Empowered by His Presence: The Unstoppable Witness

Bible Passage: Acts 4:13–22 (NIV84)

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. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men 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, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For 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.

Summary: In this passage, we witness the aftermath of the healing of a lame man, where Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin. Their undeniable transformation is highlighted as they articulate the power of Jesus with confidence. The religious authorities are taken aback, recognizing that these men had been with Jesus, signifying that the strength of their witness stems not from themselves but from their relationship with Christ, making a powerful statement about divine authority overriding human power.

Application: Today we as Christians need to embrace our identity as witnesses of Christ, we are empowered through our relationship with Him. Christ invites believers to step out in faith despite our fears or qualifications, reminding us that the effectiveness of our witness does not rely on personal abilities but on the power of Christ working through us.

Teaching: The teaching centers on understanding that effective witness for Christ comes from a place of relational intimacy with Him. It reinforces the idea that when believers remain close to Jesus, they will naturally display confidence and courage, enabling them to speak boldly about their faith in any circumstance.

Big Idea: Our relationship with Jesus transforms us into bold witnesses, reminding us that it is His power at work in us that enables us to overcome fear and opposition as we share the Gospel.

Acts 4:13-14

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and Johnm and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,n they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.o 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.

Admiral Nelson of the British Navy was renowned for his mastery of naval strategy, a genius from whom students of seamanship could gain invaluable insight. While sailing with Nelson in the West Indies, Sir Robert Stopford wrote to a loved one, reflecting on the hardships of life at sea:

“We are half starved and otherwise inconvenienced by [being] so long out of port, but our reward is that we are with Nelson.”

His words capture the deep admiration felt by those who served alongside the legendary commander, a tribute we ought to be able to make whenever we suffer in Christ's name.–

The Pastor's Workshop

Point 1. Courage from being with Jesus.

The one thing that got me when I was reading this passage earlier this week was the end of verse 13 “and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” It made me think what does it look like to be with Jesus?

1. What does it look like to be with Jesus?

a. We saw in our scripture reading this morning that Moses had a glow about him when he came off the mountain.

b. We see that these apostles have no fear about them.

2. How can we have this same boldness as Peter and John had?

a. SPEND TIME WITH JESUS.

3. How do we do that you might ask?

a. I’m going to give you two verses to help answer that.

Matt 11:28–30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

John 15:4–5

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

b. You see if we come to Jesus, he will give us rest.

c. If we remain in Jesus, we will bear fruit.

4. Peter and John had been with Jesus for 3 years, during His earthly ministry.

a. Mathew 4:18-22 records the calling of Peter, Andrew, James, and John.

i. They were the first 4 apostles called.

ii. They were with Jesus!

Mark 3:14

14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.

2. Contrasting Courageous Commission

Acts 4:15-17

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. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

Warren Wiersbe says. “This official sentence shows how much the enemy fears the witness of the church, for Satan has been trying to silence God’s people from the very beginning. Sad to say, he has succeeded with far too many Christians, the “silent witnesses” of the church. Even the existential philosopher Albert Camus said, “What the world expects of Christians is that Christians should speak out, loud and clear … in such a way that never a doubt, never the slightest doubt, could arise in the heart of the simplest man.”[1]

1. ON JUNE 25, 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court declared prayer in public schools unconstitutional.

a. Of course, the court did not declare prayer in school unconstitutional, nor could it have. As the quip goes, “As long as teachers give math tests, there will be prayer in schools.”

2. In 1980 (Stone v. Graham), a United States Supreme Court decision struck down a Kentucky law requiring that a copy of the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom.

3. What has this done it had only emboldened some Christians.

3. Confidence over Conformity

Acts 4:18-20

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, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

1. Confidence in Christ outranks conformity to human demands.

a. Despite threats, the apostles choose obedience to God over man, highlighting unwavering commitment to their mission.

b. Believers should evaluate where their ultimate allegiance lies and to prioritize God's call over societal pressures.

2. By being emboldened by Christ allows disciples to transcend fear in favor of faith-filled obedience, a testament to the transformative power of being with Jesus.

2 Tim 4:2

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

ESV

4. Consistent Testimony Confirms

Acts 4:21-22

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.

1. It's key to note how consistent testimony confirms Christ's work.

2. The ruling council could not deny the miraculous sign, as others witnessed the evidence of God's power.

3. Our lives should reflect undeniable proof of Christ in us.

4. We should want to live so that our actions, like the healed man, become irrefutable testimonies of God's presence.

5. The ongoing witness of Christ's work through His people ultimately validates the message and mission His followers partake in.

Conclusion:  My encouragement for you today is to find time to spend with Jesus.

1. Whether it’s in your car worshiping Him.

a. I heard about a lady who drove around worshipping God in her car. With the windows down.

b. Pray wherever you are, find time to pray.

c. Read your bible wherever you are read your bible.

i. And if you are good at journaling then write out what you read.

2. If you don’t know Christ today and would like to know Him and would like to start being with Him, come talk with me.

a. I will be here for a short time, but if you don’t want to come up here meet me after church, I would love to talk to you about Jesus.

Close out the service singing one more song Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know!

[1]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 417.