Acts 04_23-31 When the Going Gets Tough

Read Acts 4:23-31 – A communist official in Russia announced in one peasant village wheat production was up 100%. One guy stood and said, “My name is Minsky, and I’d like to know where all the wheat is.” Next year, the official reported wheat production up 200%. Same guy stood up: “My name is Minsky and I’d like to know. Where is all the wheat?” Next year the official announced wheat was up 300%. A guy in back stood up and the official said, “I know. Your name is Minsky, and . . .” But the guy interrupted: “No, my name is Polaski, and my question is, where is Minsky?” We laugh.

But to the early disciples, opposition was no laughing matter. The church grew, but by Acts 4 there was opposition in high places. When P&J report they’ve been ordered not to preach Christ, the Xns know, some of them are going to die. Faced with such hostility, their response is noteworthy.

Our opposition is not nearly so deadly. But it is only natural to be intimidated in the face of opposition. Yet true believers are serious about living out the gospel – even in a hostile environment. But how? How’d the disciples do it?

They Reached Out for Support

23) “When they were released, they went to their friends and reported.” They sought support. Even P&J, as leaders, didn’t try to go it alone. They sought courage in community. Not only is this wise, it’s our orders: Heb 10:24-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Failure to meet with other believers is disobedience and robs us of much of the sustaining courage we need to live a Xn life – even under good circumstances, let alone challenging ones. We need each other. Xns aren’t “Lone Rangers”.

Real believers want to be with family! Psa 122:1: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” Faced with opposition, we need the encouragement and support we find in others facing the same.

Unity builds courage as I learned in high school. We attended a small church in KS where the youth group was my brothers and me plus one other family. It was tough – felt like we were swimming upstream all the time. When we moved to CA, we were in a bigger church with a lot more kids of like faith. It got a lot easier to meet on campus and encourage each other.

II. They Renewed Their Perspective

What perspective? That God is still in control. That needs to pasted on our walls, and in the forefront of our minds. God is still in control. The disciples had just been dressed down by the highest earthly authorities. But their prayer isn’t, “Oh, God, please save us.” Instead, they address God as Ruler over all, including Creation – which included their enemies. And they quoted God’s Word – Psa 2 where David said, “2) The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed.” This isn’t the first time God’s people have been picked on.

This applies to their time: 27) “for truly in this city there were gathered against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel.” “We’ve seen Jesus persecuted.” They’re in good company. They’re not alone. Jn 15:18: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. . . . 20b) If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” They’re going where Jesus already went.

Look at v. 28. They see adversity intended 28) “to do whatever YOUR hand and YOUR plan had predestined to take place.” The opponents thought they were beating the gospel down – placing these believers under their thumb to do their bidding when in reality, they were implementing God’s carefully considered, predetermined, predestined plan. God is always in charge.

That didn’t excuse their oppressors. But just as their actions to rid the world of Jesus actually implemented God’s plan to save humanity, so their opposition to the apostles was part of God’s plan to spread the gospel to the far corners. You can never beat God. Never. God allows people their defiant gestures, but they are futile. In the end, God must and will prevail. I love that the apostles begin their prayer by reminding themselves -- God is in charge.

Aren’t you glad God is like that? A big, big God who is never surprised, never anxious and never defeated. So, know today your trouble is under His control. We must beat this life-changing truth into our minds until we embrace it first at any sign of trouble. A.W. Tozer: “What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” There is no peace of mind like knowing God’s got your back. This is better medicine than Prozac. Trust God! We don’t have to see the end from the beginning – bc He does.

A woman in Erwin Lutzer’s congregation came from a background of occultic practices and sexual abuse. She feared a curse placed on her and she would cause her death at age 46 like her satanic father. But she was shown how Satan was not allowed to touch Job except with God’s permission. As she embraced God’s sovereignty, her fearful heart began to rest. She realized even if God permitted Satan to strike her down at 46, she would not die according to Satan’s will, but according to God’s will. She made it past age 46, but that’s a good place to live. Payday is coming for all opposers of God. It may not look like it; but God is in control. As Spurgeon said, “When you cannot trace his hand, you must learn to trust his heart.” You have a big God! TRUST HIM!

III. They Requested Boldness

They renewed faith in a big God. But what comes next is almost shocking: 29) And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” Lord, please note the pressure we’re under.” That makes sense, right? But the logical next request would be what? “Protect us, please! Protect us; preserve your church; and negate our enemies.” That would’ve been my next request. “Get me out of this!”

But they don’t go there. They’ve accepted this is God’s plan for them. They see God’s hand in it. So they pursue His agenda not theirs. They’re people of extreme faith. They pray for endurance, not exemption, for boldness rather than deliverance. “Grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” Amazing! They had their orders – “Be my witnesses”, and Jesus had set their expectations – “If they persecuted me, they’ll persecute you.” So they pray, not for deliverance but for boldness in speaking the Word.

