P. T. Forsythe wrote, “Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us. The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master.” Who is the Master of your soul? Do you ever wonder that? In Jesus’ day, as in ours, power brokers vied for control. Imperial Rome answered, “Caesar is Lord.” Peter begged to differ as he pointed to David’s words in the Psalms to argue that Jesus is Lord.
Peter’s message rose to a crescendo as he explained the sights and sounds at Pentecost. God raised Jesus from the dead and he was exalted to the right hand of the Father. Jesus received and poured out the promised Holy Spirit. God made Jesus both Lord and Messiah. Which Jesus? The one they crucified.
When Peter’s hearers heard that they had crucified the Messiah they asked, “What shall we do?” When we realize that Jesus died for our sins, we repent and get baptized in the name of Jesus. God forgives us and gives us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit who came like a wind and with fire was not just for the people in the upper room but for everyone whom God called.
We don’t have the full sermon Peter preached. He used many other words, pleading with the people to save themselves. Three thousand accepted the message, were baptized, and added to the church in a single day.
The story is told of a country evangelist preaching in a revival. Ushers left the door open so a breeze would come into the old church that hot night. An old hound entered the back of the church and stopped at every pew looking at the faces of the people in the room. After going to the front, the dog turned and left the building. The distracted crowd grew silent when the preacher asserted, “The dog knew more than we do. At least he came here tonight, looking for his master.” Has your soul found your Master? For two thousand years, the people of God have made the good confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”
