WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.099 On this Easter Sunday, I want us to think not only about the story of Jesus' resurrection, but the story of Jesus' resurrection. 00:00:09.099 --> 00:00:11.300 The narrative of it. 00:00:12.099 --> 00:00:19.420 I'd like for us to look especially at how the apostles preached the gospel of the resurrection to the world. 00:00:20.679 --> 00:00:22.579 They didn't just tell a story. 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:30.119 They spoke of it as the pinnacle moment in God's sovereign plan to save sinners. 00:00:30.120 --> 00:00:46.560 They looked to the scriptures of old to see that this resurrection was foretold, that though it was veiled, it was mysterious in the things that the prophet said and in the signs that were given to us in the law and other things. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:53.640 We can reflect on it after having understood the resurrection of Jesus and we can see it more clearly now, right? 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:55.620 We can see, oh, it's actually there. 00:00:55.760 --> 00:00:56.320 It's in the scriptures. 00:00:56.480 --> 00:00:57.840 And they began to proclaim that. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:09.900 They looked at the scriptures of old, but then they also looked ahead of this moment to see how the resurrection actually signals something else that's coming. 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:20.879 It signals a second coming of the Christ and it signals a final judgment in which Christ will reign. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:24.900 Indeed, this is so much more than a story, isn't it? 00:01:24.900 --> 00:01:30.140 It's the most important message that any of us has ever heard in our lives. 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:35.020 It's the most important message that any of us will hear even this morning. 00:01:35.980 --> 00:01:49.060 And since we've been studying together the letter of 1 Peter, I thought what better apostolic sermon for us to examine than Peter's message from the day of Pentecost recorded here in Acts 2. 00:01:49.060 --> 00:01:55.659 It's the first recorded sermon following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. 00:01:56.460 --> 00:02:00.320 And I think it will be the right place for us to meditate this morning. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:03.700 Before we read it, maybe just another quick prayer. 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:12.479 Gracious Father, we do ask humbly that you would bless us in this moment. 00:02:14.599 --> 00:02:17.460 That you would do the work that only you can do. 00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:23.800 A saving work, a redeeming work, an eye-opening work. 00:02:23.980 --> 00:02:29.840 That the Spirit of God would help us to understand these truths. 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:38.060 Even for those of us who are already in the faith and we have come to faith in the Lord Jesus and His death and resurrection and all of those things. 00:02:38.199 --> 00:02:44.439 That in these moments as we come anew to your word that it would be just as fresh and just as real to us. 00:02:44.580 --> 00:02:47.340 And not because of anything that I've put together. 00:02:47.539 --> 00:02:49.980 Not because of any words from my voice. 00:02:49.979 --> 00:03:00.659 But in the power of your Spirit working through your inerrant and infallible and wonderful and authoritative word. 00:03:01.519 --> 00:03:09.500 That you would help us to feast freshly this morning on your truth and on this gospel. 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:14.080 And that each of us would walk away with wonderful joy. 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:20.199 Having understood maybe more clearly your truth. 00:03:21.479 --> 00:03:24.659 And that if there is anyone here this morning. 00:03:25.740 --> 00:03:30.759 Who has not yet come to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. 00:03:30.759 --> 00:03:38.039 That Lord in their hearts and in their minds throughout this time of study and of preaching. 00:03:38.819 --> 00:03:41.819 That you would call them and draw them. 00:03:42.739 --> 00:03:43.859 And that they would turn. 00:03:44.259 --> 00:03:45.340 And that they would believe. 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:49.180 And that all of us would leave this place today. 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:58.299 Armed with an apostolic structure of sharing the gospel with others. 00:03:58.300 --> 00:04:03.100 So that in the weeks and the months and the years ahead of us. 00:04:03.640 --> 00:04:07.800 We would proclaim this gospel the way that Peter proclaimed it here. 00:04:08.880 --> 00:04:12.600 That maybe next Easter we would show up in this same place. 00:04:12.600 --> 00:04:15.360 And yet more of these seats would be filled. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:18.920 Because we've proclaimed your truth. 00:04:19.240 --> 00:04:21.699 And you have worked through us to save others. 00:04:22.780 --> 00:04:26.600 We ask this in your name and for your sake. 00:04:27.420 --> 00:04:27.800 Amen. 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:29.560 Well let's read it. 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:30.139 Acts 2. 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:33.480 I'm tempted to read the whole thing. 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:34.300 But I won't do that. 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:37.759 So let's start at verse 22. 00:04:39.460 --> 00:04:40.520 Peter says, 00:04:40.639 --> 00:04:42.660 Men of Israel, hear these words. 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:45.699 Jesus of Nazareth. 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:49.319 A man attested to you by God. 00:04:49.319 --> 00:04:52.639 With mighty works and wonders and signs. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:04:55.300 That God did through him in your midst. 00:04:55.300 --> 00:04:56.800 As you yourselves know. 00:04:56.800 --> 00:05:04.460 This Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. 00:05:05.139 --> 00:05:10.540 You crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:13.319 God raised him up. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:16.240 Loosing the pangs of death. 00:05:16.699 --> 00:05:20.139 Because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 00:05:21.139 --> 00:05:23.199 For David says concerning him. 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:26.259 I saw the Lord always before me. 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:28.360 For he is at my right hand. 00:05:28.579 --> 00:05:29.959 That I may not be shaken. 00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:33.060 Therefore my heart was glad. 00:05:33.339 --> 00:05:34.979 And my tongue rejoiced. 00:05:35.339 --> 00:05:37.579 My flesh also will dwell in hope. 00:05:37.579 --> 00:05:41.219 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:43.759 Or let your Holy One see corruption. 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:47.240 You have made known to me the paths of life. 00:05:47.799 --> 00:05:51.939 You will make me full of gladness with your presence. 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:58.040 Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David. 00:05:58.600 --> 00:06:01.779 That he both died and was buried. 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:05.019 And his tomb is with us to this day. 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:07.939 Being therefore a prophet. 00:06:08.659 --> 00:06:11.720 And knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him. 00:06:11.939 --> 00:06:15.339 That he would set one of his descendants on his throne. 00:06:15.339 --> 00:06:20.919 He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ. 00:06:21.679 --> 00:06:23.599 That he was not abandoned to Hades. 00:06:23.979 --> 00:06:26.139 Nor did his flesh see corruption. 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:30.019 This Jesus God raised up. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:32.120 And of that we all are witnesses. 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:36.839 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God. 00:06:37.419 --> 00:06:39.500 And having received from the Father. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:41.719 The promise of the Holy Spirit. 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:46.780 He has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 00:06:48.100 --> 00:06:50.560 For David did not ascend into the heavens. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:52.840 But he himself says. 00:06:53.760 --> 00:06:55.340 The Lord said to my Lord. 00:06:56.200 --> 00:06:57.680 Sit at my right hand. 00:06:58.340 --> 00:07:00.600 Until I make your enemies your footstool. 00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:05.240 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain. 00:07:05.640 --> 00:07:09.900 That God has made him both Lord and Christ. 