Challenges From Without

It is interesting that when things seem to be going good that there is something bad that is right around the corner. There is something known as cherophobia, which is the fear of being happy because it may lead to something bad. This idea can cripple a person at times — it keeps them from enjoying the good.

As we continue our look through the Book of Acts, we come upon a point where the church came on some hard times. In chapter 2, things seemed to be going so well… daily people were being saved… they were enjoying good times among themselves and with those around them. That all changes in Acts chapter 3.

Acts 3:1–10 CSB

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple for the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. A man who was lame from birth was being carried there. He was placed each day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so that he could beg from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked for money. Peter, along with John, looked straight at him and said, “Look at us.” So he turned to them, expecting to get something from them. But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. So he jumped up and started to walk, and he entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.

The Miracle

Peter and John were on their way to the Temple for the appointed time of prayer. In the Jewish faith, there were three specific times when people would go to the Temple to pray — 9am, 3pm, and sunset. This was that middle time.

These men encounter a man who was lame from birth. This man had never had the joy of walking on his own his entire life. This man would be carried by friends and set at a gate of the Temple to beg for resources. There was no government assistance programs in this day. Those who were disabled had to depend on the generosity of others to survive.

Peter and John give to this man out of what they had. It was not money… it was not food… it was a new life in Christ. They told him to “get up and walk.” This brings up the question for each of us as followers of Jesus Christ — do we believe that Jesus is really enough for people’s deepest need? There are times when we should give money, food, or clothes, but when it comes to humanity’s deepest need, only the message of Jesus Christ can meet that need.

This man stood to his feet for the first time. This was evidence that he had faith in what Peter and John were saying. This man joined them in the Temple for the time of prayer. In verse 9, we see that all the people recognized the former lame man and were blown away by the change in his life. When God does a work in a person’s life, it is noticeable to all people.

This instance also shows us the importance of coming alongside those who trust in Christ to help them in their new faith journey. This is why we think that small groups (Sunday school or LIFE groups) are so important. Just because a person has a new life in Christ, that doesn’t mean that they know how to walk this journey yet.

As the crowds were gathering around to see the miracle that had taken place in this man’s life, Peter took the opportunity to make sure everyone knew what had happened. Peter declares in verse 16 that it was through Jesus that this man had been made whole.

Acts 3:16 CSB

By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Jesus has given him this perfect health in front of all of you.

Peter goes on once again to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the audience that had gathered. He saw that he had a captive audience. Do we recognize the opportunities that we have to share Jesus with others? We should pray and ask God each day to give us opportunities to share the good news of Jesus with others, but we should also keep our antennas alert for when those times come.

Acts 4:1–4 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. But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Challenges Arise

As Peter boldly shares the gospel of Jesus with the crowd, opposition arises. The priests, captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confront the disciples (v 1). These religious leaders did not like the message that was being preached. It flew in the face of everything that they had set up for themselves.

It may come as a shock to some, but not everyone is excited about the good news of Jesus Christ. There are many in our world that see the gospel as a threat — a threat to their own kingdom. Jesus told us though that we could expect this opposition.

= I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world!

John 16:33 CSB

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

It should be no surprise when persecution comes our way for standing for God’s truth. This world has an agenda of its own that flows in full contradiction to what God desires. When the truth of God goes forth, it always finds resistance and pushback.

While these religious leaders of the day did not appreciate the message of the gospel, there were those who did. Verse 4 tells us that many who heard believed the message and joined with the church that day bringing the total to 5,000. This should serve as a reminder to us that even when there may be opposition to the gospel, there are those who will respond to it favorably. We should not shy away from sharing Jesus with others just because some may not like it.

The Trial

We see that the religious leaders arrest Peter and John and put them on trial. They were asked by what power did they do this act. It was undeniable to all that a miracle had taken place. Once again, when God does a work in the life of a person, it is evident to all. The problem came in that this miracle happened in a way that did not fall into the nice, neat box the religious leaders held.

