They Realized They Had Been With Jesus

Text: Acts 4:1-22

Good morning to all who have gathered here at the West Side Church of Christ this morning to honour and praise our great God!
I don't know how many here have ever had this experience or not, but have you ever been around someone or a group of people and soon you begin to take on their traits?
Perhaps other people can look at you and realize who you have been with.
When I lived at home, many times my dad and I would go out together and every where we went people would often say there's a father and son. We spoke the same, looked the same and even joked the same. One particular incident that sticks out in my mind was a time just before their 25th anniversary in 92.
A dear friend of my parent's from Pennsylvania who was one of the two men that studied with my dad and baptized him into Christ when I was just a boy was coming up. So he called the house and we talked and talked for about half an hour. Everything seemed normal until he said these words to me "you be careful, you've got that French blood in you and it can make you a little wild."
Now, I still thought things were all right but then he said "and leave Ellen alone a bit." Then it struck me and I told him "I think you've got the wrong person." Then he spent another 1/2 hour explaining the surprise at how similar we sound on the phone.
The point is you can tell that I came from my Dad. You can tell that I have been with him.
There are many things in this life that show who or what we have been hanging around.

Please turn to the book of Acts and the 3rd and 4th chapters.
One of the most amazing stories in the history of the world is the great success that the early church under the direction of the apostles had. These men went throughout their lives preaching and teaching about Jesus and they became the greatest men who ever lived.
In their early years being discipled under the leadership of Jesus, these men witnessed how time and time again, Jesus would be confronted by his opponents and never back down and never lose an argument!
Well, in Acts chapter 4, it is Peter and John's turn to face opposition.
How would they fare?
What would stand out about them?

To understand the confrontation we have to set it up a bit.
So, beginning in Acts 3 we have the account of Peter and John meeting the beggar at the gate of the temple.
From vs.1-9 - we have the account of how the man asked them for money (3) and Peter and John gave this great reply: "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." (6)
The rest of the story has the man jumping up and down and praising God and really causing a commotion (9).
So, this sets up vs.12-26 - which is Peter's second sermon.
This is a magnificent speech, and it parallels the first sermon Peter gave in Acts 2- read with me…
Notice- Peter charges the Jews with delivering up and denying the innocent Christ.
God glorified Jesus
The Jews killed or murdered the Holy & Just one, the Prince (leader) of life.
But, God raised him from the dead!
Then like in Acts 2, Peter says this all goes with prophecy: Moses, Samuel & others following.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise.
God sent Jesus to bless the Jews first and yet they killed him.
But they can be forgiven because of him.
The responses "I can't bear the thought that I sentenced the Messiah to death" and yet they could be forgiven!"

What a beautiful sermon.
If every man and woman on the face of the earth could hear that message we would be better off. You know, we need to be determined that we make sure people hear that!
Anyway, what type of reaction did this whole thing bring about?
Go to chapter 4!
Now, Peter & John have rustled some feathers!
Vs.1-4! I don't know how many days this was after Pentecost but I do not believe it is a tremendous amount of time but look the number has grown from 3,000 souls to 5,000 men!
Now just imagine a short time earlier there were only 120 members of this group and then wham, 3000 added to them and now 5000 men!
I mean they are moving and they are a force in the city of Jerusalem that has to be reckoned with!
So, opposition comes right here!
Luke 12:11,12- they knew this was coming! It was just logical that if Jesus were such a controversial figure, they who preached about him would be as well!
But, there was a promise that they would have help! Praise God!
Now, some that bother him here are the Sadducees. Why?
Look at Matthew 22:23-they don't believe in the very thing that Peter and John are preaching!
The big question-
vs.7- by what power (authority) or by what name do you do this?
This is the same question that Jesus was asked in Matthew 21:23!
To do something in someone's name means to do it by his authority. Colossians 3:17!
What were they asked though?
What did "this" refer to? Miracle? Preaching? What?
It's interesting to remember that Peter and John both had seen this assembly before in John 18:12-23!
Vs.8,9- Peter doesn't lose his wit: if we are being judged for doing something good!
Like Jesus- judged for making a man well on the Sabbath!
Are you judging us because this cripple can now walk?
Vs.10-12- Peter now preaches a very powerful sermon- it's only 81 words long in the NKJV!
You have just opened the door for me and I am going to seize this opportunity!
Let me tell you something!
Something has really changed about Peter here: I will not deny my Lord this day! Jesus is the only reason for this man's well being- he is the corner stone of God's building and He is the only source of salvation!
Vs.13- They saw their boldness!
Peter and John were not timid. They were not ashamed, they were bold!
Then, they were untrained and uneducated men and the assembly marveled!
We are the scholars, we are the ones who went to rabbi school, yet they've quoted the scriptures and it is a more reasonable interpretation than we have ever given. How come they are not afraid to speak about the things of God in our presence? 1 Corinthians 1:27!
What is the conclusion?
"they realized they had been with Jesus"!

This is the greatest compliment that could ever be paid any mortal living on this earth!
Our quest in this earth and our goal in accomplishing the Master's business of bringing his message to the lost of the world is that people need to realize that we have been with Jesus!

It was not by simply going to worship.
Going to worship is necessary and people need to see that if we are members of the church, the church is a priority to us. There is a lot of people however that are church attendees but not attentive. They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof! (2 Timothy 3:5)

It began with a good deed!
A good deed, not done to attract a large crowd, but just a good deed!
Look at Jesus- John 1:14, Acts 10:38! Jesus did good!
We need to do that.
Are you a follower of Jesus? Yes, how does it show? Matthew 5:14-16, John 15:8, 1 Peter 2:12

They took no glory but gave all glory to Jesus!
Acts 3:6- in the name of Jesus Christ. Vs.12,13,16- through Jesus. 4:10-12- through Jesus!
I believe this is what is meant by Ephesians 3:21! No one should become a follower of us or dependant on us! 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

They preached the message!
It did not stop with "example". Their example rather included telling about Jesus. (Acts 1:1) When they saw their boldness & uneducated & untrained- they had been with Jesus!
You don't have to be schooled in what the scholars say to tell what Matthew, Mark, Luke & John say!
One last thing: note the assembly's response:
Acts 4:14- they said nothing!
Why? They should have asked that great question, "what shall we do?"
My friends, what are we passionate about?
Who do we spend our time with that people can identify us with?
Peter expressed the urgency for us in 1 Peter 4:17-19
I would encourage you this morning if you never have done so before to believe in the message of Jesus that he is the risen Son of God and in him only is life, will you come repent of past sins and be baptized so you might have life?

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