This Jesus, Acts 2:22-36

 

The birth day of the Church was anything but boring.

The sound of a rushing mighty wind.

The sight of tongues of fire resting on each of them.

Rednecks and common folk speaking the wonderous works of God, like linguistic scholars from every nation under heaven.

A fisherman named Peter stood up and gave his very first recorded sermon which could be titled, “Hey Ya’ll, Listen Up, We Ain’t Drunk!”.

Before he’s done 3,000 folks are saved.

He started his message pointing to the prophet Joel, who was pointing to God, who was telling how He would reveal Himself through His people and in His creation, by pouring out His Spirit, and showing wonders in the heavens above, and signs in the earth below.

Then, Peter swings the spotlight straight to Jesus.

Which is where we drop into his powerful sermon today.

 

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

God reveals Himself, in Person.

Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God.

God attested, confirmed, approved, endorsed, Jesus of Nazareth. Each miracle, each wonder, each sign, Jesus did, was God’s seal of approval; His endorsement of Jesus. Like Him saying, I AM God and I approve this Message.

23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;

Now, the Holy Spirit, uses Peter to clarify many things that confuse many people.

Here we see God’s Divine Eternal Purpose working through the lawless hands of man.

God knew it would happen, but did not make it happen.

They were lawless hands, not, forced hands.

They willingly took, willingly crucified, willingly killed, the Lord of glory.

God plays by all the rules. Man breaks all the rules. Yet, in the end, God still wins.

Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:8.

God is Love. 1 John 4:8,16.

God’s Divine Justice demands He follow Divine Rules of Engagement.

In other words, He willingly works within the willingness, and obedience (or disobedience, lawless hands), of man.

(Sunday, we were introduced to this in Genesis 22 with Abe offering Isaac)

Here we see it again, God navigates His Divine Plan, without negating, (removing) man’s responsibility, culpability, accountability. God’s plan, doesn’t take man, off the hook.

Understanding this keeps at bay unwarranted anger toward God.

You see, in God’s eternal foreknowledge, He searched the maze of humanity and saw a path that would lead to the other side; to redemption, to restoration... after the fall. 

Along this path were (and still are) many ups and downs.

To name a few…

There was a time when the world went dark, the entire earth became wicked, every thought and intent in the heart of man was only evil.

It was doomed for destruction.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah willingly, by faith, obeyed, and built the ark. Genesis 6:8-22.

So, God was able to work His way a little further through the maze.

Abraham and Sarah, an old man with a barren wife, willingly by faith, received the Promise, which would eventually birth the Seed that that would lead, to Salvation being made available (not forced) to the entire planet.

Oh, and there’s Abe & Sarah’s great grandson, the guy who had the coat of many colors.

Joseph was a man attested, favored, by God. But not by his brothers. They were jealous and cast him into a pit and then sold him into slavery.

Nevertheless, Joseph chose to willingly, walk by faith.

God granted him favor and wisdom and promoted him to second in command over all of Egypt. Through years of famine, the betraying brothers went to Egypt for assistance. Upon realizing Joseph was in charge, they thought they were dead. But Joseph said: What you meant for harm God meant for good; to save many people alive this day; Genesis 50:20.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, willingly, by faith, received the Seed, when she said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. Luke 1:38.

 Jesus, willingly, by faith, yielded, praying to His Father, “Not My will but Thine.” Luke 22:42.

And so, He was delivered into lawless hands to be crucified and put to death.

And with that, the Lord became the blood path, the scarlet thread, the Way through the maze of humanity.

From the Garden of Eden, to the Garden Tomb; which was only borrowed for the weekend because He is…

24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

God raised Him up.

Nothing could stop this.

No lawless hands. Not all the rules of the religious. Not all the demons of hell. Not all the might of the Roman empire.

You see, the wages of sin, is death. But Jesus was sinless. So, it was not possible for death to hold Him. For it had nothing on Him.

Therefore, Divine Eternal Justice, demanded He be raised and eternally pardoned.

