“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” Acts 4:1-13 03/22/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles

Acts 4:1-2, NIV 1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

Acts 4:3-4, NIV 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

Acts 4:13, NIV 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” Our Lord is alive. 23 “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23)

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” 15 He who has ears, let him hear. (Matt. 11:15) It looks as if Jesus’ call is such that its claim has the power to turns wimps into witnesses.

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” A wimp is a slang term. “A person who is regarded as weak or ineffectual.” “Someone who acts in a timid or cowardly fashion” (dictionary.com).

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” Chicken, cowardly, fearful, gutless, lily-livered, pusillanimous, scared, timid, unmanly, weak-kneed, yellow. (thesaurus.com) In a certain sense that pretty much describes the followers of Jesus before the resurrection.

Matthew 16:21, NIV 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” The disciples didn’t like or understand what Jesus told them. All they could do was follow. It was a frustrating sort of bravery. Have you ever seen something really big happen right in front of your eyes?

World Trade Center, New York City

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” Now try to imagine when Jesus died, how the disciples felt. But something happened. The men scared for their own lives became witnesses.

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” Regular people, who were not known for bravery, were suddenly willing to lose everything. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (Acts 5:41)

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” What happened? They saw something gigantic which didn’t make them feel powerless. They saw Jesus Christ alive. Sisters and brothers in Christ, you are witnesses too.

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” You are the world’s greatest expert on the things that God has done for you. 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” Jesus is completely able and ready to astonish the world with his hand on your life. He is turning wimps into witnesses today. Conclusion

“From Wimps 2 Witnesses” Acts 4:1-13 03/22/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles