THE PURPOSE OF PREACHING AS SEEN IN ACTS 2

By David J. Riggs


Intro.
   A. Acts 2 records the first great gospel sermon and the events    
      that followed.
      1. There are many lessons we can learn from this chapter, one  
         of one which is: "the purpose of preaching."
      2. Why should one preach or teach the gospel of Christ?
      3. We can glean several reasons for preaching as we examine    
         this great chapter in the word of God.

I. The purpose of preaching is to discuss and explain the Scriptures.
   A. Luke uses about 25 verses to report Peter's sermon.  Twelve of 
      these verses are direct quotations from the Scriptures.
   B. This is true not only of Peter but other inspired men.
      1. Stephen's sermon in Acts 7 is filled with Scriptural 
         references.
      2. Philip began at the same Scripture. Acts 8:35
      3. See Neh. 8:8.  The comments of Peter were an explanation of 
         the verses quoted.
   C. There is too much preaching today without any Scripture.  See 1
      Pet. 4:11

II. The purpose of preaching is to exalt Jesus Christ.
   A. Peter lays down three points which he seeks to establish.
       1. Jesus was a man approved of God. Acts 2:22; John 3:1-2
       2. They had crucified Him. Acts 2:23; Acts 3:13-15
       3. God had raised Him from the dead. Acts 2:24; this is the   
          main point to be established and thus, he addresses most of
          his time to it)
   B. He establishes this by three points. Acts 2:25-36
      1. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies--ex. it referred to the
         resurrection of Christ.
      2. They were witnesses of it. Acts 2:32
      3. God had shed forth this which they now see and hear. Thus, 
         the people were witnesses. Acts 2:33
         a. His conclusion and the main point of his sermon is in 
            verse 36.
   C. Our preaching should be Christ centered. 1 Cor. 2:1-2; Acts
      4:12

III. The purpose of preaching is to produce conviction.  Acts 2:37
   A. This kind of preaching disturbs people.
      1. Peter did not preach in such away as to leave people 
         satisfied. Preaching that leaves men satisfied in sin and 
         error has failed in its purpose.
   B. This kind of preaching produces conviction.
      1. It causes some deep soul-searching. (Ex. "What if I should 
         die in my condition?)
      2. It was conviction produced by evidence not by emotionalism 
         or excitement. Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1; John 20:30-31
   C. This kind of preaching causes people to think and ask 
      questions.

IV. To tell men how to be saved, to lead into the church.  Acts      
    2:38,47
   A. Peter announced God's law of pardon.
      1. This was what Christ authorized him to say. Matt. 28:18-20;
         Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-49
      2. To give any other answer is to fail miserably as a preacher.
      3. To leave men thinking they are saved without being in the 
         church is to fail miserably. 

V. To exhort to obedience and personal responsibility.  Acts 2:40-41
   A. There are certain personal requirements God has placed on all.
      Phil. 2:12; Gal. 6:4,15
   B. We need preaching that exhorts men to their responsibilities to
      the Lord.

VI. To produce unity and growth.  Acts 42-46
   A. Preaching that divides the church has missed its purpose.  1   
      Cor. 1:10-18
      1. God hates the sowing of discord among brethren.  Prov. 6:19
      2. It's wonderful when brethren dwell together in unity.  Psalm
         133:1

VII. To bring joy and gladness.  Acts 2:46-47 
   A. Proper kind of preaching will bring great joy to the hearts of
      men.
   B. There is no greater joy than that which the faithful Christian
      experiences.  1 Pet. 1:8

Concl.
   A. We mention, by way of summary, that we can learn much about    
      acceptable preaching from Acts 2.  The purpose of preaching is:
      1. To discuss and explain the Scriptures.
      2. To exalt Jesus Christ.
      3. To produce conviction in the hearts of men.
      4. To instruct people on how to be saved and to lead into the  
         church.
      5. To exhort to obedience and personal responsibility.
      6. To produce unity and growth.
      7. To bring joy and gladness.
   B. It is our prayer that we might continue to do our best as we   
      proclaim God's holy word.
      1. May God help us to make our preaching profitable and        
         effective in the way God Himself ordained.