Sermon: Living Boldly for Christ (Acts 4)

Isaiah 45:5–6 “I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God but me. I will strengthen you, though you do not know me, so that all may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is no one but me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.”

Introduction: The Call to Courage Good morning, church family!

Remember the tale of David and Goliath? David faced a giant not because he was the mightiest warrior but because he had faith. When Goliath taunted him, he didn’t back down. Instead, he picked up five smooth stones and approached the challenge with a slingshot. In the face of threats, sometimes we just need a little faith and a good aim!

Now… Imagine standing before a powerful council, facing threats to stop sharing your faith. Would you speak up or stay silent? In Acts 4, we find Peter and John in exactly this spot—arrested for preaching Jesus, yet unshaken in their mission. Written by Luke around 70–90 CE, Acts 4 unfolds in Jerusalem, where the early church, fresh from Pentecost, grows through miracles and bold witness. But opposition arises from the Sadducees and Sanhedrin, who reject the resurrection and fear unrest. Despite this, the believers shine with courage, prayer, and unity. Today, we’ll draw three lessons from Acts 4 to equip us to stand strong for Christ which happen to be the big idea today:

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church has Boldness to Proclaim His Name, Prayer to Face Opposition, and Community to Reflect His Love.

I. Boldness to Proclaim His Name (Acts 4:1–13)

Textual Insight:

Acts 4 opens with Peter and John arrested by the temple authorities, “greatly annoyed” at their preaching of Jesus’ resurrection (4:1–2). The Sadducees, who denied resurrection, saw this as a theological and political threat in Roman-controlled Jerusalem. Before the Sanhedrin—led by Annas and Caiaphas, who condemned Jesus (4:5–6)—the apostles are asked, “By what power or name did you do this?” (4:7). Peter, an “uneducated, common man” (4:13, Greek: agrammatoi), is filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly declares the healing was by “Jesus Christ… whom you crucified but whom God raised” (4:10). He cites Psalm 118:22 “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” , calling Jesus the rejected cornerstone, and proclaims, “There is salvation in no one else” (4:12). The leaders marvel, noting “these men had been with Jesus” (4:13).

Exegesis:

Historically, the resurrection claim challenged Sadducean theology and risked public unrest, making the apostles’ boldness remarkable. Theologically, Psalm 118 frames Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s plan, the exclusive source of salvation. Their courage flows from the Spirit and time with Jesus, transforming ordinary men into fearless witnesses.

Illustration:

I met a teenager named Lisa who shared her faith at school, despite peers mocking her. Her courage led a classmate to church, where they found Christ. Like Peter and John, Lisa’s boldness came from knowing Jesus.

Quote:

Charles Spurgeon said, “If you have no wish to bring others to heaven, you are not going there yourself.” We’re called to share Jesus boldly.

Application:

This week, speak about Jesus to someone—a coworker, friend, or neighbor. Trust the Spirit to give you courage, just as He did for Peter.

II. Prayer to Face Opposition (Acts 4:23–31)

Textual Insight:

Released but warned to stop preaching (4:18), Peter and John refuse, saying, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (4:20). They join the believers in prayer, addressing God as “Sovereign Lord” (4:24, Greek: Despotes), the Creator. Quoting Psalm 2:1–2 “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his Anointed One:” , they see opposition from the Sanhedrin, Herod, and Pilate as part of God’s plan (4:25–28). They pray not for safety but for boldness: “Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (4:29), and for signs through Jesus. God responds—the place shakes, and they’re filled with the Spirit, speaking boldly (4:31).

Exegesis:

The prayer reflects trust in God’s sovereignty, interpreting persecution through Psalm 2 as fulfilling Scripture. The shaking and Spirit-filling echo Pentecost (Acts 2:2–4), affirming God’s presence. This shows prayer as the church’s response to crisis, seeking courage over comfort.

Illustration:

Our church once faced zoning issues for a community outreach. Instead of panicking, we prayed for boldness to serve. God opened doors, and the outreach thrived, touching lives.

Quote:

D.L. Moody said, “Prayer does not mean that I am to bring God down to my thoughts and my purposes, but that I am to lift myself up to His thoughts and His purposes.” Prayer aligns us with God’s mission.

Application:

When opposition hits—cultural pressure, personal trials, or doubts—pray daily for boldness to share Christ. Gather with others to seek God’s power.

III. Community to Reflect His Love (Acts 4:32–37)

Textual Insight:

The chapter closes with the church “of one heart and soul” (4:32), sharing possessions so no one lacked. Those with land sold it to meet needs (4:34–35). Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sells a field and gives the proceeds to the apostles (4:36–37), modeling generosity. The apostles testify to Jesus’ resurrection, and grace abounds (4:33).

Exegesis:

This communal lifestyle reflects Jewish care for the poor (Deuteronomy 15:4 ““There will be no poor among you, however, because the Lord is certain to bless you in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance—” ) and contrasts Greco-Roman individualism. Theologically, their unity and generosity flow from the resurrection’s power, showing God’s kingdom. Barnabas’ example foreshadows challenges like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5).

Illustration:

Our church’s benevolence team recently helped a single mom with rent, funded by your giving. That’s Acts 4 alive—love in action, meeting needs.

Quote:

A.W. Tozer wrote, “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?” The church, tuned to Christ, lives in harmony.

Application:

Show generosity this week—help a church member, serve in a ministry, or give to a need. Let’s reflect Jesus through unity and love.

Conclusion: A Challenge to Stand Strong

Acts 4, set against the backdrop of a hostile Jerusalem, shows a Spirit-filled church standing strong. The exegesis reveals their courage rooted in Jesus’ resurrection, their prayers trusting God’s plan, and their community reflecting His love. Spurgeon urges us to share Christ, Moody calls us to pray God’s purposes, and Tozer reminds us to live in harmony. Church, we’re called to proclaim Jesus boldly, pray fervently, and love deeply in a world that needs Him.

Take-Home Challenges:

Share: Tell someone about Jesus this week, trusting the Spirit for courage.

Pray: Pray daily for boldness, especially in challenges, alone or with others.

Give: Meet a need—support a church member, serve, or give generously.

Let’s be a church that stands strong, showing the world that “salvation is found in no one else” (4:12). Will you commit to this? Let’s pray.

Closing Prayer Sovereign Lord, Creator of all, thank You for the witness of Acts 4. Fill us with Your Spirit to proclaim Jesus boldly, pray with faith, and live in loving community. Tune our hearts to Christ, that we may reflect Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.