A Look Back at Sundays Sermon: Peter and John before the Sanhedrin Part 1 Onlookers (Acts 4:1-11) Acts

4:1-11 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%204:1-11&version=NIV This passage shows the first persecution of the church. Peter has been preaching about Jesus not being dead, but alive and that created a problem for the Sadducees because they did not believe Jesus had resurrected from the dead. By this point they were so fed up with what was going on. Over 5,000 people hade been saved and now Peter had just healed a beggar in the name of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. They did not understand that the name of Jesus has power. Christians are surrounded with Sadducees today. You may be sharing the Word in your schools, work place, or even to your own family and they dont believe. People want to hear about a sweet, non-confrontational Jesus, but the truth is that Jesus isnt always sweet; sometimes he is harsh because he has to speak the truth but always in love. He is willing to receive anyone, his arms were open to the Sadducees if they were willing to let go of what they believed. They questioned Jesus and now they are questioning Peter and John. The Sadducees were bothered at the fact that people were actually listening to what Peter was saying and changing their life because of it. People were being healed in the name of Jesus. Jesus wants to perform healing in your life, not just physical but emotional and spiritual. It doesnt matter where you are in your life, Jesus has everything under control. God cant give you more until you ask for healing. Peter told the beggar to get up and move. Sometimes you sit so long that Jesus says get up on your feet, I need you to move. What bothered the Sadducees was that Peter and John were not preaching what they believed. They were shaking things up around Jerusalem. They were preaching the truth but people werent ready for that. Sometimes preaching the truth will bring trials but Gods Word says in 2 Cor 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed. The Sadducees asked Peter how he healed the man; Acts 4:8 states that it was because Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. There comes a point in your Christian walk where you have to stop being carried

by the Holy Spirit and let go and believe. In Mark 13:11 Jesus promises the disciples that when they were arrested, because they were going to be, the Holy Spirit would be with them and they would have divine power. It is important to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit because He will give you the words that you need to say when you are facing a trial for speaking the truth. Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit. People may get offended when they hear the truth, tough, it needs to be spoken. Dont be afraid when people question you. Jesus gives you the wisdom to speak in front of those who question God. Peter and John were overcoming the trials they were facing. You can be an over comer too. There were five things to think about from this passage: 1. You are capable of reaching the community by preaching the risen Christ (Acts 4:1-4) 2. People will not always agree with you, but continue to preach the Gospel of Christ (Acts 4:2) 3. You may get caught by not destroyed (Mark 11:28) 4. The church will grow because others will believe when you talk about the real Jesus Christ (Acts 4:4) 5. You have the power of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles and the authority of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:8-10 Remember your Holy Spirit Card? Dont leave home with out it!
In His Love, Nicole