THE BOOK OF ACTS FEBRUARY 23, 2025
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD & BAD SERMONS

SCRIPTURE
Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “’In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing Him to the cross. But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. David said about Him: “’I saw the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, You will not let Your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.’ “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that He was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did His body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “’The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’” “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, everyone 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number daily. Acts 2:13-41

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

There are 24 sermons in the Book of Acts. Of 1,000 verses, 300 are sermons.

We live in an era similar to the days of Acts. It’s both post-Christian and pre-Christian.

In this era, the Christian message cannot be unclear (sermons, podcasts, etc.).
“The best preachers are plagiarists. They tell people what God has said.” T. Anyabwile

Keep in mind: there is a difference between false teachers and flawed teachers.
For certain individuals…have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Jude 1:4

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

…there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them. 2 Peter 2:1-3

Don’t judge a preacher off of one message, but off of many messages.

Over time, these twelve elements should be woven throughout messages.


PETER’S MESSAGE AS A MODEL

1/ Are the messages pouring out of the messenger? (vv.16-40)

2/ Are the messages affirmed by trusted spiritual leaders? (v.14)

3/ Are the messages filled with Scripture? (vv.16-21; 25-28; 34-35)

4/ Are the messages making it easier to understand Scripture? (v.34-35)

5/ Are the messages bringing clarity to this moment? (v.33)

6/ Are the messages logical? (v.15)

7/ Are the messages emphasizing theological truths? (v.38)

Is the Resurrection preached? Is sin addressed? Is hope in Christ a focal point? Is the Deity of Christ clear? Is the Trinity mentioned? Is repentance encouraged? Is Water Baptism promoted? Is Spirit Baptism taught? Is spiritual fruit emphasized? Is the Return of the Lord highlighted? Is eternal reward and judgment discussed?

8/ Are the messages addressing uncomfortable issues? (vv.17-21)

9/ Are the messages reminding people of who God is? (v.22-23)

10/ Are the messages applicable for everyone? (v.39)

11/ Are the messages stirring people to action? (v.37; 40)

12/ Are the messages producing fruit? (v.41)