Sound Doctrine

Guest (Male): Pastor Jeff poses this thought-provoking question.

Jeff Johnson: So, Jesus, the name comes up at your work. What are you going to do? Are you going to stand up and say, oh, I'm Christian. Let me let me answer that question. Or is it only a church that you take a stand? It's heavy. God opens the door. What are you going to do? Well, God's just testing you. Here's a fiery trial. He wants to prove you to see are you one of his friends? Are you going to stand up for him? So, we stand in his power and in his might.

Guest (Male): Welcome again to Sound Doctrine and a study in Acts chapter 4 from Pastor Jeff Johnson. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. So, when persecution comes to the believer in Christ, it shouldn't be a surprise. Thus far, we've seen the first witness, then the first message, and the first miracle of the early church. Today, we'll recall the church's first persecution. Let's lean in and see what we can learn from it now.

Jeff Johnson: Over in Luke's Gospel in chapter 21, listen to this. In verse 12, it says, before all of these, they shall they lay their hands on you. They will persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and to prisons, being brought before the kings and the rulers for my name's sake, and it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate before what you shall answer. I'm going to give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gain slay or gain say nor resist.

So, the Lord says, when you get into this fire, don't worry about what you're going to say. I'll give you the words. I'll give you wisdom, and I'll give you something to say to them that will just stop their mouths and stop the situation. That's God's promise. So, Peter, standing in the fire, stands in the Holy Spirit with boldness before the big shots, and lets them have it with both barrels. From here on out, hold on. Get your seat belt on. Verse nine. He says, if we this day be examined of the good deed, and here's the first thing about this situation.

This is a good thing that has happened. You should be happy, guys, and you're not. You seem to be agitated. You seem to be very shook up. This good deed done to this impotent man, by what means he is made whole? I mean, he's just basically saying, let me let me get this straight. We're here this day because this man is healed, and now he's just on a roll. He's just beginning to let go. Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, which is mentioned seven times here in this few chapters, whom you crucified.

I'm sure he pointed to him. You. You 70. You Sanhedrin. God raised him from the dead. Even by him doth this man stand before you whole. So, Peter doesn't mess around. It's because of Jesus of Nazareth, who is the Messiah, who was crucified, who's risen again. And they hated this man's name. They hated their name. And they thought they had gotten rid of him on the cross. They thought it's now over. He's dead. He's in the tomb. Thanks. And they thought they were delivered. But now, Peter says, no, he's alive. They're going on nightmares of nightmares.

So, this man is now proof of his resurrection. Remember over in chapter 2 verse 23. You can turn there with me. 223, him being delivered by the determinant counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken with wicked hands have crucified and slain him, whom God raised him up, having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. So, that's God's plan. That's his plan all along. He raised him up. God's plan with all of our lives today, those of us that are here that know the Lord, that we've got to recognize we were a bunch of lameos.

We were beggars in this world. We were cast off. And and and and yet the Lord took us and healed us. And now we have become his living epistles. Each of us have now become his witnesses. We are walking miracles, every single one of us. Verse 11. This is the stone which was set at naught. And so, here's Peter. He just starts quoting out of the Psalms. This is the stone that is set at naught of you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner. This is of course Psalm 118 which we read this morning in verse 22.

And Paul kind of puts it all together with the Psalm. This is the Psalm of Palm Sunday. This is the day that the Lord has made. What day? To rejoice in. What day? When Jesus came forth that day going up to the East Gate on the donkey when they said Hosanna, Hosanna. This is the day. So, it was a special day because you've resisted, because you didn't recognize this thy day, Luke's Gospel 19. Because you blew it. You didn't study the prophecies and you didn't recognize it. Now your house is going to be left to you desolate, man.

