Acts 4
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
Intro.
1. Jesus teaches us that we will have to judge many things: What is
right (Lk. 12:57) by using righteous judgment (Jno. 7:24).
2. Judge: To determine, decide, to separate.
3. Acts 4: The inhabitants of Jerusalem, the highest court of the Jewish nation and Peter
& John had to "judge what was right!"
a. 40+ year old lame man had been healed. Undeniable.
b. Shall we believe the power was from Jesus? Fakery?
c. What shall we do with the message they preach? Obey it? Hinder it? Silence it?
4. Like them, we also have to "judge what is right!"
I. BY WHAT POWER (NAME) HAVE YOU DONE THIS?
-("by what means" - 4:9). What power healed the man? (4:22)
A. Not By The Political, Religious, Or Moral Power Of Man - cf. 4:5- 6; 3:12
(Sanhedrin, populace).
B. By The Power Of Jesus Christ - 4:9-10 (3:6, 16). -Jesus has…
1. Power to heal the body (lame man).
2. Power to build the house of God - Psa. 118:22 (1 Pet. 2:6-7; Eph.
2:19-22).
3. Power to save the soul - 4:12 (Jno. 14:6; 1 Tim. 2:3-6).
C. Today As Then, Jesus' Power To Save The Soul Is Applied Through The Gospel -
4:12; Rom. 1:16.
D. By What Power Have You Done This?
1. Teach one is saved before & without water baptism? (Mk. 16:16)
2. Teach one is saved by faith only? Grace only? (Eph. 2:8-9)
3. Organize denominations & call it "good?" (Matt. 16:18;
Jno. 17:20-21)
4. Use mechanical instruments of music in worship? (Eph. 5:19)
5. Ad infinitum…… - Col. 3:17
II. THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS - 4:13. (Couldn't deny miracle! - v.
14-16)
A. People Can Tell When You Are With Jesus - 1 Pet. 4:1-4; 2:11-12.
B. Being "With" Jesus Does Not Depend On Social Status Or Human Learning
- 4:13; cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-29.
C. Will People "Marvel" At Our:
1. Faith in the face of trial? (1 Pet. 3:13-14)
2. Devotion to the truth? (cf. 4:20; Jude 3)
3. Life in Christ? (Gal. 2:20)
-Will they see Jesus in us?!-
III. "DO NOT SPEAK IN THE NAME OF JESUS!" - 4:17-18
A. Judge What Is Right: Should You Listen To Man Or God? - v. 19
1. Parents? (Matt. 10:37); A religious leader? (Matt. 23:1-2); A
boyfriend or girlfriend? Spouse? (1 Cor. 7:15); etc.
2. v. 20 - Make up your mind now, so when confronted with the need to
decide (judge), you already know what your decision is!
B. Under A Powerful Threat, The Apostles:
1. Reported the threat to their brethren - v. 23.
2. Raised their voices to God (prayed with thanks for boldness) -
4:24-30.
3. Raised their voices to men (preached with all boldness) - 4:31.
4. We need boldness, too! Heb. 13:6
5. The apostles' boldness helps us be bold! - cf. Phil. 1:14
Conclusion
1. Thousands of people in Jerusalem judged the gospel to be true -- so
they believed (obeyed, 2:41) - 4:4.
2. The rulers, elders & scribes judged the miracle to be true, but the gospel to be a
threat to their power -- so they opposed it.
3. Peter & John judged that it was right to be threatened because they preached Jesus
Christ as Savior -- so they endured it.
4. Now, you be the judge! What will you do with Jesus & His gospel?