4.3.29 6.16.2019 Surprise Surprise! (The Believers) Acts 4.8-37

Entice: You would have known that it would happen. The world would, of course be "greatly annoyed" by the liberating message of Christ. In many ways it still is. Both those who are irreligious or those whose religion is different were surprised by the insistence of the Church that

are irreligious or those whose religion is different were surprised by the insistence of the Church that the Lordship of Jesus was exclusive, universal, and jealous.

the Lordship of Jesus is exclusive, universal, and jealous.

Engage: By and large, particularly in our century we have witnessed two responses to cultural pushback-

conflict or collusion

The early church did not pick fights nor did it surrender to persecution. Surprisingly and unhesitatingly it just executed the mission.

surrender to persecution. Surprisingly and unhesitatingly it simply pursued it's mission.

Expand: The "Biblical" model of cultural engagement has been there since the very beginning. Neither leaning too far in, nor remaining aloof the church proclaimed a risen Lord for a fallen World. The fallen world did not like it but the Church did not stop. Prison did not slow it down. Beating it did not cow it. Threats did not intimidate it.

for a fallen World. The fallen world did not like it but the Church did not stop. Prison did not slow it down. Beating it did not cow it. Threats did not intimidate it.

Excite: What should the church do now? What they did then! The Masses of this world need us. The misses of this world cry out for real liberation. The false hopes of fight or flight have disillusioned many. We need to embrace the strategy of mission and proclaim the peace ushered in by the Prince of Peace. In the Church first felt pressure. It neither gave up nor did it give in. That is our heritage.

disillusioned many. We need to embrace the strategy of mission and proclaim the peace ushered in by the Prince of Peace. In the Church first felt pressure. It neither gave

up nor did it give in. That is our heritage.

Explore:

We have to care enough to be the Church when the World Challenges us.

Explain: When things are tough get back to the basics…The basics of

Body of Sermon:

Witness.

What do you do and say after you are arrested for your faith…insulted, mocked.

Acts 4:8–20 ESV

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Speak to the right issue.

Jesus is the issue.

Seek the right outcome

Salvation is the outcome.

Submit to the higher authority

Jesus is our authority.

Pray

Acts 4:24–31 ESV

24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Biblical

Personal

Hopeful

Powerful

Serve

Acts 4:33–37 ESV

33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Community.

Conviction.

Compassion.

Because we Care enough:

On the other hand, there’s only one way to justify work that’s better than it needs to be: Because you cared enough. Seth Grodin 5.29.2019

When we are under pressure, when the church is challenged, when our culture confronts us we must care enough to do the hard work of witness, the challenging work of prayer, the transformative work of serving. Jerusalem was surprised by these behaviors in the Church's infancy.

Perhaps it's time we surprise the world again. Not by complaining. Not by whining. Not by sulking. We should surprise the world by loving service-first to our King, then to our culture.

the transformative work of serving. Jerusalem was surprised by these behaviors in the Church's infancy. Perhaps it's time we surprise the world again. Not by complaining. Not by

whining. Not by sulking. We should surprise the world by loving service-first to our King, then to our culture.

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