Acts 4:33-35

Acts 4:33-35 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. The apostles had great power and that power came from God. They were also faithful witnesses. And they had compassion. Compassion means that they cared about the needs of others. The Bible tells us that we should work and earn our food. But there are some people who cannot work. We have a man in our church who is an a wheelchair. He cannot move his legs. He cannot work like everyone else, and we should help him. There are people in our church who are too old to work, and we should help them. But if someone is lazy and just will not work, we should not help them. Can you think of anyone in your church who needs help? Should the church help them? We should be like this early church. We should love God. We should speak up for Jesus. And we should help those who are less fortunate than we are. If we do these, we will be blessed by God – just like the apostles were!

Acts 4:18-20

Acts 4:18-20 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Who are you afraid of? If your dad tells you to do something and the neighbor man tells you to do something different, who should you listen to? If you hear someone on the radio tell you to do something, and your Sunday school teacher tells you not to do that same thing, who do you listen to? Peter and John had just the same problem. Jesus had told His followers to tell everyone about Him, but the religious leaders were telling them not to preach about Jesus. What were they to do? They decided that they should obey God instead of obeying the religious leaders’ rules. I think they made the right decision. And I think that we should obey God also.

Acts 4:6-10

Acts 4:6-10 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. The same religious leaders who had just executed Jesus had just arrested the disciples and were giving them a hard time. They asked Peter and John a loaded question. They were setting them up to get them into trouble, and probably to have them executed too. Anyone who admitted that Jesus was the Son of God would be in trouble. But Peter wasn’t worried. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit and boldly spoke out the name of Jesus Christ. Are we bold like Peter? Do we speak out for Jesus? I hope so.Holy Spirit of God. Peter boldly spoke up for Jesus. He told the religious leaders that Jesus was the only way to life everlasting and that it was by the power of Jesus that the lame man was healed. Peter was Bold and spoke up for Jesus. I hope we are as bold as Peter. I hope we speak up for Jesus. Jesus has done so much for us. We should be a faithful witness for Him.

Acts 3:6-10

Acts 3:6-10 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. When Peter and John went up to the Temple to pray, they passed by a lame beggar. When they stopped, the beggar expected them to give him some money. He didn't realize that Peter and John were poor preachers. Peter said, “We don't have any money, but in the name of Jesus Christ, get up and walk.” And he did. Can you imagine how excited this lame man was! He had never walked, and here he was leaping up, walking and running and praising God. I’ll bet he was shouting and running all around. Can you imagine the people whom he passed? They took one look at him and then asked each other, “Wasn’t that the crippled man who just ran by? But it couldn’t have been. He can’t even walk! But it sure looked like him!” And it was him! They all ran into the Temple to hear Peter and John and to learn how it happened that this lame man was healed. Peter and John had a great opportunity to tell everyone all about Jesus. And they did!

And that is our job too. Our job is to tell everyone about Jesus.

Acts 2:46,47

Acts 2:46,47 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. That early church had several things that were interesting. First they were unified. That means that they were not grumbling about each other. They were not gossiping about others. They were together and loved each other. They ate together and had fellowship with each other from house to house. They got along and shared what they had with each other. Thirdly, they were happy. They did not go to church because they had to, they went to church because they wanted to. And everyone in Jerusalem knew that these early Christians were different. Even the unsaved unbelievers knew that these Christians were different. Then lastly, God was the one Who added to the church. The disciples didn’t have to beg people to come to church, God put it in their hearts to come and join the new church. We need to let God be in charge. He knows how to build His church the best way.

Acts 2:37,38

Acts 2:37,38 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. When the disciples were filled with God, the Holy Spirit, they were empowered to speak the wonderful words of life! Peter and John Preached and everyone who heard them preach were amazed. They understood God’s wonderful plan to save them. And they were amazed that Peter and John spoke so well. They were just ordinary men. They were actually only fishermen – they were not trained as speakers. But God was working in their hearts. He gave them the words to say. And God will work in your heart too! You may be scared to say something about Jesus to your friends, but God will give you the words to say. He gave Peter and John the words to say, and 3,000 people were saved that very first time that they preached!  Wow! And just like God used Peter and John, God will use you someday – that is if you will let Him. God doesn't need someone with great ability. God just wants someone to be willing. Will you be that person?