Title: Men Who Made A Difference
Bible Book: Acts 4 : 13-22
Author: William R. Shively
Subject: Men; Making a Difference
Objective:
Acts 4:13-22
INTRODUCTION
Acts 4:13-22
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed."
It is a marvel that God would choose men to be the deliverers and protectors of the greatest truth known to the human race. God uses imperfect men to accomplish miraculous things for His glory. The Lord uses faithful men who have an undivided love for Him and a passion for the lost.
I. MEN OF THE LORD
A. ORDINARY MEN. (Acts 4:13)
Peter and John were ordinary men who were used by the Lord. The difference was obvious because these men had been with Jesus. They were not ignorant men in the way we use the word today. Peter and John were unlearned and ignorant in that they had no formal religious training. They had the greatest teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. OBEDIENT MEN.
These men had their faults and their share of failures, but they were growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Peter and John had grown spiritually to obey their Lord and Master. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they were ready to stand for the Lord and against the enemies of the human soul.
They were arrested for preaching the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God had used them in performing a miracle of healing on a forty year old man. This miracle confirmed their message and it caused a backlash from the enemies of God.
II. MIRACLE OF THE LORD
A. LORD’S GIFT.
1. Condition of the lame man. (Acts 3:2-3)
This man had been lame since his birth. He had to be carried to the gate Beautiful which was located at the Temple. Daily he would ask people entering the Temple for alms. He was a helpless man.
2. Curing of the lame man. (Acts 3:4-11)
Peter and John had nothing material to offer this man, but they did have something of far greater value.
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6
The lame man was immediately healed. “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:8
B. LORD’S GLORY.
1. Purpose of the miracle. (Acts 3:13)
Peter and John quickly denied that they had performed the miracle. The purpose of the miracle was to glorify the Lord Jesus.
2. Proof of the miracle. (Acts 4:14-16)
The Christ denying crowd could not refute the miracle performed on the crippled man. Indeed, the Son of God was glorified.
III. MESSAGE OF THE LORD
A. HEART OF THE MESSAGE.
1. Resurrection of Christ. (Acts 3:15; 4:2)
The heart of the message of Peter and John was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The death and resurrection is the gospel message.
2. Repentance of sinners. (Acts 3:19)
The heart of the message includes the repentance of sinners. Jesus said in Luke 13:3: “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
3. Receiving of salvation. (Acts 4:4)
The heart of the message includes the salvation of sinners who hear the word of God and believe its message.
B. HATRED FOR THE MESSAGE. (Acts 4:3; 16-18, 21)
The religious crowd hated Jesus and the message of grace. This has not changed today. Jesus is still hated and the message of repentance and grace are rejected by many.
C. HERALDS OF THE MESSAGE.
1. Their courage. (4:18, 19, 21)
Peter and John revealed their courage as they stood before the Sanhedrin. They would not compromise nor stop their preaching.
2. Their conviction. (4:20)
Peter and John remained firm on their conviction that Jesus Christ was the Messiah. They were convinced that “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
LESSON FOR LIFE
The conviction and courage of these men made a difference in countless people’s lives. They faced unbelievable hardships and trials. They stayed their course and remained true to their Lord. You can make a difference in our world. People’s lives can be changed for eternity. Will you be that man or woman who will “present your bodies a living sacrifice” to the Lord?
