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CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS
ACTS 4:1-14
INTRODUCTION
The background to our text is found in Acts 3 and sets the stage for what happens in Acts 4.
We find there that Peter and John went to the temple to pray at 3:00 in the afternoon. At the entrance of the temple they encounter a man who had been lame since his birth and had to be carried around by others. This man had been laid at the gate of the temple to ask for alms from those that entered the temple. As Peter and John are about to enter the temple, this man ask alms of them.
Read Acts 3:4-7
A crown gathered because of what happened. Peter began to preach Jesus. The rest of Acts 3 gives us the message He preached.
Read Acts 4:1-14
Notice verse 13 again.
They saw some things.
They perceived some things.
They marveled at some things.
They took knowledge that they had been with Jesus.
Does anybody know from being around us that we’ve been with Jesus?
What are the characteristics of those who have been with Jesus?
I. PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS ARE FAITHFUL TO GOD.
A. These Men Were Faithful In Their Prayer Life. (3:1)
It was because of their faithfulness to prayer that they were given this opportunity to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 18:1–Jesus said that ". . .men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
Romans 12:12–says that we are to "continue instant in prayer;"
Ephesians 6:18--"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
Colossians 4:2--"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18--"Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1 Peter 4:7--"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
B. These Men Were Faithful In Their Witness. (3:18; 4:10)
Matthew 28:18-20--"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
1. They Seized Every Opportunity To Share Christ.
a. With The Lame Man
b. With The People Who Came Out To Them.
c. With The Council.
d. With Many Others To Come.
2. They Shared The Grace That Was Given To Them. (3:6)
3. They Weren’t Afraid Of The Naysayers. (4:29)
a. Some Will Respond Positively. (3:8-9, 4:4)
(Lame Man and the many who believed)
b. Some Will Respond Negatively. (4:1-2)
(Those who didn’t believe including the rulers)
John 15:18-21--"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me."
2 Timothy 1:7--"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Corinthians 2:14-16--"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?"
C. These Men Were Faithful In Their Message. (4:12)
Acts 5:42–“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:23–“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”
1 Corinthians 9:16–“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
2 Corinthians 4:5–“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
Colossians 1:28–“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”
2 Timothy 4:2–“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS ARE FAITHFUL TO GOD.
II. PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST. (4:8; 31)
A. The Fullness Of The Holy Spirit Was Evident From Their Words.
Boldness refers to all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity;
and it implies assurance of what is being said.
Romans 5:5–“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
1 Thessalonians 1:5–“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;”
Hebrews 10:22–“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith”
B. The Fullness Of The Holy Spirit Was Evident From Their Witness.
Acts 1:8--"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
C. The Fullness Of The Holy Spirit Was Evident From Their Works. (4:14)
When people see what we say we have done for the Lord, is the power of God evident in it.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS ARE FAITHFUL.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
III. PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS DO WHAT THEY DO IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
(3:6; 4:10)
A. To Do Something In The Name Of Jesus, You First Have To Be In Jesus.
Saved by grace through faith!
2 Corinthians 2:14–“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,”
Ephesians 1:3–“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
2 Timothy 1:9–“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
B. To Do Something In The Name Of Jesus, You Have To Do It According To His Will.
You had better watch out for the “Name It And Claim It” crowd.
God is not a great big Santa Claus up granting us our wish list.
This is about Him and His will, not about us.
We are to get our lives in tune with God and know what He wants. Then we pray according to His will.
John 14:13-14-- "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
John 16:23--"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."
1 John 5:14–“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
C. To Do Something In The Name Of Jesus, You Have To Do It For His Honor And His Glory.
(3:12-16; 4:10)
They weren’t out to make a name for themselves, but their desire was to lift up the precious name of Jesus.
Isaiah 42:8–“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another. . .”
2 Peter 3:18–“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
Revelation 5:10–“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
D. To Do Something In The Name Of Jesus, You Have To Do It In Faith Trusting God For The Results.
Hebrews 11:6–“But without faith it is impossible to please him:”
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS ARE FAITHFUL.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS DO WHAT THEY DO IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
VII. PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS ARE IN ONE ACCORD WITH OTHERS WHO
HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS.(4:24, 32-33)
John 13:34-35--"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye
also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
CONCLUSION
Can anybody tell you’ve been with Jesus? Have you been with Jesus?
1. Are You Faithful To God?
a. Faithful In Your Prayer Life?
b. Faithful In Your Witness?
c. Faithful In Your Message?
2. Are You Filled With The Holy Ghost?
a. Is It Evident From Your Words?
b. Is It Evident From Your Witness?
c. Is It Evident From Your Works?
3. Do You Do What You Do For God In The Name Of Jesus?
a. Are you in Jesus?
b. Do you do it according to His will?
c. Do you do it for His Honor and Glory?
d. Do you do it in faith trusting God for the results?
4. Are You In One Accord With Others Who Have Been With Jesus?
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!