Peter and John boldly respond to the accusations that came their way. The Holy Spirit had filled and equipped them for this task. They were living in the truth that Paul would later share in = “if God is for us, who is against us?” Do you live in that kind of boldness? Do you really believe that God is greater than every person and power… and that if you’ve placed your faith in Jesus Christ then He is for you?

Romans 8:31 CSB

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

The boldness of Peter and John baffled the religious leaders that were interrogating them. In verse 13, they recognized that these were uneducated and untrained men. This meant that they had no educational training past 12 years of age. When a Jewish male reached the age of 13, he would either be taken in by a Rabbi to be trained in the Law of God or go to work. Peter and John had no formal religious training… no seminary… no Bible college… All these men had was their personal time with Jesus, and that made all the difference. This is not to say that formal education and training is bad. It just means that anyone who has a genuine faith relationship with Jesus is able to know and stand on the truths of God.

Verse 13 says that the ones who were criticizing Peter and John recognized that they had been with Jesus. Can that be said of us? Would our co-workers, classmates, bosses, employees, or neighbors say that we have been with Jesus by what they see and hear coming from our lives?

The religious leaders realize that they cannot deny that a miracle had happened, but they felt that they needed to get ahead of this “Jesus stuff” or things would get out of control. In verses 17-18, they threaten Peter and John not to speak in the name of Jesus anymore.

Peter and John respond by saying that they must obey God first and foremost (v 19-20). We must be careful not to use these verses inappropriately. Some have used these verses for their own agendas and caused great harm to the gospel. Before we use this, we must make sure that we know what God’s word says and that what’s being asked of us is in direct contradiction of God’s word, not just our interpretation of it.

How to respond when trials come

We see in verse 21 that Peter and John are released with a warning not to speak about Jesus again. The “court” could not punish at this time any more because the crowds were praising God because of the miracle that had happened in their midst.

Verses 23-35 show us how we are to respond when we face opposition for the gospel’s sake.

Take the matter to God in prayer first (v 23-28)

It is shocking how many times Christians will use prayer as a last resort rather than a first priority. Prayer is the lifeline for a Christian.

The early church took the matter at hand to the Lord in prayer before anything else. They recognized that God was sovereign (v 24). They realized this “attack” was not actually pointed at them but God (v 26-28). They also understood that God had a plan from the beginning and was carrying it out (v 28).

Ask God for the resources needed (v 29-30)

The church realized that what was needed to get them through this time was only available from God. How many times are we tempted to fix or handle the situations in our lives in our own strength?

We see the church asking very specifically. This is how we should pray when we do = ask specifically. Many times we do not know how God is answering our prayers because we pray too generally.

In verse 30, they see that the work God was calling them to do would be Him working through them. They made themselves available for God’s use however He chose to do so. Are we at the point where we allow God to use us however He chooses, or do we still set parameters on what God can do in and through us?

Receive and be faithful with God’s provisions (v 31-35)

In verse 31, God hears and grants their requests. He gives them boldness to do what He has asked them to do. We do not need to be surprised when God grants our requests.

= Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Psalm 37:4 CSB

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

The truth of this verse is that when our hearts line up with God’s heart is the point where He happily grants our requests.

In verses 32-35, the early church puts into use what is given them by God. They didn’t just sit back and admire the gifts or talk about their blessings with one another. They put them to work. God grants us resources to use not just store up on a shelf.

Conclusion

The sobering reality that we see from these two chapters in Acts is that there are going to be times in this life where we are faced with trials and difficulties especially in relation to our walk with the Lord.

The good news is that when these trials come our way, we are not left abandoned. We have a God that we can call on at any time who will hear us and is willing to help us and equip us for the moment. We need to call to Him, receive from Him the necessary resources, and stand in the power of His might.

May God find us faithful and fill us with the boldness that comes from the Holy Spirit. This is what we need we challenges come our way.

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