Reading: Acts 2:36-41

Verse 40: “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them.”

Using scripture, passion, and his personal experience with Jesus, Peter preaches a great sermon. It stirs the hearts of people to action. These are the basic components of all sermons and the hoped for outcome of all messages. Ten sermons all on the same passage will be unique because each speaker is unique. In the same way, one message heard by 10 different people will be received uniquely by each individual. We all apply our own filters, context, and understandings to all that we say and to all that we hear or read or observe.

In today’s passage we read part of Peter’s sermon. If you want to read most of it, read from yesterday’s verse 14 to today’s verse 36. Today’s reading is the conclusion. The “therefore” at the start is the clue. The summary statement about Jesus draws this question: “What shall we do?” In response the hearers are encouraged to repent, to be baptized, and to receive the Holy Spirit. The offer is open to all – to those present, to their children, and to “all who are far off” – physically or even chronologically.

Verse 40 states, “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them.” Even what we have in verses 14-36 aren’t the whole message. But we do know that 3,000 were moved to action. It wasn’t likely that it was because of every single word that Peter spoke. A point here or an insight there struck a chord in each person’s heart. Each was moved by the Spirit to a new faith in Jesus Christ. It was the Spirit at work.

While we may not preach to so large a crowd that 3,000 come to faith, our lives do preach to all that we meet each day. Our faith, our passions, our personal experiences with the Lord – these are the content of our message. In all we do and say, may we share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

Prayer: Lord God, use me today to share the good news. If words are necessary, give me the words to say. May my whole life reflect your love, mercy, goodness, hope, and grace. Amen.