We Cannot Help But Speak

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know Christ, Grow in faith, and to Go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

Today we’re continuing our series called, Who’s Your ONE. Over the summer we will be walking through key passages in the book of Acts together. Acts is the story of what Jesus continued to do through His church after His resurrection and ascension. It is the story of ordinary believers—people like you and me—empowered by the Holy Spirit to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Now, I want to encourage everyone to begin to move from only praying for your one, to actually having some conversations with your one. Remember everyone took a card and wrote someone’s name on it that you made a commitment to begin praying for that person three times a day. I hope you’ve been doing that because we’re about pretty soon we’re going to be moving into our next step with your one and you’re going to begin having some conversations with your one. I’m walking through this with you though, so don’t get to worried just yet, ok.

Now…as we have been walking through this journey of praying for your one and really thinking about someone in a more evangelistic way, and not just an academic way…At some point we have to move from thinking and praying, to the next step…that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

However, I want to invite you to start thinking this morning.

Have you ever watched a movie that was so good that you immediately had to tell someone else about it?

Maybe you’ve eaten at a restaurant that was so incredibly that you started recommending it to others even before you paid the bill.

What about this…you watch a clip online that is so engaging or funny, or scary that you send it to various groups of people.

Why is that? Well, it’s because when something genuinely impacts us, talking about it isn’t a forced action…it’s natural.

Yet…many Christians find it easier to talk about a video clip than they do about Jesus…

Why is that?

Is it because you don’t love Jesus? … no, it’s not that.

Usually it’s because we ‘re afraid…and that’s exactly what Acts 4 is going to address for us today.

You see, Peter and John have just healed a lame man in Jesus’ name. Thousands of people have heard the gospel, and they have repented and the church has grown incredibly

Now, the religious leaders are trying to make them be quiet about all of it.

Actually, Acts 4:2 says the these leaders were “greatly annoyed” because of the way that Peter and John were teaching about Jesus.

So these leaders are frustrated and they question and attempt to pressure these men into being quiet about Jesus’ resurrection.

And that’s where we pick up on our passage this morning.

Acts 4:13–20 ESV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Now folks…what we just saw is one of the clearest pictures in all of Scripture of ordinary beleivers choosing obedience over fear. which is exactly what my first point is today.

God Uses Ordinary People

One of the greatest barriers anyone has ever had to sharing their faith is the thought of, “God would never use someone like me”.

The thing is though that Peter and John prove that barrier false. Let’s just look at who these guys were, and what gave them the right to talk about Jesus openly.

They were not religious leaders

Listen, this is a culture that says you can only have an opinion if you have the right credentials. Yet these guys were just regular men…just ordinary dudes talking about what they know.

The religious leaders looked at these ordinary men and saw that they were not rabbis…they were not scholars…they were not the elite…these are just fishermen. These aren’t blue collar guys, these are no collar guys talking about what they have seen and heard for themselves.

Listen, these leaders were shocked because when they looked at these men, they saw a boldness, and a courage that didn’t make sense to them because they were just every day men.

The reality is though that some of you have believed that very lie yourselves. You disqualify yourself from talking about Jesus because maybe you don’t think you know enough Scripture…or you can’t answer every question that might be asked…or…you’re not a preacher, so how can you be expected to talk about Jesus in public.

Listen, the enemy is called the Father of Lies for this reason…Maybe you’ve heard something like this…you are just an ordinary person who just sinned yourself…who are you to talk about Jesus to your neighbor.

This is the same type of lie that Satan has been telling people since Genesis. “Who are you?”

The thing is that these men weren’t anything special…at least not by man’s standards.

Jesus made them different

You’ll notice that these religious leaders did notice one thing about these men.

“…They recognized that they had been with Jesus”

You see, the leaders wern’t impressed with their GPA from Rabbi school, or what their community standing was, or what their wealth or lack of wealth was…they had no credentials that were credibe to these leaders.

What they did notice though is the influence that Christ has had on them. They recognized these men had been with Jesus.

Here’s the deal folks…your one doesn’t need a theological expert…your one needs someone who genuinely knows Jesus and who can show them how Jesus has changed their life.

You see —

God uses ordinary people

Let me just tell you about a few of the ordinary people God has used over the years.

Noah got drunk — Abraham was old — Isaac daydreamed — Jacob was a liar — Joseph was abused — Moses was a murder who stuttered — Gideon was afraid — Samson was a long haired womanizer — Rahab was a prostitute — David was overlooked — Elijah was suicidal — Jonah ran away from God — Naomi was a widow — Job went bankrupt — the disciples were fisherman — Martha was worried about everything — Zacchaeus wasn’t tall enough — and Lazarus was dead — and I was a alcoholic, high school drop out.

