ScriptureStream

Acts 4:1-31

Revelation 2:9-10

Acts 4:8 – Compare Peter’s actions in Luke 22:54-62.

Acts 4:7, 10, 12, 17, 18, 30 – “By the name of Jesus Christ”

The Greek word for name (onoma, 3686) can certainly refer to one’s appellations (“Jesus”, “Peter”, etc.), but it often refers to the person, not just their name. That can include the person’s authority, reputation, power, and so forth. Examples:

Matthew 10:22

Matthew 12:21

Matthew 19:29

Matthew 28:19

Luke 10:17

Luke 10:20

Luke 24:47

John 1:12

John 2:23

John 17:6

Acts 2:21

Acts 2:38

Acts 3:6

Acts 3:16

Acts 4:7

Acts 4:10

Acts 4:12

Acts 4:17

Acts 4:18

Acts 4:30

Acting in the name of Jesus is more than just saying His name. It’s acting by His authority.

Ephesians 1:20

Acts 4:24 – Contrast this demonstration of faith with Moses’ behavior in Exodus 5:22-23.

Acts 4:25 – See Psalms 2:1-12.

Luke 6:1-42

Luke 6:3-4 – The Sabbath was made for the benefit of man. There were exceptions to the general rule of refraining from work on the Sabbath.

Luke 6:12 – The length of Jesus’ prayers was governed by the subject of the prayer. Selection of the apostles was a very important decision and warranted much prayer.

Luke 6:20 – This is referring to those who are poor in spirit, not those who are physically poor. Compare Matthew 5:3.

Luke 6:29 – See John 18:22-23. Jesus was simply saying not to repay evil in kind.

Luke 6:30 – Compare II Thessalonians 3:10. The giving in this context is to fill a need. It is not in a business context.

Luke 6:37

See John 7:24. We are to judge with righteous judgment.

See Luke 17:3. We can’t forgive a man that won’t repent.

Luke 6:38 – Give with generosity and you will receive blessings in return.

Is there any difference between the Lord’s money and my money?

Acts 5:1-11 – Ananias and Sapphira lie to the Holy Spirit. Before the land was sold and the money given to God, it was under their control. When they brought the money to God, it was under apostolic control.

The Lord’s money is still under apostolic control.

I Timothy 5:16 – The individual was given a different responsibility than the church.

Since there is a difference, are there any restrictions on how the Lord’s money is used?

II Peter 1:3

II Timothy 3:16-17

Yes, the usage is restricted.

Since there are restrictions, how is it restricted?

For what is the Lord’s money to be used?

The local church is authorized to provide for means to worship God.

I Corinthians 9:14 – The local church is to support men to preach the gospel.

II Corinthians 11:8

Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-36 – The local church should relieve needy members in some circumstances.

What is the difference between using the Lord’s money for kitchens and fellowship halls and using instruments for worship? They both go beyond what is authorized.

Who is to oversee the use of the Lord’s money?

Acts 20:28

Elders of local churches have this responsibility. Their responsibility extends only to the work of their own local church.

I John 2:15

II Corinthians 2:11

Self-deception

Luke 18:9-14

I Corinthians 6:9-11

James 1:22-27 – Be a doer of the word! Don’t deceive your own heart.

I John 1:8-10

Be honest!

Defensiveness

Genesis 3:13

Galatians 5:14-15

Be humble! II Samuel 12:13 is a good example of humility in the face of sin.

Busyness

Luke 8:7, 14 – Don’t let the worries of this life choke out your good intentions!

Don’t dog paddle in the waters of busyness!

Luke 10:38-42

Luke 14:16-24 – Don’t reject God’s invitation!

Luke 12:29-31

Make God your priority!

Acts 3:6 – The lame man received two things much better than he expected: healing and the gospel!

Acts 3:11-26 – Peter’s 2nd sermon

Acts 3:14-15 – Peter accuses the people of disowning and murdering Jesus.

Peter cites three lives of evidence:

Acts 3:15 – Jesus’ resurrection.

Acts 3:16 – Jesus’ power healed this man.

Acts 3:18-25 – Prophecy.

Acts 4:4 – The message was what had caused people to believe and obey!

Light speed and light years

Genesis 1:1-5, 14-19

Psalms 147:4-5

The earth’s oceans

Ephesians 1:4, 7

Isaiah 46:9; 55:8-9

Job 38:4-11, 16, 18-19; 40:2; 42:1-6

Hebrews 12:28-29

Matthew 13:47-50 – The good and bad will be separated in the end.

Luke 16:24

Romans 8:21

Hebrews 2:3

I Peter 1:3-4

Matthew 27:54

Revelation 21:11, 18-23

Let us make time in our busy daily lives:

To stop!

To focus!

To appreciate the vastness of:

God’s creation!

God’s plan!

God’s punishment!

And be in awe!!

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 8, 6; 5:32-33

God laid out the path for His people. Joshua 1:7

Proverbs 4:26-27; Deuteronomy 12:32

Proverbs 30:5-6

An example

Numbers 22:18 – Balaam could only speak from God. He could not speak what originated from himself.

Numbers 24:13

I Peter 4:11

Revelation 22:18-19

II John 1:9

II Timothy 3:16-17

New Testament authority

Matthew 7:21 – It isn’t enough to just to say Jesus’ name.

Galatians 3:15; Psalms 89:34

Galatians 1:6-9

I Corinthians 4:6

Matthew 16:19; John 15:20; 7:23; 10:35 (Matthew 5:18-19)

John 14:26; 16:13

I Corinthians 2:6-13; II Peter 1:20-21

Acts 2:39

At times, inspired men didn’t fully understand what they themselves said or wrote as prophecy. I Peter 1:10-12; Daniel 12:8-9

[Sorry, no audio due to technical difficulties. -MRW]

Chapter 1: Trials

What is a trial? James 1:2

We are tested or approved.

How might trials look today?

Examples of trials à Conflicts, sufferings, troubles

Persecutions

Reasons we have trials (James 1:3-4)

Testing of your faith produces patience.

Trials fill the gaps in our character.

I Peter 1:6-7 (builds us up)

Romans 5:3-4 (perseverance, character, and hope)

Our attitude toward trials

Count it all joy – James 1:2

Be patient … let it have its work (James 1:3-4). Sometimes its turbulent. Matthew 14:25-32

James tells us “how to” endure trials.

If we lack wisdom (James 1:5) … ask of God … Pray.

But ask in faith and ask with no doubting. James 1:6

How can we doubt in prayer? Mark 11:23

Why is doubt wrong?

When we doubt we are tossed like waves driven by the wind.

This is how we gain wisdom. We endure trials and we ask in faith without doubting.

Remember that the wisdom of God starts with a genuine reverence for the Almighty. Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 9:10

Examples of trials

Trials and temptations (James 1:12-15)

There are blessings involved in enduring temptation.

Our reward is the crown of life that the Lord has promised.

It is possible to endure. James 1:12

Temptations are not from God. James 1:13

God is not tempted and does not tempt us. I Corinthians 10:13

James 1:14 – Temptation comes from our own desires.

James 1:15-16 – Desire leads to sin, sin leads to death.

Example: An addict … a habit, once acquired, eventually controls that person.

James 1:17-18 – Don’t be deceived, good and perfect gifts are from God. God doesn’t tempt us but our trials are there to strengthen us, to perfect and complete us.

Qualities we need