Bold Prayers Embolden Witnesses
Notes
Transcript
ME: Intro - ISIS Persecution
ME: Intro - ISIS Persecution
Matthew Ayariga, a Christian from Ghana,
Became a Christian in response to the immense faith he saw from other Christians.
In Feb. of 2015, while working construction in Egypt with 20 other Christians from Egypt.
Ayariga and the 20 Egyptian Christians were kidnapped by the radical Islamic group ISIS.
On February 15 of that year,
A horrific video addressed to the People of the Cross was released online.
This video detailed the brutal execution of these 21 Christians.
Ayariga, having a noticeably different skin tone from the Egyptians,
Was asked by the terrorists if he rejected Jesus,
While the Egyptian Christians beside him were being murdered.
Knowing it would cost him his life,
He said, “I am a Christian and I am like them.
Their God is my God.”
Shortly after, all 21 Christians were murdered.
Each of these Christians maintained a bold witness in the face of horrific persecution, how?
As they were physically forced to their knees before these terrorists,
They bowed their heads and cried out to Jesus in bold prayer.
Due to the relative safety and comfort we enjoy in our context,
We often overlook real Christian persecution happening around the world today.
Persecution that began not long after the church was born.
Acts 4:1-31, records the beginning of this persecution.
And in the face of this persecution,
The early church teaches us how Bold Prayers Embolden Witnesses.
Slide
Our outline is:
Arrested for Healing (vs. 1-12)
Threatened for Witnessing (vs. 13-22)
Praying for Boldness (vs. 23-31)
We need to connect with God in prayer for the boldness to go and multiply disciples.
Throughout the church’s history,
Christians have been opposed, arrested, persecuted, and killed.
So, as we approach this text,
We must seriously ask, do we truly experience persecution?
And how bold are we in our witness?
This is not a call to intentionally seek out persecution.
But if we never even face a little bit of opposition,
It raises questions about our boldness when it comes to telling others about Jesus.
The Apostle Peter lacked boldness when Jesus got arrested.
He cowered in fear when asked if he was with Jesus,
Denying even knowing Jesus three times.
But by the time we get to Acts 4, there is something different about Peter.
He is bold and fearless in front of the same religious elites who had Jesus crucified.
WE: Arrested for Healing (vs. 1-12)
WE: Arrested for Healing (vs. 1-12)
The opportunity for this boldness,
Slide
Happens because Peter and John are Arrested for Healing in vs. 1-12.
Last week, we read about Peter healing a crippled man in the name of Jesus,
Then giving a bold teaching to repent and believe in Jesus Christ,
Who has risen from the dead.
Now, chapter 4 begins with Peter’s teaching being interrupted by various members of the religious establishment,
Who were ticked off by Peter teaching about Christ and the resurrection of the dead.
Three religious members are mentioned in vs. 1.
First, are the priests.
This was a class of individuals responsible for maintaining the temple and its rituals.
They would rotate weeks ensuring a priest was always on duty.
They were a religious authority because they were intermediaries between God and people.
This role required years of training in daily tasks of temple life, sacrifices, and celebrations.
Throughout the many generations of the priesthood,
They slowly shifted from strictly religious leaders,
To religious and political leaders.
By NT times, the priesthood was entrenched in politics.
They were power players in the temple.
So, you can imagine the priests seeing this commotion about a miraculous healing drawing a crowd.
Then hearing Peter preaching Jesus Christ in their temple!
Whew! They would be ticked!
Peter’s teaching is dangerous!
This undermines the Jewish authority!
So, they get the second in command,
The captain of the temple,
Who would be like a police force commander,
And the Sadducees.
The Sadducees were a Jewish sect that only believed in the Torah,
Which is the first five books of the Bible:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Historians suggest the Sadduccees formed during the rise of the Greeks,
To stand against the influence of Greek culture, customs, and philosophy.
Slide
The four beliefs that make them unique are...
First, the soul ceases to exist at death,
Which means there is no bodily resurrection.