Yet, His death was not in vain, it was used to pay the wages of sin; not His, but ours.

According to God’s Divine Justice, a substitutionary sacrifice was acceptable per the precedent set, back in Eden, just after the fall.

The blood of animals was shed, by God, and coats were made, by God, to cover (temporarily) the sin, shame, and nakedness, of Adam and Eve.

Now, this final time the blood was God’s and thus the covering, forever.

Yes, the wages of sin is death, BUT, the Gift of God, is Eternal Life, through Christ Jesus. Romans 6:23.

Peter camps on this theme of Christ’s resurrection for several verses and confirms what he’s saying by pointing to the words of king David written into Scripture about 700 years prior.

25 For David says concerning Him:

‘I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover, my flesh also will rest in hope.

27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.  28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

Peter quotes from, Psalm 16:8-11.

King David, rejoiced, was glad, and rested in hope, foreseeing the resurrection of the Lord, the Messiah, the Christ Jesus.

Which is what Peter will explain, next.

29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

Peter tells them that king David is dead and gone; his tomb is right over there.

30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,

King David knew, they all knew, that the Messiah would come from the line of David. Which, Jesus did, both Joseph (stepdad, really) and Mary were descendants of David.

31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

Peter tells them plainly that David was talking about the resurrection of the Messiah, the Christ, and that His soul would not stay in hell, nor would His body decay in the grave.

It’s interesting to note that Jesus rose from the grave after three days. And the Jews believed that after four days is when the flesh began to decay.

32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

This Lord, this Messiah, this Christ, that God raised up, is… this Jesus!

And we know it’s true because we all saw Him with our own eyes!

33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Now Peter transitions from resurrection to ascension.

Jesus was not only raised from the grave, but also raised from the earth.

He ascended back Home, to His rightful throne.

From there, as promised, He poured out His Holy Spirit; John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7.

Friends, the rushing mighty wind, the tongues of fire, the other tongues, the signs, the wonders, all of it…

This is that, which Joel prophesied about, David talked about, Jesus poured out.

This is that which you now see and hear.

 

34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:  ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

Now Peter quoted king David from, Psalm 110:1.

This Psalm is quoted or referred to more than any other in the New Testament; 25-30 times.

The LORD (God the Father) said to my Lord (the Son, the Messiah), “Sit at My right hand...”

David did not ascend, but the Lord, the Messiah, the Christ, did, and sat at God’s right hand; indicating the Lord, the Messiah, is God.

Peter connected all the dots. Walked them through the maze of Old Testament prophets, and left them standing, staring, straight into the face of… this Jesus.  

So, right about now they’re freaking out. Oh my, we killed… this Jesus.

Peter drives the point home.

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

God has made, this Jesus, you, (not just them, but all of us, too) crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Savior and Lord.

The crowd was cut to the heart and asked, “What shall we do.”

Great question. Lord willing, that’s what we’ll look at next time. In the meantime, let’s pray.

 

Dear Jesus, thank You for leaving Your throne, to walk the bloody path through the maze of mankind; knowing You’d be rejected and ridiculed, scourged and crucified, by us, the ones You came to save.

Thank You, our Lord and Christ.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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Abraham Offers Isaac, Genesis 22:1-19

 

You experience your share of disappointments and delays, but after decades of working and waiting you finally reach your golden years.

Now it’s time to settle into retirement, spoil grandkids, snowbird, swim, golf, bingo, bean bags, bocce ball, pickle ball, shuffle board, have fun being bored, eat, and eat some more.

But then, the unthinkable happens.

God tells you to give it all up. He has a job for you to do. He hands you a test; the toughest test you’ve ever taken.

Yeah but, God, I’m retired. I’m done doing stuff, especially taking tests. I’m relaxing. I’ve earned it. I’m tired. It’s my time.

God says, I’m not through with you.

That’s where we drop into Abraham’s story today.