God delights in using unlikely people for His purposes.

Why is that? Because he gets all the glory.

You see, the issue isn’t whether you’re qualified to talk about Jesus.

The issues is whether you’re available to talk about Jesus.

So…if God uses ordinary people, what keeps ordinary people from speaking up?

The answer…FEAR

but…

Courage is Choosing Obedience Over Fear

Acts 4:18 ESV

18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

I want you to notice something pretty important here.

Peter and John were not fearless…They were threatened! They knew what could have happened physically if they continue…the literally just watched Jesus get tortured and killed, and now the same people are telling them to be quiet.

However, real courage isn’t the absence of fear…real courage is obedience despite the fear.

Listen, the reality is that

Fear is normal

Peter and John here are facing the very men who had Jesus crucified.

You don’t think they were terrified?

They’ve got the religious authorities, they’ve got public pressure telling them to be quiet and just drop it….theres a huge potential downside here.

Being afraid isn’t sinful…it’s normal. Fear is simply a human emotion.

Here’s the lie you’ve been told by Satan. “If I were more spiritual I wouldn’t be nervous.” Folks that’s a lie.

I’m scared every time I step up behind this pulpit.

Courageous Christians are scared too…they just don’t let that fear rule their life becuase...

Obedience matters more than comfort

I love this interaction between the religious leaders and these men.

The leaders say, “stop talking about Jesus.”

Peter and John respond, ‘We can’t.”

Every single evangelistic opportunity creates a choice within you.

Will comfort win…will fear rule…or will obedience win.

I’ve told this story before I think, but it bears repeating —

Way back when Beth and I were just dating I would drop her off at her apartment every night and then I would drive home in the same way. Every night there was a person standing outside of this one particular building. I mean for months this man was there when I would be driving home.

Every night I felt the Lord telling me to stop and talk to this person. However, I always said I would do it the next day. I didn’t know this person…it was a little intimidating to just walk up to someone randomly…I was tired, you know I had all the great excuses.

One night he was no longer there. I have no idea what happened to that man. Maybe his job transferred him and God will use someone else to reach him. Maybe something else happened…I don’t know.

All of those nights, my comfort won…my fear won.

Sometimes the fear that actually wins is that you don’t have the words to convince someone of the hope of Christ.

However,

God never calls us to control the outcomes.

As Peter and John go out and tell people of the hope of the resurrection of Jesus, there was no guarantee of how people would respond.

They were simply being faithful with what God had told them to do.

Here’s the deal…

Success is not saving people.

Success is faithfulness.

You’re not responsible for the outcome — you’re responsible for openness and obedience.

Let me say that again

Success is not saving people.

Success is faithfulness.

You’re not responsible for the outcome — you’re responsible for openness and obedience.

The greatest obstacle to sharing the gospel isn’t lack of knowledge…it’s frequently fear.

Obedience is bigger than fear though.

So what actually motivates ordinary people to keep talking about Jesus?

When Jesus Changes You — You Can’t Stay Quiet

I love how these men responded when they were ordered to keep quiet.

Acts 4:19–20 ESV

19 “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

I love how these men bring the focus on God.

They basically said, “Listen, if you think your words carry more weight than God’s…that’s on you, but we can’t help but to tell people what we’ve experienced.”

Look at that

They spoke from experience

Don’t hear what they didn’t say.

They didn’t say, “We have all the answers to every objection you may have.”

They didn’t say that.

They didn’t say that they’ve been through seminary and got a 3.8 GPA so they’re ready to talk about the gospel.

They didn’t say that.

What they did say is, “We’ve seen Him”. “We’ve walked with Him.” “We’ve talked to Him.”

What they said is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is deeply personal to them.

Here’s the deal folks…you don’t need every answer.

You just need to know what Christ has done for you.

You just need to worship Jesus…

That’s more than enough.

Evangelism flows from worship

This is really important folks.

I really want you to all hear these words this morning.

The apostles weren’t trying to win arguments online.

They weren’t trying to prove they were the most capable.

They were allowing their worship of Jesus overflow into their lives.

In other words, they were overflowing with their love and devotion for Christ.

You see, people naturally talk about what they truly love.

So…What is it that excites you? What is it that fills your conversations?

Is it what you want it to be?

Here’s the deal…

The gospel is to good to keep secret.