Which is also why they would be upset about Peter’s teaching.
Second, only written Scriptures have authority.
So, oral traditions were rejected.
Teachings had to be justified explicitly from the written Word.
Third, they emphasized human responsibility and free will,
Which, in turn, rejects the idea of God’s sovereign will.
Fourth, they did not believe in angels or spirits,
Including the Holy Spirit.
These beliefs did not prevent them from being prominent members of the Jewish council.
They were a wealthy and powerful group,
Who cooperated with the Romans to maintain their power and influence.
This is why they feared the talk of a messiah.
Because he would ruin their good financial and political arrangement with the Romans.
Slide
So, the religious elites are greatly annoyed with Peter and John.
Their irritation was enough for them to arrest these men.
Slide
Vs. 3 says that it was already evening,
Which means the temple sacrifices had concluded,
Therefore, the temple gates would be closed,
So, official council business could not happen until the next day.
The religious council wanted to keep things from getting out of hand,
And risk the Romans getting involved.
So, they arrested Peter and John overnight for healing a crippled man.
But instead of keeping things under wraps,
A pattern emerges that is repeated throughout Acts:
Instead of the church being stopped by persecution,
Persecution goes hand in hand with the church growing.
Despite Peter and John being arrested,
The hope of the gospel takes root in many people’s hearts.
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Vs. 4 is the third numerical record of the church in Acts.
By the end of ch. 1,
The church was made up of 120 people.
In response to Peter’s sermon during Pentecost in ch. 2,
The church grew to over three thousand.
Now, after a crippled man is miraculously healed,
And Peter again preaches the gospel,
While he and John are in prison,
The church grows again,
This time to over five thousand men!
Luke likely distinguishes that this was the number of men only,
Because the men would have been the only ones who gathered at Solomon’s portico.
One of the courts outside the temple was the court of women,
And women could not go any further in the temple beyond that court.
So, it has been estimated that including women and children,
The church could be up to 10,000 members at this point.
Regardless, this explosive growth should get our attention.
Preaching the gospel in the power of the Spirit brings people to faith in Jesus.
Slide
Vs. 5 says, the next day, the Jewish religious council meets to address the situation.
This religious council is called the Sanhedrin.
It was made up of representatives from the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the high priest and his family.
Slide
This council viewed itself as a continuation of the seventy elders Moses instituted in Numbers 11:16-17
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.
This exact council was a temporary arrangement.
However, the Jews made it permanent.
So, the council was made up of 70 members,
Plus the high priest was the chair of the council,
Filling the role that Moses held in Numbers.
This council was the highest judicial court to the Jews,
Slide
One quote described their authority this way:
“In all causes and over all persons, ecclesiastical and civil, supreme.”
Meaning any decree made by this council was binding for Jews.
During NT time,
Herod and the Romans were in power.
As the greater political powers,
They manipulated this council for their own purposes.
And the council was all too willing to go along.
As demonstrated by Jesus’ fake trial.
Slide
Vs. 6 lists some of these members who also played a prominent role in Jesus’ trial.
According to John 18:13, Annas is the father-in-law of Caiaphas.
So, although Annas is described as the high priest here,
His term has likely concluded,
And Caiaphas is the current official high priest.
Historical records indicate that Annas had a son named Jonathan,
Who became high priest about 20 years after Annas.
That could be the John mentioned here.
Slide
In vs. 7, Peter and John are brought before the council,
To face questioning for healing a crippled man.
You can almost picture two men,
Standing against all the powers of Israel.
So much firepower aimed at two ordinary men, why?
Because these religious bullies saw these two men,
And the message they were spreading,
As a threat to their social and political power.
So, these power players get right to the point with one burning question:
“How did you have the power to do this miracle?!”
More specifically,
“By what name did you do this miracle?”
They likely know that Peter said he did this in the name of Jesus.
But in their eyes, they are the religious authority.
So, they want Peter to admit they did this in Jesus’ name publicly.
