I’ve been reading in the book of Acts this week during my morning prayer time. In chapter 4 there is a great story about Peter and John being dragged before the Jewish rulers. Peter had just healed a man, and the 3000 who accepted Christ at Pentecost had already grown to 5000 converts.
Christian community puts the joy in life. Have you found a LifeGroup?
The high priest, rulers and elders were beside themselves. This whole Jesus movement was getting out of control. They were not sure what to do, but they knew they must do something. So after a night in jail, Peter and John were dragged before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish ruling council). Following an interrogation, they were commanded never to speak or teach in the name of Jesus again.
I love their reply, found in Acts 4:19-20. “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Have you ever had something you just couldn’t help but talk about? Perhaps it was a new restaurant you visited or a movie you were blown away by? I still remember Superbowl LI when the Patriots came back from a 25 point deficit to win in overtime. People couldn’t help but talk about it for days, even weeks.
For the disciples, that was Jesus. After hearing him teach, watching him heal, witnessing his resurrection, they couldn’t help but share the good news about him. What they had experienced in Jesus had so transformed their lives that they just couldn’t keep themselves from telling others about him.
That’s how I want to live. I desire a life so transformed by the gospel, so impacted by Jesus, that I can’t help but share him. For the disciples, there were many forces that sought to silence them. And even in our culture today, there are those who would seek to suppress the proclamation of the gospel.
But may it be said of us that we have been so powerfully transformed by the love and forgiveness of Christ that we can’t help but tell everyone!
Have a blessed week. I look forward to having us all together this weekend as we continue to explore the life of Peter. You won’t want to miss it.
God bless,
Pastor Steve