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. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
Prayer for Boldness
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘ Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things. (When bad things occur in our lives instead of asking why? One man said we should ask God, “Who?” “ Who are you God?”
Introduction: Are these the same men who ran from Jesus’ crucifixion? Many times we place a high emphasis on our faith, and what we can receive, but your grace and your faith is all about Jesus! Jesus saves! Jesus heals! Jesus delivers! Jesus brings promotion! What was the disciple’s role in all of this? Obedience! Obedience, to lean on Jesus, and obedience to move by faith.
The measure of our obedience both individually and corporately determines His great grace and His great power coming upon us! (If we’re not obedient why do we need His great grace and great power?)
We are fickle, our attitudes change, we become weary and tired, and we contend with this flesh, we get offended!
I went to a Men’s fellowship yesterday. At the end they had prayer, one man sit down in the prayer seat, and said he wanted to stand in for a man of God that was very anointed, but offended. He said, he just didn’t know if he could ever get back into church. One of the brothers stopped us and said, “ All of us have had chances to get and stay offended!” They he said, “ We need to pray that this brothers attitude would change!”
Listen to the prayer of the apostles the Bible say’s in Acts 4: 27-31“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
What is the one thing you could say about these disciples? Obedience! Trusting in His great grace and great power!
Acts 4: 32-33 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
Here are some facts for you to remember, 1. There’s no excuse. 2. Don’t stop. 3. Receive your kingdom orders. 4. Trust in His ability, and not yours! 5. Remember who you are, and whom you belong to! 6. Praise Him at the drop of a hat!
Augustine, an early church father, once wrote, “Without God we cannot, without us God will not!”
