We'll begin our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 95 in the Scottish Psalter.
We're going to sing from verse 6 down to verse 11.
Psalm 95 in the Scottish Psalter at verse 6.
O come and let us worship him, let us bow down with all,
and on our knees before the Lord our Maker let us fall.
For he's our God, the people we of his own pasture are,
and of his hand the sheep today, if ye his voice will hear.
And so on. We'll sing from verse 6 down to verse 11, and the tune is Gainsborough.
O come and let us worship him,
Let us plunder with all,
And on our knees before the Lord,
Our Maker let us fall.
For he's our God, the people we of his own pasture are,
And of his hand the sheep today,
And he his voice will hear.
Then harden all due hearts,
Our sin and provocation,
As in the rest of the day of the temptation,
When me your Father's strength and crew,
How did my work in sin?
In mind, the face of forty years,
This grace hath beared me.
I send this people less in high.
My ways they do not know.
To whom I slip in wrath, not to my rest they should not go.
Let's come to God in prayer.
Let us pray.
Amen.
Our Father in heaven as we continue to worship your name and praise you as our Lord and our maker.
We thank you that again we can come in praise and worship for that is your call to us as your people.
That is the call that we have sung from this psalm.
We as a people are to come and worship you, to bow down before you and on our knees before you fall.
For you are our maker and our Lord.
And we thank you, Lord, that the way is opened up for us.
That we have such a great privilege to be able to worship you in peace and security.
But help us, Lord, never to take these things for granted.
Help us, even this day, as we have been around your word and around the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
Never just to think that this is always going to be what our Lord is.
For we know, Lord, that there is much blessing in your word for your people.
We are so encouraged through your word that you are a God who has loved us and remembered us and given us your own son as the way to salvation.
But your word stands through too.
There is a warning in it as well.
Even the warning that we have sung from these words before us.
That we as a people, we are not to harden our hearts as we hear your word.
There was a warning from the psalmist to the people then of their forefathers who had indeed hardened their hearts.
And we live in a day and an age when the same is true of so many around us and even so many of ourselves.
When our hearts can become hardened.
When we do not listen to what your word is saying.
When we heed and listen to the wisdom of this world.
And to all the things that will lead us astray and lead us away from you.
And so we pray anew this night, Lord.
That you will speak to us.
But that we will have ears to hear.
And that your spirit will work in our midst.
That your spirit will minister to our hearts.
That you will, O Lord, melt our hearts.
By your grace.
By your mercy.
By your love.
For we know we cannot do it ourselves.
Because only you can.
But we thank you that there is so many promises in your word that we can hold on to.
That we can remember and even pray over as we come to you as the only way to salvation.
We thank you that there is a promise that for all who come you will never cast them away.
That there is a promise that all who come to you, you will give them rest.
There is a promise that all who come to you, you will hold on to.
That you will never forsake them or leave them.
And so we pray, Lord, for all your promises.
That they will be ours through Christ Jesus.
And that we may know them more and more precious in our hearts and in our experiences day by day.
The more we go on, the more we learn through the joys of this world.
But also through the sorrows that it brings.
We experience, O Lord, so often the highs and the lows.
We so often feel alone and helpless in these times.
And so we thank you, Lord, for your promise to draw near.
And the promise and encouragement that we have in your word.
That we are indeed to be a people who encourage one another.
And pray for one another.
Remembering one another in so many different ways.
So help us, Lord, that we will be a praying people.
An encouraged people.
A people with a sense of expectation of what you are doing in us and around us.
And in the midst of all that goes on.
That we would see that you are the God who does indeed do all things well.
Help us to understand these truths, Lord, when they are difficult for us.
And so we thank you that you have not left us.
That you have spoken and are speaking to us.
And that you are reminding us, Lord, of the wonderful gift of your grace.
Help us to long for it more and more.
And to experience it through that faith that comes from your grace towards us.
That faith in Jesus Christ, your Son.
We thank you, Lord, for the encouragements your people receive on a day-to-day basis.
We thank you that even as we pray in our own quietness of our homes.
And in the quietness of our own hearts.
That so often we see prayers answered.
And we thank you, Lord, that even before us this day, there are prayers answered now and from maybe even many generations past.
Prayers offered up by your people maybe long ago.
Prayers for children in young years who are now into old age.
But who have come and tasted of the goodness of God.
