Jeremiah Johnston | The Tale of Two Tombs | Prestonwood Baptist Church

Main message: The resurrection and Pentecost mark the turning point from a sealed, powerless world (symbolized by David’s tomb) to an empty-tomb, Spirit-empowered church; the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost to equip ordinary, frightened followers to be bold witnesses, calling people to repent and be publicly baptized.

Key points:

• The sermon centers on Acts 2 (the day of Pentecost) and a contrast of two tombs — the honored but still-closed tombs like David’s versus the empty tomb of Jesus that signals new life and power.
• Pentecost involved three simultaneous miracles—sound (like a mighty rushing wind), sight (tongues of fire), and speech (people speaking real languages)—and marked the birthday of the church.
• The Spirit’s purpose is missionary: to give believers power and utterance to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth, not merely to produce good feelings.
• The early church was international before it was organized—pilgrims from across the known world heard the message, and God brought the nations to the church.
• Peter’s sermon (quoting Joel) produced conviction, about 3,000 conversions with immediate public baptism, and a pattern of devotion to apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.
• The practical application was a present call to repent, trust Christ, and make a public profession through baptism.

Scriptures mentioned: Acts 2, Joel (prophet), John 7, John 14, James, Acts 18