The Cause vv.14-21

There is a huge difference between Cross-Centered Preaching and preaching.  Cross-centered preaching centers the message around the greatest cause in all of humanity, the need for the Savior, Jesus Christ! CH Spurgeon says, “I take my text and make a bee-line to the cross.”  Spurgeon, one of the greatest noted Cross-centered preachers in the late 1800s was known as the Prince of Preachers.  

“I have often said that my greatest difficulty is to fix my mind upon the particular texts which are to be the subjects of discourse on the following day. . . . As soon as any passage of Scripture really grips my heart and soul I concentrate my whole attention upon it, look at the precise meaning of the original, closely examine the context so as to see the special aspect of the text in its surroundings, and roughly jot down all the thoughts that occur to me concerning the subject, leaving to a later period the orderly marshalling of them for presentation to my hearers.”

But whatever the text–Old Testament or New Testament–Spurgeon would find his way to the gospel of the Savior on the cross. And that gospel was put forth with the full force…with warnings of eternal punishment but for the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

That uncompromising message was offensive to some even in Victorian England. Some chose to admire Spurgeon’s preaching ministry while ignoring or minimalizing his theology.

He attempted to maintain clear evangelical conviction, while keeping the focus on the gospel” – Al Mohler, “Charles Haddon Spurgeon–A Passion for Preaching, Part Three” 

What is the cause of preaching?  That people need Christ!  One of my favorite passages

Romans 10:14 “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” 

No doubt this is a convicting mission sending verse!  Because the reality is people will fall head-long into Hell without a relationship with Christ!  The most loving thing any preacher, any missionary, any Christian can do is share the message of the crucifixion, resurrection, and salvation by faith in Jesus Christ!  The cause is they are dying.  According to Ephesians 2:1 they are “Dead men walking”

Phil 3:18 “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.”

In this sermon, Peter knows the cause and he is paving the way to get to the cross!  How?  He knows the audience!  Jewish background, share Jewish scripture.  He shares Joel 2 here in verses 17-21.   You’ll see Paul do this type of thing in Athens 17 in a few weeks, but they were not Jews there. 
Because of the cause we find a connection!
 

The Cross vv.22-36

Without the cross, Jesus was just a good teacher, but with the cross He is the King Savior!

Verses 25-28 are Psalms 16

1 Cor. 1:18 “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”

 

The Conviction v.37

The gospel is offensive!  Why? Because it’s telling people that they can’t save themselves!  They’ll never meet God’s standards of holiness!  People want to have control!  The only true way to freedom is through Christ! 

2 Corinthians 2:15-17 “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”

 

The Challenge v.38-40

The challenge is the same for all of mankind today!  Come to Christ, repent of your sin, and receive the Healer, the Helper, the Seal of Salvation!

Matthew 10:32 “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,”

 

The Celebration v.41

There is no greater celebration than someone coming to Christ! 

Luke 15:7-12 “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.  8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”