Standing Firm: Witnessing Through Opposition and Transformation
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Acts chapter 4, focusing on the theme of "witness tampering." Witness tampering, in a legal sense, involves attempts to intimidate or influence a witness to alter their testimony. Spiritually, it represents the various ways people or circumstances try to discourage us from sharing our faith and testimony about Jesus Christ. Acts chapter 1 calls us to be witnesses of God's power, promises, and truth. However, we must be prepared for opposition. Just as Peter and John faced resistance from the religious leaders after performing a miracle, we too will encounter challenges when we stand for Christ.
The first key point is to expect conflict. The story of the lame man healed at the temple gate illustrates that opposition often follows spiritual victories. The religious leaders, disturbed by the apostles' teachings, arrested Peter and John. Yet, even in prison, the Word of God continued to work, leading 5,000 people to faith. This teaches us that while we may face personal setbacks, God's Word remains unstoppable.
The second key point is to express confidence. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declared that the power to heal the lame man came from Jesus Christ, whom the leaders had crucified but God had raised from the dead. This confidence stems from the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to witness even in the face of adversity.
Peter's declaration that "salvation is found in no one else" underscores the exclusivity of Christ. In a pluralistic world, we must hold firm to the truth that Jesus is the only way to God. This is not about disrespecting other beliefs but about staying true to the foundational truth of our faith.
Finally, the transformed life of the healed man standing before the religious leaders serves as a powerful witness. His very presence, standing tall, was irrefutable evidence of God's power. Similarly, our lives, transformed by Christ, serve as living testimonies to His grace and power.
### Key Takeaways
1. Expect Conflict: Spiritual victories often attract opposition. Just as Peter and John faced resistance after healing the lame man, we too will encounter challenges when we stand for Christ. However, these conflicts are opportunities to demonstrate the power and resilience of God's Word, which continues to work even when we face personal setbacks. [04:48]
2. Express Confidence: Confidence in our witness comes from the Holy Spirit. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed the source of his power—Jesus Christ. This confidence is not self-derived but is a result of the Holy Spirit's empowerment, enabling us to stand firm and witness boldly even in the face of adversity. [13:14]
3. The Unstoppable Word of God: Even when we are bound or face limitations, God's Word remains unstoppable. The 5,000 people who came to faith while Peter and John were imprisoned illustrate that the power of God's Word transcends our circumstances. Our role is to faithfully plant the seeds of the gospel, trusting that God will make them grow. [08:18]
4. The Exclusivity of Christ: In a world that values pluralism, we must hold firm to the truth that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. This is not about disrespecting other beliefs but about staying true to the foundational truth of our faith. Jesus is not just a way; He is the way, the truth, and the life. [18:32]
5. Living Testimonies: Our transformed lives serve as powerful witnesses to God's grace and power. Just as the healed man standing before the religious leaders was irrefutable evidence of God's power, our lives, changed by Christ, serve as living testimonies. When we stand firm in our faith, we become visible witnesses to what God can do. [25:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:42] - Introduction to Witness Tampering
[03:12] - Expect Conflict
[04:48] - Opposition After Victory
[06:39] - Religious Leaders' Resistance
[08:18] - The Unstoppable Word of God
[09:47] - Planting Seeds of the Gospel
[11:13] - Questioning the Source of Power
[12:12] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
[13:14] - Express Confidence
[14:20] - Peter's Bold Declaration
[15:08] - Giving Credit to Jesus
[16:20] - The Chief Cornerstone
[17:22] - Salvation in No Other Name
[18:32] - The Exclusivity of Christ
[19:57] - Jesus is Enough
[21:43] - The Power of Being with Jesus
[22:44] - The Witness of a Transformed Life
[25:06] - Keep Standing
[29:26] - Witnessing Through What We've Seen and Heard
[31:05] - Conclusion and Praise
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 4:1-22 - The story of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin.
2. Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3. Psalm 118:22 - "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."
