THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Do you know the original mission statement of Harvard University?
“Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and ... seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him (Prov. 2:3).”
Surprised? When the school was founded in 1636, the administration hired only Christian professors, the formation of Christian character was a top priority for students, and ministers were trained and equipped to share the gospel.
Today, Harvard maintains a legacy of academic excellence, but has lost its original mission—a phenomenon often described as “mission drift.” The university lost sight of its original purpose.
Unfortunately, mission drift happens in the church, as well. As we’ll see in Acts 2, there is a clear, unstoppable message that drives our mission. It’s up to us to stay the course.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Acts 2:22-24
22“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— 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Peter spoke of God’s “definite plan,” yet “lawless men” killed Jesus. In other words, God was in control, but the men involved were held responsible for their deeds. Peter stated these two truths together, unflinchingly and without apology.
As for human responsibility, we can never grasp the meaning of the cross until we understand the depth of our sin and how it separates us from God. Along with the lawless men who crucified Jesus, we all are responsible for Jesus’ death. Once we see ourselves as sinners in need of salvation, we can understand why there had to be a cross—why the cross is vital to our message.
But Jesus didn’t merely die; He rose again. If Jesus had sacrificed His life for us and then remained dead, His would be a poignant story about a martyr. But Jesus is unique in all of history. He is the only person who ever lived, died, and returned to life—never to die again.
Jesus’ death and resurrection are the heartbeat of the gospel message.
Acts 2:32-33,36
32This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33Being 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.
In A.D. 186, Polycarp, a church leader in Smyrna, stood before the Roman authorities and faced a decision. He could proclaim Caesar as lord and live, or he could refuse and die a martyr. For Polycarp, there was no other lord but Jesus. The proconsul weighed Polycarp’s fate and urged him, “Swear, and I will release thee—reproach Christ.”
But Polycarp held fast: “Eighty and six years have I served him, and he never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, who hath saved me?” With that confession, Polycarp was burned alive and pierced with a sword. He died for professing his belief that Jesus alone is Lord.
When the Romans called Caesar kurios, or “Lord,” they were using that term in its highest sense: to signify divinity. They were acknowledging the emperor as their god, since the title denoted absolute sovereignty.
Peter used the same term at the climax of his sermon in Acts 2:36 to describe the absolute sovereignty of Jesus Christ: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” In this sense, Lord is a majestic title, used to show God’s sovereignty and divine power. The word points to the Deity of Jesus; Peter was declaring Jesus is God.
Jesus “exalted at the right hand of God.” With the Father, He sits in the most authoritative, sovereign position in the universe. It’s because Jesus holds this most exalted position that He had the authority to pour out the Holy Spirit along with the signs and wonders people witnessed that day.
Because Jesus is Lord and Messiah:
- He is worthy of our worship. He’s not only worthy of our respect, but also of our worship. He is the One before whom every knee one day will bow (see Phil. 2:10-11).
- He is worthy of our obedience. Because Jesus is Lord and Messiah, He deserves to be sovereign in our lives. He has the absolute right to tell us what to do and expect our complete obedience.
Acts 2:37-38
37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38And 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.”
Peter’s sermon had a devastating impact on his hearers. In the original Greek, Luke’s words mean they were “cut to the heart.” These people were suffering and sorrowing over the sin of having rejected and crucified the Messiah. They were filled with anguish and horror over what they had done.
The goal of biblical preaching is not to make people feel guilty or condemned, but to open their hearts to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Here’s why:
Condemnation brings a general feeling of worthlessness, like a wet blanket. Condemnation
leaves you feeling powerless and immobilized, totally discouraged from changing.
Conviction brings awareness of specific sins, attitudes, and habits in your life that need to be changed. It’s a specific spotlight on areas in need of care. When the Holy Spirit convicts you, He does so with the loving desire that you turn from sin and turn to Christ.
When the people asked, “What shall we do?” Peter was poised and ready with a call to action: “Repent and be baptized.” The word “repent” in the Greek language means to change the way you think about your life and your behavior. It means agreeing that God is right and you are wrong. In essence, Peter told his listeners to repent and reverse the course of their lives.
Notice that baptism is a part of repentance. Peter was calling the crowd to be baptized because their sins had been forgiven. That’s the unstoppable message: Jesus is Lord and Christ, and when we acknowledge Him and turn from our sin, we are forgiven.
LIVE IT OUT
How will the unstoppable message of the gospel influence your life this week? Consider the following options:
- Praise Him. Jesus is worthy of our worship; therefore, set aside a time this week to praise Him in a way that is meaningful to you.
- Share. The message of salvation is for all Christians to share. Pray for opportunities to share the message of Jesus in your everyday conversations. Plan to tell someone this week about the difference Jesus has made in your life.