There's going to be desolation because you didn't understand the day of the Lord. Well, this is what he's talking about. The temple was built, the scripture says in Kings, without a hammer being heard. You say, well, how is that? Well, they did it down in the quarries. It's called Solomon's quarries underneath the city. You couldn't hear it a hammer being done. But they would take these 40 ft wide by 70 ft long, hundreds and hundreds of tons of stone that was all meticulously done. You cannot even get a knife through it when they butt them up together.

It was so perfectly done there in the quarries. They brought them and they set them into place, perfect fits. The cornerstone. And here's the story of the building of the temple. The cornerstone was delivered too early. Many are looking at that cornerstone. Of course here we know that Psalm says it's Jesus. Too early. He came to his own. His own recognized him not. They rejected him. And so, here's the cornerstone rejected. It's kind of falls down the hill into the dirt and the weeds start growing up and nobody knows where the cornerstone is. And when they get to the place where they need the cornerstone, they say, where is it?

We get we don't know where it is. Now many see this as well this was the time where Jesus was in Hades, and he delivered all of those out of Hades. He was lost. He was missing, rejected. But now it's been found. Interesting. Luke talks about this. Matthew, Jesus talks about this. But in Luke, chapter 20 verse 18. Let me read it to you. Listen to what he says here. Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken. But on whosoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Of course the stone is Jesus.

And if you continue to reject this Jesus, this cornerstone, the chief cornerstone, what everything is put together by, if you reject it, it will will eventually crush you. And you will be judged by your rejection of it, which is Jesus Christ. So, the world is the quarry, all right? It's the pits, right? And in 2 Corinthians, interesting in chapter 3 verse 18 he says, but we all with open face beholding in a glass the glory of the Lord were changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

So, God is honing us. God is is chiseling us, if you will, molding us, melting us, filling us, using us. And he's preparing us for the place he has prepared for us in this world. We are each a living stone, a part of this great, you know, building of God. It's awesome. It's great to be a part of the building, isn't it? And here we're being made to fit perfectly when we get there. Going back to our text in verse 12, he says, neither is there salvation in any other. This is a a verse that I have marked and and it it should be, you know, memorized and and put to your heart.

Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. That's a powerful verse. There's only one way, in other words. If there be any other way, Jesus said, let this cup pass from me. But then he said, not my will, but thine be done. And also, this is a great verse for any cult. I mean, if you want to share with a cult the power of the name of Jesus, the one way of Jesus, there is no other way. Whatever other way you're trying to get there, it's wrong.

It's the wrong way, man. Broad is the way that leads to destruction. Narrow is the straight is the way that needs to eternal life. He's it. It's not by good works. It's not by going to church. It's not by, oh, I was water baptized. It's not by communion, taking communion. Jesus made it very clear. I am the only way, the only truth, the only life. There is no other way. There is no other truth and no other life. Over in Matthew's Gospel in chapter seven in verse 13 it says, enter ye in the straight gate.

Wide is the gate. Broad is the way that leads to destruction. And many there be which go therein because straight is the gate. Narrow is the way which leads unto life. And few there be that find it. Man. Why me? Why am I one of the few? Have you ever asked yourself that? Why did he open my eyes? Why did he come into my heart? And you start to think about it and you go, well, you know what? That's okay. I don't need to know. I'm just glad you did. But my family, my children, my grandchildren, my brother, my sister, my mom, my dad.

You see, that's what we need to have on our hearts this morning as we leave here. How are we in affecting their lives? How are we a part of the change that's coming upon them? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you shall be saved and your household. We're part of the planning of the seed. We're that lame man that they can't but look at us and then they hear us and they get convicted and they see what God's doing with us and that convicts. You know, it goes on and on and on. We're his witnesses.

Look at verse 13. It says, now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. And they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. This is a great verse. Notice that they saw Jesus in them. And this court makes three mistakes right here. Number one, their first mistake is that they perceived that they were unlearned and common folk. In other words, they were stinky fishermen or they were street people. That's really what they were idiots to them. What are these idiots doing in here in our court?