#### Observation Questions
1. What miracle did Peter and John perform that led to their arrest? ([03:12])
2. How did the religious leaders react to Peter and John's teaching about Jesus and the resurrection? ([06:39])
3. What was the result of Peter and John's imprisonment in terms of the spread of the gospel? ([08:18])
4. How did Peter respond when questioned about the source of his power to heal the lame man? ([13:14])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think spiritual victories often attract opposition, as seen in the story of the healed lame man? ([04:48])
2. How does the Holy Spirit empower believers to witness boldly, according to Peter's example? ([13:14])
3. What does Peter's declaration that "salvation is found in no one else" imply about the exclusivity of Christ in a pluralistic world? ([18:32])
4. How does the transformed life of the healed man serve as a powerful witness to God's grace and power? ([23:49])
#### Application Questions
1. Have you ever experienced opposition after a spiritual victory? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? ([04:48])
2. In what ways can you express more confidence in your witness for Christ, especially when facing adversity? ([13:14])
3. How can you remain firm in the belief that Jesus is the only way to God while still respecting other beliefs? ([18:32])
4. Think of a time when your life served as a testimony to others. How did your actions or transformation impact those around you? ([23:49])
5. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that you continue to stand firm in your faith, even when faced with challenges? ([25:06])
6. How can you plant seeds of the gospel in your daily interactions, trusting that God will make them grow? ([09:47])
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit for boldness and courage. What steps will you take this week to seek His empowerment? ([12:12])
Devotional
Day 1: Expecting Spiritual Opposition
When we experience spiritual victories, we should be prepared for opposition. Just as Peter and John faced resistance from the religious leaders after healing the lame man, we too will encounter challenges when we stand for Christ. These conflicts are not a sign of failure but an opportunity to demonstrate the power and resilience of God's Word. Even when Peter and John were imprisoned, the Word of God continued to work, leading 5,000 people to faith. This teaches us that while we may face personal setbacks, God's Word remains unstoppable. [04:48]
Acts 4:1-3 (ESV): "And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening."
Reflection: Think of a recent spiritual victory in your life. How did you handle any opposition that followed? How can you prepare yourself spiritually for future challenges?
Day 2: Confidence Through the Holy Spirit
Confidence in our witness comes from the Holy Spirit. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed that the power to heal the lame man came from Jesus Christ. This confidence is not self-derived but is a result of the Holy Spirit's empowerment, enabling us to stand firm and witness boldly even in the face of adversity. When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can express our faith with boldness and clarity, just as Peter did. [13:14]
Acts 4:8-10 (ESV): "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 'Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit for confidence? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in your daily witness?
Day 3: The Unstoppable Word of God
Even when we are bound or face limitations, God's Word remains unstoppable. The 5,000 people who came to faith while Peter and John were imprisoned illustrate that the power of God's Word transcends our circumstances. Our role is to faithfully plant the seeds of the gospel, trusting that God will make them grow. No matter the obstacles we face, we can be assured that God's Word will accomplish its purpose. [08:18]
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt limited or bound but saw God's Word work powerfully despite your circumstances. How can you continue to plant seeds of the gospel in your current situation?
Day 4: The Exclusivity of Christ
In a world that values pluralism, we must hold firm to the truth that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. This is not about disrespecting other beliefs but about staying true to the foundational truth of our faith. Jesus is not just a way; He is the way, the truth, and the life. We must be unwavering in our conviction that Jesus is the only way to God, even when it is unpopular or countercultural. [18:32]
Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Reflection: How do you navigate conversations about faith in a pluralistic society? What steps can you take to lovingly and confidently share the exclusivity of Christ with others?
Day 5: Living Testimonies
Our transformed lives serve as powerful witnesses to God's grace and power. Just as the healed man standing before the religious leaders was irrefutable evidence of God's power, our lives, changed by Christ, serve as living testimonies. When we stand firm in our faith, we become visible witnesses to what God can do. Our actions, attitudes, and transformed lives speak volumes about the reality of Christ's work in us. [25:06]
2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (ESV): "You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
Reflection: In what ways has your life been transformed by Christ? How can you use your personal testimony to witness to others about God's grace and power?
