CHRISTIAN COURAGE*
Acts 4:1-14
INTRODUCTION:
A. As I study a book of the Bible or a particular passage I do a lot of reading in commentaries.
1. Three of my favorites are The Pulpit Commentary, The Biblical Illustrator, and The Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary.
2. They each have their own style and some are easier to read than others
a. However, each of these is set up in about the same manner
b. They give a particular commentary on a verse or passage and then they give a lot of short outlines and brief messages from a variety of other men.
3. In them can be found good illustrations, interesting points and many different views.
4. But every now and then you come across a very good jewel.
5. And you wish you could hear the originator preach it, but often this is not possible because the author has probably been dead for years.
6. So the next best thing is to study the Scriptures in light of the material given and then set out to preach it yourself.
7. Such is the case tonight.
B. The following, entitled Christian Courage, is a reconstructed and expanded message, developed from a message entitled “The Courage of the Apostles” by H. Johnson, D.D. (The Preacher’s Homiletic Commentary, Vol. 25 – The Acts of the Apostles; 1996; Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI pp. 105-106)
1. As the title states this message is about courage
2. Its about the type of courage that should be manifested in Christians of all ages
3. Its something we need to hear about and I believe God would have us see from this passage Acts 4:1-14.
C. As we move through this passage I believe we need to see four things:
1. The Occasion of the Courage
2. The Secret of the Courage
3. The Characteristics of the Courage
4. The Effect of the Courage
5. May the Lord impart courage unto us, His children, in the time, manner and place that brings glory to Him!
PRAY
To set the stage we need to first look at
I. THE OCCASON OF THE COURAGE, Acts 4:1-3, 5-7 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. [3] And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide…[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. [7] And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Here we see two things that are noteworthy concerning the occasion:
A. They were brought before Sanhedrin
1. This was the ruling body over the Jews in Jerusalem.
2. It was made up of
a. Sadducees, lawyers, Pharisees and Scribes
b. It included the high priest and many from his household.
3. It was in imposing assembly, made up of the intellectual and governmental and ecclesiastical power of the Jewish nation.
4. And as I mentioned last week, it was this group of people and this body that had condemned Jesus to death and saw to it that their desire was carried out by the Roman government.
5. To say the least, This was a formidable foe that had arrested them and brought them to be questioned!
B. But maybe more important was the Reason they were brought, [7] And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? - healing of the cripple and the preaching of the Gospel
1. Why is this important to us today? Because the occasion for courage has to do with the testimony and glory of God!
2. It one thing to stand before a court (which is what this was for all intensive purposes) for having done something evil, but for doing something good?
3. Many of us would have become irate or indigent about the situation.
4. We may look at this situation or others like it and wonder if we could be courageous
5. The answer to that will be found in our relationship with the Lord at the time of it happening. So we don’t have to worry about it ahead of time
6. Jesus had already warned them, But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. Matt 10:19
7. This was true for Peter and it will be true for us as well.
8. For we are shown
II. SECRET OF THE COURAGE, Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them,
A. Not Really a Secret to Believers.
1. The Spirit was promised by Jesus, John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
2. The Spirit was sent and received on Pentecost - Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
3. We are to walk in the Spirit - Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
4. Strength is found in the Spirit - Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
5. The Spirit is ever with us to provide insight, direction and strength.
B. It is the Spirit that Makes the Difference
1. Before the coming of the Spirit of God Peter was an impulsive, quick to react and a coward by nature.
2. Following the Spirit’s descent Peter became the prophet – the one who could now speak boldly.
3. One commentator wrote, “The bank of sand had been transformed into a solid rock.”
4. Folks, he had exchanged the fear of man for the fear of the Lord.
5. Being filled with the Spirit is to be totally immersed in God and to have God fully enabled in us.
6. It can be easily understood how this would arm the timid soul with a dauntless and deathless courage. One, with God, is a majority always. Weakness, with God, is omnipotence!
Courage of this sort, born of the presence of the Spirit of God, true Christian courage, will be marked by certain characteristics.
III. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COURAGE, Acts 4:8-12 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. Here we can discern a number of characteristics that should be present in Christian boldness
A. Courtesy
1. The first words out of Peters mouth were Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel…
2. He recognizes their office and authority and address them by their proper titles.
3. Bravery does not have to be rude or arrogant – to speak the truth boldly one does not have to a boar or bear, as one person said it.
4. The kingdom and patience go hand in hand.
B. Prudence – wise or judicious in pubic affairs; discreet. (Webster’s College Dictionary)
1. Following the courteous use of their official titles Peter makes reference to the nature of the deed done - If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man,…
2. The deed was good and Peter reminds them about that – a man had been made whole.
3. Peter first turns attention from the method to the deed done,.
4. The work itself could only challenge gratitude and joy – of itself could provoke no opposition
5. Thus Peter sets a positive stage for the discussion to follow
6. Courage with prudence will always make use of every justifiable means to overcome opposition.
7. While scorning compromise of principle, it presses into service every possible means to settle the matter in the quickest and most peaceful means possible
C. Frankness
1. The counsel demanded an answer to their question, Acts 4:7 By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
2. Peter gave then the most direct and truthful answer possible - Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,…
3. Peter could have stopped here but this was not the reason he was in bonds – the reason was his mentioning the resurrection (verse 2) so he continued on whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
4. Peter could have possibly got off with no trouble hand he not mentioned the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, but true courage does not withhold truth to avoid trouble: it proclaims it for the glory of God!
5. It is the whole truth that must be stated. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
6. We don’t need to going looking for trouble but we (Christians) should not avoid telling the whole story just to avoid it!
D. Last, Fidelity – adherence to fact or detail (Webster’s College Dictionary)
1. Not only had Jesus been crucified – he had been pushed to it by the very crowd he was standing before, …whom you crucified…
2. Not only had he risen from the dead, but …God raised Him from the dead.
3. These were an offense to the counsel for it implicated them in both crime and folly.
4. This could be said to be the top and crown of Christian courage – the transforming of the prison bars into a pulpit to proclaim the saving grace of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
One last thing to mention
III. THE EFFECT OF COURAGE, Acts 4:13-14 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. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
A. Men First Wonder At Boldness
1. They see nothing behind it, nothing to uphold it: no arms, government or material resources.
2. They held no credentials – but a miracle had been done
3. They were not ashamed to be associated with a man crucified like a common criminal.
B. Second, they could speak nothing against it.
1. Christian courage has a wonderful way of disarming opposition.
2. They did not know what to do.
3. The opposition said a few words, more trying to affirm themselves probably than anything else, and set them free.
C. This time things ended well – the gospel had been given to the leaders of Israel, again – God’s will had been performed.
CONCLUSION:
A. Folks, Christian courage should be an exemplary thing
1. It will always be founded in the truth of the gospel
2. When we stand in the Spirit of God to proclaim the gospel of God in a humble god like fashion in faith we can be assured of abiding strength and courage
B. You can show extraordinary courage for the Lord today
C. Take Courage Christians – never fear only believe, obey and proclaim!