00:07:09.899 --> 00:07:11.739 This Jesus. 00:07:12.239 --> 00:07:13.739 Whom you crucified. 00:07:14.399 --> 00:07:15.000 Amen. 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:21.339 The context of this sermon is really quite unique. 00:07:22.679 --> 00:07:27.739 It occurred within a matter of days of Jesus' resurrection and ascension. 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:30.639 This is 50 days after the resurrection. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:31.539 After Passover. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:35.299 This is 40 days after the ascension. 00:07:35.419 --> 00:07:36.639 Or 10 days, excuse me. 00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:38.379 After the ascension. 00:07:38.379 --> 00:07:43.040 And the disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem. 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:46.740 Jesus had instructed them to wait there. 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:51.399 For he would soon send his Holy Spirit to empower them. 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:53.800 To preach the gospel message. 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:55.300 And to take it to the world. 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:56.899 Beginning in Jerusalem. 00:07:56.899 --> 00:07:58.920 Which is where they are at this moment. 00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:01.180 And then spreading out from there. 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:03.620 To Judea and Samaria. 00:08:04.339 --> 00:08:06.620 And the uttermost parts of the earth. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:09.660 And on this particular day. 00:08:09.660 --> 00:08:10.540 On Pentecost. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:14.220 The Spirit of God indeed was poured out on the disciples. 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:18.379 And that spiritual outpouring. 00:08:18.920 --> 00:08:22.259 Was demonstrated in the supernatural gift. 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:25.360 Of speaking in different languages. 00:08:26.280 --> 00:08:27.720 And I want you to imagine this. 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:29.500 If you were to read the beginning of the chapter. 00:08:29.500 --> 00:08:31.020 You would see how it unfolded. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:34.480 Pentecost is a big festal day in Judaism. 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:36.320 People from all over the world. 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:37.960 Jews, converts to Judaism. 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:40.440 Had traveled no doubt to Jerusalem. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:44.460 They were there perhaps even as early as Passover. 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:48.399 And had stayed to continue through the celebration of Pentecost. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:50.919 They've gathered on this day. 00:08:51.059 --> 00:08:52.779 People from all over the place. 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:58.179 And they are each one hearing the disciples speak. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:00.360 And preach the gospel message. 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:02.220 Not in Hebrew. 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:03.399 Not in Aramaic. 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:05.679 But in their very own language. 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:07.299 Galileans. 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:08.539 Speaking. 00:09:08.919 --> 00:09:12.240 And yet they're hearing them in different tongues. 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:17.320 Of course this wasn't a permanent gift. 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:18.240 We understand that. 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.320 It was a sign in that moment. 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:22.039 An important sign. 00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:26.259 That God was uniquely blessing these individuals. 00:09:26.659 --> 00:09:29.560 But that he was especially blessing the message. 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:31.659 That they were proclaiming. 00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:34.080 This was massively important. 00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:35.980 What was taking place. 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:38.159 But as you can imagine. 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:40.820 Everyone there began to wonder. 00:09:40.820 --> 00:09:42.260 What in the world was happening. 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:45.400 Some of them just supposed. 00:09:45.520 --> 00:09:46.280 If you read the chapter. 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:48.180 That all of these people were drunk. 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:50.920 They said there's nothing special here. 00:09:51.040 --> 00:09:51.900 This is just. 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:54.180 This is just drunkenness. 00:09:55.420 --> 00:09:56.900 And of course that wasn't it. 00:09:56.920 --> 00:09:57.280 Was it? 00:09:58.340 --> 00:09:59.660 So Peter stepped up. 00:10:00.040 --> 00:10:01.020 The people have gathered. 00:10:01.160 --> 00:10:02.379 They've heard the noise. 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:03.460 They've heard the commotion. 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:07.580 And he begins to address the crowds that are there. 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:13.160 And he preaches what is the very first recorded Christian sermon. 00:10:13.540 --> 00:10:15.220 That we just read together. 00:10:16.400 --> 00:10:19.020 He takes Joel chapter 2. 00:10:19.500 --> 00:10:21.340 As his primary text. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:24.920 And he declares that what was happening in that moment. 00:10:24.920 --> 00:10:29.160 Was actually the fulfillment of what Joel said would happen. 00:10:29.680 --> 00:10:31.000 Just read it at the beginning. 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:32.879 Verses 17 to 21. 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:34.840 This is the quote that he makes from Joel. 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:38.220 In the last days it shall be God declares. 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:43.040 That I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:46.600 Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. 00:10:46.899 --> 00:10:48.700 Your young men shall see visions. 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:51.259 Your old men shall dream dreams. 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:55.920 Even on my male servants and female servants in those days. 00:10:56.040 --> 00:10:58.300 I will pour out my spirit. 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:00.379 And they shall prophesy. 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:04.320 And I will show you wonders in the heavens above. 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:06.560 Signs on the earth below. 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:08.980 Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 00:11:10.040 --> 00:11:11.620 The sun shall be turned to darkness. 00:11:11.760 --> 00:11:12.620 The moon to blood. 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:14.660 Before the day of the Lord comes. 00:11:14.780 --> 00:11:15.860 That is a final judgment. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:18.460 That great and magnificent day. 00:11:19.640 --> 00:11:21.040 And it shall come to pass. 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:24.200 That everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord. 00:11:24.780 --> 00:11:26.000 Shall be saved. 00:11:26.540 --> 00:11:27.400 So the people gather. 00:11:27.560 --> 00:11:30.340 And they're trying to figure out what in the world is happening right now. 00:11:30.340 --> 00:11:31.720 Peter steps up. 00:11:31.960 --> 00:11:34.560 And he quotes this passage from Joel chapter 2. 00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:35.639 And he says, listen. 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:37.360 What Joel said. 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:40.460 That's what you're witnessing now. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:44.240 This sign of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 00:11:44.540 --> 00:11:49.780 That Joel said would specifically relate to the act of prophesying. 00:11:50.060 --> 00:11:53.940 You are now witnessing in the things that are happening. 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:56.240 This moment was signaling. 00:11:57.020 --> 00:11:59.420 The fulfillment of the prophet's words. 