Unschooled, Ordinary Courage from Jesus
Acts (To Be Continued...) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 3 viewsWhere are you lacking courage in your life? If you are a follower of Jesus, where are you lacking boldness? How would your life and world change, if you had the courage to do what Jesus is calling you to do? How does Jesus help us and empower us to be courageous? Peter and John had tremendous boldness in their interaction with the religious leaders.
Notes
Transcript
Please turn to Acts 4.
we are in a series of what Jesus continues to do in the life of the early church,
....right after Jesus had died, risen, and ascended to heaven
and I want to remind you that in chapter 3—Peter and John, 2 of the 12 apostles, went to pray at the Jewish temple, and on the way, met a man who had been crippled from birth.
they look at him—and don’t give him money, but in Jesus’ name, heal him
this causes a quite a stir in the temple courts.
Peter preaches a sermon in chapter 3.
and the Jewish religious leaders don’t like it. They have Peter and John arrested, and now interrogated.
I want to back up and start at vs. 8 from last time—look at the sermon Peter preaches to the religious leaders:
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
9 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,
10 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.
11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
2 weeks ago, I talked about how Jesus is the only way, and why that is good news.
13 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.
14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.
16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.
17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!
20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
look at verse 13…
let’s read together...
13 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.
Courage...
I am struck by the courage of Peter and John...
What would you have done or said if you were Peter and John here...
b/c think of what they are doing...
Peter and John are boldly testifying to the reality of Jesus Christ—that Jesus is the only way to be saved, the only way to be forgiven by God, the only way to enter God’s kingdom.
in vs. 10—you crucified him. the very one that God raised and approved, you rejected and killed.
he even accuses them in verse 11—you rejected him.
there is no other name…but Jesus.... don’t base your life on anything else—even good things or religious things—you need Jesus Christ more than anything or anyone.
they are risking their lives...
they know that these leaders are the very ones who falsely accused Jesus Christ…and had him crucified, tortured on a cross...
they could experience the same!
the kind of boldness they are showing is in terms of witness.
Jesus had said this:
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
So what would you have done?
Anytime I hear the word “courage.” I can’t help but think of that classic movie/musical the Wizard of Oz—where Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tinman meet the Lion on the way to the Wizard of Oz.
And I watched that scene again to prepare…and they are going down the yellow brick road, realizing they may face “lions, and tigers, and bears...” oh my!
and this scary lion jumps out (with a Brooklyn NY accent)—threatens them, until little Dorothy slaps him—and the scary lion starts crying “What did you do that for....”
and the lion admits he is just a coward—really that big front of being a scary lion or a bully—deep down he is a coward.
“I haven’t any courage at all…I am even afraid of my self...”
“i haven’t slept in months...”
scarecrow: “why haven’t you tried counting sheep?
lion: “I am even afraid of them...”
I think deep down—we can relate to this lion…we talk and walk and post online... a good talk and walk…that we are much more courageous than we think…but each of us inside is like a cowardly lion...
and as the musical goes on—the lion experiences a transformation in his courage....he sings that famous song “If I were king of the forest....”
they ask him, “You Majesty, if you were king, you wouldn’t be afraid of anything?
Lion: Not nobody, not nohow.
Tin man: not event a rhinocerous
Lion: Imposserous
Dorothy: How about a hippopotamus
Lion: why I’d trash him from top to bottomaus
Dorothy: supposin’ you met an elephant?
Lion: I’d wrap him up in cellophant!
Scarecrow: what if it were a brontosaurus?
Lion: I”d show him who was king of the Forest...”
how do we have that kind of transformation like the lion...
how do we live like Peter and John—they went through a transformation—before the crucifixion…the apostles were terrified…
especially — Peter — we know was denying Jesus—he denied Jesus 3x—afraid of being associated with him....afraid of what could happend to him...
what transformed these men from cowards to courageousness....
and I am thinking in all sorts of categories today...
—certainly in terms of our witness—what would it be like if we had courage to talk about Jesus in our everyday lives…just like these apostles....
—what would it look like if we had courage to follow what we know God is calling us to do? Maybe he has been impressing on our lives to make a decision, to step out in faith...
—maybe it’s to confront reality—that your life is not going well, that you are addicted to something that is harming you—pornography, drugs or alcohol, or the approval of others—and you need freedom. one of the biggest steps of courage in the Christian life is often coming to grips with reality and our own sin and problems...