And how are they talking the way they're talking? It just blew them away. Many of them had records. I mean, they were broken the law and different things. Over in Matthew 11:25 Jesus said, Father, I thank you that you have not revealed these things to the wise and to the prudent, but you've given them unto babes, simple folk. Again, over in 1 Corinthians in chapter one, there in verse 26 and on he just talks about it. He says, there's not many not many noble that are called. God has chosen the foolish, the weak, the base things that, you know, he would be glorified.

But of him are you in Christ who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, sanctification and redemption. You see, we were saved. And I look at myself just as that. The I'm one of the base things of this world, okay? One of the foolish things of this world. Just read the secret. The guy's a fool. Guy's weird. That's my testimony. I was weird. But now God has given me these things in the spiritual realm. Is now, you know, Satan is taking a second look at me. You're on my hit list. And and why?

Because I stand in his name. Because I proclaim his name. We can do that. All of us can do that wherever we live, wherever we work, the school. He's given us so much. But just to see yourself as one of those that he's blessed. And they they didn't they didn't they made a mistake here. The second mistake is that they had been with Jesus. Now it would have been great. I think all of us would have loved to be tutored by Jesus for three years, huh? Think about it. Hey, you you want to come with me and hang out with me for three years?

Yeah. It would have been great. And they got to do that. But that 's not what it's all about. He was still with them, wasn't he? Those three those three were standing there and Jesus was still with them. Spending time with him has always been our need. It says about Mary. Mary did that which was needful. She sat at his feet. How long have you spent with him? If you were to add up in the day, how long during the day have you spent with him? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Are you a fragrance to those that you're around?

Or are you a stench? Are you putting scholars to shame, to speak with authority and simplicity and practicality? I mean, God wants to do a work in us so we can do this work through us. See, this is a spiritual work that he wants to use us as his mouthpieces, as his living testimonies. So, his word in us and through us. This is that he was standing with them. Now what blows my mind here is that when you spend time with him, it's like remember Moses? Moses came down off the hill after 40 days said, Mo, man, you're a glow.

You are blind in us. Here, take this towel. Throw it around your head, man. We can't handle it. And he would glowed. And as he glowed, he gave them the law. And I thought that's incredible. And that shows us something as parents that we need to be a glow with his spirit. Now if you're going to lay down the law to your kids, how better to do it than just to be filled with the Holy Spirit, a glow with the things of God, and then give them the law? This is how they get away with it.

This is how you're going to get away with it. But if you just laying down the law, what's that going to do? They're not going to hear you. No, you need to be a glow with the spirit. You need to be doing what you're saying. And they'll listen. They will. So, we need to spend time with him and then it will be received. And others will also be receive the news we have to give. I just have to ask the question, how else did these guys get away with this? I mean, look at the crowd that they're coming against.

Look at what they're saying to this crowd. How do they get away with it? Well, they spent time with Jesus. They became salt. They became light. They were affecting this crowd tremendously. Look at verse 14. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. Their mouths were shut. The lame man was walking and as lives are changed and they're being changed this day as the broken or made whole, the Psalm says, many shall see it and fear and shall trust in the Lord. This is what started the Jesus movement.

And this is what sustains Calvary Chapels today. And what is that? But walking miracles for God. People come and they taste and see that the Lord is good. They allow the Lord to come into their lives. Their lives are transformed radically. Heard this guy come over it sees and he's he was from the country of Ireland. And he was was always just a guy out in the out in the bush, you know, and he didn't see too much of cities or anything. And he comes to New York City. And he gets in New York City and he said, well, where do I sign up?

What do I do? You know? And the guy says, well, go in that big building right there, that big tall. And just hit the elevator and then go up the elevator. He didn't even know what an elevator was. He went over to the elevator and he hit the button and and this old lady just kind of skirmished right by him and went in there and turned around and looked at him like this and and the door shut and he went, whoa, what was that, man? And all of a sudden he hit the button again and the elevator opened and this young lady came out.

