A Christless
sermon is a worthless sermon. The first Christian
sermon that's recorded is full of Christ. Let's turn
to the 2nd
chapter of Acts and consider God's estimate of
Christ, as He speaks through Peter on the Day of
Pentecost.
Christ is the
commended Man. Peter tells us in Acts 2:22 that Jesus
is "a man approved of God." For God said of
Him, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased." Oh, "He is a garden full of
sweets, a hive full of honey, a fountain ever full, a
star ever bright, a foundation that never yields, a
guide who never errs, a friend who never forsakes, a
morning without clouds, a day without night," a
man without sin. God has approved Him. Have you
accepted Him? God has exalted Him. Have you embraced
Him? God has made Him all. Have you? If He isn't all,
He isn't anything at all.
Christ is the
consuming Man. Peter tells us in Acts 2:22 that Jesus
is "a man approved of God among you by miracles
and wonders and signs, which God did by Him."
Jesus came "not to be ministered unto, but to
minister," and the words "which God did by
Him," reveal to us the secret of His success. He
had the ability to act for Himself, but He never
acted apart from the Father. The fact that He
displayed such power, and excited such wonder is a
sign that He was sent by God. For God wouldn't confer
the power of cleansing the leper, healing the sick,
raising the dead, saving the lost, on an imposter.
Christ is the
crucified Man. The crucifixion didn't come by chance.
It wasn't an accident. It was appointed by the
Almighty. It wasn't an emergency measure when
everything else had failed, but it was the eternal
plan of God. It's written in Acts 2:23, "Him,
being delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked
hands have crucified and slain." For Him to be
the Savior, He had to suffer for our sins. For we
need more than an example, or a teacher. We need a
Savior. When I was young, I was a student of the
violin. One day I heard a famous violinist. His
playing was wonderfully magnificent. When I went home
and took up my violin, I was so ashamed of myself I
wanted to give it away. That was the effect of an
example. Just so, I want more than a sinless example.
I want a Savior..one who can save me from my
shortcomings and sins, my mistakes and mischief. To
follow a perfect example won't blot out my badness.
We need the blood of Jesus, for His blood cleanses us
from all sin. To hear a famous violinist didn't make
me one. But if he could have come into me and could
have played through me, then I'd be a famous
violinist. Just so, we need the Savior to save us,
and then we must have the Christ within to live the
Christ without.
Christ is the
celestial Man. Death couldn't decompose His body, and
the grave had to give it up. For it's written in Acts
2:32, "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we
all are witnesses." Not only are they witnesses,
but so are we. Two unbelievers were discussing the
resurrection, and doubting it. Seeing a Christian,
jokingly one shouted, "Deacon, tell us why you
believe that Jesus died and rose again."
"Because," he answered, "I talked with
Him this morning." You, too, may be a witness of
His resurrection by calling upon Him. For whosoever
shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Then you'll be privileged to walk with Him and to
talk with Him.
Christ is the
coming Man. A Christian said to a minister,
"I've taken a one-way ticket to Glory, and I
don't intend to come back." Whereupon he
replied, "You're going to miss a lot. I've taken
a return ticket, for I'm not only going to meet
Christ in glory, but I'm coming back with Him in
power and great glory to the earth." It's
written in Acts 2:34 and 35, "The Lord said unto
My Lord, 'Sit Thou on My right hand, Until I make thy
foes thy footstool." The day is coming when He
shall reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords...then
there'll be no more sickness or sorrow...no more
disease or death...no more pain or poverty...no more
worry or war...no more hunger or heartaches...no more
Satan or sin. Think of it! A warless world...a
Satanless, sinless world. Wouldn't you like to reign
with Him then? Then receive Him now!
copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic
Association
All Scripture verses are
quoted from the New King James Version..
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to the next message in this Sower Scripture Study on
the book of Acts.
This series of messages on the
books of the Bible were originally written for
broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The
Sower." They are collected and reprinted here
for your enjoyment and spiritual edification.