Just like they did to Jesus not long ago,
When they had Him crucified.
How easy would it be for Peter and John to fear that they would be crucified by this council too.
But instead of denying Jesus once again,
Something is different about Peter.
Slide
Vs. 8 says that Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit.
He is freshly empowered by the Spirit.
This is a wonderful reality for all believers.
God is always with us,
He supernaturally fills us with His Spirit,
Empowering us to do His will.
The Spirit is required to be a bold witness.
Even though we abandon Jesus like the disciples had,
He never abandons us,
And He never will.
The Spirit empowers us to be bold witnesses to Christ,
Even in the face of persecution.
Slide
Therefore, when Peter answers in vs. 10,
He is very direct.
He is fearless
He says,
“By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”
The name of Jesus is emphasized throughout Acts.
Because the name of Jesus stresses the Person and Work of Jesus Christ,
Which is what Peter taught about in ch. 3.
But Peter’s answer does not end here,
He goes on to condemn the council for crucifying Jesus,
Then summarizes the gospel.
In all his public messages in Acts so far,
Peter holds his audience responsible for Jesus’ death.
First at Pentecost in ch. 2,
Then at Solomon’s Portico,
Which we looked at last week in ch. 3,
And now here before the council in ch. 4.
Like these crowds,
We are guilty for Jesus’ death,
Because Jesus died for our sin.
Even though our sin is rebellion against Jesus,
God is for Jesus,
He raised Jesus from the dead.
And this miraculously healed man standing before the council is irrefutable proof of this.
Slide
Peter makes this point by citing Psalm 118:22 in vs. 11.
The Psalm highlights how God’s Servant was rejected by the religious establishment,
But God raised this Servant to honor.
Therefore, the Servant is the foundation upon which God builds His temple.
Peter is teaching how Jesus is that Servant,
Jesus is the cornerstone.
The religious council rejected Him.
Now, God is rapidly building His church upon the foundation of Christ,
Right before their eyes.
Once again, Peter is emphasizing God’s sovereignty in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
Ultimately, Peter boldly told them how their plan failed.
The Jesus they thought they got rid of,
Is Who healed this man.
Jesus is no longer dead,
He is alive.
And now this religious council was finding itself on the wrong side of God’s work in this world.
Peter is turning the tables in this trial.
The council members are the ones in sin.
And they need what this helpless crippled man received,
They need faith in the only name that is able to save,
The name of Jesus.
When it comes to Jesus, death does not get the last word.
The same is true for all who trust in Him.
Now, it is unlikely in our context that we will face the threat of death for our faith.
But some might.
Either way, we can take courage,
Because no matter what we face,
All who are united to Jesus will be raised from the dead like Jesus.
Slide
Vs. 12 makes it clear that this is only possible through Jesus.
This is a simple and uncompromising truth of Christianity.
Salvation is found in Christ alone.
Like this council,
After we are convicted for our sin,
We are offered the hope of the gospel.
The only hope of forgiveness for our sins is Jesus Christ.
This is the exclusivity of Christ.
Jesus clearly taught this,
The early church taught this,
And the NT as a whole, teaches this.
Slide
Jesus said in John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
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Similarly 1 Tim. 2:5 teaches:
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
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The famous reformation teaching says it this way:
We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
By teaching this in vs. 12, Peter is calling for the council to believe the gospel.
To believe the good news about how God loves us and gave Himself for us.
So, that we would have a way to Him.
A way that had been ruined by our sin,
But has now been made possible through Christ.
When we trust in Jesus,
He transforms us.
We become known by our love.
Love calls us to take risks,
To seek the wellbeing of others,
Even if it requires us to suffer.
Love does not pursue the interests of self,
It pursues the glory of God,
And the good of others.
As Christians, we must desire for people to know God,
And His forgiveness made possible through Christ.
The Bible says there is one narrow way to God.
We cannot create our own ways by our own efforts.