- Invite others. As you worship Jesus and share the truth of the gospel this week, invite others to join you. Find someone who needs a spiritually mature example and encourage him or her to join with you in following Jesus.
Let’s avoid the dangers of “mission drift,” both in our lives and in our churches. Let’s not forget that the message of Jesus Christ and His salvation is the reason for everything we do.
Teacher's Notes
Video: The Holy Spirit Comes.
Click Here to Watch
You were asked this week in the lesson to think of some things that sidetrack you from your daily plan: What often gets you sidetracked during the day?
- Facebook, watching mindless TV, telephone calls, watching the neighbors across the street, your favorite sports team, sitting down for a cup of coffee, glass of ice tea.
Mission Statements
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg often preaches a mission to "connect the world." The company's official mission is high-minded, if somewhat less ambitious: "Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected."
Ride-hailing app Uber has a similarly simple, bold, mission: "Transportation as reliable as running water, everywhere for everyone."
Twitter's mission is "To give everyone the power to create and share ideas and information instantly, without barriers."
Companies like Facebook, Uber, and Twitter all have fairly recognizable missions for one reason: these companies are doing exactly what their mission statement says they should be doing. This is the reason companies have mission statements – to keep them on track with what they’re supposed to be doing.
Do you know which university this original mission statement is from?
“Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and ... seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let everyone seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him (Prov. 2:3).”
- Harvard University - Are you Surprised? When the school was founded in 1636, the administration hired only Christian professors, the formation of Christian character was a top priority for students, and ministers were trained and equipped to share the gospel. Today, Harvard maintains a legacy of academic excellence, but has lost its original mission—a phenomenon often described as “mission drift.” The university lost sight of its original purpose. Yale is another university that began like Harvard.
Mission Drift
- It’s sad to say but mission drift happens in the church, as well.
- What mission could be greater than to go and spread the news about Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth? This was last week’s lesson – unstoppable mission.
- Very often, the church can get sidetracked from its original mission. Peter declared the mission of the church this week through his unstoppable message in Acts 2.
I. Jesus Died and Rose Again to Bring Salvation - Acts 2:22-24 (HCSB)
Listen for the facts about Jesus.
“Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it.
Everything that happened to Jesus was under God’s control. His plans were never disrupted by the Roman government or the Jewish officials.
What did Peter say about the life on earth of Jesus of Nazareth?
- He was a man, pointed out (approved) to us by God.
- He did miracles, wonders, signs – you know because you witnessed them.
- God did these things through Him
What do these verses say about how God was in control of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection?
- He was “delivered up” according to God’s plan and foreknowledge, even though lawless people nailed Him to the cross and killed Him. God then raised Him up from the dead.
- Jesus’ resurrection proved He really was who He claimed to be.
- Peter cited it as a fulfillment of David’s prophecy (Psalm 16:10).
- It fulfilled Jesus’ own predictions.
What are the essentials of the gospel message?
1. God loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with every one of us.
2. However, we are all sinful and cannot initially experience a relationship with God.
3. Jesus Christ, is the Son of God, came to this earth as a human to deal with the sin problem.
4. Jesus was crucified and died, taking upon Himself the death penalty that we deserved.
5. Jesus makes it possible for us to be forgiven from our sins.
6. He rose from the dead, and offers us a new life, freeing us from the penalty and power of sin.
7. We experience this new life by confessing our sinful condition, repenting from sinful actions and attitudes, and receiving by faith God’s promised forgiveness.
Peter began with a public proclamation of the resurrection at a time when it could be verified by many witnesses. This was a powerful statement, because many of the people listening to Peter’s words had been in Jerusalem 50 days earlier at Passover and may have seen or heard about the crucifixion and resurrection of the “great teacher.” Jesus’ resurrection was the ultimate sign that what He said about Himself was true. Without the resurrection, we would have no reason to believe in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:14).
Point: The focus of the Christian message is Jesus.
God gave His approval to Jesus and proved Him to be more than a mere man. The atoning death of Jesus on the cross was not incidental but according to God’s plan. God conquered death by raising Jesus from the dead. God’s power is greater than death.
II. Jesus is Exalted as Lord - Acts 2:32-33 (HCSB)
Listen for all that happened to Jesus
“God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear.
What testimony of the apostles did Peter give?
