Acts 4:1-31

Recap

Part 2 - Suffering doing good

Prayer

Follow through the passage - straight into the meat of it

disturbed because they were teaching Jesus the resurrection of the dead

Acts 4:2 NIV

They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

Remember that God has performed a miracle through the name of Jesus by the disciples.

Emboldened to share the message even though it will get them in trouble.

Sharing our faith

both are sharing their faith in how they know to, just one God has moved on from and not in anymore.

Contextualise - Scripture said this day would come

Can we liken it to today?

We are living in a post-Christian worldview - possibly pe-Christian and I think that is exciting because God at work is so much more evident and faith is more distinguishable.

Many of the structures that assisted us in school, business or governance are eroding away and mean nothing to people who do not have faith in Jesus.

We can morn this but I hope you quickly look to the new thing God is doing. He is alive in the world today and still has the power to resurrect the dead, may be God wants to resurrect the old structures that gave Him glory in the past but I think he is more interested in people. People experiencing the transformation power of Jesus.

Refer to Michael Frost post

Take for example scripture in schools - chaplains - Mustard, Christian schools.

" Marry your mission. Date your model." This is wise advice from pastor and leadership expert Andy Stanley. Your mission is your why. Simon Sinek says " Any organization can explain what it does; some can explain how they do it; but very few can clearly articulate why."

Defending the good news of Jesus should not come from a place of frustration or fear. but of Joy and witnessing. explaining what others are seeing and hearing. Going where God is already at work.

Simiply, from doing good in the world - Peter goes into more depth on this matter in his letter, you will notice the part about having a reason for our faith but this whole section is to good not to read it in its entirety.

1 Peter 3:8–22 NIV

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Baptism symbolises the process that saves us, dying to ourselves and lifting us up Holy with God.

The answer for our hope is in doing good our reason, our why for doing so is the countless good things God has done for us.

Peter and John offered this lame man healing because Jesus can restore all things and it is good to do so.

Where are you doing good in the world today and don’t cut yourself sort?

Peter goes on

Acts 4:8–13 NIV

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

3 key things from this passage when sharing our faith

1. The Holy Spirit will guide us - do we know the voice of the Holy Spirit

2. Rejection is expected, some people do not want to be helped, to submit or to give over power to someone else (if I told you to raise your hands, how does that make you feel?). Rejecting what is good for us - going to the gym, not eating things, when the pressure is on cutting our quiet time.

3. People will know there is something different about you. When I came to Newstead I could see something different, trust yourself (a lesson I need to learn).

The old structure was afraid of this new power that could heal by the name of Jesus

Acts 4:15-17.

Ordered not to speak the name of Jesus

Song I speak Jesus

I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over every heart and every mind 'Cause I know there is peace within Your presence I speak Jesus

I just want to speak the name of Jesus 'Til every dark addiction starts to break Declaring there is hope and there is freedom I speak Jesus

Your name is power Your name is healing Your name is life Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows Burn like a fire

I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over fear and all anxiety To every soul held captive by depression I speak Jesus

Shout Jesus from the mountains, Jesus in the streets Jesus in the darkness over every enemy And Jesus for my family I speak the holy name, Jesus

The name of Jesus is not a magical formula or an absolute power that you can tap into. ‘It is a dynamic, personal relationship with Jesus’ continuing presence and influence on earth.

Speaking Jesus is in words and in action - a step of faith and obedience

Are we willing to stand and proclaim Jesus?

Are we willing to have Jesus do the miraculous through us?

We do not need to defend God but we do need to give him recognition.

Acts 4:19–20 NIV

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Time of Prayer

Repent from living life for yourself, instead humble yourself to the power and life of Jesus, that you to will experience the power to resurrect the dead in this life and the next.

Do you want God to display His power in you? this is a dangerous prayer. It will come with rejection and suffering, but you will Experience God, the Holy Trinity like never before.

Invite into discipleship -

Invite to plan to do something good this week. Because of my love for Jesus