Two Street Preachers

Last night we went to an auto show and stopped on the way home for dessert. Outside the restaurant a few people were handing out pamphlets. One of them was standing on a box preaching. His message was simple, mostly a repetition of “Believe and be saved.” I wondered if anyone understood his message. Believe what? Be saved from what? The man’s heart was in it but did his words need more explanation?

This morning, I opened my Bible to Acts and read the first recorded sermon of the early church. A crowd gathered in wonder at those who were filled with the Spirit and speaking in tongues. Peter explained this was a fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy, reviewing history familiar to them. Then he shared God’s plan beginning with some words from the OT:

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)

In other words, Peter connected with his audience. Before he got to the main message, he told them why he was there. Then he said this:

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know — this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:22–24)

This was astonishing. Jesus did not die at the hands of men who hated Him; He died because God planned it! Peter had their attention.

He continued to explain how Jesus fulfilled the words of David, their beloved king . . .  

“Being therefore a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:30–33)

Peter reviewed what his hearers already knew, connecting it with what they were now seeing.

I think again of the street preacher. How could he connect with them not knowing anything about them? Could he speak of universal needs, like the need for forgiveness, for peace of heart, for a fresh start? Would connect if the people knew he understood human need? Or that his own need had been met by an encounter with Jesus?

Of course the big challenge for anyone standing on a soap box is catching the attention of those who walk by. They could hear only one or two sentences making it difficult to convey good news of salvation. Obviously, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and given words to say. The passage tells what happened:

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:37–41)

God uses all this to make an impact on me. I may never be called to stand on a soapbox, but whatever God wants from me must be done in the power of His Spirit. I cannot know what to do or say without His grace and wisdom. Besides, no one will listen to me without the Holy Spirit opening their hearts.

In Peter’s case, God set up a scenario where people were curious — why are these people able to speak in different languages? They stopped to listen and God gave Peter the way to explain the answer using Scripture the people would know. He also blessed him with the ability to connect his explanation with Jesus and why God had sent Him. Nothing I do for the Lord can be approached without prayer and without surrendering myself to Him.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I tend to measure the success of what I do by the results. Reading Acts shows me You used Peter’s sermon to reach three thousand who received his word and were baptized. But what about the man on the street corner? Assuming he was there because You told him to do it, how would he feel as people ignored him, refused the pamphlets, and even laughed in his face or mocked Him? How am I with obedience that shows nothing in return for it? Does obedience always set the world on fire? Or are You looking for faithfulness rather than a flood of converts? Can I obey You even if there seems to be no reason for it? Today You give me much to ponder!

That very first prayer . . .

My first prayer happened when a kitten named Pudgy disappeared. After looking for what seemed like hours to my pre-teen mind, I sat on the edge of my bed and tried to bargain with God. I said if He produced my kitten, I’d do whatever He wanted.

The kitten showed up. She was sleeping inside a small bookshelf. The Lord kept His part of my bargain, but I didn’t keep mine. It was many years later before I even thought about obeying God.

The first and most vital prayer happens at salvation, which is God’s invitation, His presenting of a ‘bargain’ to us. He says, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) This promise (a better word than bargain) is repeated throughout the Bible . . .

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14)

In the former days, most of God’s covenants were not like this one. He promised using words like, “If you do this, I will do that . . .” but because no one would or could keep their side of it, He sent His Son who would keep the covenants. Jesus did the will of God perfectly, but He did far more by also paying the penalty for our failure and disobedience. This ‘Messiah’ was hinted at and outright declared throughout biblical history, telling God’s people to trust in this promise and hope for His redemption.

Because Jesus came, “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21) This is God’s desire. He wants to spend eternity with us, but our sin prevents that, so He provided a way to deal with that problem. The price is paid and the way is open to whosoever will believe in Jesus.

In that regard, God’s people are told to pray for everyone, not just that our lives would be blessed, but that people would be saved:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–4)

When I was a child worrying about my lost kitten, I had no idea that my sin was a serious barricade between me and God. For it I deserved death, but Jesus took my sin upon Himself and died that death. In an incredible trade, He then gave me His righteousness. I’m often slow to live out that gift, but it is mine, not because I asked for it, but because He is a God of grace and promise . . .

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

As I now pray for others, including leaders and those in high places, I often wish His answers would come as quick as those I prayed to find Pudgy, but “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

In the right time, God is more than able to enlighten eyes and grant faith to those on my prayer list and anyone else. I am convinced that nothing is impossible for Him. Because He saved me, I am certain He can bless and save whoever He wants.