- God resurrected Jesus from the dead and many people saw this. The apostles were eyewitnesses. All of the apostles and the people that were with them had seen Jesus after He rose from the dead. Most of them were skeptical when they saw the empty tomb. Even after Jesus appeared to them, He had to convince them it was really Him. The apostles were willing to die for this belief. These same apostles had once deserted Jesus, but were now boldly proclaiming His resurrection. People will die for a lie if they believe it to be true, but few people will die for what they know is a lie. Example: Chuck Colson served as special counsel for President Nixon, and he often contrasted the disciples with the men who worked in the Nixon White House. He recalled the day President Nixon instructed his men to keep a lid on the Watergate scandal. Less than three weeks later, John Dean cut a deal with the special prosecutor to tell what he knew. Others soon followed suit. As Colson pointed out, they were the most powerful men in the world, but they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks! If the disciples of Jesus were not telling the truth, then they were better liars than those who served the Nixon White House.
Where is Jesus now, according to Peter?
- Exalted to the right hand of God, a place of honor, a position of authority.
- He is the Lord of lords, the King of kings.
- He has the right to be our leader and rule in our lives.
What do we learn from this passage about the Holy Spirit?
- Sent by God the Father, promised by Jesus.
- It was the Holy Spirit who accomplished the miracles they had recently seen and heard.
- “He has poured out what you both see and hear” could be paraphrased, “gave Jesus the authority to send the Holy Spirit, with the results you are seeing and hearing today.”
What are the personal implications of recognizing Jesus as Lord? How about worldwide implications?
- He has the right to tell us what to do.
- He can expect our obedience, and He deserves our obedience.
- He wants to be in control of our lives.
- We can trust Him to direct us wisely.
- He is in control of the world.
What can cause people to struggle with the certainty that Jesus is Lord?
- Wanting to run their lives.
- Having other things in their lives that are more important to them than God. We might not have wood, stone, or metal idol images in our culture, but we do have things in our lives that take the place of God - sports, relationships, cars, hobbies, desire for power, money, etc. can be idols.
Point: By faith, we bear witness of the truth that Jesus lives!
The Father exalted the Son, Jesus, to a place of honor and glory at His right hand. In Christ, the Holy Spirit is poured out on all who believe. We can know with certainty that the crucified Jesus has been raised as Lord and Christ.
III. The Message of Christ Calls for a Response - Acts 2:36-38 (HCSB)
Listen for people’s response.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!” When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
How did the hearers respond to Peter’s words?
- They were convicted.
- Asked Peter and the other apostles “what must we do?”
- Wanted to know what they should do in response to these truths.
What did Peter tell his audience to do?
1. Repent of your sins.
2. Receive the forgiveness Christ has provided.
3. Be baptized in Jesus’ name to demonstrate what God has done in your life.
4. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Describe the differences between condemnation and conviction.
Condemnation
- Tells what you have done wrong.
- Declares you are a bad person.
- Implies you cannot become a good person.
- Causes a feeling of worthlessness.
- Can paralyze you from realizing God’s love, and plan for you.
- Leaves you feeling powerless, immobilized.
Conviction
- Convince you of your sinful condition
- Brings awareness of specific sins, attitudes, habits that need to be changed
- Encourages you to turn from sin, turn to Christ
- Convince you of Christ’s forgiveness
- Convince you to do something about it (to receive that forgiveness)
- Motivates you to change
As we share the gospel, how can we work toward the goal of conviction rather than condemnation?
- Focus on what Jesus has done.
- Focus on forgiveness available through Him.
- Emphasize Jesus’ love.
We must respond:
1. Repent. To repent means more than just being sorry for one’s sins. It also involves a willingness to forsake one’s sins. Repentance is necessary for salvation (Luke 13:3; Acts 20:19 - 20).
2. Be baptized. Baptism identifies us with Christ and with the community of believers. It is a condition of discipleship and a sign of faith. Some people argue that baptism is necessary for the remission of one’s sins. If such is the case, then the death of Jesus was either unnecessary or insufficient. Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized (Acts 10:44-48). Jesus commanded us to be baptized. On the other hand, can you truly call Jesus your Lord if you refuse to obey Him?
Point: The Word of the Lord delivered in the power of the Spirit brings conviction and calls for a personal response of repentance.
Repentance leads to baptism as a public confession of one’s faith. God pours out His Spirit on those who repent of their sins and confess that Jesus is the Christ.
The message demands a choice.
The message is this: Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord.
LIVE IT OUT
After Peter’s powerful, Spirit-filled message, the people were deeply moved and asked, “What shall we do?”
This is the basic question we all must ask. It isn’t enough to be sorry for our sins – we must let God forgive them, and then we must live like forgiven people.
The message matters! Without the message of Jesus, the church cannot exist. Without a message, the mission fails. When the mission fails, Christ is dishonored. Believers need to understand the message and to be able to articulate it clearly. When that message of salvation is proclaimed, it will make an eternal difference in the lives of those who receive it by faith. It is a message of salvation that will not stop!
Are you able to share the message of salvation based on the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus Christ?
Hope to see you this Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
