One of my favorite war movies is The Flying Leathernecks. As the title suggests, it’s about a squadron of Marine pilots during World War II. Early in the movie, one of the young pilots leaves during a mission. He claims his engine is running rough, but that was just a convenient excuse. John Wayne played the squadron commander, and he later had a talk with the young man. The young man said, “Tell me, Major, do good pilots get so scared that they break into a cold sweat, and their mouths get so dry that...” John Wayne interrupted him and said, “Every one of them!” The pilot said, “You?” Wayne replied, “Every time I push the throttle forward. And if anyone tells you he doesn’t, avoid him. He’s an idiot!”
Fear is a natural human emotion. Show me a person who claims he’s afraid of nothing and I’ll show you someone who is probably not being honest. Nevertheless, the Bible says God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). If that spirit does not come from God, where does it come from? It either comes from the devil or from your own sinful flesh. If you’re a follower of Jesus, God’s Holy Spirit lives within you, and He gives you the courage to tell others about Jesus even in difficult circumstances.
With this political season now OVER, praise the Lord, regardless of your position, there may be some fear, or anxiety about tomorrow - I love this song from Annie and maybe it will help.
Because, Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and reigns as Lord. This is the message and we need to have the courage to declare it!
Tomorrow
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THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Most of us were taught as kids to “think before you speak.” Sometimes, however, we need to speak even though we know our words will get us in trouble. That takes courage.
Consider Mathew Ayairga. The world reeled from the news in 2015 when 21 men from Egypt were kidnapped and beheaded because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Mathew was one of those kidnapped—but it turns out he was neither Egyptian nor a Christian. He just happened to be working in Libya with the other 20 men.
A transformation happened, though, on that fateful day. Kneeling on the beach with their executioners behind them, each man was commanded to renounce his faith, but each one died proclaiming Jesus Christ. When they came to Mathew and made the same demand, he said, “Their God is my God.”
Unstoppable courage. We see it first with Peter and John in Acts 4, and this unstoppable courage has continued on to others like Mathew Ayairga.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Acts 4:1-3
1Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, 2because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example. 3So they seized them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening.
As we saw in Acts 3, the miraculous healing of a lame man opened the door for Peter and John to speak about Jesus. Peter seized that opportunity to preach the gospel.
This was a change for Peter. When Jesus was arrested and put on trial, Peter had fearfully denied Him three times (see Luke 22:54-62). But now Peter was demonstrating the courage that failed him in those hours. Peter the Petrified became Peter the Passionate and Fearless.
In addition, Peter demonstrated unstoppable courage in front of the very same people who had terrified him before. Even as he was preaching about the Jewish leaders who had put their Messiah to death and how God had raised Him from the dead, guess who showed up?
- The priests. These were the ones in charge of operating the temple.
- The commander of the temple police. This man was essentially the chief of police.
- The Sadducees. This socially and politically powerful sect in Jewish society didn’t believe in the resurrection from the dead. Luke noted they were upset by all the resurrection talk (see v. 2).
Jesus had said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8). Peter now stood in that power and declared the gospel message without apology.
The opposition Peter and John faced only showcased their courage. Courage is like a diamond on black velvet. It shines brightest against the darkest of circumstances. Courage always involves confrontation and the strong possibility of suffering. Courage is standing for Christ when you know you’ll pay a price for doing so.
For Peter and John, the price was trouble with the authorities and a night in jail. This came as no surprise. Jesus had told them, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).
We can expect confrontation when we speak for Jesus. But we can’t let that silence us.
Acts 4:8-12
8Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: 9If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed—10let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy. 11This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”
The Jewish religious leaders asked a single question of Peter and John: “By what power or in what name have you done this?” (v. 7) They wanted to know how the lame man had been healed.
Peter had only one answer: Jesus.
Peter quoted Psalm 118:22, about the stone rejected by the builders becoming a cornerstone—but he referred to “the stone rejected by you builders” (emphasis added). They had executed their own Messiah. Peter went one step further with the truth: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”
Today, about half of all Americans believe there is more than one way to get to heaven. Among the other half—those who believe there is only one way to heaven—not all of them necessarily believe Jesus is that way. But even in the church, a staggeringly high number of Christians believe Jesus is not the only way to salvation.
