Preach the Word, Be Instant
Rev. Tse Amable | January 22 2025 | Acts 2:14-36
KEY VERSE: “Then Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, LET ME EXPLAIN THIS TO YOU; LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT I SAY.” Acts 2:14 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
What Apostle Peter did on the day of Pentecost was a confirmation of the word of Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit gives power for witnessing the resurrected Lord (Acts 1:8). From the account of St. Luke, the crowd that witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit mocked the disciples, saying they were intoxicated with alcoholic drink. The conduct of the crowd ignited the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which had been deposited in Simon Peter through the infilling of the Spirit of God. Immediately, he stood up and delivered a very powerful, unprepared and unwritten sermon. It was a message straight from the throne of God in heaven. Apostle Peter quoted several scriptures from the Old Testament in this sermon to support his message. The power in his sermon was so strong that about 3,000 new converts joined the church on the first day.
The essence of the Holy Spirit is the power to witness. Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). The phrase “in season and out of season” means “whether the time is favourable or not.” To “be prepared” means “to be instant.” The Amplified Bible's rendition says, “Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favourable or unfavourable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome], you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.”
Imitate the good example of the Apostle Peter. Do not let any opportunity be lost to lead someone to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
How did the Holy Spirit empower Apostle Peter to share the word of God effectively? What do you think is the place of the scriptures in effective witnessing?
PRAYER:
Father, I pray that you will take away the fear of people and the fear of failure from my life. Let me tap into the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit for utterance when I am faced with the opportunity to share my faith in Jesus Christ. Amen!
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 21: Genesis 29-30 — Jacob’s Marriages and His Children
DAILY word study: EXPLAIN
The word "explain" in Acts 2:14 comes from Greek word “apophthengomai” (ἀποφθέγγομαι), meaning “to declare, speak forth, or express oneself with authority.” It conveys a sense of clarity and boldness inspired by divine guidance.
Peter's explanation at Pentecost was not a mere clarification but a Spirit-empowered proclamation. It addressed mockery with truth, connecting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to Old Testament prophecy (Joel 2:28-32). Peter’s use of Scripture emphasized that explaining God’s Word involves both spiritual insight and scriptural grounding. Theologically, it highlights the Holy Spirit as the enabler of bold and accurate communication of God’s message.
Reflection: When explaining the gospel, do you rely on your understanding or the guidance of the Holy Spirit? How can you ground your explanations in Scripture to connect with others effectively?
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