After decades of disappointments and delays, they finally got what they’d been waiting for. The promise finally arrived. Isaac was born. By now, he’s actually grown into a fine young man.

God says, you’re not through, there’s still work to do, and He hands Abraham the toughest test he’s ever taken.

22 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

And it came to pass after these things, tells us some time had passed after the prior events; Isaac’s weaning, Hagar and Ishmael’s leaving, the peace treaty with Abimelech; and Abraham planting a memory, a tamarisk tree by Beersheba, the well of seven. Genesis 21.

God tested Abraham. This test was to reveal the faith developed in Abraham over the decades.

Tests from God are for the purpose of promotion.

Abraham, God called.

Here I am, responded, Abraham. Remember that phrase; he will repeat those three little words, three times today.

2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Your only son Isaac.

Ishmael and his mom are gone, sent away years ago. Genesis 21:14.

Isaac remains.

Isaac is the only son, promised by God. Genesis 17:21, 21:12.

Isaac is the one and only begotten son, uniquely called and qualified to carry the seed of Abraham (Hebrews 11:17-18) to the Seed, Jesus Christ—the One who will bless all nations of the earth.  Genesis 12:13, 18:18.

Whom you love. This is the first mention of this word, love (Hebrew: aheb). In context, this shows a loving father willing to give his only begotten son. Ring any bells? John 3:16.

Go to the land of Moriah. This was the land that would become the area of Jerusalem.

On one of the mountains which I shall tell you. Go to the land of Moriah, then, I will show you the specific place, when you get there.

This will be the place, where about 2,000 years later, the only begotten Son of God, is sacrificed, on a place called Calvary.

Offer him as a burnt offering. Abraham, slay your son, and then burn his body on an altar, as a sacrifice.

Human sacrifice, was not uncommon among the heathen of that area and era.

But this was unheard of among those who served Elohim, the God of Creation, God Almighty.

However, we’re told in Hebrews 11:17-19; By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ₁₈ of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” ₁₉ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

Because way back before Isaac was born, Abe and God already established that:

3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

Abraham rose early. Abraham obeyed right away.

Abraham saddled, Abraham split, Abraham went. Abraham had hundreds of servants, yet he did not delegate to others what God had delegated to him.

Arose and went to the place. Abraham did not hesitate or deviate from God’s command.

He did not make an alternate plan. He’s already tried that, repeatedly. It always caused more trouble than it was worth.
   

4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.

On the third day. For 3 days they journeyed, for 3 days Isaac was as good as dead. Like the 3 days Jesus body was as good as dead, in the tomb.

Saw the place, afar off.  Abraham saw the place God had chosen from afar.

God saw the place from even further, from all the way back, in the Garden of Eden, just after the fall. Genesis 3:15.

He chose the place as ground zero, where the price would be paid in full, where He could cry from a cross, tetelestai! It is finished!

From that moment, back in the beginning, back in the garden, He searched every avenue of mankind. Like searching through the maze of humanity for one path that would lead to the other side.

The Blood Path. The Scarlet Thread, of Redemption.

His Divine Justice demands He follow Divine Rules of Engagement.

In other words, He willingly works within the willingness, and obedience, of man.

The world was doomed, it had come to a dead end, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah willingly, by faith, obeyed, and built the ark. Genesis 6:8-22.

So, God was able to work His way a little further through the maze.

Abraham and Sarah, willingly by faith, received the Promise, which would eventually birth the Seed that would save the planet.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. Luke 1:38.

Then Jesus prayed, “Not My will but Thine.” Luke 22:42.

And with that the Lord made a Way through the maze, from womb to tomb, and back to Life, forever more.

5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

Young men and lad, are the same word in the original text. In Hebrew it means, boy, youth or young man or young men.

Abraham told the young men, to stay with the donkey, while he and his young man (Isaac), went yonder to worship.

So, Isaac was probably in his late teens, or early twenties. Some suggest early thirties (perhaps the age of Jesus on the cross).

Don’t miss the next, powerful, faith-filled, phrase.

