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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 18 April 2024:
Acts 4:1, 2 – And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Talking about Jesus has annoyed people for thousands of years.
Acts 4:4 – But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Many will hate you because you talk about Jesus, but many will believe. Our job is not to do the work of the Holy Spirit; our job is simply to preach the Gospel to all, regardless of what they say they believe.
Acts 4:8-10 – Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.”
The Holy Spirit convicts you to talk about Jesus rather than just vague references about ‘God,’ which can mean all things to all people. God wants you to connect your good deeds to Jesus Christ. Good deeds open the door for the Gospel to be preached. Ambassadors for Christ take no credit for themselves and draw no attention to themselves. They always point to Jesus.
Acts 4:12 – And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
It’s Jesus people need, not ‘goodness’ or worldly versions of ‘godliness’. As an Ambassador for Jesus, you must proclaim His name. We are not ambassadors for moralism, common sense, or bright ideas. We are not commissioned to make people just feel better. We are called to reconcile others to Jesus Christ. If all you have done is make people feel more comfortable in their current condition or promote discord among the lost, you have fallen short of the Great Commission. Eternal life is knowing Jesus and unity with Jesus. The Bible is not a self-help book; rather, it is intended to guide us closer to Jesus.
Acts 4:13 – Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
There is no mistaking a life transformed by God! The disciples had been vainful and fearful when Jesus enlisted them. James and John sought to outmaneuver their fellow disciples in order to gain the places of greatest honor next to Jesus (Mark 10:37). Over and over the disciples’ actions showed that they did not truly understand who Jesus was (John 6:7-9; Mark 6:49). Even after three years with Jesus, Peter was afraid to confess Christ before a young servant girl (Matt. 26:69-75). Anyone who knew these men would realize they were not the kind of people on which you build a worldwide kingdom. Yet something happened to them as they were with Jesus and after the Holy Spirit had been given to them. The Holy Spirit transformed them, giving them new boldness and wisdom beyond any human ability. Now they could perform miracles and preach fearlessly and persuasively to multitudes. Even their enemies noticed in their changed lives the same power they had witnessed in Jesus.
Sometimes we desperately want others to believe that we have changed, that we are more godly, more devoted, more Spirit-controlled. It is not necessary, however, for those who have been truly transformed by Christ to convince others of the difference; the change will be obvious.
Don’t become too introspective, always focusing on yourself and the small changes you see happening over time. As you walk with Jesus daily, let the witness of the changes taking place in you come from others and not from you. If you have to prove to someone that God has really changed you, He has not. Those around you will surely notice when your life has been transformed by your relationship with Jesus.” (Henry T. Blackaby)
Ezra 7:28 – I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.
Courage comes from God. Knowing God is your God should give you complete courage.
Acts 4:18-20 – So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Romans 13:1 is clear – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” However, Jesus was also clear in Matthew 28 — “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” The ultimate Authority had commanded the Apostles to preach the Gospel, and no human authority could stop them; and today’s readings point out that the Apostles were astonishingly “bold” before the “rulers and elders and scribes,” despite being “uneducated, common men.” Why? Because Jesus was with them through the power of the Holy Spirit. And note that the Apostle’s message didn’t change whether they were speaking to the receptive or the resistant. The Apostles had the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel, but the responsibility to respond rested with the hearer.
Are you boldly “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered”? (Acts 28:31) Or is something holding you back from fulfilling your primary calling — laws, policy, social pressure, insecurity? You have been empowered and given full authority by Jesus, and He is with you. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
– Romans 1:16 — For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
– Ephesians 6:18-20 — To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
– 1 Corinthians 9:16 — Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
Acts 4:29 – And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.
Are you praying to God to protect you in your boldness? Keep proclaiming Jesus, and trust God to protect you as He desires.
Acts 4:31 – And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Prayer preceded the work of the Holy Spirit which empowered to disciples to proclaim the Gospel boldly. How is prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit empowering you?
Acts 4:32 – Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.
True love for Jesus inspires unity, not disunity, selflessness, not selfishness, generosity, not materialism, and radical giving rather than hoarding. Until you have genuine faith hope and love; until you trust God with today and with the future, you will not be willing to give freely.
Acts 4:34 – There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.
God has provided all the resources everyone needs. Human fear and greed causes need and poverty. Only Jesus can overcome greed.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 18 April 2024: Pray that God will give you the courage to proclaim the Gospel unhindered. Tell three people about Jesus Christ today, and explain that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Pray to God for the boldness you lack and the protection only He can provide. (Acts 4:29)
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 