Not that smart

Context: Where does this fit in the Big Picture of God's Glory?

In the days after the healing of the lame man; early church development

Overview: What's going on here?

Acts 4:13–31 CSB

13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” 18 So they called for them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 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. 22 For this sign of healing had been performed on a man over forty years old. 23 After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers assemble together against the Lord and against his Messiah. 27 “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.

Reflection: Why does this matter?

The overall sovereignty of God is the most important thing

Psalm 2:1–2 CSB

1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his Anointed One:

New Testament V: Acts The Earth Trembled

God heard their prayer and manifested this by shaking the place. For “when they had prayed,” it is said, “the place was shaken.” Why did this happen? Listen to the words of the prophet: “He looks on the earth and it trembles.

Psalm 104:32

Expectations: What do we do about it?

Being in the presence of Jesus is what matters

From that, our willingness to obey follows---without that, we are not worth much to the Kingdom

Our response to threats, stress, and strain should be: LORD, GIVE US BOLDNESS

Let’s not plan to come back to normal.

Let us only come back to be a bold church, one that prays until the earth shakes at the power of God

One that prays until our boldness drives us to speak, to act, to declare to the world that

Acts 4:12 CSB

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

We don’t have to be that smart to do this.

We just have to be that committed to Christ.