We know, Lord, your word teaches us to be patient.
And we continue to pray with that sense of urgency.
That sense of patience to wait upon you.
Praying for those who are still strangers to you.
Praying for those who are even in the darkness of this world tonight.
Praying for those who are struggling in so many different ways.
Those known to us and even those who we do not know.
Those who in your plan and purpose.
Maybe we are yet to meet.
Yet to have opportunity to share a word in season with.
But we thank you that in your kingdom.
And in your plan and purpose.
Everything is foreordained.
And so help us to commit ourselves into your hands.
And to go forward even from this day.
In the knowledge of all that is uncertain for us.
Is known unto you.
And we pray, Lord, your will be done in all things.
We thank you for our Lord and Saviour.
The one who we have remembered this day.
The one who has done all for us.
We pray, Lord, and thank you for the many prayers he offered up.
The prayers we read in scripture.
The prayer in Gethsemane.
Even as he looked ahead to the cross.
And saying, nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.
We thank you for that great sacrifice.
We thank you that he gave his life.
We thank you anew this evening.
That he is risen.
That he has overcome.
The power of sin.
The power of death.
That it could not keep hold of him.
But we thank you that he is risen.
And has appeared to many.
And that he has now ascended.
To the right hand.
And we await the day of his return.
In a world that groans.
In a world that has many pains.
We do thank you that we look forward to a day.
When he will come again.
And we pray, Lord, that even those thoughts of the Lord's return.
Will stir us up in our mission for God in this world.
That it will stir us up as a church.
To serve you aright.
To long to see many coming to salvation.
To long to see many throughout the world.
Turning to you.
Repenting of their sins.
And hearing the great gospel message.
We thank you for every way it goes out.
We thank you for every means that there is.
To share the gospel in this day and this age.
We thank you that even as we gather here.
This is a service.
And a worship that can be heard.
To all the ends of the earth.
How our world has changed in so many ways.
That a voice can be heard in the far corners of the world.
Even immediately.
But we thank you above all that your voice is heard.
That you are a God who knows every person throughout the lands.
That you are a God who speaks and ministers to people far and wide.
We thank you that your gospel is not contained in any way, shape or form.
We do pray Lord for the ongoing ministry of your word.
Whether it's the preaching of your word.
The translating of your word into the many languages of this world.
The ministry of your people in so many different ways.
To all ends of the earth.
Teaching.
Shepherding.
Guiding.
Helping.
Nourishing.
Caring.
And for so many different people.
In so many different places.
We ask and plead though Lord your mercy upon us.
That our world would see the great emptiness of a desire for self in this world.
A selfish heart that longs for the things of this world in a greedy way.
We see so much around us that makes us troubled in our hearts and our souls.
And we know too Lord that you grieve over the lust of this world.
And so we pray Lord that you will come in a day of your power.
Remember us as a people Lord.
Look down upon us and remember those who we so love and care for in our own homes.
And our families and our communities near and far.
Remember us Lord and hear our prayers as we ask all things.
Acknowledging our sin anew.
But thankful for the forgiveness that is ours as we repent and confess.
And approach that great throne of your son Christ Jesus.
Our great high priest.
We thank you for all done for us.
And we pray Lord encourage us.
Strengthen us on the way.
Even into the rest of the week that lies ahead before us.
Guard us oh Lord and keep us.
And help us to have that great expectation of you.
The one who is able to do abundantly more than we ask or imagine.
As we commit ourselves into your hands now and always.
Go before us.
Cleanse us anew.
In all we ask.
We ask in Jesus name for his sake.
Amen.
Let's again sing to God's praise.
This time I'm singing in Psalm 5 in the Scottish Psalter.
It's on page 203.
Psalm 5 on page 203.
We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 7.
Give ear unto my words.
O Lord my meditation way.
Hear my loud cry.
My King my God.
For I to thee will pray.
Lord thou shalt early hear my voice.
I early will direct.
My prayer to thee and looking up.
An answer will expect.
We'll sing from verse 1 to verse 7.
To God's praise on the tune of Spor.
Give ear unto my words.
O Lord.
My meditation way.
Hear my loud cry.
My King my God.
For I to thee will pray.
Lord thou shalt early hear my voice.
I early will dry head.
My prayer to thee and looking up.
An answer will expect.
For thou art not.
God thou art not.
In wickedness delight.
Neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Nor will thou art not.
