TEXT: Acts 4:23-31
READING: Psalms 2:1-12
SUBJ: Sharing the Gospel with a proper emphasis on the attributes of God, the condition of mankind, an impossibility with God, the hope portrayed at the cross, and the glorious resurrection that followed.
AIM: That we might be zealous for the Truth and bold in the presentation of it.
INTR: The passage before us sets forth words that should be an encouragement to us as we seek to bear witness to the Glorious God of Christ Jesus our Lord. We especially appeal to their boldness. May we be reminded: “Our Father Which Art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name.”
1. These men had been imprisoned, and their tormentors had sought to intimidate them concerning preaching Jesus and the resurrection. It was the name of Jesus that trouble them.
2. They did not bow rather they declared: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).
3. We would examine where they began in their prayer along with other thoughts. (Acknowledge the influence of Paul Washer.)
THESIS: In presenting the Gospel, we begin with God, proceed to the human condition, Show the impossibility of reconciliation, proceed to the cross, and then to the resurrection victory in Jesus.
I. Presenting God (vv. 23-26)
1. Quite often men present God as wanting to do something for them and then seek their permission to do so.
2. We would rather introduce Him as He is approached here:
1) Thou art God
2) It is You that has made Heaven and earth, the sea and all concerning them. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1”
3) As He who is fully aware of the raging of the heathen and the vanity of the thoughts of men.
4) The kings of the earth are no match for Him.
3. It is the Glory of God that is to be presented with the preeminence of His glory declared.
4. Other declarations of His eternal sovereignty:
1) Elijah on Mt. Carmel: “…let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel…”
2) David concerning the promise made to him: “And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:” 1 Chronicles 17:26.
3) The Psalmist: “Psalm 86:10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.”
4) From Moses: “Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
II. The Justice of God (vv. 27-28)
1. Consider the state of man: Heart is wicked, All have sinned, none righteous, no seeking after God.
2. “Thy Holy Child Jesus…” declared.
3. The opposition noted:
1) Herod – most wicked of earthly kings
2) Pontius Pilate – The Roman governor
3) The Gentiles – sunk into the depths of depravity
4) The people of Israel – “We will not have this man to rule over us.”
4. The overruling counsel of God and His determination. V. 27.
1) There is something God cannot do – He cannot forgive our sin arbitrarily.
2) The Justice of God demands satisfaction!
3) It is here that the Cross comes into the Gospel presentation.
i. Consider: He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11).
ii. And also, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
5. After all, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (Romans 8:33)
III. The prayer we should embrace (vv. 29-31)
1. He has risen and is actively engaged in the lives of His people!
1) Presentation of the Gospel is not complete without the resurrection victory in Jesus.
2) He has ascended and reigns supremely.
2. We are to claim the power of His resurrection: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…”
3. The heathen continues to rage and imagine vain things.
4. They prayed for boldness to speak the Word and so should we.
5. It is to be in the name of “Thy Holy Child Jesus.”
6. Their prayer was answered!!!
