How do we know things? One of the ways is by observing. And in observing we can make connections and put information together that could—or in some cases should—guide our decisions and actions. Let’s talk about something simple like okra. Deer like okra plants. I like okra. And over the years, I have observed that deer wait until okra plants are about three feet tall and start to bloom before they move in and remove every leaf and blossom. That’s an observation, which has become a basis for action. I put a net around my okra.
But I don’t do it immediately when the plants emerge from seed. Because it’s also been my experience that deer don’t mess with baby okra plants. And I don’t like taking down and putting up netting when I need to weed—as is necessary early on before the okra gets tall enough to shade out most of weeds. And then when the okra gets tall enough, the deer don’t mess with it either. Observation and experience are both helpful here.
And I’m sure we could all give countless examples of how you have made observations or had experiences that revealed something to you to help you make decisions, to help you live wisely. Observation and experience are valuable teachers. But there are some things about life that require a better guide. For our observations and even our experiences are subject to misinterpretation. Our own sin can blind us to the way of wisdom. And so in things concerning life and godliness, God has been kind enough to give us more than our five senses. He has given us his word.
And Peter is going to talk about all observation, experience, and God’s word in this next section of Acts. He is going to draw on the crowds observations and experiences. For those can tell us some things about God. We learn in the psalms that “The heavens declare the glory of God.” Paul concurs and tells us that “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made.” General revelation is valuable. But it’s not sufficient to bring us to saving faith. Which is why we value Scripture so much.
Peter is going to begin laying out his argument as to why he listeners should believe. He’s going to begin with their own observations and experiences. But he’s not going to stop there. He’s going to lead his listeners and us to the Scriptures to show that indeed Jesus is both Lord and Messiah.
Pastor's Blog 