Sermon Tone Analysis

When the Going Gets Tough

(Acts 4:23-31)

August 15, 2021

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.