First Act - Acts 4:1-21

3:33 - Welcome back in the room…Missed you guys! Last couple weeks the family and I were able to take a road trip to Southern Utah - we saw the Big 5 - Arches, Canyon Lands, Capital Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion.

What an incredible trip - a ton of windshield time…If it wasn’t for 3 days in Salt Lake City - I am not sure we would have felt like we ever arrived anywhere, ha. It was a Land Cruise I guess.

Instead of being tossed by the ocean - we were tossed back and forth through the winding curves of the scenic byways and hi-ways.

Life tends to do the same thing to all of us travelers doesn’t it. I don’t think there was a single person in the tank this morning that didn’t get there - to this moment following some wild twists and turns, high lows, peaks Valleys, Summits and Canyons. Thin air to flash floods and everything in between.

Thats the way it is isn’t it - always has been that way…even back all the way back tot he First Act of the Church -

Last week Naomi talked about the healing Power of God’s Presence and the intentional Purpose to deliver the message of Jesus by his people.

She taught about the 40 year old well know beggar outside the beautiful gate - who in a moment was totally healed.

Imagine the scene play out in front of you…your on the side of the road - maybe in the market nearby the impressive bronze gates.

Today…this afternoon…the sun is still well above the horizon. People are coming and going as they would normally…

But wait something is different…there is a commotion…you strain your neck to see above the growing crowd…the people shouting and cheering. Some running to get a closer look…

What is it ,what is happening?

Not wanting to be left out of the excitement to finally get to a place you can see what’s taking place…wait…is that…YES! YES it is!!

Thats the 40 something guy who has been at the gate his whole life….only he’s not on the ground begging..he is jumping and leaping and praising God!

You are swept away in the masses of People…there are thousands now. Everyone amazed and astonished by what is happening, and then you hear it…you hear these two guys

Two guys who seem to be at the center of all of it…and you hear them say something…They are addressing the crowd now…

Did he just say don’t be amazed?!?! Are you kidding, the guy is jumping around, of course I’m amazed.

Then you hear the name of Jesus…wait is he talking about the traveling teacher that was just killed a 2 months ago? Sounds like he is talking about that guy…

Your mind quickly shifts back a couple of months. You were there that day too. All of the anger, all of the shouts…you were there, you were going along with the crowd…

wait…did he just say that it was in the name of Jesus - faith in Jesus that this guy was healed? and the message pierces your heart…

Then like a bolt of lighting to the center of your soul you are pierced with this…

Acts 3:15 (CSB) You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this.

And just like that you are undone…your heart laid open. You realize you were one of those shouting crucify…You didn’t have the whip in your hand or the authority to really do anything…but you too were complicit in Jesus’ death and now you are shaken, filled with tears, brokenhearted…you are certain this man - the one they call Peter is right.

You had a role in killing the Messiah…the man named Jesus…

But as you wait, as you wait for the guilt and shame to come. As you wait to feel the full depravity of your sin, your error, your evil heart…YOU ARE READY FOR IT, YOU DESERVE IT…

Only….there is no condemnation…there is only GRACE and Compassion…

Acts 3:17–21 (CSB) “And now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your leaders also did. In this way God fulfilled what he had predicted through all the prophets—that his Messiah would suffer.

Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah.

Heaven must receive him until the time of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about through his holy prophets from the beginning.

Then right there in the middle of the chaos of the moment, in the middle of the miracle you hear the message that will change your heart, change your life forever…the Message of Repent from sin and trust only in the name of Jesus for your salvation…

In an instant you get it - you missed it two months ago but today you get it…today you see the reality - Jesus’ ressurection gave you a second chance…right here and now to repent from your chants of crucify and fall on your knees and testify…

That my friends, that is what is happening in the city that afternoon…yes a man was healed in an incredible and miraculous way. BUT…

The Miracle of Healing was the Appetizer

The Miracle of the Message is the Main Course

The Miracle is the Message

Talk about a Twist and Turn!

Life is full of twists and turns right?

The person in the Colonnade didn’t wake up that morning thinking they would have a power encounter with God, repent of their sin, and confess their faith in the name of Jesus that afternoon.

The man didn’t think today was gonna be a day he got healed…he was thinking hed get a few crumbs or some small coins…not healed.

The religious leaders, The Sanhedrin didn’t wake up thinking today was going to be a day of chaos in the colonnade.

Let me take it a little further.

