(If you haven’t read Part I of Filled with the Spirit please do so now)
Introduction
“Peter, standing with the eleven…”
Let us look at everything that has happened thus far: after the ascension, the disciples waited together; they were together when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. When Peter addressed the crowd that had gathered, he stood with the eleven.
If we are going to be effective in gospel ministry, we must stand together. The Bible has much to say about how we as the Body of Christ are to be with one another – which needs to be covered separately – but I’ll summarize it by saying this: it is only as we have love for one another that all people will know that we are the church (John 13: 35).
We must keep this at the forefront of our minds as our nation is divided over politics, race, and other issues. While there is a diversity of opinion within the Church on these issues, we must remember: Christ is not divided (1 Cor. 1:13).
There is only one church. Jesus is building his church; he is not looking to advance our particular ministries.
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:4-6)
Listen!
“…let this be known to you and give ear to my words…hear these words” In other words, listen!
When we share the gospel, do we tell people that they really need to listen to what we have to say? Do we understand the weight and importance of the gospel message? Peter knew; that is why he prefaced the message with “give ear to my words…hear my words.”
In John 6:63, Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
The words coming out of Peter’s mouth were powered by the life-giving Holy Spirit, and were themselves spirit and life.
We have been charged by Christ to make disciples; we need to open our mouths and preach this life-giving message in the power of the life-giving Holy Spirit so that others can call on the name of the Lord and believe.
“How will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10: 14-15a, 17.
This Jesus…
If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, as we saw last week, we will boldly speak the word of God.
If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will speak the word of God for the purpose of pointing to Christ “for it is they [the scriptures], that bear witness to [Christ] “(John 5: 39),
People will use, and have used the scriptures to advance their own agendas. “…yet you refuse to come to me that you may have new life.” (John 5: 40)
It is one thing to hold up a protest sign that quotes scripture: “let justice roll down like waters” or, “do justice and … love kindness and … walk humbly before your God.” (Amos 5:24; Micah 6: 8), but if we are not pointing to Christ as the only solution to the sin we see manifested in our world, which includes racism, if we are not pointing to Christ as the way – the only way – to be saved and reconciled to God, then we are not fulfilling our mandate to preach the gospel and make disciples.
We can march with others and call for an end to the evil, but if we are not pointing the way to Jesus, then what are we doing? We are just hiding our light under a basket. (Matt. 5: 14.)
Peter pointed to the person and work of Christ, not just his teachings; he confronted his listeners with facts:
- “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…”
These were undeniable facts as many who had been fed, healed, delivered, and even raised from the dead were either standing among the crowd, or had heard of these things – which is why they had come to see Jesus over a period of three years.
- “…this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.”
There was no denying the events that happened less than two months prior – everyone knew. And perhaps, some of those who mocked Jesus as he hung on the cross were standing among the crowd as well.
- “God raised him up…”
Peter testified to what they had witnessed; this was not something seen or revealed to just one man, as is the case in other religions or cults, this was something witnessed first by the twelve, and then by more than 500 people over a period of 40 days. (1 Cor. 15:6; Acts 1:3). He did not speak of visions or apparitions: the disciples met and spoke with, ate with, and were taught by the risen Christ, who at the very first meeting showed his disciples his hands which still bore the marks of the nails, and his side, which still bore the mark of the spear used by the Roman soldier to confirm his death. - Peter affirmed the divine power of Christ:
“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.”
Peter took the Scriptures that spoke of the resurrected Messiah (Psalm 16:8-11; 110:1) and pointed to ‘this Jesus,’ the now-risen Jesus of Nazareth. He declared, according the Scriptures, this Jesus “whom you crucified,” both Lord and Christ.
What can we learn from this?
When we think of being filled with the Holy Spirit, we may first think of power and manifestations like signs and wonders, or depending on your church background, prophecy and speaking in other tongues. Perhaps we think of the help, comfort, and illumination of God’s Word that the Holy Spirit brings. Yet others, perhaps the more mature, may think of the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, goodness, and self-control.
But let’s not overlook this most important role of the Holy Spirit…
Jesus said of the Holy Spirit in John 16:14-15: “He will glorify me…”
When we are filled with the Spirit, we will glorify Christ.
Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory (Heb.1:3); the Holy Spirit enables us to declare that glory to the rest of the world. These are the rivers of living water that Jesus referred to that flow from the heart of every believer (John 7:39).
- Are we filled with the Spirit?
- Are we speaking the Word of God with boldness, and declaring the mighty works of God?
- Are we pointing others to Christ in the things we say and do?
- Do we seek to glorify him?
(1 Cor. 1:23; Gal 6:14)
These are questions for self-examination, not just for today, but for every day. Bringing glory to Christ should be at the forefront of our minds before we think, speak and act. (Or before we post to Facebook or send that tweet).
Don’t shy away from asking God to search your heart. God knows all; he is acquainted with all of our ways. Even before a word is on our tongue…he knows it altogether. (Ps. 139:3-4).
This should cause us to walk in the fear of the Lord, but also with great assurance, for if we would just ask him to search our hearts; if we would just commit our ways to him, he will make our paths straight and lead us in the way everlasting (Prov. 3:6; Ps. 37:5-6).
If we determine to know nothing except Christ crucified (1 Cor. 2:2); if we determine to see him increase while we decrease (John 3:30), Christ will be glorified in us.
To God be the Glory. Amen.
Enjoy this song from Mark Altrogge
myjourneywords 