough to know about Jesus or even understand what he was about we must follow him it's about taking his name carrying his name so the five proofs that Peter gives that this

[21:51] Jesus is both Lord and Christ is this firstly I have not turned this on that's okay there we go firstly the works of Jesus verse 22 Peter says men of Israel hear these words this Jesus the man from Nazareth was attested to you by God how was he attested to them by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst as you yourselves know so he goes to lengths to let them know that you know this you know about this Jesus you know that God attested to him him to you you know this say what you will about the outcome of this rabbi say what you will about the controversial claims that he made but you cannot get away from the fact that in the sight of everyone he did these things that only a man from

[22:51] God could do they didn't approve Jesus but God clearly did otherwise he wouldn't have been able to do all these mighty works that he did do remember Jesus said himself in John 5 the testimony that I have is greater than that of John for the works that the father has given me to accomplish the very works that I am doing bear witness about me that the father sent me and in John 10 he says as well even though you do not believe me believe the works that you may know and understand that the father is in me and I in the father isn't this as well what Nicodemus said in John 3 Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews John chapter 3 he says Rabbi we know we know that you are a teacher come from God because no one can do the signs that you do unless God is with them you're absolutely right Nicodemus Jesus works themselves testify to who he is now his mighty works miracles and signs and wonders don't always necessarily make people repent but they do reveal something about the person doing them and it revealed that

[24:02] God sent Jesus the father sent the son that's what it revealed it revealed that he is from God secondly second piece of evidence is the death of Jesus verse 23 of our passage this Jesus the one who did these mighty works this Jesus the one who was clearly attested to you by God he was delivered up again they know that we know that he was delivered up we know that he died that's their point messiahs don't die so how could he be their Lord and Christ but the surprising thing is and the second proof that Peter offers is that it was both according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God yet it was also their doing that he was crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men see sometimes we get into these debates about predestination and man's responsibility but Peter Peter in one sentence has no problem saying that that God's plan is definite and that this is part of it yet equally man is culpable for the death of his son a murder happened and they rejected the son of

[25:14] God to the point of crucifying him but it was not outwith the plan of God remember in Luke 20 the parable of the wicked tenants the owner of the vineyard was God and the tenants were the Jewish leaders and God sent the prophets as servants to collect the fruit for him but they beat up every single servant that God sent them so that they had no fruit to give back to God so the owner said I will send my beloved son perhaps they will respect him but when they saw the son knowing that he was heir to the vineyard they decided to kill him so that they might get the inheritance for themselves see see Jesus told this parable and the scribes and chief priests were absolutely livid because they perceived that Jesus was talking about them and that actually happened what he said and what they were livid about I mean they had a choice didn't they knowing that Jesus said that they were going to do this they could have chosen not to but it happened happened just as

[26:16] Jesus said they killed the son and they are culpable yet it was never outside God's control nor did it thwart his plan see because and this is what this is what Peter is pointing to that Jesus death was part of the plan surely they would remember something like Isaiah 53 that it shows that the Messiah will die and his death has a very specific purpose to make many accounted righteous bearing the sins of many he died his death itself was proof that he was the suffering servant of Isaiah but none of them supposed that the suffering servant would suffer at their own hands but that's true of us as well isn't it nor do people today realise that Jesus suffered for our sins as well just because God planned that this death should bring redemption doesn't erase the culpability of mankind for the death of Jesus he was put to death yet at the same time he gave his life of his own accord no one could take it from him third proof is the resurrection

[27:22] Peter points to the resurrection verse 24 God raised him up this one that was delivered up God raised him up loosing the pangs of death because it was not possible for him to be held by it if Jesus was not the Messiah there would be no reason for his resurrection and also there would be no reason that death could not hold him but death could not hold him why because of who he is and the thing is we could probably spend weeks and weeks studying all the different angles of how death could not hold Jesus but for the sake of Peter's argument what he is specifically reasoning is that if Jesus is the holy one and the psalm that he quotes then scripture and prophecy cannot fail if he is the one that doesn't see corruption if he is the one that is not abandoned to Hades then it is not possible for death to hold him because scripture prophecy cannot fail see the logic of that he is saying look at the psalm look at the psalm that you agree with they all agree that

[28:33] David is not lying they all agree because David not only died and was buried but his tomb is still there Peter could have pointed to the tomb and said look clearly David wasn't talking about himself David's tomb is not empty but Jesus is David's tomb is not empty Jesus tomb is empty this Jesus God raised up and of that we all are witnesses see Peter isn't just arguing some theory from scripture as well no but what the Old Testament testifies to is what Peter himself witnessed it's not just theoretical facts or theological facts and logic Jesus was actually seen alive again after a very public death these disciples physically seen the resurrected Jesus and they can explain how that is not just some fanciful idea but that it was prophesied by

