Listen to Man or God

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. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 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, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Introduction:

Dictionary of Bible Themes 8202 boldness

Courage and confidence in approaching God and also other people.

Boldness is a characteristic of Christians...

Proverbs 28:1 ESV

1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

An Outline concerning 4:13-20 "Boldness: Listen to Men or God"

I. Establishing the Witness in Jerusalem 1:1 - 6:7

II. The Witness vs. Jewish Authorities 3:1 - 5:42

A. Witnessing the Healing of a Lame Man 3:1-10

B. Sermon after the Healing 3:11-26

C. Jewish Authorities Arrest and Try Peter and John Ac 4:1-22

1. Arrested and Interrogated 4:1-12

2. Warned and Released 4:13-22

D. Prayer for Boldness in the Face of Persecution 4:23-31

[The Lord’s disciples are no longer hiding but are now bold for the Gospel , just as we need to be so what are the …]

I. Ways Boldness is produced

A. by trusting God

Isaiah 50:7 ESV

7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

Our Boldness begins by trusting in God

Our Boldness begins with Faith a staple in a Christians Character

[Boldness is also produced by…]

B. Fear of God

Acts 4:19 ESV

19 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,

I did a sermon a while back entitled “Right in the Sight of God” along with others where Boldness was a theme. Check them out for your further study. They are listed on your outline.

[Now Peter understood that he should fear God and not man…]

Acts 5:29 ESV

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

[Boldness continues by being steadfast in the work we called to do…]

C. Faithfulness to God

1 Timothy 3:13 ESV

13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Service breeds confidence

Service breeds experience

Experience can be drawn on in times of difficulty

[We should want those experiences and we ought to go after them. There are…]

II. Ways Boldness is Sought

A. Prayer

Acts 4:29 ESV

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,

Pray is especially beneficial in the midst of opposition

[Paul prayed that we Christians would put on the whole armour of God, that we might speak boldly…]

Ephesians 6:19–20 ESV

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

[There is a need for us to be encouraged to be bold…]

B. Exhortation

[God encouraged Joshua to lead after Moses death…]

Joshua 1:7 ESV

7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

[King Jehoshaphat instituted reforms in Judah and encouraged the people city by city to be courageous being obey the Lord and doing what is right in the sight of God. This is what he said to bring Judah back to God…]

2 Chronicles 19:11 ESV

11 And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the governor of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters, and the Levites will serve you as officers. Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!”

[Jeremiah encouraged Boldness in the face of Babylonian captivity…]

Jeremiah 1:8 ESV

8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”

[The Lord encouraged Ezekiel because his message would certainly not be one the people would want to hear. God referred to Israel as a nation of rebels and He tells his prophet…]

Ezekiel 3:9 ESV

9 Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.”

[There are also…]

II. Ways Boldness is Exhibited

A. faithfulness to people

[Paul exhibited boldness to the Church in Corinth…]

2 Corinthians 7:4 ESV

4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

2 Corinthians 10:1 ESV

1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—

[Boldness should be exhibited in our corporate assembly and in our everyday lives. We ought to live boldly…]

B. Preaching and Witnessing

[Consider the Disciples and their actions at the close of chapter 4…]

Acts 4:31 ESV

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.

[Even if one of us is persecuted, we remain Bold for the Lord listening to God rather than man.]

Philippians 1:14 ESV

14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

[Be Bold Brookfield even in the midst of great sin…]

C. Reproving Sin

Isaiah 58:1 ESV

1 “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.

Micah 3:8 ESV

8 But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.

[Be Bold Brookfield even …]

D. In the Face of Opposition

Acts 13:46 ESV

46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

1 Thessalonians 2:2 ESV

2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

Conclusion:

Let us be Bold in the coming year by trusting God and walking Christian in Faith, Hope and Love.

Seek Boldness through prayer, encouraging one another and gaining the experiences that come with walking with God.

Exhibit the character that God calls for in us to build His Church and secure our salvation.

Often times a level of Boldness is necessary to come to God accepting is invitation of Salvation.

God’s Plan of Redemption

Hear - Romans 10:17

Believe - John 1:7

Confess - Hebrews 4:14

Repent and Be Baptized - Acts 2:38

Remain Faithful - Matthew 25:21

New to the Faith?

First Principles

Have you fallen away from Faith

Need to be Restored

My Decision Today

I would like to be baptized today

I would like to renew my life to Christ

I would like to learn more about Jesus and the Bible

Questions: What are my next steps?

Come forward to be baptized

Request a Bible Study to learn more

Attend Bible Class to grow and mature

Find a place to serve others

Apply today’s lesson to my life

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