Peter and John Are Arrested for Preaching the Gospel of Jesus And

______Jesus Culture

INTRO: − Peter and John are arrested for preaching the gospel of Jesus and healing the lame man − They are forced to stand trial before the Sanhedrin – which was the Jewish Supreme Court for charges of heresy… they had preached the resurrection of Jesus − However, the Sanhedrin were caught in a public relations nightmare. The lame man at the Gate Beautiful who was healed was known throughout the entire city. God’s power was undeniable. − If he was alive today he would be on the Larry King show, Nightline would do a special report on him, he would be on the cover of Time and Newsweek… it was a big deal − Peter and John couldn’t be touched − So they threatened them and told them to not to speak in Jesus’ name and let them go

We pick up the story where Peter and John are released from prison. We are going to look at three characteristics of the Culture that Jesus establishes through His disciples. 1. JESUS CULTURE ACTIVATES FAITH 2. JESUS CULTURE EMPOWERS WITNESS 3. JESUS CULTURE UNITES COMMUNITY

1. JESUS CULTURE ACTIVATES FAITH ACTS 4:23-31 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…

There are several observations we can make from this passage of scripture: − This word raise literally means to be carried away with excitement.

− They hear the story about what God did through Peter and John and what happens – they get excited and begin worshipping God.

Romans 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

− When we hear the stories of Jesus our faith is activated… it comes alive. That is why I love to hear people’s stories. − I love to hear how God saves or how God is carries us through difficult situations. − It inspires my faith. It inspires me to grow closer to God… to keep going stronger for the Lord.

When I was at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, we would stand in front at the end of the service and people would come up for prayer. I had a woman ask me to pray for her leg. She said she had sciatica. She had experienced pain in her leg for fifteen years. We prayed a simple prayer. I really didn’t feel anything special. No lightning bolts. She went her way. The next week she came and found me – she was a different person. She said the pain was gone by the time she arrived home. Fifteen years of pain was gone in one prayer!!! I would check up on her periodically afterwards and to my knowledge she is still completely pain free. Do you think her faith in God is alive now?

− This church came alive when they heard what Jesus did for Peter and John − They raised their voices to God with one accord – with one mind, with one purpose − What was that one purpose that they were united around – to see people come to Christ!!!

Listen to their prayer…

ACTS 4:24-26 “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? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.’

27 “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.

They quote Psalm 2:1,2… basically they are praying – Lord, you are the creator of the entire world… why are they fighting against you?

How often it is that we see people fighting against God… − And I often wonder… why are they fighting so hard against God? − Don’t they understand who He is? Don’t they understand how powerful He is? Don’t they know that ultimately He’s the one they have to answer to? − And yet the futility of man – fighting against God

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 6:10… For it is known that he is man; And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he. If you are contending with God… If you’re fighting Him… Just stop it and surrender your life to Him. It doesn’t matter if you’re a believer or an unbeliever… just completely surrender everything to Him and let Him change your life – make you a better friend, a better husband, a better dad.

Let’s look at what they ask for from God…

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.”

What a radical prayer! Now this is definitely a man’s prayer… Let me say that being a Christian isn’t for sissies… they pray for three things a. Boldness to speak God’s Word b. Healing – the purpose of which is to reveal Jesus c. Signs and Wonders – the purpose of which is to point people to Jesus. o What do signs do? They direct you to a specific place… o What do wonders do? They make you think how did that happen? o They point you to Jesus and when we see Jesus… Faith is activated – it comes alive. o When I came to Christ… I wanted the whole world to know. Still do. Do you?

2. JESUS CULTURE EMPOWERS WITNESS ACTS 4:31 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 does this remind you of?

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. ACTS 2:2-4

In Acts 4, we see that they are filled with the Spirit, we see the place being shaken like an earthquake, but we see another evidence of the Baptism of the Spirit and that is boldness to preach the Word of God. − This is one area where Pentecostal theology is incorrect – there are multiple evidences to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

− Boldness to speak the Word of God is also an evidence. − I find it interesting to note that both have to do with the use of the tongue and both have to do with the surrender of the tongue to the Spirit of God. − How did the Baptism of the Spirit come? They asked for it through prayer…. − If you want the Baptism of the Spirit, you simply need to ask for it and receive it by faith

Now… I want to take a short detour and mention that there are three relationships that we have with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said…

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 Here we see two relationships… He dwells with you and will be in you. − “para” – with relationship. Believers and unbelievers have this relationship with the Holy Spirit. It is through this relationship that the Holy Spirit convicts men of sin and judgement. − “en” – in relationship – only believers have this relationship with the Holy Spirit at the point of salvation when we are born again. It is through this relationship that the Holy Spirit leads and guides us. − “epi” – upon relationship that we see in Acts 1:8 – you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. It is through this relationship that all believers can experience supernatural power to be a witness.

That is what the believers are asking for in Acts 4 – Supernatural power to be a witness. I believe that is something that we need today as well. − I’m always getting asked to pray for people to be healed… − There are times that I wish I knew a real Christian that could pray for them with the supernatural power of God for healing.

− There are times that I’m sharing the Lord with someone and I think… I wish I knew a real Christian that could preach the word with boldness like Peter did. − We need to be Baptized in the Spirit

Lonnie Frisbee was preaching at a college and there was a group of communist youth protesting the meeting. Lonnie prayed and commanded them to be silent and the entire group fell to the group under the power of the Holy Spirit. One of those young men was Mike MacIntosh. After the meeting, Mike was curious about what had happened to him and talked with Lonnie Frisbee and Lonnie led him to Christ. Don’t you wish you could do that?

3. JESUS CULTURE UNITES COMMUNITY ACTS 4:32-37 32 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. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

The New Living Translation says…

32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.

What does this remind you of? Acts 2:42-47 Their Jesus Community was marked by four things a. United in heart and mind

− Whenever I see people focused on Jesus… I see unity of heart and mind − Whenever I see people focused on anything else… I see all kinds of problems – whether is jealousy, selfish ambition, division, little attitudes… − It’s like I say… if you see a hole in the ground, it’s because there is one. Maybe God is calling you to fill it. Maybe you’re being disobedient to the call by not stepping out and volunteering. b. Sharing of their possessions − They saw their earthly possessions differently − They were generous in meeting needs – no one lacked − People that had a lot shared with those who had need − This was the basis of koinonia – everything was common c. Great Power To Be A Witness − We are first hand witnesses that Jesus is not dead… He is alive − Our story need to reflect His life flowing out of us to others − There is power and then there is great power − I am asking God for great power to be a witness d. Great Grace was upon them − The Real Presence And Power of Jesus

36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Here we see the first mention of Barnabas… a Son of Encouragement. He was the real deal. He not only talked the talk but walked the walk.

I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU… BUT IT’S HARD TO BE A WITNESS… I NEED TO POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN MY LIFE.

PRAY: ASK PEOPLE TO STAND… ASK PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED IN THE SPIRIT TO PRAY FOR THEM.