My quick notes for a sermon through Acts 4:1-30
Acts 1:8 – Power & Direction
Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Ends of the Earth.
Acts 4: Verse 2 – “Greatly Disturbed”
1. the Sadducees did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah
2. & they did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
vv. 3-4 – Luke points out something here in these two verses: you can place the apostles in jail but the Gospel cannot be stopped!
This is an outline of Daniel 3, I am using for a message for students on the topic of Leadership. Feel free to use this, and make it your own. Leave a comment if you used this outline or changed it to fit your audience. Thanks.
Daniel Chapter 3
What is Leadership? (This is not rhetorical)
Definition: Leadership is the act of the will to follow a belief, or conviction no matter the cost to one’s self, reputation or lifestyle. Leadership is to remain loyal to one’s convictions or belief in the face of adversity and opposition. (this is the definition that I have come up with)
Transition: Tonight I would like to look at 4 guys in the OT that are connected forever in history with a furnace of fire. Before we get into the story, I need to share some info that will help us in our journey to understanding Leadership. First, Daniel and the three amigos were Israelites – God’s Chosen people – who were overtaken by the Babylonians, and made exiles.
Second, Exiles = some Israelites were taken from Kingdom of Judah to Babylon and Third, If you don’t have a conviction worth EVERYTHING you won’t be able to see it through.
Vv. 1-7, 12
I. Leaders have their priorities in check.
- Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego chose the proper thing to do! They choose to live for God worshipping ONLY Him when there were other things to worship.
Exodus 20:2-4, Psalm 95:6, Romans 12:1-2
We do not think of ourselves as a worshiping culture, let alone an idolatrous culture, but our behavior suggests otherwise. Consider our weekly gatherings of up to 100,000 frenzied fans observing a ceremony of men dressed in strange garb acting out a violent drama of conquest. Others stay at home and join in by way of a small glowing shrine set up in the family room. Fans of professional football are probably not even aware that their behavior could be described as worship.
Or consider the way thousands of young people scream and throw themselves at the stage where their rock-star idols are performing. Human beings were created to worship.
Definition: To worship is to ascribe ultimate value to an object, person, or god-and then to revere, adore, pay homage to, and obey by ordering the priorities of our lives around that which we worship.
The Bible teaches that God alone is worthy of our worship.
Transition: In order to be the LEADER you were meant to be we must align our priorities the correct way! God is first. Are your priorities out of order? Are you worshipping God or has something else taken you affections?
Leaders are not worried about their reputation. Leaders are driven by their convictions or beliefs standing in the face of opposition. Even if it means standing when everyone else is bowing to the world around them…
Vv. 13-18
II. Leaders do NOT conform for the sake of safety. LEADERS STAND UP..
Have you ever heard the proverb or statement, There is safety in numbers.??? Leaders are not concerned with this concept! Think about a time in school or wherever, and you decided to stick with the crowd instead of standing out..
Joshua 24:15, Isaiah 51:7, Hebrews 11
Leaders make the decision despite of safety.
The right decision is not always the safest one, at least temporarily. Have faith that God will always do what is eternally right in your life, even though it may seem difficult to you at the time. (Philippians 1:6)
Transition: In order to be a LEADER who stands up for God, You must make the tough decisions even if it means that we must praise God, even when we are in dangerous situations…
Vv. 19-30
III. Leaders point others to their SOURCE of conviction.
There are two ways to point others to God. Direct and Indirect.
- Direct: This type of pointing comes from what we say, post or tweet! What are you directly pointing others too?
EXAMPLE: (DIRECT) Have you ever been around somebody that constantly brought everything back to God in some sort of praise? You were annoyed right? We should be the same way!
Psalm 106:2, Philippians 4:4(rejoice in the Lord always)
In-Direct: This type of leadership is a word-of-mouth type of pointing. Others who hear what you say tell other people what you’re all about. What are others saying about you?
EXAMPLE: (IN-DIRECT) verses 27-29
How are you being perceived? What are you saying? What are you posting? If you want to be the LEADER you were created to be THINK about what you are projecting to others? POINT others to the source of your LIFE!
APPLICATION: Proverbs 3:5-6
In my daily life, I will seek God in all that I do.
POP QUIZ!
Ever taken a test? Kind of like a pop quiz? But this test only had one question, and everything leading up to this (all the studying, preparation, even the future) would rise or fall according to how well you performed on this quiz? Think about a quiz so important that it could literally change your life. Everything rides on this quiz, and only you can take it. This isn’t a quiz to take haphazardly or think of it as just a bad day and there will extra credit at the end of the semester. It is a question that no one can escape or avoid (ignored).
- READ THE PASSAGE
MATTHEW 16:13-17
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ (Messiah) the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in Heaven.
For two and a half years Jesus had been moving toward this moment, teaching and re-teaching, affirming and re-affirming, demonstrating and re-demonstrating, building and re-building the truth of who He was in order to completely and securely build the foundation in the hearts and minds of the disciples.
During the previous months preceding this moment the crowds were getting larger and they wanted to make Him their King a political deliverer from Herod and the bondage of Rome! And in the crowds the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the teachers of the law wanted to get rid of Him.
In Luke 9:18; Jesus spent time in prayer with the Father before He posed this one question. He saw the magnitude of this all important question and one day all people of every nation of every religion must give an answer.
