Good morning. As we approach our remembrance of the Lord’s sacrifice in our Good Friday service, and then the celebration of His victory on Easter morning, I find myself in league with all Christian preachers. We all, at least I would hope, feel a weight of obligation to preach messages that are powerful and important. Messages that make an impact on the hearers as they consider and apply the meaning of all that Christ did for us through His death, burial, and resurrection.
There is a model given to us of such a sermon. It is the very first one ever preached on the subject and was shared by the apostle Peter. Peter, who was freshly filled with the living presence of Christ through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, preached to all the Jews who were gathered in Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost. Peter preached a message that proved to them that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah of God. His sermon proved that Jesus had fulfilled every prophecy, and that there could be no doubt in the matter, Jesus was and is the Savior of God’s promise. Once having proven that truth, Peter explained that they, through their sinful rejection of God’s Christ, were guilty of murdering the Son of God. Although it was love that caused Him to willingly go to the cross, it was sin that required His sacrifice. Their sin and our sin: But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
When Peter had finished bringing the truth to them in this powerful first sermon message, there was an immediate impact: Now when they heard this they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37
Now that is preaching! When the people heard the truth, it hit them like an arrow piercing their heart. No arguments, no complaints, just that heart-felt response: “Brothers, what shall we do?”
If only the messages preached this Easter season could have such an impact. If only people would feel their hearts pierced. If only they would share that same response “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter gives the answer: And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
When people feel their hearts pierced by the truth of Jesus, the answer hasn’t changed.
May we all feel our hearts pierced by His truth this week and may we all embrace the solution to our personal dilemma of sin. Say “yes” to Jesus.
Vern