Week #6 – First Sermon Ever (Part 2)
I have seen the New Albany Ballet company’s production of The Nutcracker about fifty times. (Yes, you’re reading the right blog, so keep going.) My daughter was part of that ballet for the past decade or so, and I have appeared in it a handful of times. (That’s a different story for a different blog.) Anyway, with all that exposure and familiarity, I knew the show backwards and forwards. I noticed if someone missed a turn or misplaced a prop—nothing got by me.
That was, until one particular year, when my wife overheard me explain the storyline to another person. I described the ballet as having two completely unrelated parts: the opening party scene, followed by a dream of battles, snow, and candy. After hearing this, Lisa kindly informed me that I was wrong. She then detailed how every item appearing in the dream—mice, snow, Chinese fans, candy canes, gumdrops, and more—first appeared in the opening party scene. After confessing my evident cluelessness and tending to my bruised ego, I realized she was right. And far more than that, I was now able to see The Nutcracker with entirely new eyes. It was as if I had never seen the ballet before, as the storyline became deeper, richer, and more real to me. Without that illuminating moment, I never would have truly known what I thought I already knew so well.
The theological term for this is illumination. The Holy Spirit graciously grants us new eyes of faith, enabling us to grasp and understand the depth, beauty, truth, and meaning of God’s Word. In the second half of Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, after receiving illumination from the Holy Spirit, Peter teaches his listeners how to properly understand the Old Testament, which they thought they already knew so well. He shows them that the extraordinary story of God becomes richer, deeper, and more true (in fact, it only makes sense) in light of the sacrificial death, victorious resurrection, and glorious ascension of Jesus Christ.
Read Acts 2:25-36 together with your group. Then go through the discussion questions below, giving thanks to God for the eyes of faith that the Holy Spirit has given you.
In Christ,
Pastor Ken
Week #6 – Questions
- Consider these three doctrines: Revelation is the Word of God. Inspiration is how we get the Word of God. Illumination is how we understand the Word of God. Why do we still need illumination today, but not inspiration or revelation as in the time of the apostles?
- Peter quotes Psalms 16 and 110 in his sermon. Explain his reasoning for why David could not have been writing about himself in either case. How do we know Jesus is the preserved ‘Holy One’ and the ‘Lord’ of heaven?
- How does the Holy Spirit’s illumination of these Old Testament passages show that Jesus is their fulfillment? In light of this, how should Christians read the Old Testament?
- Peter says Jesus has been exalted to a seated position a the right hand of God the Father. What is the significance of that position and posture?
- Jesus’ active presence at the Father’s right hand means he secured victory at the cross and has authority over the world. How should this truth affect our lives now?
- Peter knew the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit illuminated the Scriptures for him. How can we cultivate hearts and minds that are open to the Spirit’s illumination of Scripture?
- Peter connects the promise of the Father and the exaltation of the Son with the outpouring of the Spirit. How does the Holy Spirit today bear witness to Jesus’ lordship in and through believers?
- Peter proclaims that God has made Jesus “both Lord and Christ.” How are these two titles significant in light of the two psalms Peter quoted?
- Peter once denied Christ but now proclaims him fearlessly to “all the house of Israel.” What caused this transformation? Where in your own context is the same Spirit calling and empowering you to speak boldly for Christ?
- If Jesus truly saved us as Christ and reigns over us as Lord, what might need to change in your beliefs, desires, actions, or relationships this week?