God has provided the way,
Jesus Christ is the only way.
The gospel does not teach universalism,
That all will be saved.
The gospel is exclusive.
To say there is another way is unloving because it is not true.
You can have all the faith in the world in another way,
But it will not save you.
Only faith in Jesus saves us.
We are deceived when we think we are being kind by reassuring people that there are other ways to God.
If we suggest this, we are withholding from them the only true way to forgiveness,
And instead pointing to something that will not save them.
Not only that, but implying another way disrespects Jesus.
Other ways suggests that He did not have to die on the cross.
Which diminishes Christ’s glory,
And devalues His work.
The Bible is clear that Jesus is the exclusive way to God,
Yet He is inclusive by welcoming all who trust in Him.
So, brothers and sisters, we must speak this truth in love.
So, that our unbelieving friends can enjoy what we have in Christ.
I mean, what medical professional would keep the cure to a disease to himself?
God has shared with us the only cure to death,
And He freely offers this cure to all who would repent and trust in His name.
Therefore, we must be bold witnesses to Christ.
Like we see demonstrated by the early church.
GOD: Threatened for Witnessing (vs. 13-22)
GOD: Threatened for Witnessing (vs. 13-22)
But we must also expect,
To some degree,
Slide
To be Threatened for Witnessing,
As Peter and John are in vs. 13-22.
The council is confounded by three things in vs. 13:
Their boldness,
Their lack of education,
And that they are followers of Jesus.
Boldness is a chief characteristic of the ministry in Acts.
This boldness is not some sort of brash self-confidence.
It is confidence in God.
They rely on God to make them bold.
Men like Peter and John did not have a religious education,
They were not expected to speak to the council,
Let alone speak with such courage and confidence.
Despite the risk they spoke the truth of Christ.
Because they were trained by Jesus and empowered by the Spirit,
Slide
As Christ promised them in Matt. 10:19-20,
When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
They were bold because they had the Spirit.
The courage of these uneducated fisherman was astonishing to the council.
And they remembered that these men were with Jesus.
Because they recognize His teaching in them.
Just as He astonished them despite having no formal training.
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As John 7:15 says about Jesus,
The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?”
Slide
After concluding that Peter and John’s boldness was a result of being with Jesus,
They are still at a bit of a loss,
Because this formerly crippled man is standing before them.
The council could not deny that this man had been miraculously healed.
So, they order Peter and John to leave the council.
Then they huddle together to discuss this mess.
Slide
They ask one another, what should we do?
Because remarkably they confess that the miracle done through Peter and John is obvious!
It is clear to everyone!
They know they cannot just pretend it didn’t happen.
Slide
Still, their motivation is to stop the movement before more people join.
So, their solution is to threaten Peter and John against speaking any more about Jesus.
Rather than repenting and believing in Jesus in light of this undeniable miracle,
They would rather keep their political and religious authority,
Opposing the very God they claim to serve.
They are unwilling to lose what they have.
So, instead of asking, how can we be saved?
They ask, how can we keep our power?
They love their position over the people more than God.
Therefore, they do damage control.
Slide
But Peter and John respond to the council with boldness.
In vs. 19, they essentially saying they cannot obey the council,
Why?
Because their duty to their conscience before God is above their duty to any other authority,
Even a religious council.
Likewise, if an authority asks you to do something that convicts your Christian conscience,
Then your higher duty is to God.
Now, let me give a disclaimer.
You can obviously abuse this truth and use it to justify disobedience,
Claiming you are following your conscience.
Just know that if you do,
Eventually God will bring this dishonesty to light and there will be consequences for your sin.
Peter and John, however, rightly uphold their duty to their conscience before God.
This is demonstrated in their reply to the council,
Essentially asking them to judge what they would do,
Obey God or the council?
Slide
They continue in vs. 20,
Saying they are unable to stop speaking about what they have seen and heard.
They learned firsthand from Jesus,
They witnessed miracles from Jesus,
They have seen and touched the resurrected Jesus,
And after He returned to heaven,
They had the Holy Spirit poured out on them.
