Boys and girls, waah, great singing, thank you the worship team Christine, Victorine and Tiffany, good job! Still remember what Teacher Yun talked about a miracle the apostles Peter and John performed by healing a crippled man to walk and jump?
Waah, what a powerful miracle Peter and John did! How could they be able to show the miracle? How could they make powerful preaching to the people leading three thousand people to accept Jesus, as they were never schooled and only knew how to fish? Who has the answer for this? Yes, they are by the Holy Spirit!
After Peter and John healed the crippled man, the people gathered around in surprise at the miracle that had taken place. Peter and John told the people about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the miracle was done by the faith in Jesus’ Name. As a matter of fact, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit, wasn’t it?
Many people believed and accepted Jesus as the Savior for their lives. Guess how many people believed in Jesus totally? Yes, the number of men who believed grew to about 5,000. The religious leaders in Jerusalem were jealous and worried about Peter and John’s spreading Jesus’ name, therefore, they captured Peter and John and put them in jail. At this moment, how do you think about Peter and John? Were they scared to death? No, totally no! The Holy Spirit not only gave the apostles power to perform the miracles but also gave them boldness and courage to witness Jesus’ name. In today’s talk Pastor would like to share you three points regarding the Holy Spirit’s empowerment of boldness given to Peter and John. And remember that the Holy Spirit 2000 years ago is the same Holy Spirit today, the empowerment He gave to Peter and John will also give to everyone of us, who are Jesus’ followers today.
- The Holy Spirit strengthened Peter and John’s faith to stand firm
Peter and John were brought before the religious leaders and were questioned, “By what power or name did you perform this miracle?” Let’s find out the answer from the Bible. Timothy, please read Acts 4:10-12 for us. Boys and girls, let’s read the verse together with Timothy.
[Read verses Acts 4:10-12]
10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
So, were Peter and John scared? NO, not at all! Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter then answered: “what we did is by the name of Jesus Christ whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead.” The faith of Peter and John was never intimidated, they clearly and courageously proclaimed the name of Jesus because they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Remember that Peter used to deny Jesus for three times before Jesus was crucified? But now he was so sure that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior. No one can be saved other than the name of Jesus. Shall we memorize this verse Acts 4:12 together? Ready, go! “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) What does this verse tell us? Well, it tells us that Jesus is the only salvation for all the human beings. Jesus is the only one to give us salvation to save us from the punishment of sins. Boys and girls, be sure you memorize this verse!
- The Holy Spirit gave Peter and John wisdom to talk wisely
Timothy will read verse 4:18-21, let’s read the verses together with Timothy. Ready, go!
[Read Acts 4:19-21] 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
Boys and girls, was it cool and wise that Peter and John asked the religious leader to judge whether they have to listen to God or to men? Boys and girls in our life, we may face challenge against us and we just don’t know how to reply or don’t know how to do. Remember to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom to handle the challenge wisely.
- The Holy Spirit gave Peter and John courage to share God’s words
When Peter and John left the religious leaders, they went back to the places where the believers gathered. And they told the believers the story happened. All the gathering believers prayed together. Timothy please read verse 4:27-31, and let’s read the verses together with Timothy. Ready, go!
[Read Acts 4:27-31] 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
God heard the believers’ prayer and something amazing happened immediately after their prayer. Verse 4:31 told us that there was an earthquake and the Holy Spirit gave them the power to speak God’s Word boldly.
This is an amazing story of how the Holy Spirit gave believers the boldness to share the Good News. Today if you have believed in the Name of Jesus you have the same Holy Spirit living inside you so you can have boldness and courage to follow Jesus and share the good news with others powerfully.
Boys and girls, let’s review the three points regarding the Holy Spirit we learned today:
- The Holy Spirit strengthened Peter and John’s faith to stand firm;
- The Holy Spirit gave Peter and John wisdom to talk wisely;
- The Holy Spirit gave Peter and John courage to share God’s words.
Remember those things the Holy Spirit not only gave to Peter and John but also gives to all the believers today. Pastor can receive them, you can receive them, as well. Just we need to respond to the Holy Spirit the three things below:
- Humble ourselves
Only we understand that we are unworthy, and with our own talents and skills we cannot achieve anything for God. We all need Jesus. And we need to be humble to submit ourselves to the command of the Lord Jesus.
- Trust in the Holy Spirit
Now we can fully trust in the Holy Spirit, who will empower us with the wisdom, strength, and gifts from above. When we are in trouble, in temptation, remember to put full faith, full trust in the Holy Spirit, asking for His guidance and His empowerment.
- Give glory to God
When the Holy Spirit help us win the victory, never be proud of ourselves and never put all the credit to ourselves. Remember to give thanks and give all the glory to God.
Boys and girls, let’s bow our head and pray: “Our heavenly father, thank you for your salvation in Jesus and for giving us the Holy Spirit, who is dwelling in our inner lives to guide us and strengthen us. We can be sensitive to sin to the temptation of Satan. And we can have boldness given by the Holy Spirit to have strong faith to stand firm in the Lord Jesus, to have wisdom and God’s word to win the victory against the challenges and schemes from Satan, and to have courage to share the gospel and God’s word boldly. Lord Jesus please help us be humble and obey your command. Help us fully trust in the Holy Spirit and we can give all the glory to God when we win a victory or a success. In the Lord Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!