Dealing with Stiff Opposition
Acts 4:1-22
Rev. Phillip A. Wright
Introduction: This morning we are looking at a topic which hops in front of all of us from time to time. That is dealing with opposition.
Attention: There was a passenger who boarded a Los Angeles-to-New York plane, he told the flight attendant to wake him and make sure he got off in Dallas. The passenger awoke just as the plane was landing in New York. Furious, he called the flight attendant and demanded an explanation. The fellow mumbled an apology and, in a rage, the passenger stomped off the plane. "Boy was he ever mad!" another crew member observed to her errant colleague. "If you think he was mad," replied the flight attendant, "you should have seen the guy I put off the plane in Dallas!"
We recognize that opposition will come. The trick is to learn how to properly deal with others anger and resistance when it is directed at us.
So today we will look at Acts 4:1-22, let’s read:
Focal Passage: Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (NKJV)
Need: People need understand that in the normal course of life conflict will happen. If you desire to live a life surrendered to Christ which is the opposite of the Prince of this world then know that you need to learn to deal with it.
Textual Idea: Today we see Peter and John before the Sanhedrin Council and they are not real happy with the disciple’s witnessing efforts. The council clearly directs them to stop teaching in the name of Jesus. The passage shows Peter’s immediate and proper response to the counsel.
Interrogative: So let me ask this morning’s question: Would you have been so direct if it were you? All too often today, the world beats on believers and we just sheepishly sit by as if there is nothing we could do about it.
Transition: Our text this morning suggests four things that we should consider in dealing with other’s anger toward our stance for the Lord.
1. Truth will silence (vs. 13-14)
Explanation: In verses 3:1-7 we see the background of this passage and the reason the council members are upset. Peter and John had healed a man on the Sabbath and the council was out to bring them to justice for this offense. We observe the council was unable to effectively deal with these disciples as they were bold and had performed a miracle in public. The date certainly did not mean anything to the man born cripple.
Argumentation:
• First, I want you to see is that “truth quiets noise.” They were unable to argue with Peter on an issue and do so effectively. The best they were able to do by the time the story closes is to tell them not to do it any more and release them.
• Second, notice the feebleness of the council’s protest. They took note of the disciple’s lack of notable education. Let’s look at that: The counsel’s best opposition was that the disciples were not as well educated as they were. That’s sad for the top of Israel’s food chain.
• Third, the council tried to tie the disciples to the man who was healed. They were trying to silence the disciples for healing a man who was born cripple. How do you make something bad out of an obvious miracle? Remember, this was done is public with others standing around them. The council was at a clear disadvantage. Their anxiety with the disciples did not help their power struggle.
Application: How is your taste for Christian Apologetics? That is the field of practice which is in essence the practice of defending the faith. All too often believers shrink back instead of standing tall. I commend you to take on the tough task of pouring your life into others. The role of being a disciple in someone’s life is a high calling. When you talk with someone else about what Jesus has done in your life you are building them up. You fulfill the Great Commission right there. Remember the imperative in the Command is not to go (although that is highly commendable); the imperative in the Command is to make disciples.
Transition: So we see that Truth will Silence; now let’s see that Familiarity will confront.
2. Familiarity will confront (vs. 15)
Explanation: I want you to take note that the people in the area know this man who was healed. They had seen him before Acts 3:2 says that he was laid at the gate “daily.” Everyone knew this man was actually and undeniably crippled. Everyone also knew that Peter and John healed him in plain sight of many who could testify. This created a very confrontational situation. The counsel had to meet to decide what to do. Why? What is wrong with recognizing what happened and praising God for the healing? Oh, that’s right, it was on the Sabbath and these were followers of Jesus who was giving him the glory and not praising them for their profound leadership.
