Week #5 – First Sermon Ever (Part 1)
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all of creation. He is absolutely free, dependent upon no one and nothing (Psalm 135:6). He is also completely in control, accomplishing all of his purposes (Job 42:2). At the same time, the Bible clearly teaches that humans are responsible for their actions, thoughts, and even their desires (Romans 14:12, Colossians 3:5). Putting these two doctrines together, we begin to see one of the most mysterious of Christian teachings: the truth of God’s providence. The Westminster Confession of Faith describes it this way:
God’s providence reveals his almighty power, unknowable wisdom, and infinite goodness. His providence extends even to the fall and to all other sins of angels and men. These sins are not simply allowed by God, but are bound, ordered, and governed by him in the fullness of his wisdom and power so that they fulfill his own holy purposes. However, the sinfulness still belongs to the creature and does not proceed from God, whose holy righteousness does not and cannot cause or approve sin. (WCF 5-4)
If you’re confused right now, you’re probably following along pretty well. In fact, the Bible does little to explain this mystery, but how could it be fully explained? Ultimately, we are discussing the reality of an eternal, sovereign, all-powerful God from the perspective of finite, feeble, and limited humanity. So, instead of trying to explain it all, the Bible places the doctrines side by side, again and again. In Genesis, Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery, and God elevates him to a position of authority to save many from famine—even the very family that had abandoned him. In Ruth, Elimelech disobeys God by leaving his homeland and marrying off his sons, but God chooses one of the Moabite daughters-in-law to bring redemption to his widow. Esther ends up queen through a mix of sin and cunning, but from that position, God uses her to save her people from slaughter. God preserves Paul through a shipwreck so that he can preach the Gospel in Rome, the center of the known world. And on and on.
In Acts 2:14-24, Peter stands up in the power of the Holy Spirit and boldly preaches to the crowd gathered at Pentecost. What is his chosen topic for this, the first Christian sermon? That’s right. He preaches about the greatest act of God’s providence in all of history: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As you go through the discussion questions below with your group, consider how God providentially brought you here to study this passage at this moment with these people.
To God be the glory,
Pastor Ken
Week #5 – Questions
- Read through these passages from Matthew for an overview of Peter: 4:18-20, 14:28-30, 16:15-16, 16:22-23, 26:33, 26:69-75. What adjectives would you use to describe Peter’s personality and behavior?
- After denying Jesus and later being reinstated, here Peter boldly proclaims Jesus as Savior and Lord (v14-15). What does this reveal about the Holy Spirit’s transforming power?
- How does Peter’s leadership here encourage us about God’s ability to restore and use us after failure? When should someone be restored to ministry leadership after a fall, and when should they not be?
- In what ways might the Holy Spirit be prompting you to take a bold step like Peter, even if you feel inadequate or unworthy?
- Peter begins his sermon by quoting the prophet Joel and explaining its relevance to the Gospel (v16-21). What does this teach us about the role of prophecy in grounding our faith?
- How do God’s promises in the Old Testament and their fulfillment in Jesus in the New Testament connect to the church’s mission? What does this tell us about the role of the Bible in the church today?
- God poured out his Spirit on “all flesh” (v17), and so all Christians have been given the Holy Spirit. How should that truth direct and shape the way you view your own calling and spiritual life?
- In v23, Peter holds together two truths: Jesus was “delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God,” and yet you all “crucified and killed [him] by the hands of lawless men.” What does this teach us about the intersection of God’s providence and human responsibility?
- If it were not the case that God’s providence works amidst and through human sin, it would leave us two alternatives: either God is responsible for evil, or sometimes God falls short in what he intends to accomplish. Consider this, and then discuss how the Scriptural teaching of providence is far more comforting than either of those unbiblical alternatives.
- How might understanding God’s providence in Christ’s death give us confidence when we face suffering, evil, or events that seem out of control?
- Peter triumphantly states that “God raised him up” (v24). How does the resurrection assure us that God’s purposes always prevail? How should it shape our daily outlook?