Self or Spirit Lead?
Acts 4:1-12
Giving Up Your Idols (Series)
Acts 4:1-4 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, 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. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
The Sadducees were greatly disturbed by Peter and John’s preaching because it directly opposed the Sadducees’ denial of the resurrection and would also shake the establishment.
The Sadducees can’t figure out how these ordinary men are making such a difference.
Acts 4:5-6 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family.
Luke’s careful description of the Jewish leaders shows the power of this assembly.
Simple fishermen were in the midst of the highest leaders in the land!
Acts 4:7-8 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!
These ordinary unschooled followers of Jesus, filled with the Spirit, changed the world.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
John 16:7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
Is it better for us to have the Holy spirit in us than Jesus beside us?
Acts 4:8-10 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 man who was lame and are being 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.
The miracle was done, not in their power, but by the name of Jesus Christ.
Though they had crucified Jesus, God had raised Him from the dead.
Do you experience that resurrecting power?
Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
Trying to live out your faith in your own power is ridiculous.
2 Corinthians 2:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Living in the power of the Spirit means, shining a light on our weaknesses.
Most of us try really hard to disguise our weakness.
Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
We can’t stay in step with the Spirit if we only acknowledge His presence on Sundays.
When was the last time you felt in step with the Spirit?
What are you hearing from the Holy Spirit?
Acts 4:11-12 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
We only experience the power of the Holy Spirit if we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
