The Church is Born #6 / Listen / Acts 4:16–22

The disciples are beginning to figure some things out. They have received the power of the Holy Spirit and are now equipped to perform deeds that Jesus did. Peter and John will perform their first miracle. They are fearless when they face the intimidating tactics of the Sanhedrin.

 

The Main Question: How do we know who to listen to?

Points to Consider

  1. Listen to the evidence.
  2. Listen to the Bible.
  3. Listen to people who know the truth.
  4. Listen to people who have something to lose.

Scripture References:

Acts 4:16–24 NIV

16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

Application Questions

  • Who do you listen to?
  • Have you ever had a bad experience because you listened to the wrong person?

Love God / Invitation / Relationship

We experience the love of God when we invite Him into our lives.

  • Read Acts 4:16-22.
  • Love is absent from the leaders.What does this cause?
  • Where do you see the presence of “love?”
  • What does this produce?

Find Freedom / Learning / Clarity

Freedom is found when we learn a new way to think.

  • In this passage God is teaching the people to think differently.Who is in bondage in this passage?
  • What is the result of their bondage?
  • Why does bondage put other people in bondage?

See God / Prayer / Affirmation

It is much easier for us to “see” God when we are communicating with God. Prayer is how we communicate with God.

  • Why can’t the “leaders” see God in the miracle that has taken place?
  • What blinds them?

Experience Healing / Serve Others / Opportunities

The brokenness in our hearts begins to heal as we serve other people.

  • Who are the “leaders” serving?
  • Why are they creating brokenness and not healing?

Discover Joy / Gratitude / Community

The more grateful we are the more joy we feel.

  • There is no joy on the side of the Sanhedrin, why?
  • Why are they not grateful for the miracle that has taken place?
  • What is the lesson here?