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The Message of Pentecost

1^st Sunday after Pentecost

Acts 2 & 5

June 19, 2011

Our denomination was originally called “Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene.”

From Luke’s description of Peter’s sermon, we learn several things about Peter and his momentous sermon:

1.    It was long and it was passionate.  (2:40)

2.    Peter was not the least bit bashful.  Luke says, “He stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and SHOUTED to the crowd. “

3. The sermon was confrontational.   verse 23b “With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him.”

We do not honor the Holy Spirit when we give excessive attention to the extraordinary signs and wonders He uses when He is seeking to bring attention to Jesus.

4.    The focus of Peter’s sermon was Jesus Christ.

The message of Pentecost:   Jesus Christ is not only raised from the dead, He is victoriously present, right now, in the life of the church and in the lives of ALL those who confess Him as Savior and Lord.

“You have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about Jesus, and you intend to blame us for his death!”

Acts 5:28 NLT

Why were the non-believers drawn to these people called Christians?  Why was this church growing like wildfire?

They were exuberant with what God had just done.                                       Acts 5:30-32

a.    God raised Jesus from the dead (v. 30)

b.    Jesus has been declared Prince and Savior (v. 31)

c.     Jesus has granted us repentance and forgiveness of sins (v. 32)