Let It Be Known
Sermon Notes
BIG IDEA: BOLDNESS IS ROOTED IN WHO YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU CAN DO.
INTRO
How is everyone this morning? We are making our way through the book of Acts this year and today we find ourselves in Acts chapter 4.
READ ACTS 4:1-22
LET IT BE KNOWN
I am titling this message LET IT BE KNOWN. I am picking up where Josh left off last week I want to talk to you this morning about boldness.
It is pretty clear in this passage that Peter and John were exercising an incredible amount of boldness. Wouldn’t you say?
Remember, the context to what is going on here comes from Acts 3 where Peter and John are walking to the temple and they find a lame man at the gate and they heal him. This became a very controversial act because the question that comes out of it is this from the religious leaders: BY WHAT POWER DID YOU HEAL THIS MAN?
Peter and Johns responds by telling them it is through Jesus whom they crucified. Which by the way, was the only answer they could give that would get them into hot water.
Peter and John lived out their faith with boldness. When you think of boldness, where would you say boldness comes from? In other words, what makes someone bold?
I am not talking about pride or confidence. Boldness to me is different than those two things. Pride as I understand it, comes from a place of self-reliance. What can I accomplish on my own strength?
When I think about boldness I think about someone who is ok with putting themselves in uncomfortable situations.
Boldness is putting yourself in a situation where you can’t control the outcome but you step in anyways because of conviction. Boldness to me is living your life with a willingness to put yourself out there with the risk of being rejected and humiliated.
Pride and confidence (most of the time) is rooted in what you can do – whereas boldness is rooted in who you are.
To be bold requires nothing of you except a security in knowing how loved and accepted you are by God.
I think this is what enabled Peter and John to stand up in front of the temple in front of thousands of people – some who supported them but many others hated them.
In fact, we are told that when they were speaking it became obvious to everyone in the room that Peter and John were uneducated and untrained in ministry.
In other words, they were not impressing anyone! So, boldness is not rooted in what you can do but rather who you are.
Who was Peter? Jesus told him, “on this rock I will build my church.” So, Peter is exercising his boldness based on who Jesus said that he was and not in the affirmation or affection of others!
What does boldness look like? I see at least 3 things here in these 22 verses.
BOLDNESS IS PROCLAIMING JESUS IN ALL ENVIROMENTS.
Verse 1 says, “While they were speaking to the people, the priests, captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.”
They were annoyed at them! This man, Jesus who they saw get crucified with their own eyes - Peter and John are proclaiming Jesus in a hostile environment.
But before we sing their praises we have to remember that this wasn’t always the case!
Not long before this, Peter didn’t have the boldness to proclaim Jesus in hostile environments. Remember the night Jesus was taken in custody and while Jesus in the town square, in front of everyone Peter denies knowing Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times!
The Peter we read about in John 18 is a very different person now. What changed? As Josh mentioned last week, I think it’s his intimate interaction with Jesus in John 21.
Long story sort, after Jesus is crucified Peter and John go back to their day jobs as fisherman. They are not having much luck. While they are out fishing Jesus appears to them and tells them to throw the net to other side of the boat. Not knowing who he was they do and their nets get filled.
John is the first to recognize Jesus and in the excitement of the moment takes all of his clothes off and jumps overboard to get to Jesus as quick as possible.
Jesus and Peter then have breakfast together and it is this intimate moment with Jesus that defines the rest of Peters life.
Jesus asks Peter 3 times; do you love me? One time for each act of betrayal… After this vulnerable moment with Jesus it is pretty evident. Peter is a transformed man. He will live the rest of his life clear on who Jesus is.
I think this is why Peter is able to proclaim Jesus in all environments. He is relying on the moments in the past where Jesus showed up in his times of need. He is remembering how faithful Jesus has been to him and it is his faithfulness to Peter that enables him to tell others about Jesus.
I want to encourage you to proclaim Jesus in whatever environments you find yourself in. This isn’t just for the pastors and teachers to do, if you follow Jesus, Jesus is inviting you to be someone that is proud of your relationship with him so much so that you can’t stop talking about him.
I have interacted with quite a few people who are very quiet about their relationship with Jesus. They don’t want to push what they believe on other people. I understand this and I do think that can comes from a genuine place, however, how will people know about Jesus if his people don’t talk about him?
(EX). When was the last time you talked about Jesus outside of a church gathering?
(EX). When was the last time you talked about to Jesus to someone who doesn’t know him?
I don’t ask you that to shame you but to stir something up inside of you. If you are hesitant to talk about Jesus I think it is a good thing to ask yourself, “why?”
Since Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus, we are told the church grew to 5,000 people in one day.
This is why we proclaim Jesus! We want to see as many people as possible come under the rule and authority of King Jesus!
So, first Peter proclaims and then we see him ACT.
BOLDNESS IS ACTING ON THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME YOUR WAY.
VERSE 8: “Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them…”
It’s one thing to just talk about Jesus and it’s another thing to do the things you’re talking about.
Peter could have pulled back here but he doesn’t. He actually digs his heels in and continues to go after the people responsible for killing Jesus.
It’s important to see here that Peter was not acting on his own power. Peter is saying what he is saying under the power and filling of the holy Spirit. So, his words found in verses 8-12 are not coming from a place of anger or resentment but rather from a place of love.
