What does courage look like.

What does courage look like.

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 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 cripple and are 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 He is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), Ac 4:1–12.

Intro:

The biblical message is “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21), and the two go together.

Wiersbe, Warren W. 1996. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

I have been playing the events of yesterday over and over in my head. I don’t know how many people have stood in front of a full bird Marine Colonel before, but that is where I found myself yesterday. I was walking from point A to point B yesterday, when I looked over to my right and noticed one of our employees talking with a person in fatigues. I recognized this person immediately especially when the employee was waving me down to come speak with this person.

1. Base commander full bird marine colonial.

2. We shook hands and greeted each other.

3. He said that he wanted to come see what it was that we do on Saturdays.

4. He wanted to know how the employees and their families are holding up.

a. That’s where I froze, I didn’t want to come off like a complainer and tell him that we are all tired and that our families are all tired of the hours that we have been working.

b. I should have told him how there are things in our lives that are suffering, but I didn’t.

c. I did let him know that they are all tired but that they are holding up.

i. I should have said how the ones with children are struggling, because they are getting home late and not eating dinner with the family.

ii. I should have said how I feel like I am the first one of my neighbors to leave in the morning and the last one to arrive home in the driveway.

iii. I should have told him that it’s like none of my neighbors have gone to work, but I know that is not true. Their cars are in the same spot as when I left in the morning.

d. Instead, I told him that they were all holding up.

5. Have you ever been takin by surprise like that. Here is the one person that everyone answers to. The next person, higher than him resides in an office back East.

a. And he wants to know how people are doing what they are doing.

6. This is where Peter and John found themselves standing in front of “the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees.”

7. Peter didn’t shy away from the truth.

a. It makes me think about this passage in

2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV84)

 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

8. This is exactly what we see Peter doing. Look how patient he is.

a. Of course, we are told that “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit” in vs. 8.

1. Proclaiming with Purpose

Acts 4:1-4

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

1. The arrest of Peter and John did not diminish their faith and boldness in speaking about Jesus.

2. The religious leaders' opposition contrasts with the growing number of believers, showing the unstoppable power of the Gospel.

a. Vs. 4; But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

3. These passages showthat opposition can often serve as a catalyst for faith, urging believers to stand firm in their testimony regardless of resistance.

I’ve told this story before about the Chinese underground Christian church that was found out by the government that they were meeting.

2. Power Under Pressure

Acts 4:5-7

5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

1. This passage illustrates the intimidation tactics of earthly authorities and how we as believers are called to respond.

a. When faced with high priestly authority, Peter and John remain steadfast, illustrating reliance on divine authority over human judgment.

2. Christians, we need to be courageous in setting our hope in the higher authority of Jesus, even when challenged by worldly powers.

3. Powerful Proclamation

Acts 4:8-10

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 cripple and are 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.

1. Focus on Peter's bold declaration of Jesus' name through the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. The Holy Spirit empowers us to speak truthfully about Christ, regardless of the circumstances.

3. This courage stems from knowing Christ and His power to perform miracles in our lives, which can inspire listeners to trust in the Holy Spirit's enabling presence in every endeavor.

4. Professing the Cornerstone

Acts 4:11-12

11 He is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Psalm 118:22-23 "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes." There is a strange Jewish legend of a stone that was originally meant for an important place in the building, but was misunderstood and rejected. It is said that when Solomon's temple was building, all the stones were brought from the quarry, cut and shaped ready for the place they were to fill. Among the stones, was a very curious one which seemed of no desirable shape. There appeared to be no place where it belonged. They tried it in one wall—but it would not fit there. They tried it in another wall—but it was not suitable for that. The builders were vexed and angry, and threw the stone aside among the rubbish. The temple was years in building, and this castaway block became covered with moss, and the grass grew around it. People passing by laughed at the stone of such peculiar shape that it would fit nowhere in the temple. Every other stone that came from the quarry found its place and fitted into it perfectly—but this one seemed useless—there must have been a blunder in the architect's drawings. Years passed and the temple arose into beauty—but still the poor stone lay unused, unwanted, despised. The great day came when the temple was to be finished, and throngs were present to witness the crowning event. There was excitement—something was lacking. "Where is the capstone?" the builders said. Nowhere could it be found. The ceremony waited while the workmen sought for the missing block. At last someone said, "Perhaps the stone the builders threw aside among the rubbish, is the one for this place of highest honor. They brought it and hoisted it to the top of the temple, and lo! it fit perfectly. It had been cut and hewn for this very place. Loud shouts rent the air as the stone which the builders had refused as unfit, became the capstone, filled the place of highest honor. The stone had been misunderstood. The master-architect knew the place for which it was hewn and shaped. But the builders did not understand it and thought the architect had blundered. At length, however, the architect was vindicated, and the stone, long despised, found its place of honor. There seems to be a reference to this tradition in the words of the Psalm: "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone."

1. Peter put emphasis on Jesus as the cornerstone of salvation, rejecting the leadership's authority and asserting the unique saving power of Jesus.

2. This point challenges us believers to reflect on our foundation of faith and to deeply root our identity in Christ alone, trusting Him as the sole source of salvation and hope in a world of competing beliefs.

a. Last week I told you that salvation is for “All who believe.”

Romans 10:12–13 (NIV84)

12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

3. This even meant for the high priestly family.

a. How can we exclude anyone when Christ doesn’t?

4. 4:12 “There is salvation in no one else.” This text involves a negative truth—there is no salvation outside of Christ—and a positive truth—there is salvation in Jesus Christ by which we must be saved.

COME TO THE ALTER. COME!

Big Idea: Boldness in proclaiming Christ is rooted in faith and empowered by the Holy Spirit, leading to transformation and salvation for all who believe.

Bible Passage: Acts 4:1-12

Summary:In Acts 4:1-12, Peter and John boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus despite being arrested and facing opposition from religious leaders.

Their unwavering faith and the miraculous healing of a lame man serve as powerful testimonies to the saving power of Jesus.

Application:This passage encourages Christians to stand firm in their faith and boldly proclaim the gospel, even in the face of adversity or opposition. It reminds us that our strength and confidence come from our relationship with Christ, empowering us to share His love with others.