We will come back to you.

We.

Remember Hebrews 11:19; Abraham believed God was able to raise Isaac up, even from the dead.

Abe simply believed, if he was willing and obedient, God would keep His promise.

Oh no, whaddya gonna do if your dream dies? your promise doesn’t pan? Then what? How’s that gonna work?

I don’t know. It’s not my job to figure it out. It’s God’s.

My job is to simply trust and obey. The results are up to God.  

Obedience brings understanding.

I’m not going to worry about, or figure out. I’m just gonna walk out, each day, with God. One step. One breath. At. a. time. period.

Smile real big and say in the mirror, or say to your neighbor:

And then, feel a world of worry lift off your shoulders.

6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.

Abe took the wood and laid it on his son. Just as God, would allow an old rugged cross to be laid on the raw, bloody, back, of His Son.

All the while the fire of the Holy Spirit burned in His hand; so at any time He could've called it off, destroyed the world, and set Himself free.

Yet, instead, willingly they went, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. Together they walked up the steep via Delarosa, the way of suffering, the place of the skull, Golgotha’s hill, the place called Calvary.

Like Abraham and son had done on that same rock, called Mount Moriah, so many years prior.

The Roman soldier held the nails.

Abraham held the knife.

Both meant to pierce the skin and take the life of an innocent man, an innocent Lamb.

But God meant it to give Life, to all, by way of the Lamb.

 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”

And he said, “Here I am, my son.”

The second time today we hear Abraham say, “Here I am.”

The first time was to God. This time is to Isaac, his son. He will say it once more to God.

Each time, it’s a great answer. We all should use it too.

To God, the Great I AM. Here, I AM. It’s an invitation. I’m not hiding, I’m listening. Where I am, You are welcome.

To Isaac. Here I am, my son. I’m present. I’m with you. I’m paying attention to you. I’m looking you in the eye. I’m listening to you.

Your presence is the greatest present.  God reminds us of this every Christmas.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23.

Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”

Isaac’s first ever recorded words form a timeless and powerful question.

Where is the lamb?

His dad will answer in part, in a moment.

John the Baptist will answer in whole, about 2 millennia later, as he points to Jesus and says, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. John 1:29.   

8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.

Abraham answers in part, and prophetically.

God will provide for Himself a lamb; which we’ll see in a moment.

And, God will provide Himself, as the Lamb; which would happen about 2,000 years from that moment; and did happen about 2,000 years from this moment.

We live in interesting times, my friends.

From where we sit to Abraham—the cross sits right smack dab in the middle.

The two of them went together. Once again, we see harmony, no one forced or coerced. Which is characteristic of our Lord’s Love; liberty and life.   

9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.

The specific place, where one day the altar would be a cross, the Son would be God’s, and what bound Him would be, not rope, not nails, but… Love.

Did you notice, we’re missing a major part of the conversation? What happened between building the altar, placing the wood, and, binding Isaac his son?

What did he say? How did Isaac respond?

All we know is that Abe was over 100, and Isaac was probably in the prime of his life.

So, for this to happen, it appears that Isaac, not only carried the wood, like Jesus carried the cross; but also, like Jesus, he willingly laid down his life.
 

10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

Abraham didn’t know what was about to happen.

Nevertheless, he proceeded to go through with what God had asked him.

Just as Jesus had said, “Not My will but Thine” and willingly went through what God had asked of Him.

Abe was not only willing, but also obedient.

He raised the knife…

Remember Hebrews 11:19; Abraham believed God was able to raise Isaac from the dead.

11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”

The Lord called from heaven, Abraham, Abraham, to stop the crushing blow of death from coming down upon the son.

However, the next time, the time that this time foreshadows, the Lord cries, from the cross, My God, My God, and the crushing blow of sin and death is not stopped, but comes down hard with the weight of all the world, upon the Son of God, the Lamb who takes...our place.
 

So he said, “Here I am.”

Once again, for the 3^rd time, on this 3^rd day, Abraham says, “Here I am.”