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:04.880 It was signaling that God's judgment was drawing near. 00:12:06.280 --> 00:12:13.420 And it was also saying that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved in that judgment. 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:15.720 It's a magnificent moment. 00:12:16.280 --> 00:12:18.660 Now two specific phrases stick out. 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:26.299 One at the beginning and one at the end of Peter's sermon that help us understand what he's actually trying to do in this sermon. 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:28.579 The first one's in verse 17. 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:31.459 It's the phrase, in the last days. 00:12:31.579 --> 00:12:32.219 You'll see it there. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:37.799 In the last days it shall be, God declares, I will pour out my spirit. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:43.720 Now that doesn't mean, the whole of it at least, doesn't mean an impending apocalypse. 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:46.519 Though that is a piece of it as it progresses. 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:55.340 It's actually referring the last days to the final epic in God's unfolding plan. 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:57.259 You want you to think about that. 00:12:57.340 --> 00:13:07.480 We understand as we read the scriptures and we think of human history, we understand that unfolding in different epics, different phases of God's plan. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:09.000 We call them covenants, right? 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:11.360 These covenants are unfolding. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:20.840 And here with the death and resurrection of Christ, we see the new covenant or the last days, this messianic age. 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:37.000 The pouring out of the spirit that Joel prophesied signals the inauguration of those last days of this messianic age that leads finally to that great and terrible day that Peter speaks about here. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:37.960 The final judgment. 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:41.879 The return of Christ when all people will then be judged. 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:46.740 Now, everybody listening to Peter preach this sermon would have understood that language. 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.279 He didn't have to explain that. 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:58.840 They would have automatically known exactly what the last days meant, exactly what Peter is saying that this is signaling and what it will ultimately lead to. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.120 They would have understood. 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:04.279 But they would have had a critical question at this point in Peter's sermon. 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:17.419 Peter, if what we're seeing is what Joel foretold, then where is this Messiah that was to initiate these final days? 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:22.299 Where's the Christ, Peter, if this is really what's happening? 00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:24.759 And that's where we get to the second phrase. 00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:27.899 We find this one in verse 36. 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.879 Set your eyes on it there. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:31.319 Verse 36. 00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:43.960 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ. 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.800 Who, Peter? 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:50.480 This Jesus whom you crucified. 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:56.940 Now, if we take those two phrases, one at the beginning and one at the end of the sermon, and we kind of think of them together, 00:14:56.940 --> 00:15:02.960 we see Peter has now told us in these two phrases what the objective of this sermon is. 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.980 This is what he's accomplishing in this message. 00:15:06.780 --> 00:15:20.860 It is to declare that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Lord and Messiah who brings salvation to his people and judgment to his enemies. 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:38.000 And I want to show you how Peter's argument explains this and proves this so that you and anyone to whom you will take this very message may call upon the name of the Lord, 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:42.240 that is the name of Jesus, and be saved in the judgment. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.840 That's the objective. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.720 That's where we're going. 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.940 There's four parts to Peter's argument, okay? 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:48.480 The first part is this. 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:53.820 This Jesus, Peter says, was sent down. 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:56.740 This Jesus was sent down. 00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:57.700 That's argument number one. 00:15:57.760 --> 00:15:58.960 We see it in verse 22. 00:15:59.380 --> 00:16:01.520 Men of Israel, hear these words. 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:14.540 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. 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:16.939 This Jesus was sent down. 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:30.019 Peter's first argument is that Jesus' messianic identity was put on display by God the Father through, quote, mighty works and wonders and signs. 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:33.199 This is his power in the miraculous things that he did. 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:39.559 And then Peter adds that this is an argument that none of his hearers could actually deny. 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:51.679 They could not reasonably deny that he was sent from God, that he came from God, and that God displayed amazing power through him. 00:16:52.699 --> 00:17:03.559 These miraculous works attesting to the fact that Jesus came from God were performed in their very midst, all of the ones who had gathered to hear Peter's message. 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:10.139 Many, if not all of them, had witnessed Jesus' miraculous power. 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:14.240 Jesus had only been killed 50 days before this. 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:19.220 This is not years down the road where people are just getting introduced to who Jesus is. 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:22.440 No, these are the people who were there throughout the whole time. 00:17:23.679 --> 00:17:24.679 They were there. 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.579 They saw it. 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.039 They heard it. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.619 They witnessed it. 00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:35.899 No doubt some of them had personally experienced Jesus' healing touch. 00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:43.339 And we know that thousands upon thousands of people saw Jesus do these works. 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:54.779 Even at one point, we read in the Gospels that people were coming from neighboring regions because they had heard of his fame, the fame of what he could do was spread abroad. 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:56.639 They were traveling to Palestine. 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:58.199 They were traveling to the nation of Israel. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.759 So that they could see it. 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:00.640 They could witness it. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:03.160 They could experience it themselves. 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:11.819 Now, the most hard-hearted of the Jews chalked this up to the work of Satan, which is absurd. 00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:14.340 Isn't that what they said? 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:19.220 Jesus, you're doing all of this by the power of Beelzebub, they said. 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:21.420 And, of course, that was ridiculous. 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:23.539 Jesus confronted that head on. 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:26.319 No one really took them very seriously with that accusation. 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:29.700 The general consensus of the people was this. 