ALL ABOUT JESUS

June 5

Bible Reading: Acts 2:22-36

Acts 2:22, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—.”

Acts 2:36, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Homiletics is the art and study of preaching.  I’ve attended homiletic classes and read lots of books on the subject.  I’ve preached and listened to a lot of sermons over the years, but Peter had no such education or experience when he preached on Pentecost. In fact, the religious leaders would later perceive that both Peter and John were “uneducated, common men” (Acts 4:13).  Despite all that, Peter, who had previously denied even knowing Jesus (Matthew 26:74), boldly and eloquently proclaimed Jesus as Christ before a crowd of thousands. He did so by the Spirit.

Jesus had foretold his disciples of how the Holy Spirit would bear witness of Him, and how they would too (John 15:26-27); of the Christ-glorifying nature of the Spirit’s work (John 16:14); and how the Spirit would embolden them in their witness (Acts 1:8).  The promised Holy Spirit led and empowered Peter in his preaching.  His message was both Christ-centered and Christ-honoring.  Peter spoke of Christ in His life, miracles, death, resurrection, ascension, and Lordship!

Note that the sermon begins and ends with Jesus (Acts 2:22, 36).  That is fitting, of course.  He is the Alpha and Omega.  The first message preached in the church was a message about the One who is the head of the Church.  The One who purchased the church with His own blood.  The One who even now reigns over His church and indwells its members.  The One who is even now preparing His church for the day of His return. 

That first sermon set the standard for the church in its ministry from that day forward.  The Apostle Paul said, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).  I’ve heard of a church that inscribed on its pulpit these words for the pastor to see while he was preaching: “We would see Jesus.”  That’s the spirit in which the Holy Spirit led Peter.

“The sermon which does not lead to Christ, or of which Jesus Christ is not the top and the bottom, is a sort of sermon that will make the devils in hell laugh, but make the angels of God weep.” — Charles Spurgeon

JOIN ALL THE GLORIOUS NAMES
Join all the glorious names
of wisdom, love, and pow’r,
that ever mortals knew,
that angels ever bore;
all are too mean to speak His worth,
too mean to set my Savior forth.

Great Prophet of my God,
my tongue would bless Thy Name;
by Thee the joyful news
of our salvation came-
the joyful news of sins forgiv’n,
of hell subdued, and peace with heav’n.

Jesus, my great High Priest,
offered His blood and died;
my guilty conscience seeks
no sacrifice beside:
His pow’rful blood did once atone,
and now it pleads before the throne.

My dear Almighty Lord,
my Conqueror and King,
Thy sceptre and Thy sword,
Thy reigning grace I sing;
Thine is the pow’r; behold I sit,
in willing bonds, beneath Thy feet.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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