To be honest, I don’t think Peter woke up thinking…you know what…today…today I am going to start a huge stir near the Temple, Some dude is gonna get healed, I am gonnna preach Jesus to thousands and they are all gonna get saved, and to top it all off….John and I…we are gonna get arrested for it.

BUT - That is exactly what happened…

Acts 4:1–3 (CSB) While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening.

Some ran to them with excitement, others ran to shut them down.

Did you notice why the Sadducees confronted them…

“they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.”

This is such an loaded statement!

The Sadducees were “sad u see” because they did not believe in the future ressurection of the Dead…actually they didn’t believe in the afterlife at all.

the 1st Century Jewish Historian - a guy name Josephus - he wrote about the contrast between the Pharisees and the Sadducees - making special note of their differing beliefs of the afterlife.

That was part of the problem. Jesus messed with their theology while he was alive.

He told them they didn’t understand their own scriptures…

But But..but…that was nothing compared HIS (Jesus’) bodily and verified undeniable actual Ressurection from the dead!!

So it stands to reason they were annoyed that about all the commotion.

Theres a guy in the middle of their space, in their home field stirring up the crowds again…talking about Jesus!

They were annoyed because 8 weeks after the ressurection and a month or so after Jesus left…these people were in the area of the Temple still talking about ressurection and eternal life!

AND AND they were still talking about JESUS.

The name of Jesus is never Neutral

But theology isn’t the only reason for the confrontation. This group was also exceedingly political. Regularly they would align with military and political figures to maintain a role in society.

They would go along with the Pharisee - a much larger and more socially popular group - when it came to political affairs.

Not only did Peter’s teaching offend their theology but it stirred up the crowd and had all the potential to stir up the people and create tension with the Roman government.

It created a big scene at Solomons Colonnade, and they couldn’t have that!

It was like Jesus was back and causing a scene, messing with their coveted status quo all over again!

Same Crowds, Same Commotion, Same Crazy Healing, Same teaching, same response by people…AND AND AND the same NAME!!

Only this time they couldn’t arrest Jesus - so they arrested the ones saying His NAME!

WHY??

The Status Quo in Jerusalem was challenged by the name of Jesus - not that different than our experiences today.

Almighty God, Providence, the Supreme Being, or the Creator - all of those are relatively acceptable in “Civil Religion.”

In public life, in the communities we live in, in the families we love, the places we work, the fields and parks we play in, in the public life of today.

Many people don’t have an issue with generic spirituality. Actually, as recent as last year some of the Barna or Gallup Poles show a there leveling off of the religiously unaffiliated.

Even within that camp, many are not atheistic - they are just undecided.

This is great news by the way. We are in a time of increased comfortability talking about Spiritual Things…

Its not like people are saying there is no God, They are saying I’m open to something greater than myself.

Some are comfortably agnostic, but they care about discovering purpose…

Some will talk Energy, or Universe,Others will talk about Spirituality, Many people are fine prayer and talking about God in general.

There are many more that I think today are genuinely curios about faith…Which is incredibly encouraging.

I don’t know about you but it certainly is easier to talk with someone curious and seeking, than spiritually indifferent or antagonistic.

Maybe in this space right now, some of you are Spiritually Curious! Maybe a friend invited you, maybe you saw a sign about finding hope or being known, Maybe you’re exploring your faith, or reconnecting to something that has been dormant for some time, but you feel it rekindling.

I am so thankful you are here today!

That you found yourself at Summit Church today and I don’t think its an accident. I am so glad you are here.

Why? Well because I think this passage is a great launching point for a life of faith.

This whole encounter in Acts 4 reminds the reader - it reminds us today that its not about do we believe in “Something greater than ourselves”

It really asks us: “What will you do with Jesus?”

Thats really how this whole thing plays out. As you continue to read in Acts 4 you will see this dialouge between Peter and John and the whole assembly - the Sanhedrin.

They are not offended that God did a miracle and healed the 40 something at the gate.

They weren’t offended because Peter spoke about the movement of God through the law and the prophets.

They believed all of that too.

The problem was the name of Jesus

Caution: The name of Jesus can cause controversy

The issue was the specific nature of how the lame man was healed. The account records Peter being filled with the Spirit and speaking boldly to the same people he hid from 2 months ago.

He told them very plainly - that it was in the name of Jesus - the one Raised from the dead - That the man they have seen for decades lame and begging is healed, shouting and jumping for joy.