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.960 Jesus came from God. 00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:34.779 How else could he be explained? 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:37.819 How else could what he was doing be explained? 00:18:38.419 --> 00:18:43.379 And this is partly why the religious leaders didn't have Jesus killed sooner. 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:47.700 They were afraid of what the crowds would do if they did. 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:51.920 Because the people believed that he came from God. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.519 Why? 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:54.500 Because of his works. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.700 And this is Peter's first argument. 00:18:57.700 --> 00:19:00.200 Now, why is this argument important to Peter? 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:09.480 Because these miracles were prophesied in the Old Covenant, in the Old Testament, as signs of God's Messiah. 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:14.220 That he would come and he would do certain things. 00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:20.080 That God's power would rest on him in a way that the world has never seen before. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:26.139 Of course, God did empower many others to do amazing things from time to time. 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:29.319 Nothing compared to what Jesus did. 00:19:30.179 --> 00:19:34.000 As you have probably heard John MacArthur say many times before, 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:41.480 Jesus essentially eradicated disease from Israel for the time that he existed here in his ministry, 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.980 those three to three and a half years. 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:47.539 I mean, everywhere he went, people were healed. 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:50.720 Thousands and thousands and thousands of them. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.460 It could not be denied. 00:19:54.019 --> 00:20:01.259 Jesus himself even pointed to these works as a sufficient means of acknowledging his divine and messianic identity. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:05.519 He said to a group of people in John 14, 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:10.559 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:14.720 The words that I say to you, I do not speak of my own authority, 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:17.940 but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 00:20:18.919 --> 00:20:23.159 Believe me, he says, that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:28.079 Or else, believe on account of the works themselves, Jesus said. 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:30.619 You don't believe me? 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.940 You don't believe what I'm saying? 00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:33.480 Well, at least look. 00:20:33.899 --> 00:20:37.240 How else will you interpret all the things that I'm doing right now? 00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:39.399 I came from the Father. 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:41.940 The Father is in me and I am in the Father. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.940 And that's exactly where Peter starts his message. 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:46.000 Hear, men of Israel. 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:52.700 This Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, was attested to you by God. 00:20:53.060 --> 00:21:00.180 God put him on display so that you might know that he is Lord and Christ. 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:02.500 Which brings us to his second argument. 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:05.500 This Jesus was sent down. 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:06.460 He came from God. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:10.059 But this Jesus was then delivered over. 00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:12.819 This Jesus was delivered over. 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.340 Verse 23. 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:22.860 This Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:29.319 You crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:35.179 So God puts his son on display through mighty works and wonders and signs. 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.220 It's undeniable. 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.500 It's logical. 00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:40.139 Even these people would have said that at one point. 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.879 And how did they respond? 00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:48.620 They killed him. 00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:54.320 God sends the one they've been waiting for. 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:57.500 He puts it on full display. 00:21:58.560 --> 00:22:01.520 And they murdered him. 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:03.599 John 1. 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:07.839 The true light which gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.240 He was in the world. 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:11.480 The world was made through him. 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:13.940 This was the very creator, John says. 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:15.480 In the flesh. 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:19.019 And yet, the world didn't know him. 00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:21.799 He made them. 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:24.919 But they couldn't figure him out. 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.639 They couldn't see it. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:29.859 He came to his own, John said. 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:34.740 And his own people did not receive him. 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:38.419 The ones who were blessed with the scriptures. 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:41.119 The ones who were blessed with the promises. 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:43.740 The ones who were blessed with the covenants. 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:45.000 He came to them. 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:49.339 And he did everything that their scripture said that he would do. 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:52.799 And they would not receive him. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:54.339 They rejected him. 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:55.859 They killed him. 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.980 How could they do that? 00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:02.480 After having seen and witnessed such incredible power. 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:05.399 It just goes to show you, doesn't it? 00:23:05.659 --> 00:23:10.500 Just how hardened by sin our hearts really are. 00:23:12.399 --> 00:23:15.019 Do you understand that about your own life? 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:24.839 You can have more spiritual privilege than anyone else on earth. 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:35.299 And your sin still harden you so much that you will still reject the one you've been privileged to know. 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:39.200 They had every advantage, the Jews. 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:43.660 But in their sin, they rejected him. 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:47.800 The scriptures often compare this to being blind. 00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:50.240 To walking in darkness. 00:23:51.540 --> 00:23:53.019 The Christ was in their midst. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.320 They couldn't see him. 00:23:56.980 --> 00:24:00.200 And we need to be careful not to think ourselves better than them. 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:05.660 Because apart from the gracious work of God that opens blind eyes, 00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:09.040 we too would have cried out. 00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:10.759 Crucify him. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:14.720 We'll sing it during our time of communion today. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.500 Ashamed. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:19.000 I hear my mocking voice. 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:21.119 Call out among the scoffers. 