June 13, 2021
Morning Service

The Hebrew writer makes this statement;  (Heb 11:6)  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

·        Defination of faith; (Heb 11:1)  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

·        So how do I get this faith;  (Rom 10:17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

·        (2Pe 1:3)  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Now since I believe in God, I believe He has provided a way for me to learn more about Him, and His will for mankind.  I believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible Word of God.

 

Now because I believe this, I believe all the Bible to be true.  IITim. 3:16.

In the gospel of John he says;

·        Joh 20:30  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: Joh 20:31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Then Dr. Luke says in his gospel:  Remember, these scriptures are God talking.

·        (Luk 1:1)  Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, (Luk 1:2)  Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; (Luk 1:3)  It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, (Luk 1:4)  That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

This same Dr. Luke wrote the book of Acts in which he describes the risen Lord, going away into the heavens, after giving instructions for 40 days to His disciples.  Now this is part of the Lord’s instructions before leaving;

·        (Act 1:4)  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (Act 1:5)  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

·        Now we find this to happen as we continue reading in the book of Acts.  And then we find, after they had received this out pouring of God’s Spirit, that Peter stands up and preaches the first sermon after the resurrection. 

·        Now this same Peter is the one that Jesus gave the keys of authority too in Matt. 16, when he confessed that Jesus was the Christ the Son of the living God.  Jesus said in Matt. 16:18;  That He would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it.  Now Jesus started His church(which means the called out ones), when He called out the first disciples.  They were called out of the world to follow Jesus, just as today, we are called out to follow Jesus with the opportunity of a new life, and the hope of eternal life. 

 

Now we find, by reading this infallible Word of God, that there is a Heaven to gain, and a hell to shun.  And Peter by preaching this first sermon uses his keys, or authority, to open the door to Heaven, or salvation.  Let’s look at what he says;

·        (Act 2:14-20)  Paraphrase this portion.  TELLS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS OURPOURING.

·        Peter continues:  (Act 2:21)  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Act 2:22)  Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (Act 2:23)  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

·        As you can see, Peter lays the blame of Christs death on the Jewish nation.

THEN HE SAYS:  Preaches the gospel to them.

·        (Act 2:24-29)  Then tells them of a prophecy of David, concerning God not leaving his soul in hell, or the grave.  Psa.16:10.

·        Peter tells them that David has not gone to heaven, but is still in the grave, so this scripture is not about him, but the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.

·        (Act 2:30)  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; (Act 2:31)  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.    

·        AND HERE PETER USES ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TEACHINGS OF OUR FAITH;  THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS; (Act:32)  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (Act 2:33)  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Act 2:34)  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,(Act 2:35)  Until I make thy foes thy footstool. (Act 2:36)  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.    YOU HAVE CRUCIFIED!!

·        THESE PEOPLE MUST HAVE THOUGHT WOW!! THIS GUY IS POWERFUL, AND KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

·        (Act 2:37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

NOW THIS IS EXACTLY THE QUESTION WE NEED FOR PEOPLE TO ASK TODAY.  WHAT SHALL I DO TO MISS THE JUDGMENT OF GOD?  FOR WE ARE ALL SINNERS, AND WE NEED A SAVIOR.  THEN PETER USING THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM, GIVEN TO HIM BY JESUS, SAYS THIS;

·        (Act 2:38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Act 2:39)  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Act 2:40)  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

UPON REPENTING, THAT IS TURNING FROM THE SINFUL LIFE YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING, AND BEING BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME FOR THE REMISSION OF YOUR SINS, YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST, WHICH IS ETERNAL LIFE. (Rom 6:23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THE RESULTS; (Act 2:41)  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.