Make Jesus Famous in the World

I want to begin by saying thank you for this opportunity to speak this morning, it is always an honor to be used by God to deliver His word.

This morning I want to look at some of the questions, comments that Pastor Phil has made over the last few weeks in his messages, these are things that God has really spoken to me through and God has developed those questioned and comments in me.

As Pastor Phil was preaching about every believer having a calling last Sunday, God spoke to me and said to me that we as believers need to make Jesus famous in the world.

As I pondered that statement this week, Make Jesus Famous in the World, and sought God’s face on that statement He took me to the book of Acts. He spoke to me personally in a couple of different of ways, but for this morning lead me to Acts and for the main text chapter 4, but I think for the context of the text and for the message we need to be reminded of the main points of the first three chapters of Acts.

But then as I was spending time with the Lord this morning preparing my heart to be used by Him, as I was praying and seeking God’s face and reading His word, I start with a chapter in Psalm, then I read a chapter in the New Testament and one in the Old Testament. Right now in the New Testament I am in the book of Romans, this morning I read chapter 10, and God spoke to me in chapter 10 through some of those verses that tie right in with this message.

But we are going to focus on Acts and we will hit those verses in Romans somewhere too.

Acts chapter 1 starts off with Jesus preparing to ascend to heaven, He tells the disciples, all those that are gathered around not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father, he continues telling them, John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Then Jesus tells them in Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NASB95

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

After Jesus tells them that they are going to receive power to be his witness to the world, he ascends up to heaven, then two angels come and tell the people that Jesus will come back just as he left.

These people leave the mountain and go to Jerusalem and wait in an upper room where they pray in unity as they patiently wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

We are told in verse 15, that there was about 120 people in that upper room praying.

Then in chapter 2 the day of Pentecost comes, which has been 10 days since Jesus has ascended, with the disciples praying in unity, and the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples gathered in the upper room praying together in unity. This coming of the Holy Spirit comes suddenly and is heard like a violent rushing wind.

The Holy Spirit appears like a tongue of fire on the people, the people started to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit gave utterance.

Now the day of Pentecost is Pentecost means fiftieth and refers to the feast of weeks or Harvest which was celebrated 50 days after Passover in May/June. It is one of 3 annual feasts for which the nation of Israel was to come to Jerusalem. At Pentecost, an offering of firstfruits was made.

With this major feast going on in the city of Jerusalem and people there from all over the known world, estimates of anywhere from 200,000 to 2 million people were in the city of Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. These people from all over, there to bring their offerings.

With the people being from all over, they spoke all different languages, yes they spoke Greek as that was the main language, but their native language would have been all different kinds, therefore, when it says that the Holy Spirit caused the disciples to speak in different tongues, this is referring to different languages, for example - English, Spanish, French, Haitian, Cuban, and so forth. Every person may know English but if a person’s native language is Spanish they will understand it better in Spanish.

Now that the Holy Spirit has come and empowered the disciples, Peter stands up and begins to preach a sermon, these people from all over are hearing this message in their own native language, after he finishes, they ask what do we do with it.

Peter says in verse 38 of chapter 2, Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

That day 3,000 people were saved and baptized.

Chapter 3 then Peter and John head out to the temple at the ninth hour for prayer - which is 3 pm and on their way into the temple a lame beggar sitting at the temple hoping to get something, not really paying attention as he has been doing this his entire life and at forty years of age is just in a routine if you, as people approach just sticks his cup up for whatever people will put in it.

In verse 4 Peter says to the man Look at us, and then continuing on says look we do not have silver and gold, but what we do have we will give you, in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth - walk!

They reach out help the lame beggar man up, and he does not just slowly stand up but leaps up and begins to walk, leaping and praising God. This man begins to skip and jump and shouting for joy, as God just healed this man that has been lame from birth.

The people around take notice as this man has been sitting in this area for years possible 25 plus years begging for money.

This draws a crowd, and gives Peter and John another opportunity, Peter takes that opportunity and begins to preach. People are there at the temple paying their tithe and offering. Saying their afternoon prayers, and now Peter is preaching the gospel message to them, he has seized the opportunity that has been presented to him.

This brings us to chapter 4 of Acts our main text.

Acts 4:1–7 NASB95

1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. 5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

I. By What Power?

The Jewish officials hear the commotion going on, they notice the crowd that has gathered up, and they go to find out what is going on, and they also notice that the lame beggar is up walking and shouting for joy.

Next they notice that Peter and John are preaching and everyone is paying attention to them. Then they start to ask questions, how did this lame man get up and walk, and people are like well he came with those two men.

The Jewish officials - the priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees come and take Peter and John and throw them in jail for the night because it is late. The next day they start to question them.

These Jewish officials want to know who gave them the authority to be preaching on the temple property, and to be doing miracles?

Who gave them the authority to have this power?

II. If This was over a Sick Man

Acts 4:8–9 NASB95

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,

Peter begins his response filled with the Holy Spirit, let me stop right there, as I heard a pastor give an illustration one time that really made since and has really stuck with me ever since.

There is a difference between being sealed or having the Holy Spirit and being Filled with the Holy Spirit and to illustrate this I am going to use a couple of balloons.

