There is no plan B
Notes
Transcript
There Is No Plan B
Acts 4:1–20
By Dr. David A. Wheeler
Introduction
There is a story that goes like this: after Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven, He was greeted at the pearly gates by a multitude of angels. It seems that one of the angels was rather inquisitive about how Christ was going to continue His redemptive mission on Earth now that He was back to His rightful place in heaven.
Jesus went on to explain in great detail that He had purposely left the ongoing ministry in the hands of several disciples for which He had invested countless hours of “mentoring. He smiled as He spoke about the endless possibilities of these men learning to multiply their lives and spreading the gospel as they traveled. Jesus even went as far as expressing His vision for the ages to come as millions of believers would eventually join His redemptive movement and the gospel would saturate the world by way of personal evangelism and biblical multiplication! It was then that the angel asked Jesus, “What if this does not work? What is plan B?” Jesus replied, “There is no plan B!”
Acts chapter 4 gives us a sobering glimpse through the words and actions of Peter and John into how this eternal plan is supposed to unfold through all Christians.
Keep in mind that both men were being intimidated, having to address the same religious leaders who had placed them in jail the night before because they preached publicly about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and about five thousand people had believed.
So . . . what can we learn in order to become multiplying, obedient disciples?
Point I
We must be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8).
Ephesians 5:18
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
NIV
“The writer of Acts wants us to know in verse 8 that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit before he addressed the religious leaders.
This is the key to all viable ministry.
We are nothing without the empowering of God to speak and act as He desires.
In other words, we cannot redeem anyone from their sin, but we can, through the power of the Holy Spirit, become mouthpieces to a hurting world!
Point II
We must know the gospel message (Acts 4:9–12).
It is obvious in verses 9–12 that Peter understands what he is saying. In fact, he is very direct by his use of the personal pronoun “you” on several occasions.
He was not concerned with political correctness or offending his audience.
On the contrary, he seems much more concerned about speaking truth and defending his Savior.
This is evidenced by his bold proclamation in verse 12:
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (emphasis added). Acts 4:12
Just like Peter, every Christian should be willing to stand on the name of Christ and proclaim His message of truth! What does this mean to us?
Every believer should prepare and be willing to share their conversion testimony.
If a person is redeemed and knows Christ on a personal level, knowing their story is a no-brainer.
One’s story is an amazing tool to communicate Christ in a postmodern world.
Every believer should know the basics of the gospel message.
A simple and time-tested approach is what many people call the “Romans Road.” It goes as follows:
(1) All have sinned. (Rom. 3:23)
(2) The wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23)
(3) While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8)
(4) If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. (Rom. 10:9)
(5) Whoever calls on the name of Lord shall be saved. (Rom. 10:13)
The key: Do not be ashamed of the gospel!
Point III
We must learn to give this faith away (Acts 4:13).
Look at what the Bible says in verse 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.” Acts 4:13
Could it be that the religious leaders remembered that Peter and John had walked with Christ?
Or, could it be that when they spoke, because of the power of the Holy Spirit, it was as if Jesus were right there with them again?
The bottom line: You have to be the message to the world!
In other words, you cannot divorce Jesus’ message from the man He presented Himself to be as He lived His life out in front of the world.
Point IV
We must not be scared, regardless of the threats and actions of evil “men (Acts 4:13–18)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
In this case, it is good to remember the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 1:7:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Even though the reli“religious leaders tried to intimidate Peter and John, they stood their ground and eventually refused to be quiet!
Point V
We must never be silent (Acts 4:19, 20)!
Note how Peter and John respond to the Gestapo-type approach of the religious leaders.
In the face of persecution, they exclaim,
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20
The problem is, too many Christians have stopped speaking about the love and forgiveness of Christ.
They are silent . . . and for what good reason?
Conclusion
Like Peter and John, the church must be willing to stand up and proclaim the eternal message of Christ to a hurting world.
Look at what happens when the apostles return home.
They are not shaken or fearful; rather, they are deeply moved by the opportunity to stand up for their Savior.
So, it is fitting to conclude with Acts 4:31:
“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
We must do the same!”
John 14:6
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
NIV
(1) All have sinned. (Rom. 3:23)
(2) The wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6:23)
(3) While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8)
(4) If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. (Rom. 10:9)
(5) Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Rom. 10:13)