respectable rebels

Isaiah 1

God's children have rebelled against him, they no longer know him, they are sinful, they have forsaken him, despised him, utterly estranged from him.
They are in a bad state - desolate country, burned cities, overthrown by other nations

What is God's message? Stop the false religion. He's had enough of the sacrifices, doesn't delight in the offerings, can't endure their assemblies, hates their feasts, wont listen to their prayers. They are doing the practices that God told them to do but their hearts are not in it, shown by their lack of justice and compassion on the weak.

So what does it look like for people to rebel against God? It could look like open blasphemy and blatant sin. But it could look like this - people keeping all the religious rules and expectations - had their kids christened, never miss church, committed to all the special activities at Easter and Christmas, financially contributing to the church, serving on a few committees. But without a heart that loves God. Doing those things is not bad, but its becomes bad if you think that by them you are pleasing God. It becomes bad if you think that those excuse your lack of love for others. they become bad if they are just part of a life that is centered on you.

The faithful city has become a whore - strong language. No justice, no compassion, loving bribes, running after gifts - selfish. God's not overlooking that, he is going to come and restore justice and righteousness. That will involve destruction for the wicked, unless they turn to God.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel,

you shall be eaten by the sword;

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18-20, ESV)

he's the one

For David says concerning him,

“‘I saw the Lord always before me,

for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

my flesh also will dwell in hope.

For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

or let your Holy One see corruption.

You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

Acts 2:25-31

The Jews would not have been happy with the suggestion of an individual resurrection, so Peter shows them that it is prophesied by one of their heroes - David. David died, so all the words of the psalm cannot be directly about him. They must be about God's promised Messiah. Jesus is the only person who has not been held by the grave - he is the Messiah, he is the one you have been waiting for. 

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:33-36, ESV)

Still talking about Jesus, Peter explains his exalted position and that he has given the gift of the Holy Spirit which has kicked off what is happening there today. Again, wanting to show how this is not a new idea, but the message of the OT, he refers to David's prophecy about "his Lord", the Messiah. The purpose of Peter's speech is that they would know for certain that Jesus is that Lord, that messiah.  

loosing the pangs of death

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Acts 2:22-24

Peter is preaching about one thing and one thing only - Jesus. A real man (of Nazareth) who was also God (signs/works/wonders).

Peter's description of Jesus' death holds together two things that often seem incompatible to us - God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. Jesus' death was God's plan but people are responsible for the choice they made to do it. What they intended for evil, God intended for good. Somehow, God's control is so great it can even work through the freely chosen evil actions of man.

Jesus' death alone is not the point of this sermon. Many people have died. Many good people have been killed. Many prophets were rejected by their own people. But only Jesus broke the power of death and rose back up again. That changes everything. The church is getting started, because they have a Saviour who is alive.

spread the name

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams;

18 even on my male servants and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

20 the sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:14-21, ESV)

Peter quotes from Joel 2 about the "last days". they (and we) are no longer waiting for those "last days" when God is going to come down, because he did in Jesus. Now the Spirit is freely available to all Christians, not just specific people for a limited time as in the OT. The purpose of these effects of the spirit that are mentioned are not the things themselves. The purpose is not that the sons and daughters are delighted that they can now prophecy or that the young men are obsessed with visions while the old men live in a dream world. the purpose is that people will hear the name of the Lord so that they can call on it and be saved. 

The Holy Spirit gets started

And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams; (Acts 2:12-17, ESV)

The purpose of the Holy Spirit giving the disciples the ability to talk in unknown languages was to spread the gospel, not to create a scene. But, obviously a scene was created. A lot of people talking at once in different languages which the speakers themselves didn't understand looked like some people to be a mob of drunkards. Peter interprets the languages as a fulfillment of Joel's prophesy. The Holy Spirit is no longer confined to individuals for periods of time, but is now poured out freely on all the disciples. What's changed? Jesus dies and rose. That not only gives us the gifts of forgiveness and adoption but also the gift of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were baptised in the Spirit. There is no need to read into that anything regarding a second blessing or spectacular event but the image of baptism suggests total immersion in the spirit - the spirit impacts every area of their lives. That is how the church is going to get going - the Spirit filling people to spread the news about Jesus

accross the language barrier

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4, ESV)

we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God v11b

They has been told to wait and they waited. The fact that they were all together in one place suggests that they were waiting expectantly. 