All at once, answering and praying.

Here I am!

And…

Here! I AM! Come quickly, Oh Great I AM, deliver us from this sentence of death.

12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

This test was to reveal to us, the faith of Abraham and Isaac, not to reveal to God any new information.

He already knew, exactly what would happen—but He wanted us to see and know and be part of the action.

Tests from God are for the purpose of promotion.

To test and prove and cause us to grow. So, don’t fear them, or avoid them, welcome them, with joy. James 1:2-4

So, basically God was saying:

This was only a test of the emergency broadcasting system. If this were thee actual emergency—I would’ve taken your place.  

Which I will do, in about 2,000 years.

But for now, well done, Abe and son.

Oh, by the way, look over there.  

13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.

The ram, reflects what will happen on that same spot several years later when the Lamb of God, takes our place, to take away our sins, the sins, of the world.

If you’re reading this or hearing this, you have Jesus to thank; our sinless, spotless, Lamb of God.

14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

The LORD Will Provide. Hebrew: Yhvh raah (yeh-ho-vaw  raw-aw).

We say it like this: Jehovah Jireh.

On that mount the Lord provided a ram for Abraham and Isaac, and the Lamb, for you and me.  

Thank You, Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.

 

¹⁵ Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, ¹⁶ and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—

Because He could swear by no greater, He swore by Himself. Hebrews 6:13-14.

Because you have done this… Abe’s deeds made a difference.

Have not withheld, in other words, because you have put God first before all else, even your son, your only son.

The New Testament counterpart sounds something like this: Seek first God’s Kingdom, and all these other things, will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.

17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

Abe’s actions (and ours) affect all those God’s given us, for generations.

God kept His promise. Today Abraham’s descendants through Isaac, include about 15 million Jews and the nation of Israel. Also, another 436 million Arabs through Ishmael (and brothers), and 22 nations.

That’s not all.

2.4 billion Christians call Abe the father of their faith.

2 million orthodox Jews do the same.

As well as, 1.9 billion muslims.

All this, through one old man who had a barren wife.

Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

The seed is, the Seed, Jesus Christ.

This is the first mention of the word, “obeyed.”

Because, you have obeyed My voice. God noticed and rewarded, Abe for his actions, not just his good intentions, beliefs, or feelings.

Actions have everlasting impact.

Faith without action, is dead.

James 2:21-22; Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

 

19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

Abe and Isaac returned together just as Abraham had said.

We know that, but notice, it doesn’t say that. Isaac, is not mentioned.

He seems to disappear after his “resurrection.”

We don’t see him again until he comes again, to unite with his Bride; Genesis 24.

Is the Holy Spirit whispering a message about Christ’s leaving after His resurrection, and then returning for His Bride?

Not sure. Let’s ask when we get Home.

For now, let’s pray.

Lord, thank You for preparing, and portraying, Your plan so perfectly, in so many different ways. So, all can see, and hear, and follow, Your Divine Eternal Purpose.

According to Your Divine Eternal Justice, we all deserve eternal punishment.

Yet, according to Your Divine Rules of Engagement, You found a way through the maze of humanity, to become the Way, and satisfy Your Divine Justice.

For this, we humbly bow, in awe, and…

Love You, forever.

Amen.  

 

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

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Peter the Preacher, Acts 2:14-21

 

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.

Something that has never happened, just happened.

The Holy Spirit came like a rushing mighty wind, and tongues of fire.

All those waiting as one, as Jesus commanded, were filled with His Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues.

And then something that always happens, happened.

Peter stood up and raised his voice.

Like the time in…

Matthew 14:28. Peter stood in the boat, in the storm, raised his voice. Jesus, if it’s really You, call me to walk on the water too. Jesus called and Peter walked, until he sank, like his namesake—rock.

Matthew 16:22-24. Jesus had just told them God’s plan about Him being arrested, crucified. Peter stood, raised his voice, and rebuked Jesus. Far be it from You, that will never happen. Jesus rebuked Peter. Get behind me satan.

