Listen

These are my notes from a sermon at my church Lakewood Baptist Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

If you would like to listen to the full sermon you can do so here.

Imagine you’re a delivery driver with a package that could change someone’s life forever. Your job isn’t to reinvent the contents or make it flashy—it’s simply to get it to the right address, intact and undamaged. That’s the vivid metaphor at the heart of this sermon on Acts 4:1-22, where Peter and John, fresh from healing a lame man in Jesus’ name (Acts 3), face intense pressure for proclaiming the gospel. As Christians, we’re all “delivery drivers” in the church, tasked with sharing the message of Christ. This passage isn’t just ancient history; it’s a blueprint for our relationship to the church, reminding us that our collective mission is to witness boldly, even amid opposition. Through themes of clarity, conflict, and courage, Acts 4 equips us to live out our faith publicly, strengthening our bond to the body of Christ.

Acts 4:1-22 NASB

​1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

The story unfolds right after Peter’s sermon in Acts 3, where he accuses the crowd of crucifying Jesus, the Messiah, yet offers hope through His resurrection. In Acts 4:1-4, as Peter and John speak to the people, the priests, temple captain, and Sadducees interrupt, “greatly annoyed” because they’re “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2). These leaders arrest them and hold them overnight. Yet, the gospel’s power shines through: “many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000” (Acts 4:4). This sets the stage for a trial before the Sanhedrin—the ruling council including Annas, Caiaphas, and others (Acts 4:5-7). They demand, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7).

Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:8), responds with unflinching clarity: “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” (Acts 4:10). He quotes Psalm 118:22, calling Jesus “the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone” (Acts 4:11). Then comes the exclusive claim: “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 4:12). The leaders are astonished at their boldness, recognizing “that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Unable to deny the miracle—the healed man, over 40 years old, stands as evidence (Acts 4:22)—they confer privately and warn them “to speak no more to anyone in this name” (Acts 4:17). Peter and John retort, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). After more threats, they’re released due to public support (Acts 4:21).

This narrative isn’t mere storytelling; it’s preparation for Christians today. As the sermon emphasizes, Luke records it “to prepare us for what often happens when we also bear witness about Christ.” In our relationship to the church, we’re not isolated believers but part of a community commissioned to deliver the gospel. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20—to make disciples, baptize, and teach—defines the church’s core assignment: making Jesus’ gospel “abundantly clear to a lost world.” Like delivery drivers, our role isn’t optional or exceptional; it’s expected faithfulness. We don’t pay extra for “delivery insurance”—clarity is part of the job.

First, gospel witnesses must speak with clarity. The apostles were “teaching” (explaining thoughtfully) and “proclaiming” (announcing publicly) (Acts 4:2). Peter anchors his message in Scripture, applying Psalm 118:22 to show Jesus as the rejected-yet-exalted cornerstone, despite human judgment. This clarity draws from authority: God’s Word. As Christians in the church, our relationship thrives when we prioritize clear teaching over vague activities. We’re not called to “be cute” or hide hard truths; our job is to make the gospel’s exclusivity obvious. Jesus is the only Savior because He’s uniquely able (eternally God, sinless, mediator) and willing (laying down His life, John 10:18). Echoing Jesus’ words, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6), Peter declares salvation’s universality: offered to all, even those who crucified Him. Where clarity reigns, God works powerfully—the gospel is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). In church life, this means small groups, sermons, and outreach should deliver the message without dilution, fostering growth and conversions.

Yet, clarity invites conflict—the second mark. The sermon warns: “Wherever there’s a commission to preach, there’s going to be conflict.” The leaders were “greatly annoyed” (Acts 4:2), arresting the apostles (Acts 4:3). This escalates to interrogation (Acts 4:7), attempts to silence (Acts 4:18), and threats (Acts 4:21). Persecution ranges from verbal insults to imprisonment or death, as Jesus predicted: “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you… on my account” (Matthew 5:11). In 2 Timothy 3:12, Paul adds, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Modern examples abound: friends disinviting you from gatherings, workplaces banning faith talk, or global believers facing beatings. For the church, this informs our relationship by building resilience. We’re not lone rangers; the body supports one another through prayer, encouragement, and shared witness. Conflict annoys those profiting from sin or rejecting Jesus’ lordship, but it validates true preaching. If no one is annoyed, something’s missing. As a church, we prepare members for this, equipping them to face HR departments, skeptical professors, or family tensions without compromise.

Finally, courage sustains us—the third mark. Peter addresses leaders respectfully as “rulers and elders” (Acts 4:8), showing strength under control (1 Peter 3:15: defend with “gentleness and respect”). He tactfully highlights the irony: interrogating a “good deed done to a crippled man” (Acts 4:9). Courage isn’t reckless; it’s wise, as Jesus taught: “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Its sources? The Holy Spirit’s filling (Acts 4:8), fulfilling Jesus’ promise (Luke 12:11-12; Acts 1:8). Time with Jesus: the leaders saw their boldness from being “with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Fear of God: prioritizing obedience “in the sight of God” (Acts 4:19). Divine compulsion: “we cannot but speak” (Acts 4:20), echoing Paul’s “woe to me if I do not preach” (1 Corinthians 9:16). In church relationships, courage means communal dependence on the Spirit, discipleship through Scripture, and accountability to speak publicly. Faith isn’t private; it’s the church’s public proclamation.

The name of Jesus echoes six times, representing His person and power. Salvation is in His name alone (Acts 4:12), sending us as witnesses. For non-believers, it’s an invitation to trust Him—who lived perfectly, died for sins, and rose victoriously. For Christians, it’s a call: Will we trust, speak clearly, and stand courageously for His name? In the church, this deepens our bond—united in mission, supporting each other through clarity’s demands, conflict’s trials, and courage’s empowerment. Like those early believers, let’s deliver the gospel faithfully, knowing God uses humble drivers to transform lives. May we embrace this role, making our church and our lives a beacon of bold witness.