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:27.319 Now, Peter doesn't say much at this point about what Christ's death accomplished. 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:30.059 But there is one important note that he gives us. 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:31.019 It clues us in. 00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:32.439 Verse 23. 00:24:32.679 --> 00:24:41.579 This Jesus was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:45.139 The question is, who killed Jesus? 00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:47.799 Who's actually responsible? 00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:53.919 Well, Peter says here, clearly, the Jews are responsible. 00:24:54.919 --> 00:24:56.319 It was the Romans. 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:58.139 They're responsible too. 00:24:58.140 --> 00:25:00.600 They actually carried out the execution. 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:03.500 Pilate's responsible. 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:06.400 He allowed the execution. 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:10.460 The Jewish leaders were responsible. 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:13.900 They handed Jesus over to Pilate for execution. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.920 Judas is responsible. 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:20.100 He sold Jesus out to the Jews for just a few pieces of silver. 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.120 They're all responsible. 00:25:21.560 --> 00:25:22.480 Peter says so. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:27.240 He's not absolving anyone of their personal responsibility here. 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:35.220 And yet, ultimately, he credits the event to God. 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:44.819 Everything you did, everything that was done to Jesus and to this Lord in Christ, 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:50.059 it was done according to the definite plan of God. 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:56.839 God, his foreknowledge, not foreknowledge in the sense that he knew it would happen, 00:25:57.319 --> 00:26:01.319 foreknowledge in the sense that he caused it to happen. 00:26:02.960 --> 00:26:10.339 God used the greatest injustice the world has ever known to bring about the greatest good the world has ever known. 00:26:10.919 --> 00:26:18.119 If it was according to his definite plan and foreknowledge, that means God had a purpose in this. 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:25.959 He purposed before the foundations of the world to send his son to die at the hands of sinful man. 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:29.979 And that purpose was our eternal salvation. 00:26:31.979 --> 00:26:36.500 The Bible says that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:45.079 And on the cross, Jesus, the Son of God, became a perfect and sufficient sacrifice for sinners. 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:53.920 He satisfied God's wrath against our sin so that he then might reconcile us to God, 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:57.480 making peace by the blood of his cross. 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.400 Who killed Jesus? 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:02.099 Well, a lot of people were responsible. 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:14.480 But it was all according to God's eternal plan in Christ to offer you and me forgiveness and salvation and life. 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:19.419 So this Jesus, he came down. 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.319 He was sent down. 00:27:20.439 --> 00:27:21.259 He came from God. 00:27:21.379 --> 00:27:27.839 This Jesus was then delivered over to death and atoning death. 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:31.099 But then Peter picks up a third argument here. 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:35.059 This Jesus was then raised up. 00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:37.659 He was raised up. 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:38.959 Verse 24. 00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:49.699 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:56.159 Pangs is the word for labor pains in childbirth. 00:27:56.160 --> 00:28:03.400 As many of you have experienced as Kayla and Ashley are now preparing themselves for once again. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:10.460 Here, in this case, Peter's using the word to refer to the agony of death. 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:16.560 God loosed Jesus from the agony of death. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:30.220 Not merely the physical agony, but the spiritual agony of existing in total separation from God and his love and his grace and everything good about him. 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:37.079 He was loosed from that by raising from the dead. 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:46.279 And then Peter adds that God raised Jesus because it was not possible for death to hold him. 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:49.899 That is, death had no rightful claim on him. 00:28:50.259 --> 00:28:51.439 Now, what does that mean? 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:56.319 Why was it impossible for Jesus to be held by death? 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:58.419 There's a number of answers for that. 00:28:58.699 --> 00:29:00.240 But what is Peter's answer here? 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:02.339 Why is he saying it in this text? 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:04.139 We're saying it here. 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.319 Here's his answer. 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:11.460 Because Jesus is the true Lord and Christ. 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:13.939 Remember, that's the objective of the sermon. 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:18.299 He's arguing that Jesus is the Lord and the Christ. 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.960 God raised him up. 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:24.200 It was impossible for him not to raise him up because he's the Lord. 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.319 He's the Christ. 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.700 He's the one. 00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:40.539 The grave could not hold him because God purposed to raise him up in victory in order that he might show Christ's sacrifice as a sufficient one for our sin. 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:48.960 Keith is a lawyer and like a good lawyer, Peter then calls two witnesses to the stand. 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:53.220 Proofs for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.700 Proofs that he is the Lord. 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.740 The first one is this. 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:57.500 It's the witness of the scripture. 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.620 The witness of the scripture. 00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:05.460 We see it in verses 25 to 31 as Peter quotes a psalm. 00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:06.340 Psalm 16. 00:30:06.339 --> 00:30:09.699 For David says concerning him, 00:30:09.699 --> 00:30:12.579 I saw the Lord always before me. 00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:15.919 For he's at my right hand that I may not be shaken. 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:19.699 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced. 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:23.000 My flesh also will dwell in hope. 00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:28.839 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades or to the realm of the dead, to death. 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:32.159 You will not let your holy ones see corruption. 00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:36.079 You've made known to me the path of life. 00:30:36.199 --> 00:30:39.179 You will make me full of gladness with your presence. 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:41.339 And then Peter explains, 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:50.399 Brothers, I may say with confidence about David that he both died and was buried and his tomb is still here. 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.939 I can imagine he's in Jerusalem. 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:55.759 Perhaps he even motions toward the direction of wherever this tomb is. 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.899 Maybe the Mount of Olives. 00:30:56.900 --> 00:30:58.960 Don't believe me? 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.040 Go and look. 00:31:00.600 --> 00:31:01.700 David's still there. 