Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

Peter the rock of the church stood up and spoke to all the people to explain the phenomenon which the people were experiencing that day. Peter first of all began by explaining that the disciples were not drunk. Why would people think that they were drunk? First of all they were open and talked freely.

Several of my Japanese friends have told me that the Japanese man does not begin to speak freely until he has had a drink or two. As Christians we do not need to drink because the Holy Spirit frees us. In America people are much more open and willing to talk. Some of this might be cultural but this openness is partly because God frees us from many of our problems and helps us to overcome shyness.

Second drunkenness brings on a kind of temporary happiness. The problem with alcohol is that this joyfulness is only for a short time. When the effect of the alcohol wears off there is a splitting headache and sometimes depression or sickness. Eph. 5:18 says not to be filled with wine but to be filled with the Spirit. When God fills our hearts we have a lasting happiness with no hangover.This happiness is not just a temporary joy but continues on.

When a person begins to depend on alcohol for pleasure there are several other bad effects. First is that drinking destroys brain cells and can also lead to cirrhosis of the liver and other medical problems. Drinking is very expensive not only for health reasons but also financially. The joy that comes from God is the free gift of God who wants to see his children enjoying life and health. Nehemiah said the joy of the Lord is our strength for our everyday life. Alcohol is Satan's attempt to reproduce the joy of the Lord.

Peter explained to the crowd that what they saw was the fulfillment of the prophesy in Joel 2:28-32. Joel prophesied that in the last days God would pour out his Spirit upon all people in the whole world. Sons & daughters, young men and older spiritual leaders. God's servants both male and female will receive the Holy Spirit. The focus or purpose for the Spirit being poured out is not on tongues - that was incidental and only necessary to communicate the most important purpose. That is on proclaiming the work of Christ in all nations.

Joel said that God would pour out his Spirit and that those who received the Spirit of God would prophesy. In the Bible this term means to proclaim the Word of God. This has two functions or meanings. The first that we think about is to tell the future. The second meaning is to proclaim or explain what God has communicated before. This morning's message is prophesy because it is proclaiming the Word of God. Part of this proclamation is that there is a judgement coming and we need to prepare for it. To prepare for God's coming judgement we need to call on the name of the Lord and ask him to forgive us from our sins and be saved.

Joel said that those receive the Spirit of God would see visions and dream dreams. I believe that we all need to have a vision and dream, a plan, for the work which needs to be done to get this message to everyone.

Do you have a vision or a dream of how God could use you to reach the world? God wants to pour out His Spirit upon you so that you have a vision for the expansion of the kingdom of God. He wants to include you in the exciting work of sharing our faith and seeing people changing their way of living - from depression and sadness to joy and rejoicing and hope. Are you using the gifts which God has given you through the power of the Holy Spirit? If you are not then you are not using your spiritual strength and not experiencing the fullness of God.

This fall we hope to begin a new program for telling others about the wonderful grace of Jesus who can give new life to all who call on his name. Perhaps you have never experienced the grace of God. Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Why should we call on the name of Jesus and not Amida Buddha? What does it mean to call on his name?

Peter goes on to explain making three proofs. First: the miracles of Jesus. Second: the death and resurrection of Jesus from the dead and Third: Jesus being at the right hand of God.

Peter did not say that Jesus said many nice things which we should believe and follow. Peter proved that Jesus was God's son by talking about the many supernatural miracles which Jesus performed. Many in Jerusalem had seen and heard the miracles which Jesus did. These were proofs which showed that Jesus had supernatural power and this power was from God and not Satan. When we see or hear of supernatural power the Bible says that we need to be careful to test to see what the source of that power is. Jesus healed people; he drove out evil spirits; and he did many other miracles which showed he had power over nature.

Second Peter explained the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus' death was not just a natural death. All through Jesus' life he did not do wrong. His life was pure, without sin. When Jesus was killed on the cross it was because he was accused of being a criminal. The government usually does not kill innocent people. How was it that Jesus was killed? He died for our sins. In that way he was guilty. Since Jesus died for our sins we no longer have to receive the punishment for those sins if we ask God to forgive us. I am sure that this idea is hard to understand. Many people in Japan will celebrate Obon in a couple of weeks. Many people believe that their ancestors get a couple days of rest from their torture in hell. They are being punished for their sin here on earth. No one knows how long they will continue to suffer. No one needs to suffer the tortures of hell. Jesus has already paid the penalty and suffered for us. If we ask God he will forgive us because Jesus suffered and died for us.

The greatest miracle was that of Jesus coming back from the dead. No other prophet or religious teacher has ever shown power over death. That is why we need to put our faith in Jesus and no other religious leader. Others have a lot of good and interesting teachings but none show that they had God's power to overcome death. The Christian faith is based on the empty tomb. If Jesus was not resurrected from the dead then Christianity would not be anything special. It would be like any other religion.

The Third point Peter made was that Jesus was at the right hand of the Father. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was proof that Jesus was with the Father and Jesus had sent the Holy Spirit as he had promised he would. According to Romans 8:32 Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for those who believe.

The summary of Peter's sermon is found in Acts 1:36. "God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. We too must realize that Jesus is the Lord and the Christ. As Lord he is the master of all things. As the Christ he is the one who was promised in the Old Testament to be the one who was able to forgive our sins and make us right with God. When we are made right with God we can have fellowship with God and experience his power and presence in our lives. It brings a calm and peaceful assurance which nothing else can. We have no fear of death or the future. We know that God is in control of the things that happen in our lives and he will guide us.

The crowd realized the truth of what Peter was preaching and responded by asking what they could do. What will you do with this Jesus and what will you allow the Holy Spirit to do through you?