Discerning and Dynamic but Dumb?

Let’s take a look this morning at our text...

Acts 4:6–13 NKJV

6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4.6-13

A. Jerusalem Was Rocked by an Explosion of Love

1. Pentecost had launched a massive response to the gospel

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 233-236). Kindle Edition.

a. Three thousand were converted under Peter's preaching ()

b. Mighty answers to prayer were evident to the community

2. A miraculous healing of a lame man was performed at the temple

3. Peter's call to repentance and faith brought five thousand more to Christ

B. The Religious Leaders Were Upset

1. The high priest and others questioned Peter and John ()

Acts 4:6–8 NKJV

6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

acts 4.6-8

2. Peter pointed to God's power in healing the lame man

a. He reminded his questioners of the cross (v. 10)

Acts 4:10 NKJV

10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Location 236). Kindle Edition.

b. He declared the resurrection to be true (v. 10)

c. He insisted on faith in Christ as the only way of salvation (vv. 11-12)

Acts 4:11–12 NKJV

11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 236-237). Kindle Edition.

C. The Critics Reacted with Amazement to Peter and John

They Recognized Their Daring

1. Peter and John had been arrested the day before (v. 3)

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 237-238). Kindle Edition.

Acts 4:3 NKJV

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Location 238). Kindle Edition.

a. Preaching about the resurrection was dangerous

b. Teaching about Jesus could have cost them their lives

2. The great response (five thousand) placed them in jeopardy

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 238-240). Kindle Edition.

a. Standing firm for the gospel seemed like folly

b. Refuting their enemies fueled fires of persecution

3. The leaders marveled at their boldness in the face of danger

4. Do others see us bold in declaring our faith?

Their Research Indicated These Men Were Uneducated

1. The educational background committee reported they had none

a. These powerful preachers were called unlearned

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 242-243). Kindle Edition.

b. Their critics concluded they ignorant

2. This only raised more questions

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Location 243). Kindle Edition.

a. How could dumb people be so dynamic?

b. How could the uneducated be so discerning?

They Reasoned Their Resource Must Be Divine

1. Something was going on here that transcended human ability

a. These unprepared ones had become great preachers

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Locations 244-246). Kindle Edition.

b. These untaught ones had become effective teachers

2. There was only one answer: they had been with Jesus

3. Paul would later write of other weak ones becoming strong ()

1 Corinthians 1:27–29 NKJV

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Conclusion

A. God Has Often Used Untaught Ones for His Glory

B. He Will Use You and Me if We Surrender All to Him

Roger Campbell. Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines (Preach for a Year Series): 7 (Kindle Location 246). Kindle Edition.