[29:36] King David they have a very good reason for the empty tomb not from their own imagination but from the very scriptures that everyone in their time held to see they're not just arguing some fanciful idea now is that a coincidence no I don't think so it's not just the only leg that the argument rests on Peter's not just saying Jesus tomb is empty so he must be the one no he's already argued that Jesus works testify to who he is Jesus death testifies to who he is so they might say okay okay David's tomb is here we get that David's still dead and Jesus tomb is empty yeah okay we accept that everyone knows about that it's a conspiracy but but but just because his tomb is empty doesn't mean that Jesus is the holy one that doesn't mean that Jesus was resurrected you might have some reason for the empty tomb but if you want to conclude that Jesus is resurrected then where is he well Peter's not afraid of that question because his fourth and fifth piece of proof is the ascension of

[30:41] Jesus and that his spirit has been poured was exalted to the right hand of God Peter begins to say that this is the reason for what you're seeing remember in John 16 Jesus said if I do not go away the helper will not come to you but if I do go I will send him to you is it not the problem that people have now that if Jesus is risen where is he where is Jesus sure is Jesus remember Philip said show us the father and it's enough people say now where is Jesus people back then no empty tomb okay but where is Jesus show us Jesus where is he why is he absent it seems a little convenient to your story that you can't present him because even if people today accept the empty tomb most people still think that Jesus was just a radical rabbi who is now dead and that's it but

[31:41] Peter is saying it's not a matter of convenience that Jesus is hidden from them that's not a matter of convenience it wasn't hidden from everyone he appeared Paul says to more than 500 people we ourselves are witnesses.

[31:56] Peter says Acts chapter 1 Jesus said to them you will be my witnesses of this it's not a matter of convenience in fact these Jews have witnessed a very public display that is the result of Jesus ascension verse 33 you want to know what this language miracle means Peter says while being therefore exalted to 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 you want an explanation for this Jesus Jesus ascension is the result of this this is the result of Jesus ascension Jesus ascended and poured out his spirit and you yourselves are seeing and hearing this right now very public demonstration don't talk about things that you cannot see Peter points again to the Joel thing and says this is that this what you are seeing now is that that

[32:59] Joel spoke about and it's a direct result of Jesus ascension Jesus exaltation if Jesus wasn't exalted to the right hand of God the spirit would not have been poured out but it has so therefore he has again Peter points to scripture to prove this he says it's in your own scriptures psalm 110 then the Lord said to my Lord this is the same psalm that Peter heard Jesus use to stump the Pharisees remember in Matthew chapter 22 Jesus asked the Pharisees whose son is the Christ and they said well he's the son of David and Jesus said well how is it then that David says in the spirit calls him Lord and then he quotes Psalm 110 if David calls him Lord how is he his son to which the Pharisees are stumped they've got no answer and they've got no more questions so Peter Peter's getting this from Jesus himself and of course we know that

[34:02] Jesus comes from David's lineage but also we see that the Christ as Jesus was demonstrating is in fact the son of God and so David in the psalm said that this person the Lord is told to sit at the right hand of God until all his enemies are under his foot Peter is saying you are seeing and hearing this because God has poured out his spirit on us and who are we we are the followers of Jesus and why would God pour out his spirit on us well because Jesus is the one that's been exalted to the right hand of God why because Jesus is the from their own scriptures from their own prophecies from their own beloved King David you want to know why Jesus isn't around here anymore because he's at the right hand of God he isn't absent from us today he isn't absent from us no he is present with God he's in his rightful place where he should be and then

[35:05] Peter's final point let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain remember that's Luke's thing Luke wants Theophilus to know for certain let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ who this Jesus whom you crucified cut to the heart cut to the heart God smashes through the hard hearts with their own scriptures with this follower of Jesus apostle of Christ best friend to Jesus preaching filled with fire filled with the spirit hearing the mighty works of God in their own language makes them ask what does this mean and that's the thing with miracles and signs and wonders they might make you ask what does this mean but only when you hear the gospel do you ask what shall we do there's a big difference as wonderful as it would be even now to see signs and wonders and it would wouldn't it be great a thing that many people still chase after perhaps happens in different places in the world

[36:15] God will do what he will and it will glorify him but it's not necessarily always going to make people repent it might make people ask what does this mean but we need to get people to the place of asking what it meant and I even imagine that there were perhaps more than 3,000 people asking what to do but even asking the right question isn't enough people must be willing to do the right thing see it's not even enough to ask what shall we do unless you're willing to do the answer that you hear it's not enough to ask the right question you must do the right thing so repent repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you even you who did this even you will receive the gift of the

