God’s Action Calls for a Reaction
Have you ever heard of Newton’s Third Law of Motion?
“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”
When I was in high school, I played basketball. You can see Newton’s Third Law of Motion played out in every sport, but it’s easy to see with a basketball. When I dribble a basketball, you can see Newton’s Third Law of Motion in action.
The action is me pushing the ball downward. When it hits the floor, it has an equal and opposite reaction. The harder I push it down, the faster, or the more force, it has returning to my hand after hitting the floor.
There is a reaction to the action.
Something happened, and then there was a reaction to what happened.
Did you ever see a NASA shuttle launch on TV? When those thrusters fire we see this principle at work. We see the smoke and hear the roar of the engines. And then, there’s lift off! The action is the thrust of those rockets firing, pushing down. The reaction is lift off!
But have you ever wondered how you’re supposed to react when something happens?
Have you ever had that moment where, something significant, something important, just happened and before you reacted you had a question?
I think about the moment I first saw the girl who would one day become my wife. I was in college. She was working at the front desk of the dorm where I lived. I saw her. I don’t think she noticed me. But when my roommate and I left the lobby and stepped outside I told him, I had to meet that girl. Something happened when I saw her, and the question was, “How do I meet this girl?”
I think about the moment our children were born. You’re in the hospital room. The family is in the waiting room. The doctor delivers your child and says, “It’s a boy!” Or, “It’s a girl.” You hear those words. You see your child. That’s the action. Something happens. And then there’s the question, “What do I do now?”
I think about the moment I first met Christ. I grew up in a Christian home with Christian parents. We went to church every time the doors were open. But I still remember where I was the moment when I truly realized what Christ had done for me, for us. I remember how I felt. I remember being overcome with emotion. I remember the gratitude. I remember being changed. And then there was the question, “What should I do now?”
What’s true in the physical world is also true in the spiritual world. For every action there is a reaction. The only difference is that our action can never be equal to God’s action. And the action God has taken for us, while it requires a response, there’s nothing we could ever do that would be equal to what God has done for us!
Remember What God Has Done
This is so important for us to understand because if we want to see God’s Kingdom Come in our city, in our community, what we need really isn’t a new vision or a new strategy, what we need is to remember the old story, what God has done for us, and what happens when this story pierces the hearts of people.
We can see this clearly in Acts 2. It’s Pentecost, which for the Jewish people, this was an important day. Pentecost is one of three major Jewish feasts during the year, and this particular feast happens fifty days after Passover.
Jesus was crucified right around Passover. After his death, burial, and resurrection, he spent forty days with people before His ascension (Acts 1:3, 1 Cor 15:3-9). He was seen by more than five hundred people during that time. He had told His disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait there for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4).
So they’ve been in Jerusalem waiting for a little over a week, maybe as long as ten days. There are 120 believers all gathered together, waiting (Acts 1:15). And then, it happened.
It was on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Passover, when the Holy Spirit is poured out on the believers who are gathered together in Jerusalem. There was a sound like wind. Then what looked like flames of fire appeared over their heads. Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
Devout Jews from every nation were all gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost. They heard the noise, what sounded like a windstorm, and they came running to see what was happening. They find the disciples of Jesus and they are amazed because they are hearing the Gospel about Jesus spoken in their own languages (Acts 2:5-13).
Some people accuse the disciples of being drunk. But then, Peter steps up and begins to speak to everyone who has gathered, and there are thousands who have gathered at this point. He explains, they are not drunk. It’s 9AM for one thing, but more to the point… what you are experiencing in this moment is something that was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel.
God Pours Out His Spirit
Acts 2:17-21, NLT
17 ‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.
19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below—
blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20 The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives.
21 But everyone who calls on the name of the LORD
will be saved.’
So don’t miss this, SOMETHING HAPPENED. There was an action. And this action was an act of God. The Holy Spirit is being poured on the believers who are gathered in Jerusalem and waiting, just as Jesus told them to do. The people in the city hear the sound of the wind – that’s the action! Their reaction is to come running to see what is happening.
Peter explains to the thousands who have gathered the action that has caused their reaction!
God has poured out His Spirit!
You are hearing people filled with the Holy Spirit prophesy.
Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved!
The Gospel Begins With What God Has Done
And then Peter says this…
22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. – Acts 2:22-23 (NLT)
God’s action – God’s plan from before time began was to send Jesus, and He came performing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs.
Then, this is where our analogy breaks down. Human beings did not respond with love to God’s gift of love. Instead, we responded in rebellion.
Peter says… – You nailed him to a cross and killed Him!
Yet our rebellion could not thwart God’s saving action —
24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. – Acts 2:24 (NLT)
32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. – Acts 2:32 (NLT)
Right here we have the tenets of our faith. Peter says…
1. You killed Him!
2. God raised Jesus from the dead!
3. We are witnesses of this!
Everything for us begins right here. Our faith is founded on an event. A historical event.
Something happened that changes everything.
Christ died.
