Peter's First Sermon

A budding preacher's first sermon is a memorable event. It was no different when Peter was the preacher.

Many preachers remember their first sermon.

Perhaps it's like a doctor performing her first hernia operation — it's not pretty, and it's probably a bloody mess, but she gets it all stitched up and the patient is good as new, better than ever.

Or maybe preaching that first sermon is like a pilot going solo for the first time. Or a lawyer giving his first summation to the jury.

[NOTE: This is an opportunity for you to get personal and share your experience. You've probably got a great story to tell about the first time you stood before a group of people, Bible in hand, to deliver the good news about Jesus. You were probably nervous, since most people cite public speaking as their number one fear (death is second, which means that most people at a funeral would rather be in the casket than in the pulpit). You might have spent hours preparing, poring over the Scriptures, getting advice and hammering out the points. You may have even practiced it at the mirror or in front of family,...