Acts 2:22-36
Life today is being shaped by the influence found in our culture. In the early history of America, the Christian church influenced family life and shaped values. The Christian church also influenced the values of the education system. The Christian church had great influence on the kind of government that was formed with the focus being on freedom of the people
The Christian church’s influence on culture was shaped by the Holy scriptures that revealed God’s plan of salvation for his broken family. Simon Peter, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, preaches to the people of Israel about God’s plan that was carried out by Jesus in his death on the cross and resurrection. Peter said that, “God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life for death could not keep him in his grip.”
In Peter’s sermon he told the people of Israel what King David said centuries before about God’s plan of salvation we see in the life of Jesus. David said this about him, “I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken; for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad; and my tongue shouts his praise! My body rests in home. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy one to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.”
The Holy Spirit’s influence in life is seen in the words and life of King David. The Holy Spirit’s influence on the life of the disciples would enable them to form the community of faith – the church. What did the Holy Spirit do for David and Simon Peter and the other disciples? In the words of George Duffield, Jr. in this hymn he wrote what the Holy Spirit did in the lives of the disciples and even in the life of King David.
“Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high his royal banner, It must not suffer loss:
From victory unto victory the Army shall he lead,
till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.”
The Holy Spirit’s influence on the disciples gave them the power to speak God’s Word of life to the human family that no longer lived a life with hope and joy but were living a life of death. Let us look at what has influenced the life of the church today? Is it the Holy Spirit? I would say to you the influence on the church now comes from the culture that is shaped by electronic devices, T.V., movies, socialism, and political correct ideas. When the scriptures are being changed by cultural values to fit what people believe, then we no longer have our faith shaped by the scriptures that accept that Jesus is Lord and we are not living under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
When the church becomes a cultural club it no longer shares the power of the Christian faith. That is why our educational system is filled with teachers and professors that scorn and make fun of students that have faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. When I was in grade school and high school most of my teachers were Christians and leaders in the church. This was also true in my college years. I had professors whose moral formation was shaped by their faith in Christ. We have allowed judges to tell us God has no place in the education system. We, as a people, have short memories because the church was the first institution in education. The first Bible published in America was by the United States Congress. We see the results of a godless education system in the life of the students in our schools today.
This same godless culture is now reflected in the kind of people elected to be leaders of our government. In the Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, we see a people of faith in action. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.” That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the Consent of the governed (that’s us), that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it and institute a new government.” When the church is no longer the voice of God for a people we get wicked and evil leaders in government.
When parents no longer live in the presence of the Holy Spirit and a faith grounded in the Holy scripture, we see the godless morals take over life. John Wesley’s life shows how the religious life of his parents shaped his moral formation. His particular character strengths were piety, discipline, rationalism, and moral seriousness that allowed him to discern sin; all of which he owed to his parents. Simon Peter and the other disciples were shaped by faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
What influences the way you are living your God-given life? Is it Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding your life? Lets stand up now for Jesus that by grace, love, and forgiveness gives us a second chance at life.
