Journey Through Acts

Lesson 7

Acts 2:5-13

They’re Drunk

1. Some Background
   1. Day of Pentecost
      1. It was the Jewish celebration of the Feast of Pentecost
      2. Jerusalem is filled with people.
   2. The Holy Spirit comes.
      1. Acts 2:2 (NLT) — 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.
      2. The “sound from heaven” will be important.
      3. Tongues of fire
      4. They are filled with the Holy Spirit.
      5. The church is born.
2. A look at the audience
   1. Devout men v:5
      1. They were from every nation. See v:9-10
      2. Question: Have you ever wondered why God choose this time in history to reveal himself?
         1. I think part of the answer is v:5
         2. A witness would have gone around the world.
         3. I also think there was a more acceptance of things that are spiritual.
         4. I.e. Miracles and healings. Raising from the dead.
      3. The news of the Messiah and the gospel (good news) would have traveled around the world.
   2. Some are amazed.
      1. The loud noise v:6
      2. Speaking tongues
         1. Notice what they heard.
         2. Most would have been multilingual.
         3. Greek the common language.
         4. But they heard in their own language.
         5. Tongues is for the unbeliever.
      3. Realize this is a special time in history.
      4. God was moving in a powerful and miraculous way v:11.
      5. The groundwork for the preaching of the good news is witnessing.
         1. 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 (NIV) — 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
         2. 1 Corinthians 3:8 (NIV) — 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.
         3. 1 Corinthians 3:9 (NIV) — 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
         4. Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit working a lost person’s life.
         5. 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT) — 2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
      6. This leads us to the next group.
   3. Some mocked
      1. These people are drunk.
      2. Acts 2:13 (NLT) — 13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
      3. Peter jumps on this.
      4. Acts 2:15 (NLT) — 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that.
      5. Peter’s sermon is a response to this mockery. V:14-41
      6. Being ridiculed for one’s beliefs is nothing new.
         1. John 15:18 (NIV) — 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
         2. 1 Peter 4:13–14 (NIV) — 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
      7. There is also the danger of being swiped away by a strange doctrine.
         1. This happened to the early church. Acts 15
         2. The book of Galatians addresses this issue.
         3. Galatians 1:6 (NIV) — 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.
         4. Ephesians warns about being blown about by every “wind of doctrine”.
         5. Ephesians 4:14–15 (NKJV) — 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ…
3. What can we learn?
   1. Christ is the head of the church.
      1. Lead through the Holy Spirit.
      2. We still need the filling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
      3. Miracles stilla happen through that Holy Spirit.
      4. It’s that Holy Spirit that grows the church.
   2. The church is still mocked.
      1. Do be surprised by it.
      2. Don’t see the world as the enemy.
      3. See them as lost and needing Jesus.
      4. Pray for your enemies.
   3. Making disciples is the mission of the church.
      1. Matthew 28:19–20 (NLT) — 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”