September 14, 2025

ACTS: BOLD AND BLESSED

September 14, 2025

 Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Today we continue in our new series on Acts, after a harrowing week as a nation. It is such a God-orchestrated plan that we study chapters 3 and 4 today, as Peter and John are arrested by anti-Christ leaders for preaching and healing in the name of Jesus. Although Charlie Kirk perhaps is not technically considered a martyr, we have to wonder would he have been shot had he been debating political worldviews without the sprinkling of the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, we rejoice as we see whereas there was one Charlie Kirk, now, as one who was interviewed stated, ‘there are now fourteen million carrying on his legacy.’ We see the same scenario happening in these chapters in Jerusalem and beyond. Peter’s preaching began to multiply believers by thousands daily, as the church of Jesus Christ, in its infancy after the resurrection of Jesus, began to grow by leaps and bounds, not able to be held back by Satan. Today we study as Peter and John, arrested, announce their intention to keep the fire going by proclaiming the Gospel God has called them to preach worldwide. How fitting.

Focal Passages: Acts 3 & 4.

Peter delivers a powerful sermon on the power of the Gospel:

  • Read Acts 3:11-26. Can someone give us a short synopsis of the happenings in chapter 1 and 2? It has now been about how many weeks since the crucifixion? What happened during those six weeks? What occurred that gave Peter and John such great faith?
  • Why did Peter and John go to the Temple (3:1)? Who interrupted them? After they heal the lame man, what crowd is now gathered that Peter is preaching to? In verses 13-15, what indictments did Peter cast at the people?
  • In verses 17-23, what did he tell them they must do? What had the prophets said in vs. 23? Were the people listening intently as Peter was talking? Why did he say they had acted in ignorance (in killing Jesus)?
  • Were these two men doing what Jesus had called them to do? Read Mark 1:16-17, 19. How was this like Luke 5:4-6?

When the Gospel is proclaimed, the enemy attacks:

  • Read Acts 4:1-3. We have often heard that great attacks (or Valleys) come most often after a great victory (or ‘Mountaintop’ experience). How does that coincide with this bullet point? Why is this true? As Peter and John preach to the people gathered near the Temple, what happens?
  • Who can imagine what the religious leaders, who assumed crucifying Jesus would have stopped His movement in its tracks, felt as they saw these fishermen now healing and preaching Jesus to be the Messiah? What does ‘greatly disturbed’ mean in our terms?
  • What did the religious leaders do to them? Who were they afraid of?
  • Were Peter and John in God’s will? Were they doing what He had told them to? Read Mark 4:35-39. How is this similar to their recent obedience? Why does trouble come?
  • How do we explain this to non-believers?

When the enemy attacks,

BE LOUD:

  • Read Acts 4:4-12. Peter and John were still in custody until the next morning, but what had happened at the Temple? Can you imagine the scene the next morning, with all the leaders in their elegant headdresses and robes! Why would so many rulers and leaders be meeting?
  • How was Peter able to be articulate against these seasoned men? When we witness, are we able to let the Holy Spirit control, or do we think we can answer in the flesh?
  • Peter was short and succinct in his rebuttal. What is the greatest statement he made in this passage? Have you memorized this verse to use as you witness?

BE BOLD:

  • Read verses 13-20. The religious leaders thought Peter and John ‘uneducated and untrained’ men; what did they realize? Did these educated men know anything about the Holy Spirit? Why were their options severely limited since the people were coming to Peter and John in droves?
  • Were Peter and John intimidated by the religious leaders? How did they answer?

BE BLESSED:

  • Read vv. 21-31. How does verse 31 indicate these people were blessed by the faithfulness of Peter and John’s boldness?
  • Peter and John had remained faithful, to be used for God’s glory. Are you willing to be?

Close:

What part of witnessing scares you? Fear seems to grab hold of most people when they feel they must pray in public, witness to people, talk about God… but why? God should be such a part of our everyday lives that talking to Him is second nature. After all, He already knows everything there is to know about you—including your thought life, your private life, the calls and apps on your phone, and what you do on your computer. Why not tell Him you need His help? If you’re so hesitant to talk to Him, what do you think is going to make it easier when you enter Heaven (or will you be there?)? Recently someone in church was heard to remark, “I don’t believe everyone is called to be a witness.” That would be hard to back up with Scripture—in fact, it would be the opposite. Everyone who is saved has the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. And why would you not? You have been saved by grace, as a gift from God—not because of your works but by your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t you feel so grateful that you want to share your joy with lost friends? After all, if there has been a change in you, surely your friends have seen it. Maybe they need a change as well! So be loud (happy loud), be bold and tell them how they can have a new start. You will be blessed if you do!

By Sandy Day
September 14, 2025                                                                               

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