2025_03_23 Sermon Notes and Discussion Questions
March 23, 2025

Acts (Part 4): Be Saved From This Corrupt Generation

Introduction: Who God is matters more than our perception of Him.


Peter’s Sermon

  • Peter points out how Joel prophesied of the last days and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, and how this in reference to Jesus. (Acts 2:17-24)
  • Peter points out how in Psalm 16 David prophesied of Jesus not “seeing decay”. (Acts 2:25-35)
  • Peter concludes his message with the truth that: A) They crucified Jesus, B) Jesus is Lord, and C) Jesus is the Messiah (Acts 2:36)
  • Their response was: Conviction of sin, repentance, and baptism (Acts 2:37-38)


Implications for Us

  1. The true gospel is not a soft gospel.

  2. The world is not a neutral place. (Romans 1:18-21)

  3. Our own generation is just as corrupt as theirs.
    • We’ve made a virtue out of entitlement rather than responsibility.
    • We’ve made a virtue of sexual immorality over faithfulness.
    • We’ve made a virtue of self-worship over self-sacrifice.

  4. The urgency is personal.

  5. Christ is the Answer.



Small Group Discussion Questions

Icebreaker: How do you think your family and friends would describe you, and would you agree with what they would say?


Understanding Who Jesus Really Is

  1. The people expected a Messiah who would overthrow Rome, but Jesus came to save them from their sins (Acts 2:36). How do people today create a version of Jesus that fits their desires instead of submitting to who He really is?

  2. Peter proclaims that Jesus is both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Why is it easier for people to accept Jesus as Savior but harder to submit to Him as Lord? What does true surrender to His Lordship look like?


The Need for Salvation & Repentance

  1. Many today assume they are “good enough” for heaven, relying on their own morality instead of Christ’s work (Acts 2:38, Ephesians 2:8-9). What are some common ways people try to justify themselves, and how does the gospel challenge this?

  2. Peter’s audience was “pierced to the heart” and asked, “What should we do?” (Acts 2:37). How does genuine conviction lead to repentance, and why is repentance necessary for salvation?


Sharing the Gospel with Boldness

  1. Peter preached out of love, but his sermon was also bold, even confrontational, yet it led to salvation for thousands (Acts 2:14, 36-41). Why do we often fear offending people with the gospel? How can we learn to share truth with both courage and compassion?

  2. Three thousand people responded to the gospel and were baptized in one day (Acts 2:41). What would it look like if we lived with that kind of urgency for people to hear the gospel today? How can we personally take action?


Living as a Distinct People in a Corrupt Generation

  1. Peter says, “Be saved from this corrupt generation” (Acts 2:40). What are some specific ways our culture is corrupt today, and how does the gospel call us to live differently without isolating ourselves from the world? (New question to connect cultural relevance.)

  2. The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-18). How does the presence of the Holy Spirit change the way we live, and what happens when we try to follow Jesus without relying on Him?