Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the First Reading for today, from Acts 10. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Ah – the sun is rising, and it is real. The chill of the night is certain to give way to the warmth of day. This is real!
- Jesus Christ was born over 2,000 years ago. This is real. I know of no historian, no scholar, no educated person who thinks that Jesus is purely the invention of some people living long ago. No, Jesus is real.
- People have all kinds of ideas about Jesus. People have all kinds of ideas about Easter. Is it reasonable for us to just reflect, and fly by the seat of our pants, in what we think about these matters? To do so is cynical – as if God had nothing to do with it, and that it has nothing to do with Him.
- But we do have texts – the Scriptures – written by eyewitnesses. These texts make claims, and at the very least we should hear them and take them seriously.
- And if we do so, we will hear that the coming of Jesus, His suffering and death on the cross, and His resurrection to life are “GOD’S GOOD NEWS OF PEACE” to us. And if we believe what is asserted as true, our celebration of Easter will be the joy and center of our whole life.
- Let us hear the sermon of Peter, and consider that:
I. In Sending Jesus, The Lord Of All, Into The World God Sent A Word Of Good News Of Peace To Us
Text: “As for the Word that God sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ [He is Lord of all].”
A. Jesus Was Fully Attested By God Himself
Text: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
B. He Was Witnessed To By Many People
Text: “And we are witnesses of all that He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. . . . God raised Him on the third day and made Him appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.”
Statement: These Words were preached shortly after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. There were numerous people around – even in the audience – who had rejected Jesus. They could have disputed these things, in writing, but they didn’t. There was universal acceptance that Jesus did these miraculous things – unbelievers witnessed them too. In fact, it was in part His miracles that moved his enemies to arrange for His crucifixion. [John 11:47-50]
Application: On what basis then does one disbelieve these things and dispute these facts today? The fact the witnesses are no longer around to defend themselves, when people accuse them of lying and fabrication? The fact that He was opposed and disbelieved by many back then? But His detractors could not deny two things: That He was attested by God to be Lord of all by His power and miracles, and that He was testified to by countless numbers of people who witnessed His miracles.
Transition: So at the least we should consider these things – and also the assertion that the marvelous nature of Jesus had something to do with God, that God sent Him for a purpose, to be “GOD’S GOOD NEWS OF PEACE.” This too is the assertion of Peter, and of all of Jesus’ apostles and followers, and even “all the prophets” who foretold His coming. For:
II. The Death And Resurrection Of Jesus Christ Is The Good News Of Peace From God
A. He Was Put To Death For Our Transgressions, To Take Away Our Sin And Guilt
Text: “They put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree. . . . All the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His Name.”
Is. 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.
John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.”
Eph. 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
Rom. 4:25 “He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised again for our justification.”
B. He Was Raised To Life Again – And Is Now Immortal – To Bring Us Eternal Life, Which Is Received By Faith, By Having Reverent Fear Of God
Text: “God raised Him on the third day and made Him appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.”
2 Tim. 1:10 “Our Savior Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel [this good news of peace].”
Text: “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him.”
Rom. 2:7 “to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life.”
John 3:36 “He that believes the Son has everlasting life, but he that believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him.”
Statement: So, “GOD’S GOOD NEWS OF PEACE” in Christ Jesus is the forgiveness of all our sins in His death on the cross, and also the prospect of immortality and eternal life through faith in Jesus. Our two greatest nemeses, sin and death, both overcome by God sending Jesus to us!
Application: This also is real. And it is real to us to this very day. Christ Jesus has taken away your sin and guilt. You are forgiven by God Himself. Further, your life is not futile and limited; the physical death that you will experience will not be final. Jesus has overcome death – also for you. He wills for each of us to have the glory of immortality and eternal life in His heavenly kingdom!
Transition: This is real to this very day. And so even this morning God sends His good news of peace to us, for:
III. Jesus Is Lord Of All And This Is Good News For All Who Believe In Him
A. He Is Judge Of The Living And The Dead
Text: “He is the One appointed by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.”
Deut. 32:39 “See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god beside Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand.”
John 17:1,2 “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.”
B. All Who Believe In Him Receive Forgiveness Of Sins
Text: “To Him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in Him receives the forgiveness of sins through His Name.”
1 John 3:36 “He that believes the Son has everlasting life.”
Statement: Peter preaches the same sermon to us today: “As for the Word that God sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ [He is Lord of all].” We do not celebrate a date today. We do not celebrate and anniversary today. We do not rejoice in the return of Spring or warmer weather. It is not just an occasion for a family gathering time, a holiday. It is “GOD’S GOOD NEWS OF PEACE” that we celebrate, the blessings of forgiveness and immortal life in blessedness that Jesus has brought to us in His death and resurrection.
Application: We live now in peace with God, our sins forgiven. We live in anticipation of what is to come – glorious and perfect immortality in the Kingdom to come at Christ’s return in glory. It is real. It is for us. Let us celebrate!
Conclusion: The attestation of God is real and certain – Jesus is Lord! The witnesses are abundant and truthful – Jesus suffered and died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification, and our immortality! He is judge of the living and the dead! He commands us to preach this truthful message, “GOD’S GOOD NEWS OF PEACE.” Let us believe today, and let us rejoice, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.