Seeds of Persecution Acts 4 Pt1
This sermon from Acts 4:1-4 focuses on the persecution that arose after Peter and John healed a crippled man and preached about Jesus' resurrection. The pastor emphasizes that the Jewish religious leaders - priests, Sadducees, temple guards, and rulers - were provoked and arrested the apostles because their power and authority were threatened. The Sadducees particularly opposed the resurrection message since they didn't believe in resurrection. Despite the persecution and arrest, 5,000 men believed and were saved as a result of the preaching. The pastor draws parallels to modern-day persecution of Christians and emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith, not backing down from sharing the gospel, and being willing to face opposition for Christ's sake.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You this morning with open hearts and minds. We ask that You would prepare us to receive what You want to teach us through Your Word today. Help us to be receptive to Your Spirit's leading and give us courage to apply what we learn to our daily lives. May our discussion bring glory to Your name and strengthen our faith. We pray that You would use this time to draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What's one thing you've stood up for or defended strongly, even when it wasn't popular or easy to do?
Key Verses
- Acts 4:1-4
- Matthew 10:16-23
- 2 Timothy 4:3
Questions
- Why do you think the religious leaders were so threatened by the healing of the crippled man and the preaching about Jesus' resurrection?
- The pastor mentioned that 5,000 men believed despite the persecution of the apostles. What does this teach us about God's sovereignty in difficult circumstances?
- How do you see persecution of Christians happening in our culture today? What are some examples you've witnessed or experienced?
- The Sadducees didn't believe in resurrection, which is why they were particularly upset. How do false teachings or wrong theology still cause problems in the church today?
- Peter and John were arrested for using 'Jesus as an example.' Why do you think the name of Jesus specifically causes such strong reactions in people?
- The pastor emphasized not backing down from sharing our faith. What are some practical ways we can stand firm in our beliefs while still being loving toward others?
- How can persecution actually strengthen and grow the church, as we see in this passage?
- What encouragement can we draw from Jesus' words in Matthew 10 about not worrying about what to say when we're persecuted for our faith?
Life Application
This week, identify one area where you may have been hesitant to share your faith or stand up for Christian values due to fear of opposition or persecution. Pray for courage and look for an opportunity to boldly but lovingly represent Christ in that situation, trusting that God will give you the words to say.
Key Takeaways
- Persecution often comes when the gospel threatens people's power, control, or false beliefs
- Standing firm in our faith and using Jesus as our example will sometimes provoke opposition
- God can use persecution to grow His church and spread the gospel even further
- We should not back down from sharing our faith, but we also don't need to seek out unnecessary persecution
- The blood of martyrs has historically been the seed of church growth and revival
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the example of Peter and John who stood firm in their faith despite persecution. Give us that same courage and boldness to represent You well in our daily lives. Help us to remember that You are sovereign over all circumstances, even when we face opposition for following You. Strengthen our resolve to share the gospel and use Your name as our example, knowing that You will be with us and give us the words to speak. May we never be ashamed of the cross or back down from proclaiming Your truth. Use any persecution or difficulty we face to grow Your kingdom and bring others to salvation. We commit ourselves afresh to You and ask for Your protection and guidance. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.