If the things we claim about Jesus are true…

If Jesus: forgives sin — removes guilt — conquers death — restores our relationship with God

Then being quiet doesn’t make any sense.

If we truly believe that Jesus is the only Savior for sinners and the only hope of reconciliation with God and an escape from an eternal conscience torment…Then love compels us to share that hope with others.

Not because we're trying to earn God's approval — or because you carry the burden of saving others.

But because people matter to God and the gospel is too good to keep to ourselves.

Famous magician/comedian Penn Juliet once said this, “How much do you have to hate someone to not tell them about Jesus.” Folks that’s an atheist that said that.

The greatest news in the world needs to be shared with everyone.

So the goal isn’t to be louder than everyone else.

The goals is to love Jesus so deeply that speaking about him becomes natural.

So let’s get a little bit practical for a few minutes this morning.

Let’s look at

How to transition conversations:

Evangelism doesn’t start during a sermon most of the time. Evangelism starts with a little curiosity.

That means you start to look at for ways to transition a conversation later this week.

I’m gonna give you a few key questions or statements you can use practically to turn the focus to Jesus.

1. How can I pray for you?

This is one of the easiest questions you can ask someone. Most of the time even people who don’t believe in Jesus will tell you something to pray about. They will thank you for caring enough about them to ask this question.

Here’s another one,

2. Do you go to church anywhere?

This is honestly one of my favorite questions to ask people. It’s not confrontational…it’s a great transition to then talk about your church…I’ve had all kinds of answers to this question. Sometimes I hear no, other times I hear about how they are looking for a church, but they don’t know where to look. This is a simple, non-threatening question that invites conversation. If they tell you where, ask them to tell you a little about where they are attending. The natural response is to then encourage them to join you on Sunday…

So there’s another phrase you can use that is helpful when someone is having a hard time.

3. Can I tell you something that’s helped me?

That’s when you share how knowing Christ has actually helped you have hope in dark times — or how Jesus has given you strength when you didn’t think you could go on — or even how when your situation was hard and there should not have been any peace…yet somehow you had peace that didn’t make any sense.

Then you can share about where true peace comes from.

You don’t need a script.

You just need to obey, and to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you.

We started this series called “Who’s Your ONE” because I wanted us to really begin thinking about the one person God has placed in your life for you to share Jesus.

Some have already been faithfully praying for your one. That’s important.

Evangelism begins with prayer — but prayer is not where evangelism ends.

At some point…there has to be a transition to action and speaking.

So, this week I am asking every person that is a part of LRBC to take an intentional step toward another spiritual conversation with your one.

I’m not asking you to share a 7 point gospel presentation complete with visual aides…I’m not asking you to debate the realities of Scripture with someone…I’m not askign you to memorize some awkward sales pitch…I’m asking you to take just one step.

Maybe you learn a little more about their story and you ask them about the church they grew up in.

Maybe you hear about a situation and you offer to pray for them, or even better — pray with them.

Maybe you see an opportunity to talk about your own faith and how Christ has actually helped you.

Don’t force anything — don’t be weird — just begin opening the door.

Peter and John remind us that faithfulness is not waiting until we feel ready.

Faithfulness is taking the next step of obedience.

As we prepare to come to the Lord's Table, I want you to remember something.

The same Jesus Peter and John refused to stop talking about is the Jesus we remember in communion.

And as you consider His faithfulness, and your own…you have an opportunity to respond with a renewed faithfulness of our own.

For many of you here today, or joining online, the next step is simply moving from praying for your one, to intentionally engaging with your one.

Next week we are going to move into a new phase of this journey as you consider your one. This week your assignment is simple — start the conversation.

Of course…maybe you’re here today and you’ve never personally trusted Christ.

The message Peter and John risked everything to proclaim is the same message you need to hear today.

We are sinners who have rebelled against a holy God.

We cannot save ourselves…We cannot earn our own forgiveness.

But God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to live the life we failed to live and die the death we deserve to die.

And on that cross Jesus bore the judgement for your sin.

Yet three days later he walked right out of that grave free from death that had no hold on him.

Today…almost 2000 years later he is offering you forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life — the next step is yours…repent and believe that Jesus is in fact the Son of God

The question is not whether Jesus can save you.

The question is, whether you will trust HIm.

Today — right now — turn from your sin.

Put your faith in Jesus Christ, and be saved.

Now if that’s you this morning. Here’s what I’m going to ask you to do.

I’m going to ask you to write your name on your commitment card, and write that you are trusting Christ for the first time today. I want to be able to pray for you and I would love to pray with you.

For everyone else, you see the questions.

Pray