Matthew 17:4. Jesus is glowing, speaking with Moses and Elijah. Peter, not knowing what to say, but had to say something; so he interrupts. Lord, it’s good for us to be here, do You want me to build three tabernacles; one for You, one for Mo, and one for Elijah? God interrupts Peter, and basically tells him to shut up, sit down, and listen to Jesus.

We could go on. We haven’t even mentioned the three times he denied Him.

Peter stood up, and spoke up and messed up… a lot. And yet, he kept getting back up.

Jesus knew this, and saw this, because He sees the end from the beginning. And He told Peter, “satan desires to sift you like wheat; but I’ve prayed for you. After you return, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31.

And there’s the time Peter rose up, and spoke up, and said, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Matthew 16:16. (That revelation came directly from God.)

Proverbs 24:16. Though the righteous fall seven times, yet shall they rise again…

Don’t give up, get back up.  

God specializes in making messengers, out of messes.

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

Some heard in their native language, the wonderful works of God being spoken by those who were speaking in tongues.

However, others may have heard them speaking in tongues; and mocked, claiming they were drunk.

Peter stood up, spoke up, (of course), and said, it’s too early to be drunk, it’s only 9:00 (for some—that’s not a very convincing argument).

 Nevertheless, on the birth day of the Church, this is how the very first sermon began.

So, the very first sermon title for all Christianity might be something like this:  

Listen Up, We’re Not Drunk.

Which sets a precedent.

The Church is to be different.

If you’re saved, filled with His Holy Spirit—you change. You act different, talk different, walk different, think different, look different. You are different.

2 Corinthians 5:17; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

By the Holy Spirit, be bold and courageous. No liquid courage needed. God is love and perfect love casts out all fear. 1 John 4:8-18.

By the Holy Spirit, Love with no inhibitions. Mind numbing spirits, unnecessary. Ephesians 5:18; Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:

This is that…

To silence the critics, and bring clarity to the situation, Peter says, this is that, and points back to the writings of the prophet Joel 2:28-32.

Then, like a master theologian this redneck fisherman gracefully glides through Scripture, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Peter not only silenced the critics, by wielding the Word, but by the time he was done, 3,000 souls were saved.

About three years prior, Jesus silenced the serpent, by wielding the Word like a master swordman with a two-edged Sword.

“You’re hungry”, hissed the serpent, “turn these stones into bread.”

“It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God,” Jesus replied, slicing the devil’s words to ribbons.

The devil wasn’t done. “Prove You are the Son of God, jump off the pinnacle of the temple, for it is written He shall give His angels charge over You, lest You dash Your foot against a stone.”  

Jesus wasn’t tricked a bit, “It is written, do not put the Lord your God to a foolish test.”

Then, satan went too far, he always does, because his power-lust knows no bounds. From a high mountain he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth. “If You’ll bow down and worship me, I’ll give it all to You.”

Jesus had enough. "Away with you satan, for it is written you shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve!"

Matthew 4:1-11.

Jesus used the Word of God.

Peter used the Word of God.

We need to use the Word of God.

Lord, we pray You cause us to crave, Your Word; food for our soul, over food for our body.

 

17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

Says God… Peter is quoting Joel, who is quoting God.

Last days… From Jesus’ first coming to His second coming, are the last days.

Back then, was the start of the last days.

Now today, we're at the end of the last days.

From Adam to Abraham was about 2,000 years.

From Abraham to Jesus was about 2,000 years.

From Jesus to us, it has been almost 2,000 years.

There’s coming seven years of hell on earth, during the Great Tribulation (pray none of us are here for that).

That’ll be followed by 1,000 years of Peace on earth good will toward men when Jesus rules and reigns from Jerusalem.

After that the judgement. New heaven and earth. Time will be no more. Eternity begins.  

Many believe the creation week reflects the lifespan of creation. Six days of work, the seventh day of rest. 6,000 years of work, 1,000 years of rest.