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:05.040 What does this mean then, Peter? 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:06.280 He says in verse 30. 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.580 David was a prophet. 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:14.640 And knowing that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne. 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:24.120 He foresaw and he spoke in Psalm 16, not about his own resurrection, but about the resurrection of the Christ. 00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:30.799 That he was not abandoned to death, nor did his flesh see corruption. 00:31:30.899 --> 00:31:32.579 It's the witness of the scriptures, isn't it? 00:31:33.199 --> 00:31:37.619 The resurrection wasn't God making the best out of a bad situation. 00:31:38.379 --> 00:31:40.599 I'm afraid so many people think that. 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:46.859 If they give credit at all to the resurrection, they misunderstand that this was always the plan. 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:51.159 And how did God show us that this was always the plan? 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:56.139 Well, he put up all of these markers in the Old Testament scriptures. 00:31:56.419 --> 00:32:00.839 All of these signs pointing forward to this event. 00:32:01.439 --> 00:32:04.039 Pointing forward to this Christ. 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:07.699 And Peter takes up one of those markers here. 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:14.960 He says there's no way that David was referring to himself because David's still dead. 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:17.240 This is the Lord. 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:20.640 This is the Christ that David was speaking about. 00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:24.960 And then he says, and guess who just came back? 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:28.559 Jesus must be the Lord in Christ. 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:33.180 Because only he has done what David said would happen. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:35.319 He's the Lord. 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:40.079 But it's not just the witness of the scriptures that he calls to the stand. 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:43.039 It's the witness of the apostles. 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:45.839 The disciples that he calls to the stand. 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:46.980 Verse 32. 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:50.059 This Jesus God raised up. 00:32:50.919 --> 00:32:53.779 And of that we all are witnesses. 00:32:54.859 --> 00:32:55.579 We all. 00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:56.200 Who is that? 00:32:56.879 --> 00:33:00.899 All of these men and perhaps even ladies in this instance. 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:04.839 Who had received the gift of the spirit and the outpouring of the spirit. 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:06.599 And were proclaiming the gospel. 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:10.279 The resurrection of Jesus in all of these different tongues and languages. 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:15.419 Remember fundamentally Peter is addressing that question. 00:33:15.659 --> 00:33:16.759 What's happening here? 00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:17.959 And he preaches this sermon. 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.699 He says listen. 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.439 God raised him up. 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:22.159 And we'll all tell you. 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.000 We saw it. 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.959 We saw him. 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:27.199 We touched him. 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.379 Don't you remember? 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:32.120 Jesus appears eight days after his resurrection. 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.940 Thomas is there this time. 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:35.280 And what is it that he tells Thomas? 00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:37.200 Thomas touch my hands. 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:38.640 Touch the nail prints. 00:33:39.100 --> 00:33:40.160 Touch my side. 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:43.060 On the night of his resurrection. 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:46.420 He walks with the two disciples to Emmaus. 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:47.320 And then he sits down. 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:49.080 And he breaks bread with them. 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.500 They see him. 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:53.160 He appears later to the disciples. 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:56.019 And he says don't worry. 00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:56.920 I'm not a ghost. 00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:59.460 This is my body. 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.700 Why don't you get me some food. 00:34:03.560 --> 00:34:04.600 And I'll eat it. 00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:06.040 So you can see. 00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:08.700 Couple of weeks later. 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.559 He's in Galilee. 00:34:10.700 --> 00:34:12.119 And he appears on the seashore. 00:34:12.220 --> 00:34:12.820 The disciples. 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.460 A few of them. 00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.039 They're out there. 00:34:14.200 --> 00:34:16.039 And they're fishing as they wait for Jesus. 00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:17.940 They're being obedient to what Jesus said. 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:20.940 They pull the boat all the way to the seashore. 00:34:21.000 --> 00:34:21.840 All of them except Peter. 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:23.059 He dove in and swam. 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:23.840 He was excited. 00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.880 He got a little excited. 00:34:25.200 --> 00:34:26.200 And got there in a hurry. 00:34:26.300 --> 00:34:27.079 And what do they find? 00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.980 Jesus is there. 00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.559 He's got some food. 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.619 He has breakfast with them. 00:34:30.240 --> 00:34:30.960 They see him. 00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:31.960 They heard him. 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.019 They touched him. 00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:34.440 They ate with him. 00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:36.340 They said we've seen him. 00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:39.720 And it wasn't just the witness of a few. 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:43.659 Listen to what Paul said about this in 1 Corinthians 15. 00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:48.659 I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received. 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:53.299 Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures. 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.199 He was buried. 00:34:54.359 --> 00:34:57.779 He was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. 00:34:58.379 --> 00:34:59.799 And he appeared to Peter. 00:35:00.879 --> 00:35:02.699 And then he appeared to the 12. 00:35:03.579 --> 00:35:04.440 Peter leaves them out. 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:06.339 But he appeared to a bunch of ladies that morning too. 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:07.659 They were the first ones, weren't they? 00:35:08.279 --> 00:35:12.480 Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time. 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:14.460 I don't know when that time was. 00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:16.179 Perhaps it was his ascension. 00:35:16.679 --> 00:35:23.240 But Paul's highlighting there's at least 500 other people that right now you can go and talk to them about it. 00:35:23.780 --> 00:35:24.579 They were there. 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:26.980 Most of whom are still alive. 00:35:27.260 --> 00:35:28.340 Though some have fallen asleep. 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:31.039 And then he appeared to James and to all the apostles. 