Illustration: Did you ever say that you did not want your children to go through the hardships you went through. Then allow that type of thought to lead you to make things easy on them. I am not real sorry to say that I do not agree. It is those hardships which made you into the man or woman you are. Those struggles you have faced and overcome have taught you things. Please don’t keep your kids from learning via hard knocks as well. To no have to struggle some in life will put them at a disadvantage. They do not know the real value of things. They do not fully understand the importance of working and achieving a little at a time. Folks there is nothing wrong with letting them crash and burn some. It builds character.
Argumentation:
• The healing became known by everyone.
• The real problem here was a heart problem on the part of the council. They are directly confronted with the fact that they led the charge to crucify Jesus and Peter is now healing a lame man in his Jesus’ name. This makes them look ineffective in their positions of leadership.
• Let me cut straight to the chase on this. When you are in struggle, be sure you are on the right side. That is the side Jesus is on; all the time.
Transition: So Truth will silence and Familiarity will confront. Now we see:
3. Conscience will rule (vs. 19)
Explanation: Read verse 19 again. That is a real slap of a comment. These untrained men just told the leaders of the days in essence; who should we listen too, you or God. To have made a comment to put them in that position to choose was not wise. In a tactical sense if you are studied in the art of negotiations or interviewing either one, then you know not to give someone a choice of this nature. You will always lose.
Illustration: Leo Tolstoy once said, “The antagonism between life and conscience may be removed in two ways: By a change of life or by a change of conscience.”
To make that simpler the antagonism he speaks of would be the struggle between what you do and what you know or feel is right to do. Make sure you do what is right.
Argumentation:
• It is important to remember that God is on his throne and is in charge. We often forget that he does hear prayer and always answers it. Don’t feel like you are in the battle alone. He will not leave you.
• Make sure your undertakings in life are clear, know why you are doing the things you do. Are you clear on your reasons for doing this or that?
• Understand that the choices of other’s are theirs and they are accountable for them. Try to influence for the good those who you can.
Application: Believers should be industrious in our witnessing efforts and in our discipleship activities. God will see you through in your tasks if you are in his will. Seek his face in all that you do and he will not abandon you. Question yourself regularly about your motives in the things you do.
Transition: So Truth will silence, Familiarity will confront and Conscience will rule. Now we see:
4. Praise will confound
Explanation: Have you had someone take cheap shot at you? I have on a few occasions and it hurts, my problem is that I have a poor tendency to shoot back. This is not what I would advise you to do. When someone does you harm, love them. Let God deal with them used hot coals in their lap. Know that your motives are pure. I assure you that shooting back is not the right thing to do. Even though I have done it; life always works better for a believer when you do things right. Praise God for all that you encounter.
Illustration: Praise is a necessary part of life and intellectual and emotional development. I read a piece which included a cute illustration regarding praise, Everyone needs recognition for his accomplishments, but few people make the need known quite as clearly as the little boy who said to his father: "Let’s play darts. I’ll throw and you say "Wonderful!’" Bits & Pieces, December 9, 1993, p. 24.
Argumentation:
• Nothing confounds naysayers more than seeing a believer let Jesus live through them. Just make sure you leave your “Praise me” sign at home.
• They will see lives changed by Christ through you.
• Leave doors and windows open to allow naysayers to approach you again. Allow them to come close in time God may use you to lead them to him or to align them with you to work on something together.
• Remember always give the praise to God. Please don’t be verbally wearing a sign that says, “You all should be proud to know me, because I am just so great.”
• Scripture tells us that God inhabits the praise of his people.
• They will in time get right with God or they will make excuses and leave.
5. Conclusion:
Visualization: Close your eyes and see peace and tranquility between you and someone you have struggled with in the past. Go ahead. All of us can come clean on this one.
Reiteration:
1. Truth will silence
2. Familiarity will confront
3. Conscience will rule
4. Praise will confound
Action: God can and will use each of us in his Kingdom’s work if we reach out and say, here I am send me. Then go to the one(s) who are believers with whom you have had strife and you make the approach to set things right. Do not make excuses or let things get in the way. You set it straight and let God work on their conscience. You do not need to think of cute statements to jab at them if they snub you. You go with a pure heart.