By looking at the signs, and the calendar, it appears we’re at the very end of the last days.

Can you hear the sound of a rushing mighty wind? It’s closer now than it’s ever been. Can you almost hear the trumpet, as Gabriel sounds the chord? As the Father says, Son, go get Your children.

Is your house in order? It won’t be long, and we’ll be going Home.

 

17 …That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.

I will pour…

This is God revealing Himself through His people.

Notice in each verse He repeats, I will pour out My Spirit.

This is that, outpouring Joel prophesied about. Joel 2:28-32.

This is that, Holy Spirit, Jesus repeatedly told them about, prepared them to meet.

This is that, Holy Spirit, still available today, that Jesus promises the Father will give, to those who ask. Luke 11:9-13.

The Holy Spirit is not new. He’s been around forever, since He’s God.

Up to that point, only select people encountered the Holy Spirit. David prayed, “Cast me not away from Your Presence, take not Your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11.

After that point, the Holy Spirit is poured out, (available), to all flesh. Not just some kings and prophets. But all flesh, males, females, sons, daughters, young, old, rich, poor, menservants, maidservants.

Also notice in both verses, He repeats that they shall prophesy.

Over one-fourth of the Bible is prophecy; telling of things to come. Everything that it predicted would happen, did happen just as it said; in its time. The Bible’s not done. Some things haven’t happened, yet. But make no mistake, they will, just as it says.    

Remember, Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would tell them things to come. John 16:13.

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is, prophecy. 1 Corinthians 12:10.

In a broad and general sense (not the specific gift of prophesy), simply walking close to God gives a sense of what’s coming. Not necessarily specific future details, but promptings to preprayer in specific areas.

It’s powerful and comforting to know that the One you walk with knows, exactly what’s around the next bend.

 

19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

I will show…

This is God revealing Himself through His creation.

About 800 years prior, Joel foretold of this, it’s the passage Peter is quoting.

About 53 days prior, many, if not all of them, saw the sun go black from noon to 3:00, while Jesus hung on the cross as the Passover Lamb. Luke 23:44.

A few weeks prior, we opened this chapter, it seemed to be God’s Divine timing, because it was then the whole nation was talking about the sun turning black, from a total eclipse of the sun.

The Lord kicked off the last leg of this journey, on this planet, as we know it, by saying, I will pour… I will show…

And He’s been pouring and showing ever since, for nearly 2,000 years.

Pouring His Holy Spirit, His gifts, His fruit, through His people.

Showing His wonders, His signs, His glory, every sunrise, every sunset, day after day after day.

Revealing Himself with many infallible proofs, to woo us, and warn us, and prepare us, for eternity.

So, in summary, the Lord kindly, lovingly, told them of things to come. He gave them a preview of what He was going to do, what was going to happen.

Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

That refers to the last step of this last leg.

It’s the seven-year step called, the Great Tribulation.

It appears to be almost here.

One of the end time signs Jesus told us about, is in all of our headlines today:  The blazing hatred for the Jews.

John 16:2, They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.’

After His preview, of pouring and showing, and signs and wonders, He swings the door wide open with a great big grin and invites us in:

Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.

We’re in a new era folks.

Now, salvation comes not by being blameless, spotless, without blemish, as required by the law.

No one could ever do that.

So, blameless spotless, without blemish, lambs were slain, year after year, lamb after lamb, blood after blood, to cover, temporarily, their sin.

Until, at last, One, perfect, blameless, spotless, without blemish, Lamb showed up, and willingly died, sacrificed His own perfect sinless life, to pay the price for our soiled, sinful life.

Once and for whosoever calls on the name of the LORD.

Let’s pray

Lord Jesus, thank You for pouring out, showing up, and becoming the Perfect Passover Lamb, to pay the price, to wash away, our sin.

We want to be among those watching and waiting and standing like Peter, filled with Your Spirit.

Have Your way Lord, in our lives, so that You will be well pleased.

We love You, forever

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.