Nor will thou stand in thy sight.
All that will do.
Or shine thy heart.
God's love that fire.
Lord thou art not.
O Valentine shall see.
M Gesetzent may andingsbee.
Unbeceived woman, a poetess by thee.
But I into thy house will come, and thine abundant grace.
And I will worship in thy fear, to hold my holy grace.
Well, can we turn together to read God's word in the New Testament and in the book of Acts?
The book of Acts, chapter 2.
Let me take up our reading at verse 14.
Acts chapter 2, reading at verse 14.
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.
For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel.
And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.
And your young men shall see visions.
And your old men shall dream dreams.
Even on my male servants and female servants.
To 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 vapor of smoke.
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 shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
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.
This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death.
Because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
For David says concerning 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.
My flesh also will dwell in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to haze.
Or let your holy ones see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life.
You will make me full of gladness with your presence.
Brothers, I 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.
Being therefore a prophet.
And knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would not set one of his descendants on his throne.
He foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ.
That he was not abandoned to haze.
Nor did his flesh see corruption.
This Jesus God raised up.
And of that we all are 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.
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.
Let all of 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 to the rest of the apostles.
Brothers what shall we do?
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 promise is for you.
And for your children.
And for all who are far off.
Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
And with many other words.
He bore witness.
And continued to exhort them.
Saying.
Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
So those who received his word.
Were baptized.
They were added that day.
About three thousand souls.
And so on.
And may God bless.
That reading from his word.
We'll again sing to God's praise.
This time in Psalm 116.
In the Scottish Psalter.
Page 395 of the Psalm.
Book Psalm 116.
At the beginning of the Psalm.
Singing down to verse 8.
I love the Lord.
Because my voice and prayers heeded here.
I while I live will call on him.
Who bowed to me his ear.
Of death the cords and sorrows did.
About me compass round.
Pains of hell took hold on me.
I grief and trouble found.
Upon the name of God the Lord.
Then did I call and say.
Deliver thou my soul O Lord.
I do thee humbly pray.
We'll sing from verse 1.
To verse 8.
And the tune is Cunningham.
I love the Lord.
Because my voice and prayers he did here.
I beim on there.
Of death the courts and sorrows did,
How hard we come was run,
The grace of hell to hold on me,
I keep my trouble firm.
Upon the name of God the Lord,
When did I call and say,
Give ever love my soul, O Lord,
I do Thee humbly pray.
God merciful and righteous,
O Lord, O Lord,
God saves the meek,
I was brought home,
He did me help, O Lord.
O Lord, my soul, do thou return,
And to thy quiet rest,
For largely know the Lord to Thee,
Its bounty hath expressed.
For my distress is so from death,
Delivered was by Thee,
Thou missed my warning,
I strong tears,
My feet of falling free.
Well, we can turn back for our time this evening
to the passage we read in Acts chapter 2.
Acts chapter 2.
And our main focus is going to be in verse 37
to the end of verse 41.
But as you see,
this section is one long section
that we read together,
the sermon of Peter
on the time of Pentecost,
where there were people around
who had seen the wonders
of the coming of the Holy Spirit,
the power seen in different ways
among the people,
and there were those around
who were accusing them
of being drunk
and of being out of their minds
and all kinds of accusations
being made against them.
It was a hostile crowd
that Peter was preaching to.
But what you see
as he preaches God's word,
as you see as he takes texts
from the Old Testament,
you have Joel in the book of Psalms
being quoted here, read here,
and he's preaching the word to them
and it has a powerful impact.
And that's what we see in verse 37
where it says,
Now when they heard this,
they were cut to the heart
and said to Peter
and to the rest of the apostles,
Brothers,
what shall we do?
And as we come away
from a communion weekend,
as we come away from again
hearing God's word preached
whether it was last evening
or today,
during the day,
this morning or tonight,
as we come away from this weekend,
what kind of expectations
do we have coming away from it?
How are we coming away
from hearing the word of God
or seeing the sacrament
of the Lord's Supper,
either having taken it
or watched on?
What are our thoughts of God?
Are we as a people
hardening our hearts?
Are we just going to go on
into the week
and carry on
just like any other week,
forgetting what we've heard?
Or is it going to linger with us?
Is it going to pierce
into our own hearts?
Is it going to make us
ask questions of ourselves
and questions of God?
