Journey Through Acts

Lesson 11

Acts 2:24-32

The Resurrection of Christ

Acts 2:24–32 (NIV) — 24 But 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. 25 David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ 29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.

 

1. Crowning Proof
   1. The Resurrection of the Messiah.
      1. (Messiah is the Hebrew word and Christ is the Greek word.)
      2. Remember Peter is preaching to a Jewish audience.
      3. He is laying down the proof that Jesus is who He said he is.
      4. This is the central theme of the New Testament.
      5. It is also without question the climax of redemptive history.
      6. It proves beyond doubt the deity of Jesus Christ.
      7. It also establishes His messianic credentials.
      8. It is also the guarantee of our own resurrection.
         1. (John 14:19; Rom. 6:4–5; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:16–23)
      9. The resurrection is the crowning proof that God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
         1. Romans 4:25 (NLT) — 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
      10. Without it, His death becomes the heroic death of a noble martyr.
          1. The pathetic death of a madman.
          2. Or the execution of a fraud.
   2. What is the greatest proof that Jesus was the Messiah?
      1. His teaching?
      2. His miracles?
      3. His death?
      4. It was His resurrection.
      5. It’s the main of the sermon.
      6. It’s the main theme of the NT.
      7. One verse on signs and wonders.
      8. One verse on His death.
      9. 9 verses on His resurrection.
   3. Notice Peter drive home the point.
      1. Acts 2:23–24 (CEV) — 23 God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross. 24 But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death could not hold him in its power.
      2. By raising Jesus, God put an end to the agony of death (NASB95) for Him.
      3. This word Agony literally means “birth pangs.”
      4. Like a woman giving birth the pain is great but the reward of the child is worth it.
      5. Jesus suffered the pain of death by becoming our substitute for sin.
      6. All the wrath of heaven was poured out on Jesus.
      7. All the glory of heaven raised him to new life.
      8. John 11:25 (NLT) — 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
      9. Hebrews 2:14 (CEV) — 14 We are people of flesh and blood. That is why Jesus became one of us. He died to destroy the devil, who had power over death.
2. Peter quotes a prophetic passage.

Psalm 16:8–11 (NIV) — 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Acts 2:25–28 (NIV) — 25 David said about him: “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

 

2. 1. Written by David
      1. Written in the first person.
      2. It describes Messiah’s confident trust in God as He looked to the cross.
      3. His declaration “I saw the Lord always before me” is the key to that trust.
         1. Another translation says this. “I was always beholding the Lord in my presence.”
      4. Jesus kept His focus on God no matter what trials came His way.
      5. He knew that because God was at His right hand, He would not be shaken.
      6. The right hand symbolizes protection.
      7. What a wonderful picture for us.
   2. Rejoice
      1. 26 Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices…
      2. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) — 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
   3. “My flesh also will dwell in hope.” ESV
      1. Flesh = physical body
      2. Dwell = tent
      3. Hope = certainty that he would rise again.
   4. Realm of the dea
      1. This is why the Messiah can rejoice and have a confident hope.
      2. Jesus suffered no decay in the tomb.
3. Crux of his argument.
   1. “Fellow Israelites”
      1. Remember it’s a Jewish audience.
      2. David is dead and decayed.
      3. Jesus lives.