Big Idea: God uses opposition to grow His Church!
Signs That Confirm
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:6-8 (ESV)
Truth Respectfully Shared With The People
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it, he addressed the people: … 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts 3:11-12, 16 (ESV)
Truth Shared with the Religious Establishment
10 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. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 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.” Acts 4:10-12 (ESV)
Opposition to the Church Begins
18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. Acts 5:18-22 (ESV)
Six Effects of Opposition
- Opposition Led to Boldness
- Opposition Led to Community Oneness
- Opposition Revealed Sin
- Opposition Opened Doors for Greater Ministry
- Opposition Led to Jealousy
- Opposition Did Not Stop God’s Sovereign Purposes and Plans
How Do We Keep Growing in Boldness, Oneness, Christlikeness?
- We continue to believe the God of the 1st Century is the same today as He was 2000 years ago.
- We continue to pray for boldness and open doors.
- We show our love by loving one another.
- We also need to accept that when we speak and serve in the name of Christ and share the gospel we will be opposed.
- Start where we are.