And he went, man, I should have brought my wife. This place is awesome. Transformation. Change. And that's what Jesus does. That's what he's all about. And he and and as this man is standing whole, saved, delivered from addictions and sins that were destroying us. You can't argue with a changed life, can you? People want to run away from a changed life. They don't want to hear our testimony. I was this way and I did this and now I'm doing this and and it's just so powerful. Notice the lame man stood with them in the temple praising God.

And when he was in the temple, he was excited. It was good times, man. I'm healed. The Lord's touched my life. Praising the Lord, leaping and jumping, praising the Lord. But now he's also standing with Peter and John when they're in trouble. Interesting. When you get in trouble, you know who your friends are. Cuz it's they don't only stand with you in the good times, but they stand with you when you're in trouble. And they're still with you. Those are friends. And so, this man, this lame man standing right with them. So, Jesus, the name comes up at your work.

What are you going to do? Are you going to stand up and say, oh, I'm Christian. Let me let me answer that question. Or is it only a church that you take a stand? It gets heavy. God opens the door. What are you going to do? Well, God's just testing you. Here's a fiery trial. He wants to prove you to see are you one of his friends? Are you going to stand up for him? Well, they stood up for him right there in front of all the big wigs. And they weren't afraid. They were bold.

They love the Lord. And they told him that this is Jesus. He's powerful. And he's in your midst. And this is why this man stands here whole. So, we stand in his power and in his might. And he that is spiritual, you need to move in that same way. And you see a brother in a fault, you seek to see that brother restored. You know, stand up.

Guest (Male): That's Pastor Jeff Johnson with Sound Doctrine from the book of Acts. He'll share a bit more in a minute. You can request today's study on CD when you give us a call at 800 353 7553. The suggested donation is $5. Again, we're here to serve you at 800 353 7553. You can also listen to our studies in Acts at our website and through our mobile app. We're on the web at sounddoctrineradio.org. And you can download the Sound Doctrine podcast app in the App Store or get it from Google Play. Look for Sound Doctrine wherever you get your podcasts and at oneplace.com.

Well, here at Sound Doctrine, we're committed to helping you build your life on the sound doctrine contained in God's word. And we have a special resource to recommend that can help you in that endeavor. It's a passion for Jesus. This is a collection of easy to read daily devotionals written by Kay Smith, Linya Heitzig, Karen Johnson, Sharon Reese, Karen Pulley, Gail Mays, and others. Ladies, you'll be greatly encouraged each day as they pour out their hearts, sharing personal experiences of God's faithfulness. I think you'll find it both edifying and encouraging at the same time. Available right now online at sounddoctrineradio.org.

Then click on store or call us at 800 353 7553. We're grateful for your prayers and partnership. Together we can help people all over the world have access to sound doctrine in God's word and grow as a result. You can make a secure donation online at sounddoctrineradio.org or call 800 353 7553. If you find these daily studies encouraging, we'd like to know. Email us today at sounddoctrineatcalvarydowney.org. And please mention the station that you listen to that sounddoctrineatcalvarydowney.org. Now back to Acts chapter 4.

Jeff Johnson: Look at verse 15. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they they were shook up. They conferred among themselves saying, what shall we do with these guys, these Jesus guys? For that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem. Everybody's talking about this and we cannot but deny it. And they were just afraid. The fear, you know, they were afraid it's going to spread throughout all the city. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straightly threaten them and they and they that they speak henceforth no man in this name.

And they called the men. They commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. And here's the second group, guys. This is the second group. This is the the council who oppose his name, the disciples who stand for his name, the second group, the apostles who oppose his name. And next week we're going to look at the third group is the church that calls on his name.

Guest (Male): Come back next week when we'll dig deeper in Acts chapter 4 with Pastor Jeff. Sound Doctrine is presented by Calvary Chapel Downey.