Q: How many of the disciples’ sermons are recorded in the Gospels? A: None.
Jesus preached, but they didn’t — at least not as far as we know. Acts 2 is the first record of the first sermon delivered by one of Jesus’ followers. Of course, it’s Peter, and he is amazingly bold!
Remember, he’s in Jerusalem, and he’s telling people about Jesus. He says, “God made Jesus — you remember Him, the guy you killed a few weeks back — God made Him both Lord and Messiah” (Ac 2.36).
What kind of reaction do you suppose he and the other disciples were expecting with an opener like that?
The response was overwhelming. “They were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ’Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ’Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ’” (Ac 2.37-38).
Baptism wasn’t a simple ceremony for them, it was a statement of a new identity. It meant being cut off from family and synagogue. It meant persecution and harassment — possibly even death. It was their way of saying, “I’m all in!”
Peter says, “Jesus is Lord and Saviour.”
They say, “What do we do now?”
Peter says, “Repent and be baptised. Bet the farm on Jesus.”
And 3,000 people did.
Jesus said, “You’ll be My witnesses in Jerusalem.”
We read, “So the word of God spread and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly” (Ac 6.7).
Jesus said, “You’ll be my witnesses in Judea and Samaria.”
We read, “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers” (Ac 9.31).
Jesus said, “You’ll be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.”
We read, “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power” (Ac 19.20).
They were living out this incredible sequel and no one could stop them. The authorities tried, but we read, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Ac 4.13).
Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses.”
They had no strategic plan. No resources. No building. No staff. But they found out that if you can talk to people about Jesus — in open and honest language they can understand — things start happening. They found out that if you do the kinds of things Jesus did, you get similar results.
That’s what the Church is called to be and do in every generation. Talk about Jesus. Obey and love and follow Jesus as closely as we can. Bet the farm on Jesus and His crazy plan to turn the world right side up.
Do what He did, and see what happens.
Prayer
God of glory, majesty and dominion, You have graciously accepted me as a living member of the Body of Christ, and You have implanted me in the communion of saints that will forever endure. Now that I have received a new identity in Jesus as a holy and beloved part of Your glorious and eternal plan, may I live out that new identity in my thinking, my speech and my actions. Empower me to be Your ambassador, Your witness of the transforming life that is found in Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. May I love and obey Him and stake everything I have on Him without reservations or conditions. Empower me to live during this brief earthly sojourn in light of Your return and to treasure this as a unique time of opportunity that I will never have again. For it is only on this earth that I can share the gospel and serve people in need
In Jesus’s name, Amen
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