January 24 - Acts 4

Dig Deeper:

THEY'RE BACK - You should recognize the names Annas & Caiaphas. They're the ones who presided over Jesus' trial. They heard Jesus say awesome things, and now they see that same power at work in Peter & John. Why do you think they continue to fight against it?
FAILED STRATEGY: The Sanhedrin orders Peter & John to stop proclaiming the resurrected Christ in v18 (remember they totally deny the concept of life after death). All through the history of Christianity, whenever authorities try to repress Christian doctrine, it flourishes. How can we in today's church bring the same resolve to our evangelism that Peter & John had in spite of our freedom?
MEMORIZE: Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Be sure to review often the verses we've been memorizing.
OVER THE HILL: I admit that v22 stings a little bit. Is being over 40 that big of a deal?

Prayer Tips:

Follow the pattern of Peter & John's prayer in v24-30

Properly address your almighty God - v24-26: “Sovereign Lord, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord

and against his anointed one.’

Name the threats that stand against you and the Church as they did in v27-28
Ask God to act like v29-30: Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Expect God to act like He does in v31.