They cannot stop speaking about the acts of God they have witnessed!
God’s glory is undeniable!
And in seeking to get Peter and John to stop talking about Jesus,
The council is standing against God.
While Peter and John are obeying God.
Obeying God over authorities can be risky.
But disobeying God is not an option.
Like Peter and John,
Your primary aim must be to please God.
Slide
Vs. 21 shows the council was in a bind.
In light of an obvious healing miracle,
The people were rejoicing,
They were fearful to punish Peter and John.
So, all they could safely do was threaten them again,
Then release them.
YOU: Praying for Boldness (vs. 23-31)
YOU: Praying for Boldness (vs. 23-31)
Slide
After the hearing,
Vs. 23-31 shows the early church praying for boldness.
Peter and John go back to the members of the church and tell them what happened.
Slide
The church responds in vs. 24 by lifting their voices together in prayer.
There are three observations we can make from this prayer.
First, the prayer is rooted in God’s attributes.
They address God as Sovereign Lord.
This title expresses God’s total creative power and control over all of creation,
And over the affairs of humankind.
It is a declaration of God’s absolute authority.
They begin their prayer by reminding themselves that God controls all things.
God’s sovereignty brings great comfort and security.
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The second observation is that prayer is rooted in God’s Word.
In vs. 25-26, they pray Psalm 2:1-2,
This Psalm describes the victory of the Lord and His Anointed One.
Christ reveals that this Psalm foretold gospel events.
David’s descendant would suffer rejection,
But emerge victorious.
That is what we see in the life, death, resurrection, and promised return of Jesus.
The early church understood this.
And they understood that David, like every Scripture writer,
Was inspired to prophesy this by the Holy Spirit.
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As 2 Peter 1:21 explains:
For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
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Now, believers are able understand this prophecy by the power of the Spirit.
Jesus is the anointed Messiah,
And all who oppose Him are enemies of God.
The religious council fulfill the prophesied kings of the earth,
And the rulers in vs. 26.
The council is not just threatening two guys.
They are setting themselves against the Sovereign Lord of the universe,
And His Anointed Messiah.
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Vs. 27 says among the enemies are the Gentiles and the people of Israel.
The people of Israel is especially surprising,
Because this includes the council,
Who claim to lead the people of God.
But here in Acts, they are against God’s holy servant, Jesus.
They are responsible for Christ’s death.
They rejected their own Messiah.
And now they continue to oppose the true people of God,
Who follow Jesus.
Slide
Vs. 28 demonstrates how the early church sets an example for us.
They take comfort in knowing that Christ’s sufferings,
And their own sufferings are not by chance.
Everything Herod, Pilate, the Romans, and now the Jewish council did and were doing,
Was according to God’s will.
They clearly affirm that nothing,
Not even the death of God’s only Son,
Happens apart from God’s sovereign control.
The church recognizes that God has a plan predestined to take place.
This is the key to their confidence.
God’s sovereignty is a cause for assurance and hope.
He has a sovereign plan that is certain to be established by His almighty hand.
These early chapters of Acts have repeatedly emphasized the reality of God’s sovereignty,
And the equal truth of human responsibility.
Specifically, the example of Christ’s murderers acting according to God’s determined will,
Yet remaining responsible and being held accountable for their actions.
This means, you can not blame God’s sovereignty for your sins.
But you can rest in God’s sovereignty for His forgiveness.
God’s sovereignty is foundational to the truth that Jesus is your Savior.
His death on the cross was according to Scripture,
Which means it was according to God’s will.
His enemies murdered Him according to God’s predetermined plan.
And also according to Scripture,
God raised Him from the dead.
Because God is sovereign through it all.
Meanwhile, you and I are responsible for our sins.
But by God’s sovereign plan, we are saved if we trust in forgiveness through Jesus.
God’s sovereignty fuels us,
We must fully embrace God’s will.
