Tabor Baptist Church

Particularly v8-12

• Jesus had already told his disciples they would face persecution
• We shall look at what it means to live and witness in a hostile environment
• This is the background to the New Testament and especially the Book of Acts
• On the one hand our society has become more tolerant but at the same time there is a growing antagonism against Christianity
• We need to know how to handle this and to respond to this
• Some Christians think there is no hope for the gospel as there is no sympathy for Christians
• Some think the gospel can only prosper when everything is going our way
• Church history tells us that the Gospel has always prospered in a hostile world
• We must have confidence in Jesus
• The men [rulers, elders and scribes] who called Peter and John to account where the same men who condemned Jesus
• The men were opposed to the name of Jesus
• Peter makes it clear the miracle is by Jesus' name
• Peter makes it clear that salvation is by Jesus' name
• The issue is Jesus and His name
• It is the same today
• People can speak in any name today but hostility comes when you mention the name of Jesus
• This is a battle all over the world today
• Jesus' name
• Is sweet to the believer: the source of all blessings
• Paul before he was saved determined to do everything possible to oppose the name of Jesus
• Stirs others up
• Sometimes there is a temptation not to proclaim the name of Jesus
• The opportunity to hear about Jesus came about in everyday life (e.g. when attending the temple to pray)
• A beggar asked Peter for money but instead he healed him
• We should ask for opportunities to speak in Jesus' name in everyday life and be willing to take these opportunities when they arise
• The love of God is seen in an act of compassion and kindness
• Do we feel compassion for people as we look at the world?
• Jesus one time looked at the crowds, seeing that they were like sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them
• "God has chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith" - James
• Do we believe that God is able to do something amazing in our ordinary everyday lives and the lives of those around us?
• The lame man is wonderfully transformed: 'walking, leaping and praising God'
• This was a physical transformation but it could be in a spiritual way
• It was an immediate, total, transforming miracle
• God changes lives instantly today
• God transforms a person whose life has been blighted by sin: now they are set free
• We have no power - but God does (3:12)
• This miracle is entirely a work of God
• What has happened to this man is to Glorify Jesus
• God has power
• There is no power in us
• There is salvation in Jesus' name
• When you believe in the power of God you preach a gracious message
• Some of the men present were present when Jesus was condemned - Peter makes this clear (3:13-15)
• Peter says that they acted in ignorance (3:17)
• Jesus prayed on the cross: "Father forgive them for they know not what they do"
• We should not become hostile or nasty in a hostile world
• We have a message of love and repentance (3:19, 26)
• Repentance is forsaking and hating sin
• There is a great power in saying sorry and meaning it
• Peter makes it clear that they killed the Messiah but calls them to repentance
• Repentance leads to forgiveness: 'God will remember your sins no more'
• Men move against the names of Jesus
• Peter and John are arrested
• The lame man who is healed is arrested
• These are powerful men
• Peter preaches in truth and confidence
• Two of the Sanhedrin found salvation: Nicodemus and Joseph
• Peter couldn't admit to a servant girl that he was a follower of Jesus but could now preach in boldness and courage
• Peter was not afraid of the men
• The healed man was there as evidence of God's power
• We live in a world of intimidation
• Will we lose friendship, lose promotion, etc
• We are afraid to speak - we need to find courage
• Peter and John were ordinary men, but had been with Jesus
• We should never be afraid to preach the gospel
• Some may oppose us but others will recognise that what we speak is from the heart
• Peter was willing to die (if necessary) to preach Jesus
• We need boldness and courage not to be afraid
• The greatest reason for this is that salvation is found in no-one else
• We are not trying to be contentious or difficult
• We are just telling people about this glorious salvation
• There is a uniqueness in this
• Peter and John after they were threatened and released went back to the group and gave an account of what had happened
• They didn't just say lets us continue in this empowerment of the Holy Spirit
• 'They raised the voices to God' - they prayed asking God to do even more
• Prayer in church is very important
• What is our corporate vision in prayer?
• The apostles prayer
• First, they think about is who they are coming to - who God is
• If the sovereign Lord has heard us, what does it matter how many people are against us
• There is no-one who is opposed to the gospel who cannot be turned around by the sovereign Lord
• Second, they quote from Scripture
• They know and believe the bible/word of God is true
• Our conviction that God's word is true must be very strong
• They knew that God's word predicted hostility would come against God and His people
• Third, they bring their petitions (4:29-30)
• We must pray that God gives us boldness
• The next time the Sanhedrin came against the apostles, they had been preaching all the more!
• We must pray all Llantrisant will be filled with the gospel
• There are people who need to hear the gospel
• We go and preach in God's strength
• We must pray for opportunities to speak for salvation is found in no other name