Re-focus

Noah Madden

MERGE DNOW • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Peter and John were bold to proclaim Christ. Christians should be bold to proclaim Christ.

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Take your Bible and turn with me to

Living a Revived Life Means That You Live on Mission

Do you know that you have a mission? God has created you for a purpose!

Not only have you have been saved from something, you have been saved for something!

The book of Acts tells the amazing story of the birth of The Church:

The people of God accomplishing the mission of God.

Jesus reveals His mission for His people right before he ascends to heaven in .

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The mission of the people of God is to be God’s witnesses to the world around them.

A Witness is Someone Who Testifies to a Personal Encounter

Does anyone like to watch crime TV shows?

One of our favorites is Hawaii Five-O.

What is one of the first things that a detective does when he arrives at a crime scene??

Interviews any witnesses… WHY?

Because they can testify to what they experienced.

In our text — Peter and John are doing just that. They are being faithful witnesses, testifying about their experience with Jesus.

One chapter prior, , were walking into the temple (Jewish center of worship and life) and they saw a crippled man outside the temple and he was asking for money.

Peter looked right at this man and said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

The man stood immediately as he was healed.

He began to skip and shout praises to God!

The people who saw this were amazed and they became curious.

The healed man stood there with Peter and John and crowds of people gathered around them, wanting to know how this could have happened.

Peter recognized the opportunity to witness / testify about his relationship with Jesus.

He spoke truth boldly and called for the people to repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus

As Peter was still speaking, the captain of the temple and some other leaders confronted them — angry that they were speaking about Jesus.

They arrested Peter and John and put them in jail.

However, many of the people who heard Peter’s testimony became followers of Jesus — they now have 5,000 people who were a part of The Church.

The next day, Peter and John were pulled our of their jail cell and brought before the counsel of the High Priest — they were investigating how this crippled man was healed — what power caused this to happen?

Peter and John fulfill their mission to be God’s witnesses

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Peter and John show us Five characteristics of Faithful witnesses...

Faithful Witnesses:

1. Rely on the Power of the Holy Spirit (4:7-12)

God did not send His Witnesses empty handed

We have everything we need to be effective witnesses

No excuses

2. Elevate Christ Above Themselves (4:7-12)

The mission of God is about the Son of God

Faithful witnesses prioritize Jesus over self

3. Spend Time with Jesus (4:13)

Time with Jesus is more important than education

Fulfilling the mission of God is not about your ability, but your willingness to abide

4. Experience Opposition (4:14-18)

There is an enemy that does not want God’s mission to be accomplished

The enemy can’t overcome faithful witnesses

5. Have an Unquenchable Desire to Proclaim Jesus (4:19-20)

They have to speak about their relationship with Jesus

They are not focused on the opinions of others

What Does Your Witness Say About Jesus?

He is a cool teacher — nothing more.

He is worth your life?

He is only worth some of my dedication

He is the King of Kings