Sermon Synopsis for August 24, 2008

“What Shall We Do?” Acts 2:37-47

My early childhood years were spent in a small crossroad community. Our neighborhood wasn’t culturally diverse, but we were religiously diverse.
We neighborhood children would often play church.
We agreed on many things … there should be a sermon, Lord’s Prayer (we argued about transgressions vs. debts), there had to be an offering.

But there were also great theological discussions – the ones that 7 year olds can have. Baptism was a point of contention. We discussed infant baptism verses believer baptism, methods from sprinkling to pouring to immersion. Theological differences run deep – even in children.

We found ourselves at the local farm pond. After we had baptized each other a number of times, our congregation grew to include the neighborhood pets. Of course, we didn’t want heathen pets. The dogs were generally submissive, but the cats presented a challenge. They didn’t seem to mind sprinkling too much; pouring was about acceptable. Immersion presented the real challenge.

Harry was the Baptist preacher’s kid, so he was nominated to immerse the first cat. Determination paid off and he managed, with much difficulty, to baptize one cat.

We walked Harry home (because he couldn’t see too well out of his left eye and his arms and face were bleeding and clothes torn). We got a little more adult supervision after that.

In our simplistic childish practical theological viewpoints we reached a couple of decisions:
Baptism should be a voluntary & personal decision.
Cats are pagans.

PENTECOST
Acts chapter 2 tells us about the first Christian Day of Pentecost – when the church was born.

120 men and women went out of the upper room and preached the gospel, in different languages, giving their testimony, sharing their faith.

As Acts 1:8 says – they became “witnesses” for Jesus

After they spoke, Peter gave an open air sermon – how did the people in the crowd respond?

The gospel message evokes a wide variety of responses.

During my missionary work in Latin America, I preached in many public squares and open air meetings.
The people responded in many ways.
Some ignore you
Some wonder why you would do such a thing (curiosity)
Publicly mock you

I remember one meeting, a young man, Segundo, came and asked “¿Y, que es lo que quiere que haga?” What do you want me to do?

The response is the same as 2000 years ago: repent (inward sign) and be baptized (outward sign)

In Acts 2 … The people responded … with the heart and the head.

1. They were “cut to the heart” – an emotional response
This is a graphic phrase – healing is needed!
It presents an open wound – you can’t ignore it
Spiritual surgery is needed – that’s what Jesus does best! He heals the broken heart.

2. They asked a question “What shall we do?” – a practical (rational) response
There was a need to act on the feeling
You cannot not do something – the gospel demands a response

Peter told them – Repent and be baptized
First Repent = change, heart and mind (inward sign)
Second Be Baptized = show the world (outward sign of a changed heart)

RESULTS
When people respond, things happen.

Segundo responded to the invitation to repent and be baptized, and he is the leader of a struggling congregation that just completed 18 years of ministry in a community that doesn’t want people to accept Jesus.

Obvious Result #1 – numerical growth
2:41 - More than 3000 were added to their number that day
2:47 – And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved

A healthy church continues to present the gospel to every generation … and baptize new believers.

When a church stops sharing the gospel message – it becomes a club, another organization, etc.

Obvious Result #2 – changed lives
This was not just the recording of names in a book in heaven (a heavenly membership record), assuring these folks of an eternal destiny, it meant “repentance” = a release from living for self to living for God and others. It changed their lives.

A group of people divided by language and culture were brought together in the church. And they acted very differently than before – because they had repented, changed.

V. 2:42 – a spiritual unity

People who didn’t care to learn about God before … spent time learning (devoted themselves to the apostles teaching)

People who normally wouldn’t socialize together … spent time together (fellowship, breaking of bread)

People who normally wouldn’t share the same religious values … spent time in prayer

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE DEMANDS AN ANSWER
A very sad time for me in Bolivia was the memorial service for Pastor Romolo Tirado. He was electrocuted while standing in a baptistery at the beginning of a baptism service. They had just set-up a new sound system and he was using an ungrounded microphone. No one was baptized that day.

During the memorial service, one by one, the baptismal candidates came forward to declare their decision to proclaim publically their faith and follow Jesus in baptism.
After that many others came forward, accepting Christ. Many said, “I don’t want the pastor to die in vain.” And, “I don’t want Jesus to have died in vain.”

There was unexpected revival. And the Lord added to their number that day.
THE GOSPEL DEMANDS A RESPONSE
What is your response?

What do you say to Jesus?
Yes – No (check one)

No response is as good as a “no” response.

I showed the children a picture of Jesus’ Baptism. I gave them copies to take home and color.

The coloring book artist’s rendition showed Jesus, standing in water and in front of John the Baptist (I refer to him as John the Anabaptist).

Over their head was a dove – God’s Spirit (represents God’s presence). It lets us know that God brings peace, love, provision, all we need for our lives to be whole.

There were lines (rays) coming down from above. The scripture says there was a voice from heaven: “This is my son, whom I love. He makes me happy.”

We become God’s children when we accept Jesus. God loves us, and God wants us to make him happy, like Jesus made God happy.

Galatians 3:26-27 “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

God said to Jesus: “this is my son, I love him; he makes me happy.”

God loves us. So much that he sent Jesus (John 3:16).
What is our response to God’s love?

Following Jesus will make God happy. It'll make you happy too.

[Note: from what I understand, life is better when God is happy with us. Today we won’t talk about what life’s like when God’s not happy with us. But it’s worth thinking about.]