God raised Him up from the grave.
And there are witnesses to this fact!
In fact, these first followers of Jesus believed this truth so deeply, they were UNwilling to renounce their faith even though for many of them, it cost them their lives. They were witnesses to the resurrected Christ.
So Peter says,
36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” – Acts 2:36 (NLT)
“Brothers, What Should We Do?”
Something has happened. Peter has just preached the first Gospel sermon.
Peter didn’t start with what we should do, he begins with what God has done!
That’s the action. That’s God’s action. The Gospel is God’s plan, God’s action.
Consider the people’s reaction.
37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” – Acts 2:37 (NLT)
They had a question… what should we do?” What pierced their hearts? What pierced their hearts was Truth. The truth about our sin and God’s grace. What pierced their hearts was a story of God’s Grace and Love come down from Heaven to Earth. What pierced their hearts was the realization that our sins nailed Jesus to the cross. As Paul would later write,
“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23).
God’s action: Christ died for our sins.
People’s reaction: They had a question: “What should we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” – Acts 2:38-39 (NLT)
What’s the proper reaction to God’s incredible action?
Repent of your sins.
Turn to God.
Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
Receive the Holy Spirit!
This promise is for everyone!
We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus!
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. – Acts 2:41 (NLT)
A New Kingdom Community Is Formed
So watch what happens:
1. The Gospel is proclaimed (Acts 2:14-41).
2. People Respond (Acts 2:37-41).
3. A New Kingdom Community is Formed (Acts 2:42-47).
Luke tells us…
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. – Acts 2:42 (NLT)
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. – Acts 2:43-47 (NLT)
There is so much here to talk about in Acts 2, but here’s what I want you to see.
A Baptizing, Inviting, and Discipling Church
From the very beginning, the church was a baptizing church, an inviting church, and a discipling church.
A Baptizing Church
When the Gospel is shared for the very first time, 3000 were baptized in the name of Jesus! This is how we respond to the Gospel. We are baptized into the name of Jesus! The church is a baptizing church!
“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day — about 3000 in all.” – Acts 2:41
An Inviting Church
And this invitation to hear the Gospel and respond to the Gospel is an invitation that is open to everyone!
“Let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:36
Let everyone know!
Our job isn’t to save people, only God can do that. Our job is to make Jesus known! To share the story of His great love! To invite people to be a part of His family, the family of God!
A Discipling Church
The first church was a baptizing church, they were an inviting church, and they were a discipling church. They…
“devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42
It all began when God poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples who were gathered, waiting in obedience, and praying. They shared the Gospel. Christ died for our sins. God raised Him up from the grave. Then the people were pierced to the heart and asked, “What should we do?”
Remember Your Story and Share It
Do you remember when you were cut to the heart?
I want you to remember your story because we all have a story. If you’re a believer in Jesus you have a story, you had a moment where this Gospel story, this Good News story about what God has done for you in and through Jesus pierced your heart!
And when you remember what God has done for you, it will inspire you, motivate you, compel you to share that story with others.
Be One. Make One.
God’s original design for His church calls us to share the Gospel, invite people to know Jesus, and help one another grow in Christ.
There is nothing better than gathering with God’s people in God’s presence to learn, grow, and worship Him! The heart behind this isn’t growth for growth’s sake. Some of Jesus’ first words were:
“Come, follow me.”
Jesus was an inviter! In the same way, we want to invite people to come and follow Jesus and have the opportunity to have a life-changing encounter with our great God and King.
When it comes to discipleship, our calling from Scripture is clear: Be one. Make one. Jesus’ final words to His disciples before ascending to the Father were to
“Go and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19).
We need to help each other as we seek to grow in Christ.
The Apostle Paul invested deeply in a young man named Timothy, who was like a son to him in the faith. He once told Timothy:
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2).
Not only was Paul discipling Timothy, but he also wanted Timothy to disciple others who would then disciple others! This is the opportunity before us, to help one another grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! We are called to be disciples and to make disciples.
May God’s Kingdom Come
God’s action calls for a reaction!
First and foremost, we want to respond to the Gospel! We want to call on the name of the Lord to be saved, be baptized in His name, receive His Holy Spirit, and be a devoted follower of Jesus!
And then, we want to participate with God to make things on earth as they are in heaven.
May God’s Kingdom come into our city as we share the Gospel, invite people to know Jesus, baptize people in His name, and devote ourselves to following Him!
When the church began, the first followers of Jesus were waiting for the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came, they began to see God’s Kingdom Come in their city. And the Kingdom Hope that we have spread from Jerusalem, to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
In the same way, if we want to see God’s Kingdom Come in our city, in our community, our world, what we need really isn’t a new vision or a new strategy, what we need is to remember the old story, what God has done for us, and what happens when this story pierces the hearts of people.
I pray that we, filled with the Holy Spirit, can be a baptizing, inviting, discipling church praying earnestly for His Kingdom to come, His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven!
Father, may Your Kingdom come. May Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
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