Day 3
Read Acts 4:1-4
God who is sovereign invites us to be his players in this world with boldness and confidence in his ability to use us as he chooses. What was the message that turned the world upside down? What were the two responses to the message given by the apostles?
In this passage, we read about Peter and John preaching the good news about Jesus. The fact that He died for our sins but conquered death and rose again! This message evoked two very different responses: on one hand, the government officials seized Peter and John and locked them up because they were greatly disturbed. On the other hand, this passage notes that others took Peter and John's message to heart and believed.
Why do you think the priests and Sadducees were so disturbed? And, on the other hand, comment on the fact that so many - about 5,000 - believed in the Good News all because of these two men. How does this relate to your own walk with God and what He's called you to do?
It is truly amazing to me the stark contrast in responses. I think this ties in to what we talked about over the weekend regarding the light and people far from God. When you are in the dark like the Sadducees were imagine how bright the truth of Jesus must have been. To get that kind of light shined on you would cause you to recoil and want to turn it off... Or lock them up. I do this in my own life. When I don't want to trust God with my finances or family difficulties or co-workers aren't I locking up the Holy Spirit?
ReplyDeleteI think it can't be overstated how powerfully the Holy Spirit can move in people when you speak the truth. I have been trying to let that motivate me at work lately and remember that even a little light can cause a major movement of the Holy Spirit.
Ron, I really appreciate your perspective on the 'stark contrast'. This wouldn't have been my first description of the two different reactions. Yes, they were opposites, but maybe it has to do with my lifetime of Christian-ness. Just today, Tim and Conner went to the Husker game. Normally, Conner is really bothered by loud noises (and I'm sure most of you know how loud a stadium can be). Yet, they were there early, so the loud was a steady, gradual increase. Then I think of the opposite -- when we went to the Toby Mac concert a couple years ago, and we were late getting there so the concert was in full force. Walking from the peaceful outside to the slamming music inside was the "stark contrast" that Ron describes above. My walk with Christ has been gradual, and I've never had the perspective of comparing Christ's love with another way of life. It's always been like that since I can remember. I'm so thankful for that, and yet, Ron, you have a very cool perspective. I'm kinda off track with the topic of 'players', but this is what was in my mind for this one. :) K
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