The first activity of the holy spirit in the church is to allow them to talk in languages that they do not understand. The first activity of the Holy Spirit in the church wasn't a freak show to attract attention (although it did attract attention), it was to cut accross language barriers to share the news of the gospel. the point isn't the gift of tongues, it is what they were saying. no matter what language you spoke on that day, you heard about "the mighty works of God". The tongues were the means by which the gospel was going out, not the focus in themselves.

replacing Judas

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,

and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:12-26, ESV)

While "waiting" for the Holy Spirit, they weren't idle. They devoted themselves to prayer and appointed a new apostle.

While it would be reasonable to assume that the disciples feelings towards Judas would be a bit raw, Peter recognizes it as (at least part of) the fulfillment of Scripture. Was it Judas' sin. Yes. Was God's plan taking place. Yes.

The criteria for the office of apostle was for someone who had been with them for the duration of Jesus ministry. It is interesting how Peter sees himself and the other apostles - as witnesses of Jesus' resurrection.

Casting lots - they must have been comfortable with the fact that God was in control of seemingly random events.

Justus and Matthias - neither are mentioned again. (Justus possibly mentioned in Acts 15:22). What did they both do - witnessed for Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. The official position was important, but didn't define who they were or what they should do. Justus shouldn't be gutted, he should do the job God has for him. Matthias should be complacent, he should do the job God has for him.

active waiting

And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11, ESV)

"these things" - telling them to wait for the Holy Spirit and that they will be witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the rest of the world

lifted up, cloud, gazing into heaven - Jesus is not omnipresent, he has a physical, resurrected body that is no longer walking round on the earth's surface, he is seated at the right hand of the Father. No longer having Jesus with them could be seen as a massive blow to the disciples, it would be if it wasn't for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' ministry will no longer be limited to the middle east because his presence is no longer limited to there. the Holy Spirit inhabiting the church will spread around the globe.

The angels tell the disciples that Jesus will return but question why they are standing staring up into heaven - Jesus will return, and while we should be expectantly waiting for that, that waiting doesn't involve standing around looking at the sky and speculating about his return. The waiting involves getting on with what he has given us to do: Holy Spirit empowered mission.

get the church started

Acts 1:4-8
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The book of acts tells the story of how Jesus builds the church - which is his mission strategy. His first command is to wait. they could start recruiting people, they could start passing on Jesus' teaching, they could start doing a lot of things - but it's all pointless without the Spirit. Jesus told them to wait for the Holy Spirit because He is where the power comes from, He is the one who convicts of sin and opens hearts to the gospel, He is the one who is building the church.

The disciples appeared to be expecting some sort of political, national kingdom. they were thinking to small. The church is going to spread way beyond, in space and time, the people of Israel. It's not only "not for them to know the times" that God has planned to do thing, I don't think they would be able to understand the plans if he did tell them. 

Again, Jesus tells them that it starts with the Holy Spirit. He will give them power. The purpose of the power is that they will be witnesses - that they will be able to tell people what they have seen and heard. And it's going to the ends of the earth, it's going worldwide. They can do nothing in their own strength, they need the Spirit. But the purpose of the Spirit isn't primarily signs and wonders or feelings. It's to empower people to tell everyone on the planet who Jesus is and what he has done.

proofs

Acts 1:3
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Faith in Jesus is not in opposition to evidence. Being a Christian is not convincing yourself to believe something that you really think isn't true. There was evidence for Jesus' resurrection, there was proof,. Christianity began on the testimony of eyewitness. Facts in themselves can't make us become a Christian, but that doesn't mean that facts and reason have nothing to do with it

divided opinion

There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” (John 10:19-21, ESV)

Jesus' words produce a divided opinion, again. They never seem to produce indifference. Do you find yourself walking away from church or the bible with an apathetic shrug? Then maybe you haven't heard what Jesus is saying. We should be rejoicing or fuming, if we're not then we probably haven't understood what he's saying.

laying down his life

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:11-18, ESV)

The bad shepherd doesn't really care about the sheep beyond what the sheep can do for him - provide a source of income or clothing or food. Jesus, the good shepherd cares about the sheep. He cares about you. The bad shepherd abandons the sheep in danger, the good shepherd lays his life down for the sheep. This is where the shepherd analogy doesn't do it justice. I'm not sure that an actual shepherd would actually sacrifice his life for the sheep (which would then leave them abandoned). Jesus did lay down his life, not just for innocent sheep, but for his enemies, me and you, who had rebelled against him and wanted him dead.