The early church realized they were in the final chapter of God’s unfolding plan,
The next step is His return and reign.
Their trust in this promise emboldened them.
The same is true for us today.
We remain in the final chapter.
No matter what you face,
Jesus is coming soon.
And when He does,
Death will be no more,
Neither will there be pain or suffering anymore.
Let this promise embolden you,
As it did for the early church.
Slide
This boldness is seen in the third and final observation from their prayer.
Praying for mission over comfort.
Vs. 29 is when they bring their request to God in light of the council’s threats.
They ask God to see the threats,
And to make all the threats go away, right?
No!
They ask God for boldness to continue to speak His Word!
Although they are being threatened,
They do not ask God to remove the threat,
Bring them comfort,
Or judge the council.
They resolve to continue their witness to Jesus,
Recognizing their reliance on God to equip them for the task.
This prayer demonstrates how we can be empowered and encouraged by God’s sovereignty.
In the face of threat,
Or even physical violence,
The church affirms that God is in control.
Encouraged by this truth,
The church prays for greater boldness.
The OT promised that Jesus would suffer as part of God’s predetermined plan,
And He suffered greatly!
Jesus promised that His followers would suffer too,
That we would encounter persecution for proclaiming Him as the Savior.
From this time here in Acts 4,
And throughout history,
Still around the world today,
His followers have been persecuted.
Even if punishment follows for proclaiming the name of Jesus,
Ask God for the power to speak with all boldness!
The early church aligned itself with Christ and His sufferings.
The first century was a hostile context,
And greater boldness put believers in more difficult circumstances.
Yet, in light of the mission,
The church prays for boldness and perseverance,
Rather than comfort.
They knew Jesus was worth it.
Suffering is unavoidable.
The gospel goes against the current of the world.
Thinking about this in light of the freedoms we enjoy in our context.
I wonder how much our prayers differ from the prayers of the early church.
Especially in light of the American Dream ideology that permeates our culture.
Are our prayers more about comfort,
Than they are about God’s glory?
For example, do we just pray for God to alleviate suffering?
Or do we pray God to advance the gospel through suffering, if it is His will?
WE: Conclusion
WE: Conclusion
Slide
After finishing their prayer,
Vs. 31 makes it overwhelmingly evident that God hears this prayer,
And answers immediately.
The Spirit fills them with such power,
That everything shakes as if there was an earthquake.
Through God’s answer to their prayer,
They are empowered to continue to speak the word of God with boldness.
Slide
Pursuing their persecutors with the love of Christ.
When it comes to our mission as a church today,
Our mission includes going into the world to multiply disciples.
Our passage this morning defines our mission in an important way.
Because we need to connect with God in prayer for the boldness to go and multiply disciples.
We live in a world where brothers and sisters in Christ are being killed for their faith in Jesus.
Yet how often do we find ourselves worrying about trivial things,
Becoming paralyzed by fear at the thought of sharing the gospel in our land of freedom?
As we continue to learn from the early church in Acts,
It should make us ask, why are we not seeing the Spirit move here like we do in Acts?
Could it be that we’ve grown more concerned about our reputation than Christ’s mission?
Are we more invested in accumulating stuff than seeing Christ embraced by our neighbors?
Has our focus shifted more on comfort than the gospel?
And I am not just asking these questions to you all,
I ask these questions because I am personally wrestling with these things as we go through Acts.
The reality is that the same power that emboldened the early church lives in us.
No matter what trials we may face,
Jesus promises a glorious resurrection is coming.
Let this encourage us toward being a bold witness for Christ,
Even to those who may persecute us.
I am humbled by the example of the early church,
To love their persecutors.
And I am humbled by fellow believers still today.
After ISIS released that horrific video addressed to The People of the Cross back in 2015.
A Christian wrote an open letter in response to ISIS and posted it back online.
So, this morning,
I would like to close with this response from the people of the cross,
And as you read the response,
Consider your own witness in light of it.