They prayed for boldness, not relief. They didn’t ask out, they asked in. Paul did the same from jail. Remember? Eph 4:19: Pray “also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.” If we lack boldness for Christ; we haven’t asked. I think fear often keeps us from even asking for boldness. Let’s change that pattern.

John Bunyan was imprisoned for preaching the gospel. He was told, “Mr. Bunyan, we’ll release you if you’ll just promise to cease preaching.” Now, Bunyan had a family, including a blind daughter. Yet he replied, “If you let me out of prison today, I will preach again tomorrow, by the grace of God.” They said, “Then you must stay in prison.” He replied, “I will go back and stay there if need be till the moss grows on my eyelids, but I will never deny my Master.” What courage. He sought boldness rather than relief. We can do that only if we get it firmly in our hearts that God is truly in control. God reigns. The issue is, how badly do we want to reign with Him. Let’s pray bold!

IV. They Relied on Christ

Next, they prayed 30) “while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Should we be praying for the same kind of signs and wonders? To answer fully is it’s own study, but let’s see one other text to examine greater issue at play here.

In Heb 2:3-4, God identifies the purpose for miracles: 3) “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested [past tense] to us by those who heard, 4) while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Miracles affirmed the credibility of Jesus and the apostles. It was God stamping His approval on the message.

But the frequency of miracles diminished, even in NT times. Early on, both Peter and Paul raised people from the dead; later they couldn’t even heal sick companions. The days of attesting by miracles were replaced by the attesting written Word. Historically miracles predominated at the beginning of a new era – during the time of Moses and the exodus, the time of Elijah and Elisha and the divided kingdom and the time of Christ and the apostles. So, no more miracles? Up to God. God does what He wishes when He wishes. But to affirm the message, the written Word takes precedence. Jesus said Lu 16:31: “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” With NT revelation, miracles faded.

So, how do we take this request? Look closely. First they prayed for boldness in v. 29 – God’s help to do their part. But they also pray God will do His part – thru signs and wonders in their day – thru the Word in our day. The point is, as we do our part, we trust the results to Him. Our reliance is not in our own brilliant arguments, but in the power of God. Healing is great, but physical healing always depicts something greater – spiritual healing. That’s God’s department. I can’t change hearts. You can’t change hearts. Only God can do that. That’s the prayer – that we will be faithful in our part as He produces whatever results He sees fit.

I love how journalist Marvin Olasky states this. He notes how Thanksgiving is usually a mix of Xn and non-Xn. Some feel called to seize the moment to press home the claims of the gospel. Without denying the value of sharing Christ as opportunity arises, he says this: “I’m not against asking loved ones where they think they’ll be if a car runs a red light and sideswipes them on the way home. It’s a crucial question, but we shouldn’t feel obligated to push and push as if the salvation of another rests on our shoulders. We should love those around the table and pray fervently for the Holy Spirit to work miracles.” That’s exactly how the disciples are praying – praying for boldness, at the same time trusting Him for miracles only He can perform. That’s a good place to be, a good way to pray and a great way to live.

V. They Remained Faithful

31) “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Okay, so why doesn’t the room shake today when we pray? It doesn’t shake, Beloved, bc we have something better. We have the Word of God. So when we pray for boldness and the filling of the Holy Spirit, we take it on faith that He has done it. The very physical, visible representations of a new age when they didn’t yet have a written NT are not something we need. We have His promises right here – in the Bible. As we believe them, He empowers us by His Spirit to do what these people did – continue “to speak the word of God with boldness.” In the face of opposition, they didn’t fold up their tents and go home; they remained strong and faithful – not in their own power, but in the power of the HS.

Conc – So, how do we handle opposition? Pray, remember God is bigger, rely on Christ and remain faithful. Two examples – one ancient; one modern. As Paul finished his third journey, he headed for Jerusalem, but was warned repeatedly that he’d be arrested. He could have stayed away. But Acts 21:13: “Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14) And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” And God’s will was to use Paul from jail the next 5 years as powerfully as he had on the road. He was faithful.

Modern example: Patty and I support a young couple with 5 children who are missionaries in Chad. They spend most of their days just surviving – getting water, finding food, etc. But two people – now named Abe and Sarah have come to faith in Christ in that Muslim area. We recently got this email: “Please pray for Abe and Sarah! Visitors to a wedding a few weeks back heard that Abe had become a Xn. At the wedding, they incited an uproar throughout the town over his leaving Islam. They’ve turned the whole town against Abe and Sarah, threatening their lives if they stay. We know it’s 1% driving the 99%, but to be silent or to stand up for Abe and Sarah invites trouble, so even those they know well are speaking against them. There is an opportunity for Abe and Sarah to move to the capital to get out of the situation. But they are weighing whether or not this is what God wants for them. Please pray that God would give them clarity and help them to continue to represent Christ well to those around them.” Compared to that, our opposition is pretty mild, isn’t it? But God help us to see Him as bigger than the opposition, and to pray for and exercise boldness in Christ’s name. And pray for those who have it worse. Let’s pray.

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