Quotes
1. "Witness tampering is when a defendant is so worried about the eyewitness account that that defendant will use intimidation or fear to try to influence that person to change their testimony or to not testify at all. Although it is illegal and criminal, that defendant will try to use whatever they can, money, threats to their family, all because they don't want that witness to get on the stand because they know if that witness gets on the stand, the stand and begins to testify about their experience, they know that that testimony could lead to them being convicted. Witness tampering doesn't just happen in our favorite movies. It also happens in real life. Acts chapter 1 reveals that each of us has been called to be a witness. You have been signed in to be a witness. God has called you to be a witness. You are a witness to who God is. You are a witness to the power of God. You are a witness to what God can do. You are a witness that his promises of truth. You are a witness that nothing's too hard for God." [01:42] (82 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Even when it feels like someone's trying to tamper with your witness, when you share God's Word, they may bind you, but they can't bind His Word. Oh, His Word was working. His Word was moving. His Word was working. His Word was powerful. And right there in that moment, people come to faith in Jesus Christ. Friends, it is a reminder to us that you and I must do everything we can to keep sharing the witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You have no idea how many people around you, in your family, on your job, in this city that need Jesus Christ. Don't worry about what happens to you, because if you witness and you plant the seeds of the gospel, those seeds can grow whether you are there or not." [08:18] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Where do you get the power to overcome your past? Where do you get the power to overcome your grief and the loss of a loved one? Where do you get the power to overcome a broken heart? Where do you get the power to love your enemies? Where do you get the power to recover from a setback? Where do you get the power to be able to love your enemies? Where do you get the power to hold your head up tall and walk in there no matter what they said about you? Where do you get the power to do what you do? Oh, people are trying to figure out where. Where do you get the power to stay together as a couple through thick and thin? Where do you get the power to raise your kids and your grandkids? Where do you get the power when inflation goes up and you're trying to make ends meet? Where do you get the power? They say, where do you get it?" [11:13] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Peter filled with the Holy Spirit. Oh, friends, I want you to see it. Look there. It is a reminder that since the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit arrived in that upper room in Acts 2, everything has changed in human history. When the Holy Spirit comes, power comes, boldness comes, courage comes, and anointing comes. Peter is full of the Holy Spirit. And Peter says, if you called us here today because of what we did for that man, I want you to know, and you want to know, how did we do it? And you want to know who authorized it. And you want to know where the power came from. The power came from Jesus Christ, whom you crucified, and whom God raised from the dead." [13:14] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Salvation is found in no one else. For there is no other name, heaven given to mankind, by which we must be saved. He then makes this bold... He makes this bold statement that Jesus is not just the one that healed that man, but Jesus also is the one that can give all of us salvation. He says salvation is found in no one else. There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. That's a verse you need to hold on to in this pluralistic world that we live in. Where we... We respect all other religions. And we give them the dignity that they deserve. But as followers of Jesus Christ, let us not get it mixed up. Let us not try to mix in something to make Jesus more than who he needs to be. This text says, there is no other name." [17:22] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "This is not Starbucks where you can add a shot of espresso and a shot of Jesus and a shot of Confucianism and a shot of Buddha. No, all it is, is Jesus and Jesus Christ alone. Jesus Christ yesterday. Today and forevermore, Jesus is enough. Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No man will see the Father except by me. He does not say, I am a way. He says, I am the way. Which means there's no other way to access God but through him. Everybody can have their own belief. But when you follow Jesus, you walk with humility. But you recognize, if Jesus said it, I believe it. I ain't got to have you co-sign or you co-sign or you co-sign. I read my Bible and my Bible says, before Abraham was, I already was. Jesus is the center." [18:32] (81 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I came by to tell somebody just keep on standing. I know it ain't easy right now but keep on standing. I know you don't have answers right now but keep on standing. I know it don't make sense right now but keep on standing. I know the time it ain't worked out but keep on standing when you go to work keep on standing with your friend keep on standing with your family keep on standing when it makes sense keep on standing because every time you stand you are a witness of what God can do tell your neighbor keep standing keep tell somebody else keep standing tell one more person keep standing tell him I know it don't make sense but keep standing I know you don't have answers but keep standing I know you got sickness in your body but keep standing I know you can't pay the bill yet but keep standing I know you're fueled by yourself but keep standing I know this ain't where you thought you'd be but keep standing you're standing is a witness for what God can do his name today bless his name today I said bless his name today they said bless his name today" [26:57] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "They said, Peter John go sit down somewhere stop talking about Jesus and they get down to that text And they say, listen, we want to stop talking about it, but we've seen too much and we've heard too much. We've seen him break bread and feed 5,000. We've seen him make the lame walk. We've seen him bring Lazarus from the dead. We've seen him heal the man with a withered hand. We've seen him turn water into wine. We've seen him bring the dead back to life. We've seen him break bread and feed 5,000, but it's not just what we've seen, it's what we've heard. We've heard him say, it's impossible with man, but all things are possible with God. We've heard him say, seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you. We've heard him say, I am the door. I am the good shepherd. I am the life. I am the resurrection. We've heard him say, I'm coming back again. If you've heard enough and you've seen enough, why don't you give him praise for what you've seen and for what you've heard." [29:26] (88 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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