Then Peter lands this line:

Acts 4:12 (CSB) There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”

They weren’t offended that Peter believed in God.

They belived in God.

They weren’t offended because of the miracle, or the quoted Scriptures.

Theuy were not even offended that the crowd got excited…

They were offended because of 1 thing - Because Peter claimed the name of Jesus.

What happens next is almost comical. The arresting group is left a little speechless.

They couldn’t deny the reality of the miracle - thousands of people saw it. The guy was well known, The whole Crowd heard Peter say it was in the name of Jesus the healing happened.

One our roadtrip out West, one of the days we drove through this incredibly long, dark, and kind of unnerving 1.2 mile tunnel in Zion national Park. there’s no lighting in there only little windows once and a while with a glimpse of whats to come. Then suddenly…

Mountain peaks on all sides, Switch back road into the canyon below, the rock faces, the breakouts, the trees, even wildlife…

Truly one of the most breathtaking moments of the drive…here’s the thing. I can’t unsee that moment.

Thousands come through that tunnel everyday, and they won’t unsee it either.

But thats kind of why this is so comical. The Religious leaders are trying to get the people in the area that day to unsee and unhear the power of Jesus through the followers of Jesus.

Thousands were in attendance, the crowds grew, and the perspective we started with was a realistic parable.

I told you the Miracle was the message. Why? Because prior to the arrest the, as the Author Luke records -

Acts 4:4 (CSB) But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

there is no way the masses are gonna unsee the miraculous healing or the miraculous life altering Message.

Pentacost happens - thousands believe, a miracle happens through the message of a healed man in the name of Jesus - thousands more believe.

The movement of Jesus is gaining traction not slowing down or diminishing.

There really wasn’t anything they could do…

Acts 4:21–22 (CSB) 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.

That is the reality when it comes to the message of Jesus.

The Miracle of the Message of Jesus is never neutral.

Today the message of Jesus - even the name of Jesus in public life will provoke a reaction.

A miracle message of Jesus is alive in you too!

The crowd that day who experienced the miracle was well over 5000 people.

Those 5000 men - as Luke reported - each represent a single person. A story.

Each one of the 5000 plus - represent a miracle. the miracle of a heart touched by God.

Think about Peter’s Sermon - Repent and Believe.

Acts 2 said - Repent, Believe, and Be baptized.

Maybe you are one of the curious here today and you know it is your day to Repent - to turn from the sin in your life, and to choose to believe in the life changing, sin forgiving, eternal life offering, Holy Spirit empowering person of Jesus the Christ!

Today is the day that you believe in your heart that he took on your punishment for sin, so that your sins are forgiven. You believe in your heart that he died the death you deserved to die and on the third day God resurrected Him from the dead. That in his ressurection he defeated death and the grave. And you are ready to profess to say with your mouth Jesus is Lord - Lord of all AND Lord of your life.

In a moment, I want to give you an opportunity to respond and say yes to Jesus today.

For those who walked in Curious but are ready to walk out of here as a follower of Jesus — on the count of three raise your hand…..

Whole Church Prayer.

Maybe you just said yes to Jesus, or maybe you have been a follower but you have never taken the step of baptism. If thats you and you want to be water baptised today….I am going to make sure you have a chance to do it today if you want. We have some shorts, but its the end of service and warm outside, so maybe your ready to just do it.

If thats you and your ready, I want you to step out of the aisle and just come to the front! We will make sure you get everything you need.

As Kati and the band come up and get ready to play - for the spontaneous baptisms. I want to also extend this invitation to everyone in this place who has been water baptized at some poiunt.

Your life, your story is a walking miracle. It is a miracle in the name of Jesus - just like the lame man of 40 years old jumping with joy…you are a walking miracle.

You traded in your heart of flesh for a new heart, a renewed mind in Christ. Yes, your journey with Jesus is filled with twists turns ups downs, its not an interstate highway its a scenic byway and at times feels like a service road.

But you don’t need to get baptised everytime you feel like you veered a little of course. That baptism, that public declaration of faith still holds true for the miracle of your conversion.

So here’s what I want us to do this morning as friend get ready for baptism. I want you to take some time, just between you and God and walk up front - or to the stations in the back and remember your baptism.

Take a moment, put your hands in the water…and just send up a quick prayer of gratitude to Jesus - use this Psalm to guide you…

Psalm 103:1–5 (NLT) Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! THANK YOU JESUS!

Take a moment and remember your miracle - the day Jesus changed your life forever.