The Essential Question (Part 1): The Church Is BornSample

What Just Happened?

Prepare: What is the clearest evidence of God's work in your life over the last twelve months? What are the biggest challenges you face over the next twelve months?

Read: Acts 2:14-36

Reflect: After the initial fireworks on the Day of Pentecost, there must have been a stunned silence. What just happened? It's often difficult to understand what God is doing in the "real-time" of our lives. Usually, we see the pattern as we look back from the perspective of a few more years. That's why it's good to take time to remember, perhaps by writing in a notebook or journal, God's work in the past. It helps us to become more assured that he will work in the future, no matter how dark the clouds may seem.

In the crucial moments after the Spirit was poured out, those present needed to understand what God was doing and how it connected to God's past work. Peter wasted no time in providing the necessary leadership: he stood up and addressed the crowd (2:14). Maybe this reflected his natural tendency to be the first to take action in any situation. That can be a strength, and a weakness (see John 18:10). More likely Peter's response showed that this rough and ready fisherman had spent three years with a certain Scripture-focused carpenter from Nazareth (Acts 4:13). Getting to know Jesus and gaining an understanding of God's Word is still critical to becoming an effective spiritual leader.

Peter proceeded to preach one of the most powerful sermons in the history of the church, and that without the help of a microphone, PowerPoint or teleprompter. First, he interpreted the events the crowd had just witnessed: they are the fulfillment of a message from the Old Testament prophet Joel (Acts 2:17-21; see Joel 2:28-31). Next, Peter summarized the ministry of Jesus and explained its connection to the Holy Spirit (2:22-33). And finally, he concluded that "God has made this Jesus… Lord and Christ" (2:36). In other words, Jesus was the Anointed One, the Messiah, the culmination of God's plan to save the world from sin. Peter understood that the Holy Spirit was proof that it was all true.

But what do we make of the seemingly offensive zinger Peter added to his closing statement: "whom you crucified" (2:36)? The fact is, Peter lived in the same community with those who killed Jesus; he knew these guys (2:14). Maybe his comment wasn't an accusation as much as an explanation: Look, I know what you were thinking when you went after Jesus, but here's what really went down.

Making a difference for God starts when we are willing to speak about Jesus to the people closest to us, our family and people in our neighborhood. That can be difficult and must always be done in love. But when we develop the courage and clarity to show the ones closest to us that we're all in with Jesus, it becomes easier to share the good news with others who are farther away.

Apply: Think back to opportunities you've had to explain the gospel to others. What seemed most effective for you? Now pray for one opportunity this week, to have an effective faith-based conversation.