The Great Day

Introduction

A. Not far from our building is the Memorial Park Cemetery. Thousands are buried there and more will be added if time continues. Inside that cemetery is a structure called the Crystal Shrine Grotto. It is a man-made cave with a series of scenes depicting the life of Jesus. The structure and artistry began in 1935 and has been added to over the years by various artists. These depictions reveal a couple of truths. The stories of Jesus’ life have inspired people for years. These stories have longed served as stories of comfort and hope. The last scene in the grotto is of the resurrection of Jesus. The last scene is supposed bring hope to those who grieve the death of loved ones.

B. Several years ago, I was talking with a funeral director who said that with death many people still want a minister to conduct the service even if the deceased had limited religious experience. I’m sure there are lots of folks today who do not have a minister to conduct a funeral but I venture that most people still want some hint of a religious service. While our culture continues to move away from adherence to a religious group, is there any point to the stories about Jesus? Does the resurrection still matter? Does faith matter or is it only for those who need a crutch to make it through this life?

C. The Christian faith has been under attack from its beginning. But the beauty of our faith is not only in enduring the attacks but being able to share the reality of a risen Savior. People have not changed much over the centuries. Even as the kingdom of God became visible on earth in the form of Jesus, only a few believed. As we will see today, the message of salvation is still being preached and only a few will accept it. But it is the message of hope for all who receive it.

Day of the Lord

A. Pentecost. One of the major feasts on the Jewish calendar. Fifty days after Passover, another major feast on the Jewish calendar. Jewish faithful would travel from all over the world to come to Jerusalem for these two feasts. Many would come to Jerusalem for the Passover and stay for Pentecost. Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims from all over the world for these two feasts. For 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection, he spent time with the disciples. Jesus ascended back to the Father and the disciples have been waiting. Waiting for God to act.

B. Sitting in that upper room praying God acts. It is a Sunday morning. The Spirit of God is poured out on these 12. Each man begins to speak in a foreign language. Every faithful Jewish follower has an opportunity to hear their own language spoken. Not the universal language of Jewish believers but their own language. This is too much to take in. Some even accuse the disciples of being drunk. But such an accusation makes no sense in light of the ability to speak a foreign language clearly and fully.

C. Peter addresses the crowd and points to several texts from their set of scriptures which proves what is happening. This is the day of the Lord as spoken by Joel. This is the day of judgment. Peter says that the clock is ticking. He says it is time for changing the way you think about God. Today is the day of salvation. And Peter turns their attention to Jesus. It is only through Jesus that one can be saved. Peter mentions the miracles that Jesus performed. He mentions that they crucified him. But the capstone is that Jesus did not remain in the grave.

D. To prove his point he points to David’s grave. I have often overlooked this point in times past. Why David’s grave? David’s grave was well marked in Jerusalem. In fact, according to Josephus on two previous occasions the grave of David had been opened. The first time was during the 2nd century B.C. and the second time had been by Herod before Jesus was born. According to Josephus both times the royal coffin for David was left untouched and verified to exist. Josephus goes on to mention that Herod was so unnerved by his experience that he built a large marble memorial at the entrance of the tomb. It was an impressive sight in Peter’s day. It would have been within a short distance from where Peter was speaking. David’s tomb existed. His remains had been verified. But the tomb where Jesus had been buried was empty.

E. The resurrection was proof that what was happening was because Jesus is indeed Lord and Christ. He is the giver of salvation and the one who can deliver the enslaved. Convicted the hearers want to know what to do.

The Clock

A. The resurrection is pivotal for our faith. The resurrection of Jesus proves that God has the power of eternal life. The resurrection proves that Jesus is who he claimed to be. If one is convicted of the resurrection then there is only one legitimate response. Change. Peter uses the word repent but it is the idea of changing direction. This desire to change brings baptism.

B. Baptism is the demonstration of faith. It is the demonstration of change. It is the means by which one agrees that Jesus is Lord and Christ. For the baptism is in the name of Jesus resulting in God forgiving sin and giving the gift of his Spirit. Baptism precedes forgiveness and the Spirit. Baptism is the identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the means by which we pledge that our lives are now going to belong to Jesus.

C. This story may have been heard hundreds of times. We may have grown complacent about the call for people to be saved. Peter’s message was one in which he called on his hearers to recognize that the day of the Lord had indeed come. It was not as they thought an immediate judgment but it was nonetheless a judgment. It was when God initiated through the spoken word that his Son, Jesus, had indeed become the author of salvation. And the clock continues to tick. So for those of us who have heard this story over and over again, the question is what does the resurrection mean to you?

D. If we are people of the resurrection, then we turn our eyes toward what matters in this world—wanting others to come hear the ticking of the clock and choose Jesus. We can in a short while travel to a cemetery and observe the names and dates of thousands who have lived and died. The vast majority are not known to us, but the only question for each one of them is now will they be a part of the resurrection? The clock is ticking for you and me. If the Lord tarries, each one of us will occupy a small space awaiting the final call from Jesus. Those who are people of the resurrection will be given life eternal. Salvation is only through Jesus.

E. So what?

1. We live our lives recognizing that eternal life is greater than the amassing of wealth.

2. We live our lives giving for the sake of others because we want them to know Jesus as Lord and Christ.

3. We live seeking what God wants.

4. We live knowing that most will not know the resurrection but refusing to give up hope that one more will choose to follow.

5. We live refusing to allow the present challenges to define us but instead define our challenges through the eyes of the resurrection.

6. What do we do? Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Follow Jesus

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