To claim as Peter did that “there is salvation in no one else” is a slap in the face of all those sincere people doing good and seeking God in other ways. That’s intolerant!
Or is it? “Tolerance” should mean treating all people with respect, regardless of their beliefs. This definition has been altered, though, to mean accepting as equally valid all opinions and beliefs. It’s been twisted into a relativistic moral code that says: “Neither of our beliefs is better or worse, right or wrong. Just different.”
Biblical truth renounces this idea. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Among all the founders of the world’s major religions, Jesus alone claimed to be God (see 10:30; 14:10-11). Only Jesus asserted that He had come to lay down His life for the sins of the world (see Mark 10:45). His resurrection from death validated His claims (see Matt. 12:38-42).
Peter laid the truth on the line about Jesus. Far from being intolerant, he spoke the truth in love.
Acts 4:19-20
19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Some people just can’t admit they’re wrong. The religious leaders had in front of them a once-crippled man standing on two strong legs. They were looking at a miracle, yet their hearts remained hard. They couldn’t explain what Peter and John had accomplished, but they could make threats. By prohibiting Peter and John from speaking about Jesus (see v. 18), they were providing the basis to take further legal action should the apostles continue preaching the gospel.
Peter and John were ready with their courageous response: “We are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Christians today have an unhealthy need for others to like and approve of us. All too often, we are like the sign that reads: “I’m a recovering people pleaser—is that OK?” A healthy Christian outlook says:
- I don’t serve to be validated. I serve because I am validated.
- I don’t serve to be approved. I serve because I am approved.
- I don’t serve because I’m insecure. I serve because I’m secure in Christ.
God’s approval is all that matters. The opinions of others will come and go, but God’s love is unchanging and unconditional. We can stand unwaveringly with Him. Why? Because He stood for us, He died for us, and He lives again. We are His.
The unstoppable gospel calls for unstoppable courage.
LIVE IT OUT
How will you demonstrate courage this week as you follow Christ?
Consider the following suggestions:
- Please God. At the end of each day, evaluate your actions and attitudes by answering this question: “Whom did I live to please today?” Practice becoming a God-pleaser rather than a people-pleaser.
- Read up. Information is a great complement to courage. To better understand why Jesus is the only way to heaven, read Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message by Ravi Zacharias (W Publishing, 2002).
- Take action. Do some research and find a place in your community or state where the gospel is being silenced. Take action to get that policy changed: write to a government official, attend a public meeting and voice your opinion, start a petition, or join a group that works to correct the wrong.
Christians in America and other Western cultures are fortunate that we don’t often find ourselves prohibited from sharing the gospel—nor do we find ourselves kneeling on a beach with guns pointed at us. Yet we can still demonstrate the unstoppable courage that has defined so many believers for so long. Will you?
Teacher's Notes:
Video: Christian Persecution
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Our lesson this morning has to do with the courage required to speak boldly for Christ.
Why don’t we share our faith boldly?
- Fear is a natural human emotion. Show me a person who claims he’s afraid of nothing and I’ll show you someone who is probably not being honest. But the Bible says God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). If that spirit does not come from God, where does it come from? It either comes from the devil or from your own sinful flesh. If you’re a follower of Jesus, God’s Holy Spirit lives within you, and He gives you the courage to tell others about Jesus even in difficult circumstances.
- Opposition - Facing opposition takes a great deal of courage. Today we look at opposition faced by the early church. God is the one who gives us courage to speak boldly for Christ.
In Acts 4, Peter and John did a good deed that drew attention to Jesus Christ, and that got them into hot water with the religious leaders who opposed them. But God gave them courage to stand strong in the face of adversity.
When we speak boldly for Christ, we can expect:
I. Confrontation
Acts 4:1-3 (NIV)
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.
Why were the priests and Sadducees so upset with Peter and John? Why did they approach Peter and John?
- As we saw in Acts 3, the miraculous healing of a lame man opened the door for Peter and John to speak about Jesus. Peter seized that opportunity to preach the gospel.
