October 15, 2018: SOAP #3238:  Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1-2; Acts 4

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 4:13 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. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say….
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.

Observation:  In Acts 3:2, we read that the man was crippled from birth.  Every day he was carried to the temple gates to beg.  He accompanied Peter and John into the temple walking and jumping.  In Acts 3:10 we see the people recognized him.  They were familiar with this man.  This caused quite a stir among the people.  The number of believers grew to 5000!  It was a big deal.

The religious leaders put Peter and John in jail for the night and questioned them the next day.  They had trouble deciding what to do with these whose actions had drawn such a crowd.  They had three problems:  the beggar who was seated every day at the temple gates was present; he was well known (even by the religious leaders); and he was standing!

Application:  May I be living evidence that God is at work today!  My presence in the world allows people to evaluate my life.  The people who know me best should be able to verify that God is at work in me.  And I should stand for God and with His people.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, make my life an example of what it means to love and serve Jesus. May people see that it is my joy and privilege to serve you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!