Read Acts 2:22–32.
Peter “lays it down”! Who Jesus was, what God did, what you did, what God did, how David wrote about it: the resurrection of the Christ, it happened, we saw it, it is a fact, Jack!
10. a. Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him
b.handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
c. God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
11. In my own words (or how1st and 2nd grade – ok, maybe 4th/5th – might say it while talking a bit of smack): “Let’s be clear, doooodes, you all may have thought you were pulling one over. But the big G had this as His plan since day 1! And, by day 1, I mean, literally, Genesis 1, day 1. Booyah! In ya’ face! Remember David? Yeah, he got it and wrote about it… wanna see the book? Psalm 16, check it out! Don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t make what you did holy, or even right. Murdering the Son of God, even though part of the plan, is most definitely in the “not good to do” category. But, bam… back from the dead. Who is looking good now, huh? huh?… huh? (snap in z formation – talk to the hand)”
I’m not sure Peter had exactly the same emphasis, but he was probably thinking it!
12. a. you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
b. Why? They actually did: John 19:7 – “The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.””
Why? They were men (people) who had committed sin: 1 Peter 2:24, “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”
However, lest we fall into the blame game trap: John 10:17-18
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” No one did it to Jesus, or God. At no point in time was He not in control of the situation or the universe.
Conclusion:
Clear, concise, compelling. Jesus was a man. In that human body He took on all of the wrath and punishment justly earned by all the sin of the world, past and present. If you and I have sinned (which we have), we were part and party to that murder on the cross. But, in fulfillment of scripture, He is Alive and ascended to heaven. And in fulfillment of His promise, He has sent the Holy Spirit to give us power to witness. What a powerful sermon. And, what, maybe 5 minutes? Who said a great sermon has to last 20-30 minutes? <grin>
The Notes are Good 