What Shall We Do?

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Scripture: Acts 2:36-41 (ESV)

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

37 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?” 38 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. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Devotion:

            Today’s scripture holds out the hope of salvation to all who will believe in the name of Jesus Christ as their savior. Peter, the speaker here, uses simple straightforward speech to bring the message of salvation home to his hearers.

            Today’s preaching and presentation of the gospel in many churches is an elaborate stage presentation involving lighting effects, moving music, and the occasional fog machine. All to try and entice saving faith out of the unbelievers in the audience. It is questionable whether these additions to the plain spoken gospel produce and lasting fruit.

            While it is no doubt true that we live in a much different time than Peter. Could it be that the simple gospel presentation still produces results when it is done with power and conviction? Today people do want to be entertained when they go to church. They may think that they want to see the gospel in lights and sounds. What every human hearts deeply desires, however, is to be introduced to a savior who can heal their sin sick souls. While our music and message must be updated to reflect our modern times, the essential truth of the gospel must be held out before the people.

            Peter’s 1st century hearers were cut to the heart by the simple truth of the gospel. Today peoples hearts are in many cases hardened to that simple truth. We must employ the power of the Holy Spirit to reach through the layers of coverings built up around their hearts to reach them with the power of the simple message of Jesus life, death, and resurrection.

            Just as Peter reached 3,000 souls on that Pentecost day long ago. It will only be by a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit that we can see such a mass conversion today. While I suppose guitars, drums, and all sorts of electronic music, even fog machines may have their place in worship today we cannot, indeed, we must not change the life changing message that Jesus died for our sins and wants to save us from them. Sola Deo Gloria!

Prayer:

            Lord let our worship bring you glory every day. Convict our hearts with your simple gospel message that we may share that message with this lost and hurting world. Lord, use us as you used Peter so long ago to see fruit for the kingdom. May our hearts be longing to see others come to Christ. Let us lift up the name of Jesus at every opportunity we have. To God be the Glory! Amen.

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