Boldness And Opportunity Series

“Boldness and Opportunity”

Acts 4:23-31

As we once again look at prayers in the Bible, we visit with Peter and John.

This passage really begins in Acts 3:1

Peter and John at heading for the Temple in the ninth hour (3PM) and they met a lame man who was at the gate begging for alms (no Social Security).

I love verse 4 “Look on us.”

“Don’t just ask any that are passing by, but look at us”

Vs. 5 “And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.”

Vs. 9-10 “And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.”

Vs. 11 a crowd had gathered because of the miracle that was done.

Peter spoke and preached Jesus.

Acts 4:4 “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”

Acts 4:3 “And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.”

Being commanded NOT to speak nor to teach in the name of Jesus, they responded in Vs. 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.”

We will now look at the prayer as they returned to the fellowship of their friends.

Vs. 24-28 is a great doxology or Hallelujah

It is time we just bragged about who God is and how great He alone is.

I. A Simple Prayer:

Vs. 29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”

Lord, behold their threatening – God already saw what had happened, because He is Omniscience (all knowing). The point is “Lord they are in your hands and are free to do as you wish.”

Grant unto thy servants - to supply, furnish, necessary things

Servants - doulos (doo’-los) a slave, bondman, one who gives himself up to another’s will, devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests.

You might be thinking, “this should be diakoneo (dee-ak-on-eh’-o) which means deacon or to serve, but that is not it.

To be a servant of Christ one must set aside one’s self.

Tough job when pride is involved.

The only way the rest of this verse makes sense is if Peter, John and ourselves included, sign a blank contract and allow God to fill it in as HE decides.

Boldness - openly, frankly, i.e without concealment; without ambiguity (vagueness).

We do not beat around the bush, but speak the truth in love.

Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Thy word - the sayings of God

Vs. 30 “By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”

We do not walk around with healing powers.

We as Gentiles do not seek after a sign.

We submit to the Word of God as truth and speak with assurance and testimony that God is our only way of salvation, not according to what we say but by the authority of the Word of God.

II. The Answer Of Prayer

VS. 31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

An announcement; when God shows up we will know it!

Filled – To be furnished

Holy Ghost - the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son

Boldness - openly, frankly, i.e without concealment; without ambiguity (vagueness).

We do not beat around the bush, but speak the truth in love.

Observation:

1. Our boldness can be traced back to our growth of our faith.

2. Peter and John did not start out bold.

Each had times in their lives that caused them to stumble, but it was Jesus who lifted them up and restored them, which gave them confidence.

3. Their testimony of the events that they saw and lived through gave them confidence.

I am tired of those who would say, “If you are saved you will not be ashamed to tell others.”

That is true but there must be growth in the life of the “New Babe in Christ” so they understand their desire to witness is the natural event because they are saved and now want others to know that truth as well.