—maybe it’s courage to have a courageous confrontation with someone who has hurt you or you hurt them and you need to apologize—and forgive and reconcile
—maybe it’s courage to get involved again and connected in a Sunday morning group, or small group, or perhaps to reach out to friends to start a Bible study care group…b/c you have been hurt by Christian community in the past
—maybe it’s courage to persevere and keep going—not give up when it it would be so easy to do that.
—what would it look like to have a congregation—people filled with courage to be on a mission for Jesus, following Jesus wherever He takes us…to be his witnesses to the ends of the eart...
that is exciting…
how do we get it?
OS: let’s talk about this courage — what it is…and how to get it.
What courage is and isn’t...
*not being a jerk (look at vs. 8) (or arrogant)
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
sometimes we say we are bold in the name of Jesus, but based on our lack of respect or civility, we are just rude. We cry “persecution...” but we have just been annoying or disrespectful. we are seeking it out…Peter and John are not seeking it out. Jesus heals a man through them…people gather…they speak so clearly about hope in Jesus…and this bothers the religious authorities. and they even recognized the religious leaders as rulers and elders of the people...
so the lesson here is may we be careful not to be intentional jerks or disrespectful
sometimes we think “well I told them…I let them have it...” That’s not courage—if there is no love—courage must have love to be true courage.
I think Peter and John do want to see these religious leaders transformed...
*it’s being clear and up front with our speech in our witness....
—in normal every Greek terms, this courage terminology described the rights of citizens to say anything in the public assembly, openness to truth, and the courage of openness or candour.” (David Peterson, Pillar, pg. 194)
—we get the picture here it is having the courage to speak up and do what God is calling you to do — look at verse. 19-20
Acts 4:19–20 (NIV)
19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!
20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
*It’s having a divine compulsion — I am compelled by God to do this. I must do this—with urgency, and compulsion—the moment is now!
we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard…often we know when we should be courageous—b/c the Spirit is moving in our soul to do or say something or persevere...
*it is not a lack of feeling fear (or stress or pain in this at times)…but you won’t be ruled by fear.... Fear and concern may be a factor…but it is not the defining factor…or the final factor...
you are a normal human being if you experience concern, even worry, even anxiety at times—but the final factor will be God.
the Apostle Paul—that was one of his prayers—that he would speak fearlessly—implying that He needed help
19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
ironically—as you think about these clarifications on boldness---
look at the contrast between religious leaders and Peter and John
—1st one - it’s the religious leaders who are being the jerks—threats—jerks—not Peter and John
—2nd one — ironically—--it is the religious leaders who have all the power—they are afraid…of public opinion. they are like politicians rather than religious or spiritual leaders. Peter and John have no political power, but they demonstrate massive courage. vs. 19— “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?” Peter and are being clear and upfront—with God behind them—not the religious leaders....
—3rd — the religious leaders think they have a divine compulsion—although you see themselves questioning it as they are denying an obvious miracle in front of their eyes...
—4th - it’s the religious leaders who are letting their fear rule the day—rather than fear of God.
think with me for a second…what are some common fears we have---that gets in the way of being bold for Jesus...
What gets in the way of our boldness… (you see it in these religious leaders)
1. —fear of man… (that’s a snare) “what will others think…the people think…my boss think…my family think…my parents think…my friends think....
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
how often do we let the fear of human beings be the final evaluation on our hearts and lives—rather than Jesus....
this fear of man limits our witness— “What will people think if I bring up Jesus?”
“What will my family or friends think if I bring up Jesus?”
I feel that with my non-believing friends and family...
I even feel that in my role as a pastor—I am not the kind of guy that likes making people angry or upset—I am a peacemaker—and I wrestle with how bold to be even on a Sunday morning…or how much I should confront someone in our church if I am concerned about what is happening in their life...
Peter originally did when he denied Jesus 3x—but now—it’s the fear of God driving him.
one of my favorite original Christian bands/groups going up—was a group called DC Talk—they were groundbreaking....for contemporary Christian music, and when I was in middle school, their song Jesus Freak came out— and they said, “What will people think when they hear that I am a Jesus freak...” “What will people do when they find out it’s true...” “I don’t really care if they label me a Jesus Freak… there ain’t no disguising the truth....”
2. —fear of the future… the religious leaders probably thought... “what if…they are right…and we lose our status or position” “what is the worst happens—and we lose our jobs, or we lose our temple to the Romans...” “What if...” “this desire for self-protection...”
we don’t see that with Peter and John—they seem confident that God has got them...
but so many times—we play the “What if game...” What will happen if...