00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:33.179 And last of all, he appeared to me. 00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:36.159 He calls himself to the stand. 00:35:36.260 --> 00:35:36.760 Peter does. 00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:39.280 He says, I'm telling you, I saw it. 00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:41.159 I saw it. 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:50.299 Now, even secular historians acknowledge that the witnesses, Peter calls to the stand and that Paul calls to the stand, 00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:56.519 they were real historic people who genuinely believed that Jesus rose from the dead. 00:35:57.259 --> 00:35:58.659 They really did believe that. 00:35:58.659 --> 00:36:10.519 And they were so convinced of what they saw, they gave their lives preaching this gospel in hopes that more people would believe and be saved. 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:20.399 Every one of the apostles were imprisoned, tortured, executed for preaching the resurrection specifically. 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:26.260 Now, I realize it's maybe not unusual for people to die for a lie. 00:36:27.380 --> 00:36:33.180 But these men, they didn't give their lives for a religious or philosophical idea. 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:42.960 They had nothing to gain in preaching Christ other than the pleasure of Christ himself, which is amazing. 00:36:42.960 --> 00:36:46.260 But there was nothing earthly for them to gain in this. 00:36:46.659 --> 00:36:48.260 There was no power for them to gain. 00:36:50.760 --> 00:36:56.559 They went to their graves fully convinced of the resurrection they had witnessed with their own eyes. 00:36:56.559 --> 00:37:04.199 And that truth was so magnificent to them that nothing would stand in the way of them sharing it with everyone else who would listen. 00:37:04.199 --> 00:37:06.420 And so it has been throughout the ages. 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:14.639 Christians repeatedly have given their lives to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:31.719 And to preach this wonderful gospel with nothing to gain for it themselves except that someone else might hear the call of Christ and respond in repentance and faith and go to heaven with them. 00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:33.719 It's amazing. 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:39.679 So Peter's arguing Jesus of Nazareth is the Lord in Christ. 00:37:40.920 --> 00:37:42.480 He's the one who came down. 00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:43.259 He came from God. 00:37:43.260 --> 00:37:44.780 That was attested by his works. 00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:46.980 He was delivered over to death. 00:37:47.400 --> 00:37:48.740 God was responsible for that. 00:37:48.820 --> 00:37:51.540 We can look at the scriptures and we can see how it all fits together. 00:37:51.540 --> 00:37:53.060 And then God raised him up. 00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:54.880 But there's a fourth part to the argument. 00:37:55.220 --> 00:37:58.420 It's one that we don't often think about as much, but it is important. 00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:02.540 This Jesus was exalted high. 00:38:03.740 --> 00:38:05.240 He was exalted high. 00:38:06.560 --> 00:38:08.800 Look at verse 33 to 36. 00:38:08.800 --> 00:38:13.800 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God. 00:38:13.800 --> 00:38:17.940 And having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit. 00:38:19.080 --> 00:38:23.720 He has, Jesus has poured out this that you are seeing and hearing. 00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:25.620 That is the sign of the Spirit that day. 00:38:26.720 --> 00:38:27.900 And he quotes David again. 00:38:28.280 --> 00:38:30.080 David did not ascend into the heavens. 00:38:30.079 --> 00:38:37.440 That is David literally did not leave the earth and float away into the heavens to show that he was in an exalted place. 00:38:37.539 --> 00:38:39.279 No, David died and he stayed dead. 00:38:40.279 --> 00:38:42.119 Jesus rose up and he didn't just rise. 00:38:42.199 --> 00:38:42.719 He ascended. 00:38:43.279 --> 00:38:47.079 The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. 00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:51.019 And then Peter, he lays it all out in verse 36. 00:38:51.460 --> 00:38:59.579 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ. 00:39:00.319 --> 00:39:01.779 This Jesus whom you've crucified. 00:39:02.679 --> 00:39:04.519 Now, Jesus is exalted high. 00:39:04.799 --> 00:39:08.420 Have you noticed a pattern in the scriptures we've already had in our service today? 00:39:09.779 --> 00:39:12.139 What is it we read in Philippians chapter 2? 00:39:12.139 --> 00:39:22.199 Jesus came down, was delivered over to death, was raised up, and then what? 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:27.539 Therefore, God has highly exalted him and given him a name that is above every name. 00:39:27.799 --> 00:39:31.940 That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. 00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:36.259 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:39:36.879 --> 00:39:37.739 Do you see the pattern? 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:40.299 It's not just Acts 2. 00:39:40.719 --> 00:39:41.719 It's Philippians 2. 00:39:42.139 --> 00:39:45.659 What about what we just read in Colossians chapter 3? 00:39:46.659 --> 00:39:48.819 We read about the exalted Lord. 00:39:49.500 --> 00:39:50.940 You can go to Colossians chapter 2. 00:39:51.019 --> 00:39:52.119 You'll see it there as well. 00:39:52.319 --> 00:39:54.159 How about Hebrews chapter 1? 00:39:56.420 --> 00:40:03.900 After laying down his life for our sins, he has now taken his seat at the right hand of the Father. 00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:07.440 My favorite picture of this is at the Last Supper. 00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:11.960 Before Jesus breaks the bread and distributes the wine. 00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:13.000 Do you remember what he did? 00:40:13.000 --> 00:40:23.159 Jesus, the exalted one, the one at the head of the table, gets up from his place, disrobes himself, and grabs some water and a towel. 00:40:23.559 --> 00:40:27.300 And one by one goes to each of those disciples to wash their feet. 00:40:27.300 --> 00:40:32.320 And when he's finished with this cleansing, what did he do? 00:40:32.820 --> 00:40:35.920 He went back to his exalted place at the head of the table. 00:40:36.220 --> 00:40:37.720 And he led the Passover meal. 00:40:37.719 --> 00:40:40.219 And he spoke of what was to come. 00:40:40.899 --> 00:40:42.480 Over and over, what do we see? 00:40:42.559 --> 00:40:43.139 This pattern. 00:40:44.079 --> 00:40:44.919 The Christ comes. 00:40:45.739 --> 00:40:46.759 The Christ serves. 00:40:46.879 --> 00:40:47.619 He dies. 00:40:48.199 --> 00:40:49.299 He raises up. 00:40:49.859 --> 00:40:51.139 And he's exalted high. 00:40:52.139 --> 00:40:54.579 And Peter brings it to a head here. 00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.699 He's the Lord. 00:40:56.799 --> 00:41:00.179 We know it because we saw him ascend into the heavens. 00:41:00.179 --> 00:41:02.559 Something even David didn't do. 00:41:02.859 --> 00:41:04.519 Even Moses didn't do. 00:41:04.899 --> 00:41:06.419 Even Abraham didn't do. 00:41:07.259 --> 00:41:08.639 We saw it. 00:41:09.899 --> 00:41:12.359 It was his exalted place. 00:41:13.619 --> 00:41:14.779 He's not only the Savior. 00:41:16.139 --> 00:41:17.279 He's the Lord. 00:41:18.599 --> 00:41:19.659 He's the judge. 00:41:21.019 --> 00:41:23.759 And it's on the basis of these four arguments. 00:41:23.940 --> 00:41:25.259 Supported by the scriptures. 00:41:25.259 --> 00:41:26.319 Each one of them. 00:41:27.779 --> 00:41:29.779 Supported by eyewitness accounts. 00:41:30.179 --> 00:41:31.219 Of many people. 00:41:32.279 --> 00:41:33.159 Peter said. 00:41:33.799 --> 00:41:34.839 Jesus of Nazareth. 00:41:35.359 --> 00:41:36.259 Is the Lord. 00:41:37.099 --> 00:41:37.960 He's the Christ. 00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:39.480 Now. 00:41:40.299 --> 00:41:41.980 Why does any of it even matter? 00:41:44.440 --> 00:41:44.719 You see. 00:41:44.799 --> 00:41:47.059 I get why this was important to them. 00:41:47.539 --> 00:41:49.019 This was a huge thing. 00:41:49.099 --> 00:41:50.299 If all of this really happened. 00:41:50.419 --> 00:41:52.239 Then of course it was an important thing to them. 00:41:52.239 --> 00:41:54.799 Of course he would want to say this to those people. 00:41:54.899 --> 00:41:56.579 But what does it have to do with me? 00:41:56.579 --> 00:42:02.119 Do you remember the two key phrases that I pointed out? 00:42:02.960 --> 00:42:04.019 The first one. 00:42:04.119 --> 00:42:06.719 That there were the last days. 00:42:06.840 --> 00:42:09.860 The final epic in God's unfolding plan. 00:42:10.239 --> 00:42:11.659 Has been inaugurated. 