By Flattery, George M. IntroductionOur text, Acts 2:32-36, is a part of the sermon that Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost. Peter says that we are all witnesses. As witnesses, we testify to these facts: (1) that God raised up Jesus, (2) that God exalted Jesus to the right hand of the Father, (3) that Jesus received and poured out the promised Holy Spirit, and (4) that God made Jesus both Lord and Christ. We will deal with each of these points. For further study of this text, click here. One, God raised up Jesus. We must tell everyone about the resurrected Christ. It was God who raised up Jesus. This is the repeated testimony of the Scriptures. The resurrection of Christ was no magician's trick. It was not an accident in the normal course of nature. It was, instead, a definite act of God and a demonstration of His power. Peter declares that "we are witnesses" to the fact that God raised up Jesus. Our witness is based on this fundamental fact. What God did was absolutely crucial to the gospel. The resurrection is central to all that we believe. Two, Jesus was exalted. We must exalt Christ in our praises! Peter begins by speaking of Christ as "having been exalted." The exaltation of Christ took place before the outpouring of the Spirit. The exaltation of Christ includes several aspects. When he was placed upon the cross, He was physically lifted up or exalted. This was a step toward His being exalted with honor. He was further exalted when He ascended to heaven. He was exalted to the right hand of the Father. Yes, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father. What does this mean for us and for the future? The Scriptures are abundantly clear. Ã?ÂThis Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the Father, is (Luke 22:70) "the Son of God." Only He could qualify to sit in the seat of power over the universe.Ã?ÂThis Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the Father, is our High Priest. He offered (Heb. 10:12) "one sacrifice for sins for all time." He died for you and for me that we might have eternal life. He will protect His investment of His life in us!Ã?ÂThis Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the Father is (Heb. 1:2) the "author and perfecter" of our faith. We owe our salvation to Him. He starts our faith and leads it to perfection.Ã?ÂThis Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the Father, "intercedes" (Rom. 8:34) for us. Pause a moment and think about it! The Lord of all the universe prays for us. Ã?ÂThis Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the Father, worked with (Mark 16:20) His disciples and confirmed the word with signs following. Today, He is with us as we do His work. He is right beside us as we witness.Ã?ÂThis Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the Father, conquered His enemies through His death and resurrection. In a sense the battle already has been fought and won. However, there will be a final victory over the devil and His enemies. The enemies of Christ (Heb. 10:13) will be made a footstool for His feet.Ã?ÂThis Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the Father, will return (Mt. 26:64). We will see Him "coming on the clouds of heaven." As witnesses, we exalt Christ by praising Him. Our praises lift up His name and are a powerful witness to all who hear our voices. Let us exalt His name forever. Jesus, the Son of God, was worthy to occupy the seat at the right hand of God. This is why we lift up His name in praise. Our witness is strengthened by the knowledge that Jesus is at God's right hand.

[ Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:59:00 GMT ]

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