I remember watching an episode of a show called This is US—I am not endorsing everything on that show—but if you ever want to just cry every night—just watch that.
There is a character on that show called Randall—he and his wife—when they are worried about something in the future…they play this game where Randall and his wife go back and forth just saying out loud “the worst things that can happen.” b/c they believe that if they say them—it will help.
Now, I don’t know if that is good advice—I am not sure it is…but their articulation of the worst…is often what you and I think.... “What if…this happens…what if that happens...
How to grow in boldness
we want to and need to if we are going to be his witnesses…and there is a lot at stake:
but there is also a warning about lack of boldness
look at Revelation 21:8
8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
the cowardly....
26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
it is possible to lack courage so much—or be cowardly so much…that instead of putting Jesus first—we put other things first like other’s approval or money or whatever. that’s the thing beneathe the thing
—**doesn’t require education or a certain background (vs. 13)
13 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.
these terms of unschooled, ordinary—this means that they were not trained as interpreters of Scripture and the ways of the religious leaders.
this is can get in our way—thinking we are not good enough or trained enough or educated enough—you don’t to have formal education to have boldness for Jesus.
**boldness instead requires time with Jesus.
13 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.
we spend time with Jesus…in order to be and look more and more like Jesus. we spend time with Jesus—so people will Jesus in us…we spend time with Jesus…in order to naturally, by the Spirit of God—be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.
It’s really not that complicated…if you and I want more boldness—I don’t need to give you a motivational speech, or get you fired up like a coach…or guilt you into it…or say “Just go do it...”
I would say “spend time with Jesus.”
—pray humbly—the next week’s passage—they will pray for boldness—don’t be afraid to pray…I mentioned that boldness is not always the lack of fear…but if we are feeling afraid—we can humbly come before our great God, admit it, humble ourselves—admit we need his courage. perhaps the first step to courage is to admit we need it. and not pretend or hide it. admit it. how many of you need courage in your life? don’t be afraid to admit it—we are covered under the massive grace of God and can...
—spend time in His Word…filling my thoughts and really my brain—letting my heart soak in God’s Word....when I read stories in the Bible of how God led the Israelites out of Egypt—against all odds, that gives me courage. when I read of ordinary people—people like Moses, David, Esther, Ruth, Peter, and John—all very flawed individuals…yet God filled them by His Spirit to have courage, I am inspired. Read Hebrews 11—the hall of faith or fame of flawed people who trusted ultimately in God.
—if you are not sure where to start — read the book of Mark. If you have read the Bible before and need to go deeper—read Romans or Hebrews.
—read about God’s promises—never will He leave us nor forsake us
—read that the one who is in us is greater than the one in the world
—read Joshua 1:9 - have I not commanded you be strong and courageous—do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go...
—if you can’t be 1000% more courageous—what would happen if all of us were just 5% more courageous in our lives next....what difference would that make in our daily lives—in our marriages—in our relationships, and friendships...
—most of all—never tire of looking at Jesus....
*communion or the Lord’s Supper is open for anyone who is a believer…
*don’t have to be a member or regular attender...
look at the courage of our Lord and Savior—the honest and real courage....
communion
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.
46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
what an amazing insight into the heart of our Lord and Savior Jesus.
He is about to go to the cross—his body is about to be broken—that’s the bread—He is giving it all for us in our place....
his blood is about to be shed—that’s the cup…reminding us of it...
he mentions—the cup—that is also a reference in the OT to—suffering—to experiencing God’s wrath against sin—he is about to drink it all by shedding his blood in our place…and he staggered…it didn’t show a lack of faith…but He clung to His Father---Father—not my will but yours be done.
Here is the one who never feared man ultimately—but His Father...
Here is the one who was never a jerk out of his boldness—but spoke the truth in love.
Here is one who had the divine compulsion—the Son of Man came to give His life as a ransom for many...
Here is the one who was real and honest with his concern—so stressed he is sweating drops of blood—but did not sin—He did it all to show you the magnitude of what He did....so you could have an eternal relationship with God—be in His kingdom—fully restored to HIm...
and you too could not live courageously for Jesus—being His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
when we recognize our desperate need for Jesus—and realize that we are sinners in need of God’s grace—it defeats the arrogance, it emboldens us.
Go ahead and pray....