[37:20] Holy Spirit whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved and that Lord is Jesus Christ so call upon his name be baptized in his name for the forgiveness of the generation and this is going to become the big thing the big thing in Acts whose name is it it's no other name but Jesus Acts chapter 4 verse 7 by what name do you do this thing Peter says by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth who you crucified this Jesus no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved no other name Jesus Christ not merely those who asked the question but verse 41 those who received his word and acted on it verse 44 all who believed those who received the apostles words are the ones able to call upon the name of the Lord because the apostles are the

[38:22] Lord's witnesses and that's why the result of all these people repenting and taking the name of Jesus is that they then devote themselves to the that's what John says at the start of his letter doesn't he in 1 John 1 he says that the apostles are the ones who saw who heard who touched they are the ones who are the witnesses so to have fellowship with the apostles is to have fellowship with the father and the son because the apostles are the ones who have fellowship with the father and the son see true Christianity is to stand with the apostles being devoted to their teaching to their fellowship fellowship with all the brothers and sisters who do that that's what the reformation was about let's get back to the apostles teaching that's what the first song was about let's get back to the apostles creed the apostles acts 1 are the witnesses of Jesus and true Christianity is standing with them devoted to their teaching and this is the great thing about the end of acts 2 it's not supposed to be some sort of blueprint necessarily for what church you should do but rather a snapshot of who the church is it isn't supposed to make us get more devoted this whole bit about and they were devoted this 3000 that were cut to the heart and repented and were baptized in the name of

[39:48] Jesus Christ for the to the apostles and this massive feast day they have set their side on the right side with the apostles this group of 120 who God singles out these 3000 are like yeah right okay we see it now we're cut to the heart we're going to repent we're going to stand with you you know we're still a minority 3000 is a lot of people but there they were still a minority are we not a minority here in this town yeah does that matter no doesn't matter are you guys not already devoted to the apostles teaching yes this is describing you devoting themselves to the apostles teaching to the fellowship to the breaking of bread see it's not supposed to make us think oh we should get more devoted it's just supposed to say this group that does this well it's got Jesus written all over it the ones that do this kind of thing it's got

[40:52] Jesus written all over it they are the ones doing the godly things not the religious leaders not the temple they are the ones that are loving and sharing and praising God and honouring the son why is it that you today devote yourself to the apostles teaching because of this Jesus why is it that you would be joining with a group of people that you might not necessarily join with because of this Jesus why is it that you would repent from your sins because of this Jesus why is it that you would do good in the community that you are why is it that you would love one another why is it that you sacrifice yourselves for one another because of this Jesus and why is it you're going to have eternal life because of been added so we mustn't compare it's a mistake to make way too much it's actually a mistake to make too much of this church in Acts 2 and I don't mean that we should belittle it but when we put it on a pedestal that's a mistake it's a mistake to make way too much of this church and it's also a mistake to make way too little of this church right here and right now this is amazing the only reason why we're doing this thing today is because of this

[42:15] Jesus why are we gathering in Jesus name and this name particularly because of this Jesus why are you devoting to this teaching because of this Jesus why do you do all these things in your homes together eating and praying why do you pray in Jesus name because of this Jesus and because you belong to this Jesus so what must we do well we must connect in people's minds any misconceptions about who Jesus is because misunderstanding who Jesus is will lead to misunderstanding a whole lot more about humanity and the world it's less controversial to talk about God isn't it to say God this or God that it's a lot more inclusive don't be surprised that it's more difficult more controversial comes with more persecution to talk specifically about this Jesus but that's the point that Peter's making it's about this

[43:16] Jesus see he was in the firing line as well and many thousands of Christians since Peter have been in the firing line because of this Jesus because people say whose name do you do these things in and together we say this Jesus whatever happens is according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God but we know that we have eternal life because of this Jesus and so that's whose name we do this in this Jesus and we must connect that in people's minds we're only going to do that if we talk about this Jesus and not just God Jesus is the one who God sent it's no coincidence that people hate the name of Jesus because the ruler of this world hates the name of Jesus but who's the one that made this world this Jesus who's the one that holds this world together this Jesus who's the one who will judge this world this Jesus but who is the one who came to save this world this

[44:20] Jesus who will right every wrong and bring perfect justice this Jesus who's the one who forgives every sin and clears our guilt this Jesus who's the only one who can take away our sins completely this Jesus who's the only one that can solve the problem of death this Jesus who's the only one that can raise us from the dead this Jesus who is the true source of life and life eternal this Jesus who can people find relief from their suffering in this Jesus who can people find comfort from their grieving in this Jesus who can people find eternal life in this Jesus who is the way and the truth and the life this Jesus who is the name that all must call upon to be saved this

[45:23] Jesus so brothers and sisters let us join together in heart one mind one spirit one heart as Cameron plays and I sing this song about the name of this Jesus and then I will pray at the end