Now Peter filled with the Holy Spirit, he says to the Jewish officials, if we were on trial for a benefit done to a sick man, wow.

Peter just kind of called these officials out, the officials made it out to the crowd that they were arresting Peter and John for practicing medicine without a proper license if you will, but now Peter is like if that was really why we were on trial, for helping a sick man, then this would be different, this trial would be different.

Another words this is not over a sick man, and we both know better, let’s get to the point here, and Peter is about to get right to it.

III. Tables Turned

Acts 4:10–11 NASB95

10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.

Peter says let it be known to all, Peter is not just telling the Jewish officials, he wants everyone to know, all people of Israel, that it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazarene, Peter also did not want anyone to mistake who he was speaking about also, so he specified that it was Jesus Christ of Nazarene.

Then Peter turns the table on the Jewish officials, Peter says, Jesus Christ of Nazarene whom you crucified, he did not beat around the bush but got right to it there, then he continues with whom God raised from the dead.

The Jewish officials asked by what power Peter and John spoke healing, now Peter says, by his name, that is Jesus Christ the Nazarene, Peter says, this man stands here before you in good health.

Peter says it is because of Jesus Christ that this lame beggar is standing here.

Peter continues, He is the stone which was rejected by you, that is the Jewish officials rejected Jesus, they never accepted him.

IV. No Other Name

Acts 4:12 NASB95

12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

Peter then tells the officials that there is no other name that a person can find salvation in, It is only through Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:9–11 NASB95

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The name that we need to be making famous in this world, God the Father has already exalted it highly above everything and anything else, and weather you accept for salvation or not, all people saved or not, will bow before the Lord Jesus Christ one day, but at that time it will be to late.

Jesus even said to the disciples in John 14:6

John 14:6 NASB95

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Jesus is the only way to the Father, the only way to salvation, it is better to accept that salvation, than to be made to bow before him and not receive salvation.

But see as believers it is our job, our responsibility to share this with the world, with those that are lost and dying and going to hell.

It is our duty to make Jesus famous in the World.

Romans 10:14–17 NASB95

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” 16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

The world must hear of Jesus to be able to believe, and to hear of Jesus we must tell them of Jesus, and to tell them of Jesus we must go out into the world and make Jesus famous, what I mean by make Jesus famous, is simply go out and talk about Jesus, go out and share Jesus, go out and share your Jesus story, how Jesus saved you of your sins.

V. Speaking Boldly

Now back to our main text in Acts 4, the text continues as the Jewish officials then respond to Peters message to them

Acts 4:13–19 NASB95

13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 “But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;

in verse 13 we are told there that these Jewish officials observed the confidence of Peter and John, but they also understood that these two men were uneducated and untrained men.

Peter and John were fishermen, they were not Pharisees, or Sadducees, or Scribes, they were fishermen, therefore, they had not been to Bible school and learned the Scripture like these men that they were standing in front of, but they were men that had worked for a living and they worked hard.

Matthew 4:18–22 NASB95

18 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

There we see Jesus calling Peter and John as disciples, both were fishing when Jesus called them to follow him.

Jesus said to Peter and Andrew, follow me, and I will make you fisher of men, and it says in verse 20 immediately they left their nets and followed Him, verse 22 says practically the same thing of James and John the sons of Zebedee.

These four men, did not hesitate, they did not sit down and think about it, they did not ask each other, it says they immediately left and followed him.

Pastor Phil asked the question, Has God asked you to do something that requires your obedience?

When Jesus asked Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him, it required obedience, and faith!

They immediately were obedient, has God asked you to do something requiring you to be obedient?

Pastor Phil then said, if God has not asked you to do something requiring you to be obedient, why not?

Let me say, if you are a born again believer, God has commanded you to share your faith, to go forth and be a witness to those around you, those that are lost, if you are not, then you are not being obedient.

If you are not being obedient, then is God speaking to you, is God stirring in your heart, is God stepping on your toes?

If not then you must ask yourself are you really saved, a you really a child of God, because He says He disciplines those that He loves.

Hebrews 12:6 NASB95

6 For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”

We are to make Jesus Famous, known in the World.

We talk a lot these days about the end of times, that Jesus is coming any time, that the world is in a mess and is going to end at any time, and I am not saying that I disagree, but look what Jesus said in Matthew 24:14

Matthew 24:14 NASB95

14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

The Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, Jesus also told us to go forth and make disciples of all nations, to all the world, to be a witness of his to all the world.

We go to get busy, and we got to quit being ashamed and get bold about sharing the gospel message, I love what Paul says in Romans 1:16

Romans 1:16 NASB95

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

See the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, we as believer should desire that all people be saved, and we need not to be ashamed, but go forth and share this gospel messaged that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of whoever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life.

We all fall short of the glory of God, but God loves us so much that He sent Jesus so that we have a way to have that salvation, so that we can be found righteous before him, through that shed blood of Jesus Christ, because of His perfect sacrifice on the cross.

Romans 10:9–10 NASB95

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

If you will believe that Jesus died for you today, believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth, you shall be saved.

Romans 10:13 NASB95

13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”