Introduction: Christmas and Easter have become cultural events as well as religious holidays. At Christmas we get overwhelmed with Santa Clauses, Christmas Trees, Reindeer, Jingle Bells, and so on. When Easter comes the children (and the shop keepers) think of Easter bunnies, Easter eggs and Spring fashions. The kids have a lot of fun, and the shop keepers make extra money. But as Christians it is our duty and our privilege to remember the resurrection of Jesus, which is a key doctrine of our Faith. On the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the crucifixion, Peter preached the first sermon of the Christian era, and he preached the resurrection. Today we are going to examine Peter's sermon. Let's read Peter's text, and then see what he said about it.

Read Acts 2:14-21. Peter took his text from Joel chapter two. The primary theme of Peter's sermon was THE SAVIOR WHO BRINGS THE SALVATION PROMISED BY JOEL. Peter had four particular points to make about this Savior:

I. His IDENTITY (Acts 2:22)

A. He is Jesus of Nazareth, who was famous now.
B. He was a man approved of God
1. By miracles, wonders and signs
2. Which were done by God through Jesus
3. You all know He did these miracles.

II. His DEATH (Acts 2:23)

A. His death was not an accident.
B. His death was not a sign that God had rejected Him.
C. His death is on YOUR HANDS. You are guilty sinners in need of salvation.

III. His RESURRECTION (Acts 2:24-32)

A. God raised Him up.
This happened 47 days ago, probably rumored all over Jerusalem.
(See I Corinthians 15:4-7)
B. The Resurrection was predicted in the Old Testament (Psalm 16:8-11).
C. We (all 120 gathered in the upper room, Acts 1:15) are all witnesses
of His resurrection.
This is the most well attested historical event of all time. Let's put this
in a modern context. Suppose I wanted to prove that Roy Combs robbed
Pruetts at 3 PM last Friday? Larry Mick says, "I saw him do it." Then
12 people in Pruetts come forward, and say, "Yes, we saw Larry Mick
rob AmSouth last Friday at 3 PM." Then 500 people who had gone to
buy milk at the last minute before Easter came forward later and said that
they had seen Larry Mick with the money. Then Larry's next door
neighbor calls up the police and says he was at Pruetts, and he saw Larry
rob Pruetts. Finally his wife comes forward and says that he did it. Would
he not be found guilty? Would you not be convinced that Larry had
robbed Pruetts? This is the sort of eye-witness evidence that has been
recorded for us by the Apostle Paul, who gave his life for the Gospel.

IV. His EXALTATION (Acts 2:33-36)

A. To God's right hand
B. His authority to pour out the Holy Ghost
When He began His ministry, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the
wilderness. Now He tells the Holy Spirit where to go.
C. His ascendency over His enemies, who can no longer hurt Him.
There is coming a day when He will require that they acknowledge Him.
(Philippians 2:9-11)

Conclusion: The Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of those who heard Peter preach. They recognized the truth, and they were convicted of their sins, and they were moved to action. "What shall we do?" Peter's reply came in Acts 2:38: Repent and be baptized. What shall we do? Do you know Christ as your Savior? Repent, be baptized, follow Him.