00:42:13.759 --> 00:42:15.579 We are in the last days. 00:42:16.579 --> 00:42:17.119 Now. 00:42:18.360 --> 00:42:20.340 And where are those last days leading? 00:42:20.340 --> 00:42:22.780 To judgment. 00:42:22.780 --> 00:42:25.900 A final judgment. 00:42:26.559 --> 00:42:28.620 When each and every one of us. 00:42:28.940 --> 00:42:30.840 Will stand alone. 00:42:31.500 --> 00:42:32.820 Before God. 00:42:33.380 --> 00:42:34.480 Our creator. 00:42:34.980 --> 00:42:36.079 And our judge. 00:42:38.360 --> 00:42:40.500 And he will deliver a judgment. 00:42:42.380 --> 00:42:44.140 Did you fulfill your purpose? 00:42:44.139 --> 00:42:46.960 What is that purpose? 00:42:47.960 --> 00:42:49.440 To love and obey him. 00:42:49.440 --> 00:42:50.460 With all of your heart. 00:42:50.539 --> 00:42:50.960 And soul. 00:42:51.099 --> 00:42:51.460 And mind. 00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:52.099 And strength. 00:42:52.859 --> 00:42:54.460 To live in perfect righteousness. 00:42:54.739 --> 00:42:55.920 And not rebel against him. 00:42:55.940 --> 00:42:57.119 Or violate his word. 00:42:57.460 --> 00:42:58.239 Did you do it? 00:42:58.279 --> 00:42:59.259 And the answer of course. 00:42:59.619 --> 00:43:00.739 For each and every one of us. 00:43:00.859 --> 00:43:01.159 Will be. 00:43:02.159 --> 00:43:02.559 No. 00:43:04.139 --> 00:43:04.539 No. 00:43:06.759 --> 00:43:07.739 And that means. 00:43:07.739 --> 00:43:08.739 That for us. 00:43:09.480 --> 00:43:10.420 That judgment. 00:43:11.299 --> 00:43:12.199 Will be severe. 00:43:12.199 --> 00:43:14.899 And it will end. 00:43:15.019 --> 00:43:16.000 In eternal wrath. 00:43:17.659 --> 00:43:19.619 But Peter's already told us here. 00:43:20.079 --> 00:43:21.419 That there's an escape. 00:43:21.419 --> 00:43:22.399 From this judgment. 00:43:23.139 --> 00:43:24.399 It was in the quotation. 00:43:24.399 --> 00:43:25.119 From Joel. 00:43:26.059 --> 00:43:27.419 That there is an escape. 00:43:27.419 --> 00:43:29.019 For all who will call upon. 00:43:29.139 --> 00:43:29.899 The name of the Lord. 00:43:30.679 --> 00:43:31.819 Now the Jews. 00:43:32.679 --> 00:43:33.559 Would have heard. 00:43:33.659 --> 00:43:34.739 Call upon the name of the Lord. 00:43:34.779 --> 00:43:35.619 And they would have just thought. 00:43:36.179 --> 00:43:37.819 Generally about the God of Israel. 00:43:38.000 --> 00:43:38.480 Yahweh. 00:43:38.799 --> 00:43:39.899 And of course that's true. 00:43:40.159 --> 00:43:41.059 But it's not everything. 00:43:42.199 --> 00:43:44.799 Peter has shown us. 00:43:45.019 --> 00:43:46.399 That that term. 00:43:46.399 --> 00:43:47.599 Applies specifically. 00:43:47.599 --> 00:43:48.799 To Jesus Christ. 00:43:48.939 --> 00:43:50.299 Who is himself. 00:43:50.659 --> 00:43:51.960 God in the flesh. 00:43:52.199 --> 00:43:53.679 He is Yahweh. 00:43:53.899 --> 00:43:54.980 In flesh. 00:43:56.559 --> 00:43:58.419 He is both Lord and Christ. 00:43:58.539 --> 00:43:59.259 And Peter will say. 00:43:59.379 --> 00:44:00.319 In chapter 4 of Acts. 00:44:00.359 --> 00:44:01.059 In another sermon. 00:44:01.419 --> 00:44:02.319 There is salvation. 00:44:02.319 --> 00:44:03.339 And no one else. 00:44:03.659 --> 00:44:05.519 For there is no other name. 00:44:05.559 --> 00:44:06.259 Under heaven. 00:44:06.399 --> 00:44:07.339 Given among men. 00:44:07.619 --> 00:44:09.659 By which we must be saved. 00:44:09.659 --> 00:44:12.119 So what's the point. 00:44:12.500 --> 00:44:13.980 Why does this matter to us. 00:44:14.259 --> 00:44:16.379 Because all of this is going somewhere. 00:44:16.679 --> 00:44:18.000 It's going to judgment. 00:44:18.399 --> 00:44:19.960 We will all stand before God. 00:44:20.039 --> 00:44:21.239 And give an account for our lives. 00:44:21.399 --> 00:44:23.699 And the only way to escape that judgment. 00:44:23.980 --> 00:44:25.839 Is if we have by faith. 00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:26.799 Turned from sin. 00:44:27.000 --> 00:44:28.139 And called out. 00:44:28.259 --> 00:44:29.059 On the Lord. 00:44:29.059 --> 00:44:30.500 The name of the Lord our God. 00:44:31.319 --> 00:44:31.799 Specifically. 00:44:31.800 --> 00:44:33.920 Jesus Christ. 00:44:35.360 --> 00:44:35.800 Trusting. 00:44:36.180 --> 00:44:37.860 In his death and resurrection. 00:44:39.200 --> 00:44:40.539 Following him as Lord. 00:44:41.240 --> 00:44:42.400 All of this matters. 00:44:42.980 --> 00:44:45.120 Because it's only through faith in him. 00:44:45.760 --> 00:44:48.120 That you can receive all the benefits. 00:44:48.840 --> 00:44:50.080 Of his death and resurrection. 00:44:50.640 --> 00:44:51.200 Truly. 00:44:51.700 --> 00:44:52.340 The resurrection. 00:44:52.539 --> 00:44:54.500 It really does change everything. 00:44:55.539 --> 00:44:56.560 It changes everything. 00:44:56.559 --> 00:45:01.119 And by calling on his name. 00:45:02.139 --> 00:45:03.699 You will be saved. 00:45:04.579 --> 00:45:05.619 You will be. 00:45:06.420 --> 00:45:07.420 No question. 00:45:08.699 --> 00:45:11.099 And this is exactly what Peter told those. 00:45:11.719 --> 00:45:12.820 On that day. 00:45:13.599 --> 00:45:15.400 We just read the end of the text with me. 00:45:15.719 --> 00:45:16.480 Verse 37. 00:45:17.900 --> 00:45:18.900 As you might imagine. 00:45:19.599 --> 00:45:21.079 They were concerned now. 00:45:22.279 --> 00:45:23.699 Here's all the proofs. 00:45:24.400 --> 00:45:25.380 And they killed him. 00:45:25.380 --> 00:45:28.300 Now when they heard this. 00:45:28.519 --> 00:45:28.880 They were. 00:45:29.760 --> 00:45:30.200 Cut. 00:45:31.039 --> 00:45:31.920 To the heart. 00:45:32.500 --> 00:45:32.980 Conviction. 00:45:33.720 --> 00:45:35.059 Had laid hold on them. 00:45:36.180 --> 00:45:37.400 And they said to Peter. 00:45:37.500 --> 00:45:38.480 And the rest of the apostles. 00:45:38.619 --> 00:45:38.880 Brothers. 00:45:39.519 --> 00:45:40.320 What shall we do? 00:45:42.119 --> 00:45:43.280 What can we do? 00:45:45.200 --> 00:45:46.300 And Peter said. 00:45:47.019 --> 00:45:48.200 There's nothing you can do. 00:45:49.220 --> 00:45:50.300 It's already done. 00:45:51.260 --> 00:45:52.240 Just repent. 00:45:53.180 --> 00:45:54.140 And be baptized. 00:45:54.139 --> 00:45:55.179 Every one of you. 00:45:55.239 --> 00:45:56.679 In the name of Jesus Christ. 00:45:56.679 --> 00:45:58.219 For the forgiveness of your sins. 00:45:58.539 --> 00:45:59.420 And you too. 00:45:59.500 --> 00:46:01.339 Will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 00:46:02.679 --> 00:46:04.119 Well who can do that Peter? 00:46:05.059 --> 00:46:06.059 Verse 39. 00:46:06.859 --> 00:46:08.359 The promise is for you. 00:46:09.279 --> 00:46:10.659 It's for your children. 00:46:11.599 --> 00:46:12.819 And it's for everyone. 00:46:13.000 --> 00:46:14.659 Who is far off from this place. 00:46:14.699 --> 00:46:15.699 And from this time. 00:46:16.819 --> 00:46:17.299 Everyone. 00:46:17.300 --> 00:46:19.519 Whom the Lord our God. 00:46:19.840 --> 00:46:21.080 Calls to himself. 00:46:22.240 --> 00:46:23.860 And then he started to preach again. 00:46:24.460 --> 00:46:24.900 Verse 40. 00:46:25.000 --> 00:46:25.980 With many other words. 00:46:26.440 --> 00:46:27.100 He bore witness. 00:46:27.280 --> 00:46:28.600 And continued to exhort them. 00:46:28.680 --> 00:46:29.960 Saying save yourselves. 00:46:30.320 --> 00:46:32.580 From this crooked generation. 00:46:32.900 --> 00:46:34.400 And how did the people respond? 00:46:35.680 --> 00:46:37.300 Those who received his word. 00:46:37.940 --> 00:46:39.080 Who believed. 00:46:39.760 --> 00:46:41.160 Who turned from sin. 00:46:41.220 --> 00:46:42.260 To trust in Christ. 00:46:42.620 --> 00:46:43.440 They were baptized. 00:46:43.440 --> 00:46:45.579 That sealed it. 00:46:45.760 --> 00:46:46.000 Right? 00:46:47.119 --> 00:46:49.179 And they were added to the church that day. 00:46:49.460 --> 00:46:50.700 About 3,000 people. 00:46:52.420 --> 00:46:53.480 What can you do? 00:46:54.099 --> 00:46:54.960 Well there's nothing really. 00:46:55.039 --> 00:46:55.860 You can't do anything. 00:46:55.960 --> 00:46:57.200 But that's the good thing about it. 00:46:58.320 --> 00:46:59.480 Jesus has done it all. 00:47:00.599 --> 00:47:01.800 And he just says repent. 00:47:02.679 --> 00:47:04.480 And be baptized in my name. 00:47:04.480 --> 00:47:07.380 And you will receive the spirit. 00:47:08.579 --> 00:47:10.000 Eternal life will be yours. 00:47:10.739 --> 00:47:12.380 And of course many of you have done this. 00:47:13.539 --> 00:47:15.820 So this is a day of celebration isn't it? 00:47:16.539 --> 00:47:17.860 We reflect on this. 00:47:17.900 --> 00:47:18.780 And we say yes. 00:47:19.179 --> 00:47:19.920 And amen. 00:47:20.679 --> 00:47:22.159 He is indeed the Lord. 00:47:22.780 --> 00:47:24.340 He is the Christ. 00:47:25.179 --> 00:47:26.460 And I believe him. 00:47:26.940 --> 00:47:28.500 And I trust him. 00:47:28.840 --> 00:47:31.500 And I stand forgiven because of him. 00:47:32.539 --> 00:47:34.179 But it's not just today. 00:47:34.280 --> 00:47:35.500 That's a day of celebration. 00:47:36.139 --> 00:47:38.019 It's every day for us isn't it? 00:47:38.019 --> 00:47:45.199 It's every day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:47:46.099 --> 00:47:50.800 Because this Jesus is indeed the Lord and the Christ. 00:47:50.800 --> 00:47:51.679 Let's pray.