Acts 4:13-22
DATE: 23 June, 2002
PM
PLACE: BBC Blarney
I.
Introduction ()
A.
The story begins in Acts three, where Peter and John are on their way for
evening prayer. Here, they encountered a man that had been lame since birth and
spent his days begging for alms of charity so that he may live.
B.
Peter and John offered this man more than he asked for and much more than
he could ever expect to receive.
C.
NOTICE:
Peter and John could not have ministered in today’s religious circles,
for two reasons.
1.
The first is
because they had no silver or gold. According to television and radio ministers
it seems that having money is a standard of having faith.
2.
Secondly,
because they confessed that they had no silver or gold. Today we
are told to teach that negative confessions brings about evil and distress.
a.
I would simply
like to ask how a sinner can be saved until he first declares he is one. To me,
expressing that one is a vile sinner is a negative in anyone’s life but
because it is truth it can bring forgiveness.
b.
With out
confession of sin it cannot be dealt with.)
D.
What they had
they gave to the lame man. Through Jesus Christ they gave him a new life. A life
free from the bondage of his affliction.
E.
When the crowds began to gather because they heard this man praising God,
Peter and John used this opportunity to present a message of hope in the name of
Jesus. (Chapter 4:4 tells us that many that heard them that day, believed.)
F.
The captain of the temple guard had arrested Peter and John and held them
in bonds until the morning. Then they were taken before Annas the high
priest….. “and as many as were kindred of the high priest”. {Sounds a
little like a stacked jury.}
G.
The question was presented to Peter and John…. V.7 “By what power, or
by what name, have ye done this?” A Holy Ghost filled Peter was bold and quick
to answer. (V 10) “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel,
that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised
from the dead, even by him doth his man stand here before you whole.” In verse
11 and 12, Peter tells them that ONLY through the name of Jesus can men be
saved.
1.
Let me insert
an observation here. I am one that fully believes in the ability of God to
perform miracles. (Please note this is present tense. Meaning, even TODAY!)
2.
What I do not
believe is that miracles are a means to salvation. Israel saw more than their
share of miracles, even throughout the Old Testament. We will make no attempt to
list them all but for starters they had the many miracles that led to their
being set free from Egypt. Then as they travelled they had the fire of God by
day and the cloud by night, seas opened before them and their enemies were
destroyed behind them. Angel food was supplied for them, quail came and fell
before them and water came forth from the rocks. On and on the list of miracles
continues and yet they have a long list of backsliding and judgment. Many people
that I have known, have received miracles in their lives but soon after they
turned their back on the God of their miracle to follow the world.
H.
In our text, the high priest and his cronies where faced with a dilemma.
(V 13)
1.
They were faced
with a notable miracle, the proof of which was standing before them.
2.
Besides this,
they were faced with the boldness of the man Peter. It states that the council
took note that these men had been with Jesus.
3.
THANK GOD, even
the devil knows where your strength and boldness comes from. Faced with
boldness, conviction and truth the council asked themselves…. “What shall we
do?”
I.
What could the
devil do? NOTHING!
1.
They could not
refute the truth that stood before them and neither could they withstand the
Spirit and the Truth that came forth from these two men.
2.
The devil’s
last hope then and NOW is to threaten you and try to get you to be silent. It is
alright for you to believe the miracles. It is alright for you to be filled with
the Holy Spirit. BUT JUST DON’T TELL ANYONE ELSE.
II.
Message – The Devil’s Only Hope
A.
The Devil
Hopes Persecution Works (4:16-18)
1.
Threats
2.
Humiliation –
being brought before such a powerful assembly
3.
Confinement –
talk about ANYTHING but Jesus (4:18)
B.
The Devil
Hopes You Will Obey “the Natural Man”
1.
The old man in
you hates embarrassment
2.
The old man
respects fear and tries to adapt
3.
The devil hopes
you think only about yourself
C.
Don’t let
the devil silence you! Look at the tools, the means by which he attempts to silent Christians
1.
Through fear
– and intimidation
2.
Through
embarrassment
3.
Through
diversion – distractions - Includes
a.
Sickness
b.
Disasters –
use the opportunity to reflect the Lord
c.
False gospels
– flashy churches and religions that are meant to get your mind off of heaven,
and serving Jesus with your cross!
d.
False brethren
4.
Through
business – this is Satan’s biggest weapon today!
D.
How NOT to
Stay Silent - NOTE
six things in 4:19-31.
1.
They spoke-up
– they said SOMETHING (4:19-20)
a.
This is the
beginning of your victory – just say something for the Lord’s case, and God
will bless the rest!
b.
Decide that
obeying God is the highest form of worship – there is no better way to praise
and love God than to obey God!
2.
They assembled
(4:21-23)
a.
Church is so
important
b.
They didn’t
have to coerce people to come – bribe them – beg them
c.
To these
Christians, getting together was their life-blood of joy
d.
They assembled
almost every day (Acts 5:42)
e.
This would stir
us to speak up for the Lord
3.
They rejoiced -
They began to praise God (24-30).
a.
Praise is
taking a moment to think of how good God is to us
b.
That moment
will turn into an hour, and then two if we really mean it
4.
They began to
pray (29-31a; go back and see 4:13)
– get with Jesus!
a.
They knew they
were out of their league, and operating beyond their own strength
b.
They knew that
they could depend upon the Lord to enable them
c.
So they prayed
– they asked God for
1)
Boldness –
courage
2)
Miracles
3)
The ability to
preach and show the power of that Name to save sinners and change their lives
5.
They were
filled with the Holy Spirit (4:31)
a.
Without the
Holy Spirit filling you, your mouth will only whimper, and stay silent – HE is
the only m4eans of being righteously bold
b.
Without the
Holy Spirit, a person is only scratching a blackboard
6.
They ALL became
bold in their testimony and preaching.
a.
This was what
cause 3,000 to get saved on Pentecost
b.
This was the
strength that the first century church was built with
III.
Conclusion
A.
Some opposing
thoughts
1.
What if the
devil had convinced this little band of believers to stay quiet?
a.
Christianity
would have adapted (like it is today) and faded away
b.
Christ would
have died in vain
c.
God’s word
would be a laughing stock
d.
Oh how the
devil had hoped for such a sequence of events
2.
Is this not
Satan’s only hope in our lives?
B.
What if WE
decide to not stay silent
1.
To say
SOMETHING in this world – even on a daily basis
2.
To make sure
that we prioritise our assembling together – even if possible every day of the
week, something going on in our church!
3.
To stay
rejoicing – even in the midst of such struggles, and hardships
4.
To pray, and
pray, and pray until God answers
a.
Pray for
boldness – it does not come naturally
b.
Pray for
miracles
c.
Pray for the
ability to preach with wisdom and boldness and effectiveness
5.
To be FILLED
with the Holy Spirit of God – have to shift out some rubbish in our lives to
make room