——————————————————————————————
(transition)
Jesus gives an introduction to the test,
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
It was not that Jesus was unaware of what people were saying about Him but He wanted the disciples to think carefully about the popular answers.
vv. 13b-14
I. The wrong answer!
The disciples gave the answers:
1. John the Baptist Matt. 14:1-2
2. Elijah Malachi. 4:5
3. Jeremiah or a Prophet of old.
In these three instances He was considered to be only the forerunner to the coming Messiah. How about some contemporary thoughts:
- Jesus was the founder of Christianity
- A political revolutionary
- A philosopher (who taught about love and nonviolence)
- Wise teacher
- Jesus is a brand of blue jeans (Jesus jeans and Judas jeans Italy)
- He was insane or crazy
- A great prophet though not the Son of God
Since Jesus’ day people often speak highly of Him without accepting Him as being Savior and Lord.
- Pilate said, “I find no guilt in this man.”
- Napoleon said “I know men, and Jesus was no mere man.”
- Some in our own day say He was a Superstar. - Jesus is my homeboy…
But all these titles and descriptions fall short of identifying Jesus as He fully is… The Messiah, God in human flesh, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Forever and ever. Amen.
*If we get this question wrong it will lead to an eternity separated from God.
——————————————————————————————
(transition) The pop quiz…
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ (Messiah) the Son of the living God.”
Now the disciples had to answer for themselves.
vv. 15-16
II. The right answer!
Have you ever aced a test? How did it feel? Peter aced the test. But like Peter we at times miss the mark. Some days Peter was unstoppable, and others he denied he even knew who Jesus was. Even after Peter answered the question the disciples would still experience times of weakness and confusion about what Jesus said and did but they would no longer doubt who it was who said and did them. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Colossians 1:15-20, Philippians 2:6-11, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10
vv. 17
III. No Cramming!
(Transition) As a result of Peter’s answer Jesus calls him “blessed”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in Heaven.
If you’re anything like me, the night before the test sometimes even hours before the test you CRAM! I mean an all out attack on facts and figures jamming things inside your head as if there were no tomorrow! In this verse Jesus reveals that for this test you can’t cram…
APPLICATION:
Who do you say Jesus is? Is He your Lord and Savior? Or, is He just another man…
READ
Matthew 22:37-40 (GREAT COMMANDMENT)
37Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
THINK
Consider the “most important” command that Jesus links to all of God’s law.
- Why, do you think it is the most important command?
- Why is it a command?
- Why do you think that the second command is like it?
- Reflect on the verse and how it matches up to your life. Dig deeper into what makes motivates you to love God and others.
PRAY
Spend time praying to God, ask Him for guidance and for help to love others more completely.
LIVE
Practice living this life of love toward other people.
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GO!
READ
Matthew 28:18-20 (GREAT COMMISSION)
18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
THINK
Think about 2 Timothy 3:16,…
- Examine why we follow the Great commission, and get to know this part of God’s heart.
- Appreciate these words for what they are: words from His mouth!
- Think about what these words might look like “alive” in your life.
PRAY
Listen to God speaks to your heart about His words here. Allow Him to transform you and lead you toward more of His best. If he brings specific people to mind that He’s wanting you to speak to about Him. If you are lacking in this command…ask for forgiveness.
Then focus on His promise: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
LIVE
When we focus on God’s commands no matter how difficult or scary, we grab onto real life!
Moments
- Do you ever think about moments? You know, “stop and smell the roses.”
– or take the moment in…live in the moment…
- A moment is defined as,
“an indefinitely short period of time which has important effects or influence on the future.”
- Life is filled with moments of every shape and size such as: The moment we decide to stand up to our parents, get a job, get married or moments of tragedy, the moment we are diagnosed with an illness, or death of a family moment, the loss of a job or spouse…etc.
- There are many moments that shape who we are and what we become…
- The Bible is filled with moments and people who are defined by them.
- Adam and Eve (In a moment they disobeyed God)
- Abraham in a moment decided to follow God
- Moses In a moment killed a man, and experienced God’s purpose (led slaves)
- Job had a moment to curse God and die, but his faith in God stood strong
- The disciples had a moment to follow a man they knew nothing about to eventually change the world
Scriptural Examples:
- Jesus’ Baptism – Matthew 3:16
– As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.
- Temple curtain torn (crucifixion) Matthew 27:51
-At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
- Peter’s denial of Jesus – John 18:27
– Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
- Paul received his sight – Acts 22:13
– He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.
READ: Mark 2:1-12
1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .” He said to the paralytic, 11“I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
- These men where in a moment…
- Jesus had come home! Jesus was in the city he was actually there! This was a huge moment and just before this Jesus was baptized and the voice of God anointed Him, he had been healing many and He was back!
- They had a chance to go and hear Jesus preach
- They made the most of this moment they had brought a friend to Jesus!
vv1-5
I. The friends saw the importance of the moment!
Colossians 4:2-6
Vv6-10
II. The religious leaders missed the moment!
John 1:10-11
- They missed what Jesus was all about He came to save that which is lost, from Genesis to Revelation God is redeeming humanity back to himself…
– Isaiah 54:7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
– Isaiah 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.
- The religious leaders were busy thinking about how things were being done and not on who was doing them…
vv11-12
III. Is our church experiencing never before seen moments!
Ephesians 5:14b-16a
APPLICATION:
What will you do with your life? What will you do with the moments God has given you…
Acts 17:24-28
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’
John D.: Great insight from the OT! More believers should hear/read the importa...
Ryan Marcum: Thanks for reading and commenting!...
Marc: Good word brother!...
Sam: Thought provoking, but what would the world look like if there were no...
Don: I really like your posts on leadership! They are short and sweet but m...
