By Trevor Havard
SCRIPTURE
Acts 2:37-38 ESV
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every 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.
OBSERVATION
These words quickly follow Peter’s first sermon after seeing the resurrected Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit. Evangelism is the zealous advocacy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. May God’s Word help us to see the desperate need to be zealous advocates.
- Who? “Now when they heard this… (v. 37). This is a dialogue between Peter and no random crowd. In fact, it is a crowd of Jews, the “devout people from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5). Aren’t these the very people who crucified Jesus? The ones who mocked Him and even spit on Him? Though not all people come from a Jewish background the Bible teaches that, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We pray for and speak boldly to all who are unbelievers and mock God with lives of unrighteousness.
- What? “Now when they heard this… (v. 37). Peter had just used the words of Psalm 16:11 which say, “You make known to me the path of life…” As believers, we understand that belief in Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross and victory over sin/death through the resurrection is our path to life. It is not as complicated as we make it—Peter just shared the great news of what Christ did for us.
- When? “…You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (v. 38). When did Peter share the gospel? He began proclaiming the gospel as soon as he received the Holy Spirit. If we have been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and have received the Holy Spirit, now is a great time to share the gospel. Asking when to share the gospel is not the best question, because we live to share the gospel.
- Where? Jesus tells the disciples in Acts 1:8 that they “will be [His] witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ through Lufkin and to all nations is the aim for which we live. We do not go to work every day to earn a paycheck; we go to work to spread the gospel. We do not spend time in God’s Word to earn our brownie points for the day but to experience the presence of God and be sent out with a Word that somebody desperately needs to hear. I can only imagine how God would use Harmony Hill if we opened our hearts to Him and said, “Wherever You want me, count me in.”
- Why? Peter tells the people they need to “Repent…for the forgiveness of [their] sins” (v. 38). Just as we have understood our sin before God and put our faith in Jesus Christ, so is the need for our families, friends, and coworkers. Because we have tasted and seen, we know that “in [His] presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). God help us long for others to experience You as we have.
OBEDIENCE
The advancement of the gospel in our city and to all nations rests on our obedience to the commission and privilege given to us by God Himself.
- Dedicate your life to experiencing God’s presence through His Word so that you may fall more deeply in love with the Good News we have in Christ.
- Live every moment with the gospel in mind. Intentionally seek to share the gospel when having conversations with people, praying that God would open doors.
- Pray zealously that the gospel would be made known to people in Lufkin and in all nations.
PRAYER
God, we praise You for the Good News of Jesus! You have sought us out in our sin and given us new life. We ask that You give us a deep passion for the advancement of this truth. We pray right now for open doors to share the gospel in Lufkin, Texas and to all nations. Here we are, Lord. Send us.
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