Spurling Silver: 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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