May 25, 2014
Morning Service

Acts 4.:1-21

 

This morning we will look at Peter’s third sermon.  As we can see right now it’s all about Peter, and the Jews.  Remember in chapter two Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom to Peter, and he used them to open the door to salvation beginning with the Jews.  From his first sermon on Pentecost 3,000 were added to the believers, this was the beginning of many that God added to the church that Jesus said He would build.  This was two thousand years ago, and since then multitudes have been added to the church of Jesus Christ. 

·         In chapter three the people were amazed at the healing of the lame man.  This opened the door for Peter to preach his second sermon to the men of Israel, again bringing conviction on them concerning their part in the death of Jesus.  Peter used their knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures to tell them how God used Jesus;  Act 3:26  Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

 

Now let’s look at what happens:

 

Act 4:1-12  And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,  (2)  Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 

·         Two things, first instead of falling down and praising God, these men are jealous of Peter, and John. 

·         Secondly, remember the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, so they certainly didn’t want them preaching that Jesus had been resurrected.

(3)  And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.  (4)  Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. 

·         Why not believe, God allowed this miracle of healing for this very purpose, that those who were hungry for God, He would add them to His church.

·         And now we see another 5,000 added to the church.  In two sermons 8,000 people have been added to the believers, or the church.

(5)  And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,  (6)  And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 

·         All the important men in Israel were here to look further into this miracle.

(7)  And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 

·         Again, look at the door that is opened for Peter to preach his third sermon.

·         We have mentioned on different occasions to watch for the doors to be opened in your life.  Times like this are an opportunity for you to share your testimony, and what Jesus means to you.  So you can see the importance of knowing the Scriptures, and sharing your testimony.

 

SERMON:

(8)  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,  (9)  If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;  (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 this man stand here before you whole.  (11)  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  (12)  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.    

 

 

·         This is a very dangerous act that Peter is doing.  These are the same men that caused the death of Jesus, and Peter knows that it could happen to him.

·         But, we are looking at a man that is sold out to God, a firm believer in what He is saying.  He is full of the Holy Ghost, and speaks with confidence, and boldness, not fearing what man can do to him.

·         He begins with a very powerful statement;  “that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead”

·         Again, speaking conviction to their hearts.

 Act 4:13-21  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 

·         How about that statement?  Do we realize the world will know if we have been with Jesus or not?   And it is not how smart you are, or how dumb you are, these are unlearned, and ignorant men, in the eyes of the world, but not in the eyes of God, who really matters.

·         The proof of being with Jesus is not necessarily how you dress, yet dress is important.  Not that you carry your Bible around with you, but that too is important.  Not that you attend a local fellowship of believers, but this too is important.  There are many important aspects of being a disciple of Christ yet people will know that you have been with Jesus if you have love one for another.   Jesus said, Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

·         Love never fails, and also covers a multitude of sins.

(14)  And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 

·         Is this not the time to glorify, and magnify the name of Jesus?

(15)  But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,  (16)  Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.  (17)  But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 

·         Wrong decision.  But that you know this can happen to someone, it happened to me.  I was excommunicated from a fellowship for going into other fellowships, and telling what Jesus had done for me.  The leaders of the fellowship said I should not be doing this, and I told them I could not stop telling people what Jesus had done for me.  So we parted company.

(18)  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.  (19)  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  (20)  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 

·         This, along with being filled with the Spirit of God is what will give you the boldness to speak in Jesus name.  What have you seen, and what have you heard?  No devil in hell can take away this experience in you life.

(21)  So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

 

Almighty God give us this boldness, and help us to always stand, and speak of the wonderful things we have seen, and heard.