We are reminded constantly
through his word
that God is a God
who is sovereign,
a God who is reigning on high
as we were thinking of last night.
He is a God who is working.
He is a God whose spirit
moves among us at all times.
He is a God we've been encouraged
in seeing the work
he is doing in our own midst here
in calling a people
to himself to profess faith.
He is a God
who promises he will bless.
And as we look to him
and as we trust in him,
that he will bless his people.
There are so many promises
that we can take from his word.
But we have to be faithful to him.
And here Peter is addressing a people
who in many ways
had been in a similar circumstance
to ourselves.
Gathered around and hearing God's word.
But what are they going to do with it?
The purpose Jesus had
for his church in the book of Acts,
as you see,
is that the good news of Jesus Christ
would be proclaimed.
It's wonderful to read
through the book of Acts
because you see the power
of God at work
in so many different ways.
And in some ways,
it can almost make you feel
a little discouraged,
if you like.
For example,
that verse,
the last verse we read,
verse 41,
those who received his word
were baptized
and they were added
that day about 3,000 souls.
When you read that,
you perhaps wish,
if only we could see
these kinds of days just now.
If only here in our midst,
today,
3,000 were added
to the number being saved.
That doesn't mean
we should be discouraged, though.
There is rejoicing in heaven
over one sinner saved.
And so tonight,
we rejoice.
We rejoice that God
is still working,
that God is still active
in our midst.
And not just here,
but throughout our islands,
throughout our nation,
throughout the world.
God is still building
his church,
so we do not lose heart.
And when you think
of the apostles themselves,
Peter and others,
you don't have to look far back
to see a time
when they were discouraged,
a time when they thought
their hope was gone.
Having been with the Lord Jesus
for three years
during his public ministry,
they watched on
as he was crucified,
not understanding
what was happening,
thinking that this was
the end for them.
All their expectations
dashed,
thinking of all the great things
that he was going to do
for them and to them.
But here he was,
their Lord and Savior,
crucified,
put to death
at the hands
of lawless men.
But their hope
was once again realized
when they met
with the risen Lord,
when they saw
that he is alive,
that the pain of,
the power of sin
could not contain,
the power of death
could not have a hold on him.
He is risen.
And so tonight,
as we go on,
as we go forward
from this communion,
we remember too
that he is risen for us.
He is ascended
to the right hand of God,
that he is working
and sovereign.
So how will we come away
this evening
from this time of communion?
There was a great change
that took place
in the apostles,
even Peter himself.
You think how he had
disowned the Lord,
how he had turned away,
denied him three times.
And yet he was asked
that question,
Peter,
do you love me?
You know, Lord,
that I love you,
was his response.
And is that our response today
as we were thinking
of this morning,
the love of Christ,
it asks the question of us,
do we love him?
Do we love him
as his people?
Do we love him
as those who are seeking,
even as those
who are maybe blind to him?
Do we begin to realize
the great love
that he has shown to us
as a people?
So it challenges us,
it rebukes us,
it encourages us,
it does all things for us
as we see God's word
encourage the disciples,
the apostles,
and all his people together.
As we see a word
that convicts people,
as we see a word
that is powerful and active,
it reminds us
that we continue
to proclaim
the good news
of Jesus Christ.
That is a powerful word
that is still
able to save.
So the focus this evening
as we see in verse 37
is how are we going
to respond to this word
coming away
from this weekend?
What kind of response
will we have
and what kind of expectations
will we have
of ourselves
and of our Lord
going forward?
Are our expectations
of ourselves
too high?
Do we expect
of ourselves
to be able
to do everything
to obtain
our own salvation?
Do we have to realize
that these expectations
will never be realized?
Are our expectations
of our Lord
too small?
Do we think
he's not able
to do
all that we see
him doing here
in the word
before us?
He is still able.
In that chapter
we read this morning
in Ephesians
it says
that we pray
and look to the one
who is able
to do abundantly
more than we ask
or imagine.
We are to fix
our eyes
on him.
So what's happening
here?
Well God is at work
through the preaching
of the word
and the power
of the spirit
and what we pray
for is that God
will continue
to work
in this way.
The people here
are convicted.
It says
there in verse 37
when they heard
this
were cut
to the heart
and that's
something you've
heard this weekend
cut to your heart.
Has God
been piercing
you
with his word
in this way?
Ministering to you
in a new way
and reminding you
that when you
have Christ
you have so much.
