Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
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Power Struggles
Re-explain the title of the series
Often when people are “acting out” (that is, acting contrary than an accepted norm), a “power struggle” ensues
Politics
Parenting
Sibling Rivalry
And yes, even church life
At the heart of a power struggle is a question of who, or what, holds authority
This morning we encounter one of the many instances where the disciples have a run-in with the religious “authorities”
They are “acting out” and the leaders have a tough time reining them (in general)
Life Lesson #7: Don’t Assume God is on Your Side
The ‘assumed’ authority of the temple guard and Sadducees
The religious ‘elite’
The ‘correct’ interpreters of the Law (cf. the Reformation?)
Something has happened under their watch that challenges their authority: a miraculous healing
In addition to this miraculous healing, they have a real power struggle on their hands
Peter and John were teaching the people (!!) (v. 2)
These are “unschooled, ordinary men” (v.13)
They don’t have their MDivs!! How dare they teach the people!
Peter and John were proclaiming the resurrection of the dead in Jesus (v. 2)
Not only do they not have the human right to teach, they are teaching ‘heresy’
Hence they command them not to teach in Jesus’ name (v. 17-18)
The primary tactic is intimidation (a common tactic used in all power struggles)
The primary tactic is intimidation (a common tactic used in all power struggles)
They send the 2nd in command to the High Priest
They arrest them
They have them stand in the presence of the Sanhedrin (incl.
3 generations of High Priest)
They threaten them, but are forced to let them go
The burning question: “By what power or name did you do this?” (because clearly you are not authorized to do this)
Life Lesson #8: We Have Jesus’ Authority Through his Holy Spirit in Us
Peter is “filled” with the Holy Spirit
Does NOT mean the Spirit was not in him to begin with
Rather it means to “fill completely” to “fill up” (not dissimilar from a gas tank - you never let it run dry)
The Holy Spirit not enables Peter to speak but tells him what to say
His speech borders on the ‘brash’ and ‘cheeky’ (cf.
courage/boldness in v. 13)
Not unlike someone with a sixth grade education challenging the Supreme Court of Canada today
Peter’s Response: “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”
To do something in another’s name means you have their authorization (authority to do so)
Hence why the leaders ‘took note’ that these men had been with Jesus (v.13)
There is more to this name than simply healing
This is clearly offensive to the leaders
YOU killed him
but GOD raised him from the dead
And JESUS is the only one through whom we can be saved
And Jesus is the one who healed this man
If Jesus is in heaven, how did he heal this man?
Peter’s response is that it is in the name of Jesus
Jesus performs this miracle through the disciples, by the power of the Holy Spirit
How Can We Tell the Difference?
If we believe (as we say) that we have the same Holy Spirit dwelling in us, then do we not have the same authority?
Notice Peter’s words in healing the man:
Acts 3:6
It is command and not request
Now that’s bold - that’s an understanding of his authority in the Spirit
Who should we be listening to?
God?
Or the religious establishment?
The answer is clear:
How Can We Tell the Difference?
How Can We Tell the Difference?
Who or what is appealed to as the ultimate authority?
We need to learn to discern and distinguish between our own desires (ideas) and God’s as revealed in Jesus
Not only “WWJD?” but What Does Jesus Want?
What is he most concerned about?
Read the Gospels and Acts and you’ll get a pretty good idea (“they took note that [they] had been with Jesus” cf. the Comforter who reminds us of Jesus’ teaching)
How do I know I have this authority?
Is Jesus both your savior and lord?
Do you pray in Jesus’ name?
The text is clear: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus () and his name alone () will be saved
In other words, there is no higher authority to which we can, and do, appeal
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