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Introduction
The word evidence means “a thing or things helpful in formatting a conclusion or judgement.”
In a court room, evidence is the documentary or oral statement that is admissible as testimony or proof.
We have an insert in our bulletin where names of men have been listed to honor or remember them as fathers, grandfathers, uncles and brothers.
We could tell stories of bravery and courage and how these men challenged us in life to be all we could be.
We could tell stories of why we are honoring or memorializing them.
The stories would be evidence of the lives that were lived and why we are paying tribute to them.
I recently ran across a list of some phrases and words that are quite memorable:
What if we
As I look as this list, I am reminded of many men of faith that have encouraged me over the years in my ministry and in my life.
I have been reminded of several characteristics that I need to have in my life.
Our text today highlights several of these characteristics and I want to share with you this morning from God’s Word how each of us and learn from the example of Peter and John.
In Acts chapters 3 and 4, we learn of how Peter and John came across a crippled beggar.
The beggar pleaded for Peter and John to give them money.
Peter looks straight at the man and tells him, “look at us.” Having the beggar’s undivided attention, Peter says, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.
In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk.”
Acts 3:
The Bible says that the man was helped up and immediately his ankles and feet became strong and and began to walk.
Peter then goes on to speak the witnesses and shares the fact that because of the resurrection of Jesus that God healed this man in the name of Jesus.
Here are some funny epitaphs from real tombstones:
We learn in Chapter 4 that many heard the message and believed.
The Bible says the number of believers grew to about five thousand..
This was a concern for the religious leaders so they had Peter and John arrested.
tells us that after the arrest, a court session took place where Peter and John were asked: “By what power or what name did you do this?” referring to the crippled beggar being healed.
Peter speaks under the influence of the Holy Spirit and shares that it was through the Name of Jesus by which the man was healed.
He says boldly, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to me by which we must be saved.”
What a beautiful explanation of where you and I can find salvation.
We don’t have to look anywhere else for salvation but in the Name of Jesus!
On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in East Dalhousie Cemetery, Nova Scotia:
Here lies
Ezekial Aikle
Age 102
The Good Die Young.
The very next verse, , is our emphasis for today.
In a Thurmont, Maryland, cemetery:
Here lies an Atheist
All dressed up
And no place to go.
In a London, England cemetery:
Here lies Ann Mann,
Who lived an old maid
But died an old Mann.
Dec. 8, 1767
There are several things in this verse that can serve as an example for all of us.
There are several things that we men could learn from this verse especially!
There are three areas which we would do well to practice in our lives that would strengthen our church and our community.
First notices that these men were COURAGEOUS MEN.
Courageous Men
The religious rulers recognized the courage of Peter and John.
They had just heard and watched them boldly proclaim the life changing gospel.
The word courage means boldness and confidence.
It comes from having a level of belief that is sure and unwavering.
We have a God that is sure and unwavering and if we believe in Him and trust in His Word, we too can become a courageous people.
Peter and John boldly stood before the intimidating religious leaders and spoke without fear.
They told the facts of the gospel that they had experienced and witnessed first hand.
You can’t share what you don’t know.
They had come to understand what the law meant in :
Peter and John had become determined in their faith but it didn’t come easily.
Peter had been the one who had denied Jesus.
How excruciating it had to be for Peter to come to the place he was at now.
We tend to think that things can come easily to us, but we must realize that there is a process we must endure as we are molded and shaped into the image of God.
That process begins when we decide to trust God and His Word.
When we do this, we have intention and direction.
We are steadfast and strong.
I believe that when Peter and John recognized how big their God was, they became so determined that their very appearance changed.
Their jaws were set, their posture upright.
Can you set your face like flint because of your belief level in our Lord and know you will not be put to shame?
Peter and John were able to do just that!
Ezekiel
Now I have been called hard headed a time or two in my life, but if my life shows courage like Peter and John and a boldness like they had for Jesus, please call me hard headed!
We need to have men in our church that are courageous and unashamed of the Gospel.
We need courageous men that will be willing to stand up and lead for the sake of Christ.
We need courageous men that will boldly share the love of Christ and lead others to do so.
We need courageous men that will not wait for others to lead but set their faces as flint and go and do what God has called them to do.
You might say this is true for everybody not just the men.
It is indeed.
However, men, if you look at the work done in our church, our ladies are out doing us!
They are the ones serving, they are the ones teaching, they are the ones making visits and contacts.
Men, we can do better!
The example we learn from Peter and John is that they were courageous men.
You might say, “I don’t know, we can’t be like a Peter or John.
They were special.”
If you study scripture, one thing you will see is that not only were they courageous men, they were common men.
Common Men
Our verse today says that Peter and John were “unschooled, ordinary men.”
Unschooled means without learning or unlettered.
It means nonprofessional or layman.
Ordinary means outsider or an unskilled person.
Peter and John did not receive teaching or instruction from the Jewish schools.
They were untrained to teaching, yet they became teachers.
These men didn’t know much about philosophy or things of the rules and regulations of the temple.
They were fishermen.
They were hard workers.
They probably blended in with all the other men in their community.
Nothing really set them apart, until they found Jesus.
This tells me that we don’t have to be over educated or greatly skilled in one thing or another to be used by Jesus.
We just have to be willing to trust Him wholeheartedly.
You might say, “I am not qualified or my past prevents me from doing anything for Jesus.”
That is far from the truth.
We don’t have to be pure and righteous to be used by Jesus.
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