Don't lose
your focus
from him.
Don't lose
your sense
of expectation
in him.
Don't lose
your urgency
for him
or if you
are seeking
him or even
blind to him
is he cutting
you in the heart
and reminding
you you are
lost without him.
This word
is a powerful
word.
When it says
there that they
were cut
to the heart
pricked to the
heart
it means that
they were
pierced
or stabbed.
There's a sense
of pain
in this word.
It causes
discomfort
and as we
hear God's
word
if we are
not believing
it in its
fullness
then it
causes us
pain.
It should
prick us
to our
heart.
And so
God is
still speaking
and as he
speaks
it calls
for a
response.
A response
from every
one of us.
Will we go
forward
in faith?
Will we put
our trust
in him?
And the
response
that we see
here
we see
it in
three
different
ways.
First of
all we
see the
inquiry
the
inquiring
nature
of the
people.
A people
who had
just before
this sermon
had been
mocking and
joking about
God's people
who had the
spirit poured
out upon
them claiming
that they
were drunk
claiming
them that
they were
crazy out
of their
minds.
Well Peter
says at the
start of
this section
we read
in verse
14
men of
Judea
and all
who dwell
in Jerusalem
let this
be known
to you
and give
ear to
my words
these men
are not
drunk as
you suppose.
He's giving
them a
warning.
He's saying
don't mock
them but
hear what
I have to
say.
And that's
what we are
to do as
we listen
to God's
word.
We are to
hear what
he is
saying to
us.
And Peter
here preached
a powerful
sermon.
A powerful
sermon
calling on
people to
come and
see their
need of
Christ.
And to
come and
see that
he is the
only way
to salvation.
And the
gospel it
always leads
to questions.
It always
leads to us
asking questions.
Sometimes it's
asking questions
of us and
sometimes we're
asking questions
of the gospel.
And perhaps
that's the stage
we're in in our
lives just now.
we're asking
these kinds
of questions
of the
gospel.
Is it
true?
Is this
really
true?
This word
that I've
heard so
often, this
word that
has been
around for
so long,
is it
really
true?
The world
tells me
it's not.
The world
tells me we
don't need
this anymore
so can I
just leave
it aside or
is there
some truth
in here
that I need
to hear?
There is
truth here
for us
all to
hear.
Do I
need it?
Maybe you're
saying that
to yourself.
Yes.
We all
need this
word.
Every one
of us.
We need
to hear
this word
and we
need to
heed
this
word.
Do I
believe it?
It's the
question that
it leads
to as well.
Do I
believe
what this
word is
saying?
Tonight
do you
believe what
you read
in the
word of
God?
Do you
believe in
the Son
of God
the Lord
Jesus
Christ?
The fact
that he
came into
this world
that he
died on
the cross
that he
rose again
that he
is coming
again.
Do you
believe these
things in
your heart?
This word
leads to
inquiry.
It leads
to questions.
But what we
see here is
initially the
people had
no interest.
They had no
interest until
this word
was preached
to them.
A people
who had
gathered to
remember the
Passover.
What
foreshadowed the
Lord's Supper.
They had come
to remember.
But what's
amazing about
it is they
missed the
whole point.
This Christ
who had
represented,
who they
had seen,
who they
had crucified,
he meant
nothing to
them.
They were
oblivious to
the fact that
he was before
them, that
they had
crucified him.
And that's
the way God's
word can
sometimes be
for us.
I pray not,
but today did
you come and
go from here
without thinking,
what does the
bread and the
wine mean?
Has it just
become a ritual
that we go
through?
Has it become
something that we
don't really think
about?
What are we
actually doing?
What are we
remembering
here?
I pray that
today, as we
are reminded
once again,
that it would
be real to
us.
That what we
would have been
thinking wouldn't
have been the
kind of things
that they would
have been
thinking as they
remembered the
Passover.
Probably just
looking ahead to
the week that
lay before them.
Looking ahead to
going back to
their own homes,
going back to
their work,
going back to
their families,
carrying on with
life, making
no impression on
them.
Is that how
we are going
to go away
from here
today?
Once again,
having seen
or taken part
in the Lord's
suburb, but
not realizing
or not letting
it sink in
to us, what
we've done,
what we've
experienced,
what we've
seen, what
God has
said.
It should
lead to us
to ask
questions.