Other sheep - Jesus knew that his kingdom was not just for the Jews but also for the gentiles. He was laying his life down for them as well. He was laying down his life for your enemies as well as you. His death makes it possible for even the bad shepherds to be forgiven if they repent.

Jesus was not a victim of circumstance. While the people certainly chose to crucify him, he could have stopped it at any time. He chose to die for you and proved it by "picking" his life back up again. Who else could do that?

the GOOD shepherd

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:7-10, ESV)

Is Jesus the shepherd or the door?! The most obvious solution to this is the image of a shepherd laying down across the opening to a makeshift sheepfold. The only way in or out is through him. There are a couple of implications from this - firstly "if anyone enters by me he will be saved" - salvation is found no where else. Secondly, as well as the sheep finding safety from danger under the care of the shepherd, that is also where they flourish - they will come in and go out and find pasture. There life is at it's best when they are near the shepherd.

The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy - Jesus gives abundant life. Jesus is the GOOD shepherd. Following Jesus isn't just the way you should live, it's the best life possible for you. For example, Jesus doesn't put restrictions on sex to take away pleasure, it's to allow you to experience the greatest sexual pleasure possible - as the creator designed it. Being part of a church community isn't something to keep God happy, it is the best place for your life to be lived. Jesus is good. Some of us recognise the fact that he should lead and we should follow, that he keeps us safe etc but have we really realised he is more committed to our good than we are?
 
"Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there". Spurgeon

"Jesus calls his followers, not to a dour, lifeless, miserable existence that squashes human potential, but to a rich, full, joyful life, one overflowing with meaningful activities under the personal favor and blessing of God and in continual fellowship with his people." ESV Study Bible

the shepherd is back in town

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

John 10:1-6

The people, especially the leaders, would be familiar with the OT imagery of God himself coming as the shepherd in response to the sin of the other "shepherds". In the context of the blind man's healing in chapter 9 and the leaders' accusations of Jesus, Jesus uses that image - He is the true shepherd.

The shepherd comes in through the door. Others have to trick their way in. Jesus doesn't con or manipulate his sheep. He doesn't need to manufacture authority, he has it.

He calls his sheep and his sheep follow him. The good shepherd walks ahead of the flock and the sheep follow him because they trust him, they know he is good. The sheep flee from the voice of the others, more like the sheepdog herding the flock from one place to another by pushing them around. 

Believe that Jesus is the good shepherd. Where he is leading you is the best place for you to follow. He is not forcing you to go somewhere that you wouldn't want to go if you, the sheep, could understand what the shepherd understands.

dodgy shepherds

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. 6 My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.

7 “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.

11 “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. (Ezekiel 34:1-16, ESV)

The leaders (shepherds) of the people were supposed to seek the good of the people (sheep). The sheep should flourish under the care of the shepherd. Instead, the shepherds:

• fed themselves instead of the sheep v2
• take from the sheep for their own benefit v3
• Didn't care for the sick, injured and weak v4
• Didn't look for the lost v4
• Ruled them with harshness and force v4

Therefore the sheep were scattered and vulnerable. Therefore God was against the shepherds. It should be a terrifying thing to hear that God declares himself to be actively against the leaders of his people. Because of this situation, God is going to step in. God is going to :

• rescue the sheep v10&12
• search for the sheep who have been scattered v11-12
• feed them v14
• take them to good pasture v14
• bring back the strayed v16
• bind up the injured v16
• strenghten the weak v16
• destroy those who became fat from the sheep v16

God is going to step in. He is going to be the shepherd. The good shepherd.