- The priests. These were the ones in charge of operating the temple were greatly disturbed. The apostles were teaching the people that Jesus had risen from the dead.
- The commander of the temple police. This man was essentially the chief of police.
- The Sadducees. This socially and politically powerful sect in Jewish society didn’t believe in the resurrection from the dead. Luke noted they were upset by all the resurrection talk (see v. 2).
What are some ways people in our culture express their discomfort with the gospel?
- Make fun of Christian beliefs and declare that they are “offended” by the preaching of the Gospel.
- They object to anything that “steps on their toes”.
- They declare many public religious activities to be illegal on the basis of constitutional separation of church and state (even though the constitution does not say this).
The opposition Peter and John faced only showcased their courage.
- Courage always involves confrontation and the strong possibility of suffering.
- Courage is standing for Christ when you know you’ll pay a price for doing so.
Point: Some people resist the gospel of Jesus because they refuse to give up their own way of thinking about what is important in life.
Believers are to seize opportunities to interact with others to help them know the gospel of Jesus. Knowing that Jesus is the risen Lord is the key truth of the gospel. We can expect to face opposition when we share the gospel.
When we speak boldly for Christ, we have to be proclaim something:
II. Proclamation
Acts 4:7-12 (NIV)
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone'. 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
The religious leaders wanted to know how the lame man had been healed.
Peter had only one answer: Jesus.
What was their proclamation?
- Verse 12 – Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
In a culture that values tolerance above all, how do we boldly and lovingly proclaim Jesus is the only way?
- Share your personal experience, people might reject preaching, but cannot deny your own personal feelings and events in your life. You can say “this is what Jesus did for me” and admit your own awareness of guilt and how Jesus forgave you. Nothing else could give you the peace and assurance that you now have.
- To claim as Peter did that “there is salvation in no one else” is a slap in the face of all those sincere people doing good and seeking God in other ways. That’s intolerant! Or is it? “Tolerance” should mean treating all people with respect, regardless of their beliefs. This definition has been altered, though, to mean accepting as equally valid all opinions and beliefs. It’s been twisted into a relativistic moral code that says: “Neither of our beliefs is better or worse, right or wrong, just different.”
When have you had the opportunity to speak boldly about Jesus?
- If we understand that every breath we breath, everything we own, and every good that comes our way – is a gift from God, then we’ll have plenty of opportunities to speak boldly for Christ.
What is the most difficult situation we might face because of our faith in Christ?
- Made fun of or criticized for telling the truth, criticized for taking the biblically correct action, told we are being intolerant, maybe censured for politically incorrect speech or actions when speaking truth was the right thing to do.
- Loss of job for refusing to go along with illegal or unethical activities.
Point: Jesus as crucified Savior and risen Lord is to be the focus of all Christian witness, for He alone is the means of salvation.
The Holy Spirit enables believers who will stand to bear witness for Jesus. Those to whom we witness are to be treated with respect, even as the message of Jesus is presented directly and forthrightly.
When we have the power of the Holy Spirit working through us we can speak of Christ with:
III. Boldness
Acts 4:16-20 (NIV)
16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
In our society, when should Christian leaders stand up to political and religious groups?
- when denounced for proclaiming biblical principles
- when laws go against scriptural teaching
- when religious liberties are threatened
- when society acts and lives in defiance to scripture
When have you struggled with the choice of pleasing people or pleasing God?
Point: Each person must decide whether to choose God or something else as the authority for life.
The gospel is more than believing facts about Jesus; it involves having a personal experience with Him.
Close: We will probably never be brought before civil authorities or jailed for our faith, people who object to our stand of faith in Jesus may confront us. So how are we to respond? That is the challenge laid before us today. Will we have a courage that will not be stopped?
Put your trust in God, do what He has commanded you to do and He will give you the courage to stand strong.
1. Identify the limitations that exist in our minds.
2. God’s transformation of our own life should be a significant motivation.
3. Rely on Jesus’ promise of His presence and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Remember that the Lord said what would be impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27). Once we break down our objections and obey in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we’ll be amazed at what God will do through us.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
The sun'll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar!