Instead of
meaning nothing,
it should
mean everything.
we came to
remember the
Lord's death
until he
comes.
And the
inquiries that
that leads
to, it
leads to us
asking questions.
When we are
dead in our
trespasses and
sins, as the
word says, when
we know that we
are lost in
this world, we
have all these
questions, where
can we turn?
Well, the
people here, as
they heard this
word, as they
were cut to
the heart, they
said to Peter
and the rest of
the apostles,
brothers, what
shall we do?
And is that the
question on your
heart tonight?
What shall I
do?
There are so
many questions
in the Bible,
but some of the
most powerful
questions are
the personal
questions that
we have to
reply to the
Lord Jesus
himself.
there's two I
want to
highlight.
One is before
us here, the
other is in
Mark chapter
8 and
verse 29.
The question
that Jesus
asks of the
disciples there,
he's saying in
Mark, he's
speaking to them
about what
people are
saying about
who he is.
Some are
saying you're a
prophet, some
are saying you're
Elijah.
There are all
kinds of
opinion on who
Jesus is, just
the same as the
world we live in
today.
All kinds of
opinion about
Jesus.
But Jesus, he
boils it down to
one question.
And he says to
them as he says
to us, but
what about you?
He says, who
do you say
that I am?
And that's the
question we're
asked tonight.
Who do you
say that
Jesus is?
And the
question that
Peter has for
them here as
well, that they
have of Peter
is, what
shall we
do?
When Jesus
asks that
question, who
do you say
that I am?
Surely our
response is what
should be the
same as Peter
who answered
him, who
said, you
are the
Christ, the
Messiah, the
chosen one.
God
has for
him.
And when we
begin to realize who
he is and what
he's done, it
leads to this
second question
that we have
here in verse
37.
As they ask of
him, brothers,
what shall we
do?
The same
question that
later on in the
book of Acts in
chapter 16, the
Philippian jailer
has.
What must I do
to be saved?
That should be
the burning
question in our
hearts tonight.
What must I
do to be
saved?
Because it
comes from
understanding of
who Jesus
is.
And that's
what Peter has
done for them
here.
He has laid
the word of
God bare
before them.
This Jesus,
you crucified,
you put him
to death.
You did all
of this.
Your sins
nailed him
to the
tree.
But God
has raised
him from
the dead.
Look at
verse 22.
He says
there,
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,
this Jesus
delivered up
according to
the definite
plan and
foreknowledge
of God,
you crucified
and killed
by the hands
of lawless
men.
But God
raised him
up.
You
crucified,
he says.
And this
is what leads
them to ask,
brothers,
what shall
we do?
In all
that we hear
from the
word of
God,
is that the
burning question
in your heart
tonight?
What shall
we do?
Well,
from inquiry
we see
here,
it leads
to the
exhortation
of Peter.
In verse
38,
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.
This is
Peter's
response to
them,
exhortation,
what they
must do,
what we
must do.
As we
come away
from this
weekend,
this is a
reminder to
us of
what we
go on
doing,
coming to
the Lord
Jesus,
fixing our
eyes on
him,
repent,
he says.
Turn,
that means,
turn away
from the
direction
you're going,
away from
God and
turn to
him.
Can you
imagine what
it would be
like if no
one listened
to a word
you said?
If anyone
you spoke
to,
anyone you
shouted
to,
they're not
listening to
a thing
that you
say.
Maybe you
think this
is your
experience
even just
now.
Come to
my home
for a
minute,
you think
nobody's
listening to
a word
I'm saying
anyway.
But imagine
if that was
your situation
day after
day.
You're crying
out,
you're shouting
for help,
you're asking
for help
in so many
different
situations,
and no
one is
listening.
Is that
the way
God is
with us?
We may
feel that
no one's
listening
to us,
but there
is a
God
who is.
And that's
what we're
constantly
reminded of
in his
word,
that he
is a
God
who
listens,
and a
God who
hears
the cries
of his
people.
That psalm
that we
were singing
together,
Psalm 116,
a wonderful
reminder there
of a love
for the
Lord.
I love
the Lord
because my
voice and
prayers
heeded
here.
Even when
we feel
no one
else is
listening,
God is
listening.
And that
is Peter's
exhortation
to them
here.
Repent,
be baptized,
turn to
the Lord
Jesus Christ.
God
listens to
the pleas
of his
people.
