Leverage Your Life #3 (2)

3 Leverage Your Life

Abiding and meeting with Jesus fuels our actions and ministries for Jesus.

“When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition. After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” So they called for them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done. For this sign of healing had been performed on a man over forty years old. After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers assemble together against the Lord and against his Messiah. “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:13–31, CSB)

The main theme of Acts 4:13-31 centers on the boldness and courage of Peter and John in proclaiming the message of Jesus, despite opposition from religious authorities. The passage highlights how these "unlearned and ignorant men" displayed remarkable confidence when confronted by the Sanhedrin, a powerful religious council[1]. Their courage (parrēsia) in speaking openly and frankly is noted as a prominent theme in Acts[2]. The religious leaders were astonished by the apostles' boldness, recognizing that they had been with Jesus[2][3]. Despite threats and attempts to silence them, Peter and John remained steadfast, asserting that they must obey God rather than human authorities[1]. The passage also emphasizes the undeniable nature of the miracle performed through them, which the Sanhedrin could not refute[1][2]. This demonstration of divine power, coupled with the apostles' unwavering testimony, led to the glorification of God by the people[1].

[1] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Book of Acts, ed. Christiane K. Jurik, First Edition, Ariel’s Bible Commentary (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2020), 108. [2] Stanley D. Toussaint, “Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 363. [3] John G. Butler, Sermon Starters, vol. 3 (Clinton, IA: LBC Publications, 2014), 124.

I. Live Boldly Through Christ

“When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” (Acts 4:13–14, CSB)

Παρρησία (parrēsia) – "Boldness"

 Peter and John’s boldness astonished the Sanhedrin. This boldness wasn’t arrogance but a confident openness (parrēsia) fueled by their relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

 Their lack of formal education (ἀγράμματος – agrammatos) and status as ordinary men (ἰδιώτης – idiōtēs) emphasized that their courage was not humanly acquired but spiritually empowered.

Spending time with Jesus transforms ordinary people into extraordinary witnesses. Their boldness was rooted in being with Jesus (a fact even the Sanhedrin acknowledged).

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” (2 Timothy 1:7, CSB)

This verse reminds us that boldness is a gift from God through the Spirit, just as Peter and John demonstrated courage fueled by their relationship with Jesus.

The Sanhedrin recognized Peter and John’s courage.

Their boldness was rooted in their time abiding with Jesus.

The healed man affirmed the power of their ministry, making their witness undeniable.

II. Listen for Divine Opportunities

“After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” So they called for them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:15–18, CSB)

Θαυμάζω (thaumazō) – "Astonished"

 The Sanhedrin marveled at the apostles' wisdom and authority, recognizing the undeniable miracle as a divine act. Even in opposition, this astonishment (thaumazō) created an opportunity for the apostles to proclaim the gospel.

 Although the council tried to suppress the message, Peter and John listened to God’s call rather than yielding to human threats.

 Every confrontation or challenge can present an opportunity for God to display His power and glory.

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15–16, CSB)

This passage encourages believers to recognize and seize divine opportunities, even in the face of opposition, much like Peter and John did.

The council deliberated but couldn’t deny the miracle.

Their opposition presented an opportunity for the apostles to stand firm in Jesus' name.

Peter and John listened to God’s call rather than yielding to human commands.

III. Lead with Conviction

“Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”” (Acts 4:19–20, CSB)

Δεῖ (dei) – "Must"

 When Peter and John declared, “We must (δεῖ – dei) obey God rather than men,” they invoked a divine necessity. This wasn’t optional; it was a matter of ultimate allegiance to God.

 Their conviction wasn’t based on human stubbornness but on their unshakable faith in what they had “seen and heard.”

 Conviction comes from experiencing the reality of Jesus' work in your life. When you know the truth, you are compelled to share it, regardless of opposition.

“But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”” (Joshua 24:15, CSB)

Peter and John’s steadfast declaration to obey God mirrors Joshua’s resolute stand for serving the Lord.

The apostles boldly declared their allegiance to God above all.

They refused to retreat, stating they must speak about what they had seen and heard.

Their conviction in Christ was non-negotiable, even in the face of threats.

IV. Lift Your Voice in Prayer

“After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers assemble together against the Lord and against his Messiah. “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”” (Acts 4:23–30, CSB)

Ὁμοθυμαδόν (homothymadon) – "With one accord" & Προσεύχομαι (proseuchomai) – “Pray"

The believers’ response to persecution was not fear or retaliation but unified prayer (ὁμοθυμαδόν – homothymadon). Their collective prayer acknowledged God’s sovereignty, quoting Psalm 2 to reaffirm their trust in His plan.

They prayed (προσεύχομαι – proseuchomai) not for deliverance from persecution but for boldness to continue proclaiming Jesus.

Unified prayer is a powerful response to challenges. It aligns believers with God’s will, strengthens their resolve, and invites His intervention.

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6, CSB)

The believers' unified prayer in Acts 4 exemplifies bringing their concerns to God with confidence, trusting Him to work.

The believers gathered in unity to pray after hearing the apostles’ report.

Their prayer acknowledged God’s sovereignty, quoting Scripture (Psalm 2).

They petitioned for boldness and for God’s miraculous power to continue working through them.

V. Lean on the Holy Spirit

“When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31, CSB)

Σείω (seiō) – "Shaken" & Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον (Pneuma Hagion) – "Holy Spirit"

After their prayer, the place was shaken (σείω – seiō), symbolizing God’s tangible response to their request for boldness. This physical sign mirrored the spiritual reality of their empowerment.

 They were filled with the Holy Spirit (Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον – Pneuma Hagion), which enabled them to speak the word of God boldly (παρρησία – parrēsia).

 True spiritual boldness and effectiveness come from dependence on the Holy Spirit, not human effort. The Spirit empowers believers to proclaim the gospel boldly, even in the face of opposition.

Their prayers were answered powerfully as the place was shaken.

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering them for ministry.

With renewed strength, they proclaimed the Word of God boldly, continuing their mission.

Conclusion

Abiding and meeting with Jesus equips us to live boldly, seize opportunities, lead with conviction, pray faithfully, and depend on the Holy Spirit.

To leverage your life for Jesus, prioritize time with Him to fuel every action and ministry.