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STAND UP FOR JESUS
LORD’S DAY, JULY 19
Acts 2:14-15

Luke 22:31-32

 

“But I have prayed for thee,

that thy faith fail not…”

 

STAND UP FOR JESUS
 
Peter, who denied his Lord the night before the crucifixion, was now brave and bold to preach the Word! He who was a coward was now courageous to speak for his Lord. Peter lifted up his voice so that he could be heard by the multitude. This is the result of a man filled with the Spirit of God. Peter was fully controlled by the Spirit and he was no more mindful of his limitations but he fully trusted in God’s power. He was not fearful to speak before thousands of people who had gone to the Rabbinical schools. In such a homiletic “swimming pool,” Peter had to rely on the Holy Spirit alone for his message.
 
Stand up: Peter stood up with the eleven. The posture shows courage and boldness in the defense of what God had done for them. The rest of the Apostles were there to concur with what Peter would say. They were all filled with the Spirit and, with conviction, showed with their faces that they were one with their speaker. They stood with him and whatever Peter said, those were the same words that could have come from them if they were to speak also.
 
Speak up: Peter wanted to correct the false accusations. He refuted the false opinion that the disciples were drunk. This rebuff is upon a probable argument because men do not get drunk so early in the morning. He wanted to tell them the truth so he lifted up his voice in order to be heard. A voice of conviction is not a low, cold and hesitant voice. Peter made his words heard for the people to understand. It is useless to show courage and bravery without the words reaching the hearts of the hearers. Peter gave a good homiletical instruction: let your words be loud and clear to the hearers! Peter then addressed the people, the Judeans and the residents of Jerusalem. He invited them to give attention to his words as those were important for them not only to know the reason for the miracle but above all to know Jesus Christ in their lives.
 
Do you stand up for the Lord when His words and works are mocked by the world? Do you speak up on His behalf?
 
THOUGHT: Am I bold enough to stand up and speak up for Jesus?
PRAYER: Father in heaven, equip me with wisdom and courage to tell others of the truth, even in the midst of mockers and persecutors.

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