God
listens to
the cries
of his
people.
and he
will listen
to
yours.
If you
are seeking
the Lord,
the Lord
says,
seek and
you will
find.
Knock and
the door
will be
opened unto
you.
And he's
saying keep
going.
He's
listening.
As a
people,
as God's
people,
do we
give up in
prayer too
easily?
Or do we
keep praying
with that
prayerful
passion?
That he
will listen,
that he
will answer
our prayers.
Again,
as we
come away
from this
weekend,
is to
have that
expectation
that he
will listen,
that he
will hear
my cry.
So here
in verse
38,
Peter is
exhorting
his people.
He is
exhorting
them,
repent and
be baptized.
And if
you do,
there is
this promise
for you
that you
will receive
the gift
of the
Holy Spirit
for you
and your
children
and for
all who
are afar
of,
everyone
whom the
Lord calls
to himself.
And you
notice how
he keeps
going.
It says
in verse
40,
with many
other words
he bore
witness and
continued to
exhort
them,
saying,
save
yourselves
from this
crooked
generation.
It was
the role
of the
apostles,
the early
church,
to go
out and
proclaim
the word
of God.
It's the
privilege of
every preacher
to go out
with the
word of
God,
to exhort
a people,
to plead
with a
people.
And it's
the same
message.
Same
message you
hear from
myself,
you hear from
James,
you hear from
every preacher
who stands
in this
pulpit,
a pleading,
an urgency,
a crying
unto you
who are
lost,
repent
and be
baptized,
every one
of you.
Listen to
what he is
saying.
He says,
save
yourselves
from this
crooked
generation.
salvation.
We live
in a
world that
is
perishing.
We live
as a
people who
are
perishing.
We live
as a
people who
have no
continuing
city here.
The day
will come
when we're
called away.
Our time
will come.
And that is
the urgency
of this
message.
save
yourselves
from this
crooked
generation.
Repent
and be
baptized.
Turn
to the
Lord.
Do not
harden
your
hearts.
Don't let
this become
just a
ritual,
coming into
the place
of God
and going
away
and thinking
nothing of
it.
Hear
what God
is saying.
Hear
that he
is crying
to his
people.
Be saved.
Repent
and turn.
The word
says here
that with
many other
words he
exhorted
them.
And those
who received
his word
it says
in verse
41.
In other
translations
it says
those who
gladly
received
his word.
They were
baptized.
they
believed
they
turned
to
God.
Oh
the joy
of hearing
the voice
of God
and turning
to him.
Listening
to him
and finding
in him
the joy
of salvation.
Finding
in him
the beauty
of this
world
fulfilled
through
Christ.
Because
there is
nothing in
this world
that compares
on the
love of
Christ
to us.
that is
the exhortation
that he
gives to
us again
and again.
And the
exhortation
that I
give to
you tonight
to plead
with you
that if
you are
lost
repent
turn
save
yourselves
from this
crooked
generation
by coming
to the
Lord Jesus.
He hears
your cries.
He will
listen.
and he
will never
turn you
away.
You may
find others
who won't
listen to
a word
that you
say.
But the
Lord will
always listen.
And may
you come
to sing
that song
anew
with more
meaning
than ever
before
to say
I love
the Lord
because my
voice
and prayers
heeded
here.
The final
thing we
see in
this
is that
sense of
expectation.
that
sense of
expectation
that we
should have
in our
hearts
in two
different
ways.
When you
look at
Peter
preaching
this
gospel
to the
people
then
you
wonder
what he
expected
at the
end
of it.
A
people
who had
been
shouting
abuse
one
minute
you
notice
what it
says
in
verse
41
they
received
the
word
gladly
and
were
baptized
and
they
were
added
that
day
about
3,000
souls.
The
wonder
and beauty
of the
power of
the gospel
and we
should never
lose sight
of that.
So two
expectations
that we
should have
coming away
from this
weekend.
First of
all
for those
who may
be seeking
the
Lord
to have
your
expectations
in
him
and not
in
yourself.
You
will never
be good
enough
through
anything
that you
do
but you
can put
your
trust
in the
Lord
Jesus
Christ.
Until
we come
under this
conviction
of the
word
we feel
that we
are good
enough
that we
are all
right as
we are
but this
word
that cuts
to the
heart
is
you're
not.
You're
not all
right
without
Christ.