The thing that Peter wants to see happen more than anything else - for all people listening to him - is to see Jesus for who he is. KING AND SAVIOR. In that very order.
But in order for that to happen the Holy Spirit has to work in the hearts and minds of people. Specifically, those who have already rejected him.
When we act on our faith we must prepare ourselves for rejection. I think we all know this and maybe rejection is one of the major road blocks that keep us from engaging others and living our faith out in all environments?
Fear of rejection is a real thing for most of us, isn’t it? If anyone knew a thing or two about rejection it was Jesus.
In verse 11 Peter recites Psalms 118:22 and says that Jesus is the stone that the builders rejected which has become the cornerstone!
What Peter is saying is that rejection and following Jesus are synonymous with each other.
Since Jesus was rejected by so many, including his family, friends, and even by those his own hometown we ought to accept the fact that we too will be rejected.
So, we can either live in a constant state of fear of rejection or we can accept the reality. If they rejected Jesus there will also be people who reject me because Christ is in me.
Peter uses this message of rejection to invite people to follow Jesus. Why? Because rejection isn’t only about what happens to me. Rejection is also about my posture towards Jesus.
I reject Jesus every day. Whether it’s intentional or unintentional. Every single day I have to acknowledge that rejection and keep coming back to Jesus.
This is what we call repentance. Josh talked about this last week. Repentance is turning around and going the other way.
For Peter, this message of rejection is something he wants his audience to lean into. And instead of rejection being something that holds us back in our relationship with Jesus he wants us to embrace the reality of it.
I think the more we embrace our fears the less scary they become.
(EX). Just this past week we took our kids up to the mountains for a few days. Our youngest West is a very cautious kid and the idea of sledding down a hill was scary for him.
So, he just watched his big sister and brother for a while until he worked up the courage to go himself. Once he did he loved it. The fear of sledding went away when he faced his fear head on.
Does the fear of rejection hold you back from sharing your faith? If so, maybe identifying that fear would be helpful for you and then you can take some steps into overcoming it.
One of the major themes in this passage is that Jesus is King. Which means his rule isn’t just for those who don’t know him. It’s also for those who are already following him. For many of us, fear is our king and it’s holding us back from experiencing a deeper relationship with Jesus.
I just wonder if our fears are overtaking the opportunities that are right in front of us every day?
The opportunities to invite people into a whole new way of living. If we can reorder some things in our lives – namely positioning Jesus back into the very place he ought to be than I think we will see God do some really powerful things in our lives.
Which brings me to my final thought about boldness.
BOLDNESS IS RECEIVED WHEN WE ARE WITH JESUS.
VERSE 13: “They were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
Verse 13 is the verse that really holds the entire book of Acts together. If this wasn’t true than I don’t think we see any of the things we see happening in the early church.
Being with Jesus was everything for Peter and John. As we are reading and studying through Acts we must remember that these are a group of ordinary, uneducated people who just loved being with Jesus.
As a follower of Jesus, I can’t think of a bigger compliment than for someone to look at me and say, “they were amazed and recognized that Mike had been with Jesus.”
(EX). If you don’t know, I work every Monday at Trader Joes, everyone there knows I am a pastor, I have had some really cool conversations with people. I even led one person into a relationship with Jesus while stocking shelves. But that is rare. Most of the time, Jesus is not the center of my conversations.
I can’t help but think to myself, what’s my posture while I am at trader joes? When people interact with me what impression am I leaving them with?
The truth for all of us is this: Every single interaction we have with people we are leaving an impression on their lives. It’s either a good impression or bad impression. Even if we leave no impression I would argue that is a bad thing.
Not to suggest that people’s opinions are everything and that we need to work really hard at making good impressions…
But, in order for people to see Jesus for who he is they first need to see who Jesus is to you.
If people can’t see Jesus in you and they know you are a Christian why would they think that following Jesus makes a difference in their lives?
I think this is a huge part as to why the church grew to 5 thousand people. They saw that Peter and John really believed what they were saying and saw that they had been with Jesus. That was compelling enough.
Before we can proclaim Jesus and act on the opportunities each day we have to get back to what matters most. Being with Jesus. One of my mantras for life is that I can’t lead others to where I haven’t been myself.
This is true in most of everything… especially when it comes to my relationship with Jesus.
(EX). How can I point others to Jesus if I am not with Jesus for myself? If my kids don’t see me with Jesus then why would they want to be with Jesus and how would I lead them to know Jesus?
(EX). If my wife, Jessi doesn’t see me spending time with Jesus and hears me preaching on Sunday morning about being with Jesus than what credibility do I have with you all?
Being with Jesus when no one is looking or when no one cares is what will sustain me and fuel my life when everyone is watching.
I can’t develop a reputation for being like Jesus if I am never with Jesus.
WORSHIP AND RESPONSE
Jesus is King. I think it’s time that we decide to re-order our own lives around that reality as we boldly proclaim Jesus, act on the everyday opportunities, and most importantly, spend time with Jesus.
When it comes to boldness which of those 3 things challenges you the most? Maybe it’s all 3?
Is it to proclaim? If so I want to pray a prayer of commissioning over you.
Is it to act? I want to pray that Jesus gives you eyes to see and ears to hear.
Is it to spend more time with Jesus? I want to pray for a greater hunger and desire for MORE of Jesus in your life above all other things.