It's
not all
well
without
him
far
from
it.
There's
a lost
eternity
before
you.
But you
can expect
great things
from God.
You can
have an
expectation
that he
will listen
to you.
That through
his word
he is
speaking to
you.
this word
that cuts
you to
the heart.
But will
you respond?
Will you
listen?
The
pleading
is to
not
harden
your
heart.
Listen
to what
he is
saying
and repent
and believe.
Because what
is more
important to
you?
A few
years in
this world
with the
pleasures that
it offers
and I
lost
eternity
or years
of blessing
by him
in this
world and
an eternity
with him
forever.
Nothing
compares.
So your
expectations
coming away
as a
seeker.
Keep
seeking.
Keep asking.
Keep knocking.
Keep going.
Because he
will listen.
But what
about our
expectation
as believers
as well?
We come
away from
this weekend
and let us
have great
expectations
of what
God can
do.
Great
expectations
that God
is working.
That God
is always
sovereign and
overruling
in all
things.
We may
not see
3,000
souls
converted
here today.
But we
rejoice
in even
one.
Because
remember
that there
is rejoicing
in heaven
over one
sinner
saved.
So remember
God is
at work.
God can
do abundantly
more than
we ask
or imagine.
And may
our expectations
of him
never diminish,
never wane.
He is
able.
The
psalmist
says in
Psalm 62
My soul
wait thou
with patience
upon thy
God
alone.
On him
dependeth
all my
hope and
expectation.
He only
my salvation
is and my
strong rock
is he.
He only
is my
sure
defense.
I shall
not
move it
be.
As one
who believes
in the
Lord Jesus
Christ,
he is the
rock of
your salvation.
He is the
foundation
of your
salvation.
He will
never
let you
go.
Let us
always keep
the Lord
before us.
Let us
always look
unto him
and remember
the powerful
word that
Peter preached
and that saw
3,000 souls
converted.
It's the same
word that we
have in our
hands tonight.
The same
word we have
to share
with the
world around
us.
A word
that is
powerful.
A word
that we
pray many
will hear
and be
cut to the
heart by
and ask
the question
what shall
we do?
And as
they ask
may we be
able to
say
repent
and be
baptized
every one
of you.
Save
yourselves
from this
crooked
generation by
turning to
the Lord
Jesus
Christ
the one
who saved
me
the one
who can
save
anyone.
He is a
precious
saviour.
Let us
set him
before us
constantly
for he
will never
move.
He will
never let
us down.
So let
our expectations
of him
be great.
May the
Lord bless
his word
to us.
We're going
to conclude
by singing
to God's
praise.
The words
that we've
read that
Peter's quoted
in his sermon
there are the
words of
Psalm 16.
We're going
to sing in
the Sing
Psalms
version.
Psalm 16
in the Sing
Psalms version
on page 17
at verse 8
to the end
of the
Psalm.
Before me
constantly
I set
the Lord
alone
because he
is at my
right hand
I'll not
be overthrown.
Therefore
my heart
is glad
my tongue
with joy
will sing
my body
too
will rest
secure
in hope
unwavering.
We'll sing
verse 8
to 11
to God's
praise
in the
Tuna's
Golden
Hill.
Amen.
Before me
constantly
I
send
the
Lord
alone
because
he
is
at my
right
hand
I'll
not
be
overthrown.
throne
The
fall
of my
heart
is
glad
My
town
with
joy
will
sing
My
body
too
be
open
for
forever
His
Trip
and
will
leave
for
You
will
not
allow
For
He
will
Thank you.
Your face will shine.
Amen.
As we're going through to the hall for food in a time of fellowship, I'm going to close
with a word of grace and then the benediction, and I'll go to the door to my left.
Amen.
Gracious Lord in heaven, we do thank you for every provision that you make for us.
We thank you for every blessing that is ours in Christ Jesus.
We thank you for your faithfulness to us, that we are blessed by you, that we have an abundance
of good things.
And we thank you, Lord, for the time we've enjoyed together around your word this weekend,
for the fellowship of your people in different homes.
And as we go through to the hall for our time just now, we pray you'll continue with us and
bless all that's been prepared for us and all who have helped in the preparation of food and
setting up and everything else.
We do thank you, Lord, for all in Christ Jesus.
And now may grace, mercy, and peace from God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide
with us all now and forevermore.
Amen.
Thank you very much.
Amen.