Boldness
Acts 4:1-22
Peter and John Before the Council
4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
SERMON NOTES
“You may have never realized this, but people-pleasing is a form of idolatry. The first commandment in the Ten Commandments is, “Don’t have any gods before me.” Anything you put before God becomes a god...
When you are a people-pleaser, you have allowed something other than God to take first place. All of a sudden it becomes god in your life, because you are allowing the opinion of others to matters more than God’s opinion. What they think of you matters more than what God thinks of you. You don’t want to tell them you’re a Christian because they might think less of you. For example, you don’t want them to know you go to church because they may not like you. At that point, you have another god in your life. You have an idol.” -Rick Warren
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Peter and John are standing before the council because Jesus healed a lame man through their ministry. It is hard to believe that healing would case such a ruckus. Have you ever experienced opposition for doing good? How did you navigate through that experience?
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Peter and John would rather obey God versus human authority or power. How do you navigate through the challenges of keeping God first in your life? What measures of accountability do you have in your life in order to encourage you to stand up for Jesus rather than the pressure of society?
Scriptures to Consider
- Galatians 1:1-10
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4
- Proverbs 29:25
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, November 6
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women's Prayertime
7:00 pm Young Adults (offsite)
7:30 pm Monday Knight Men
TUESDAY, November 7
9:00 am Daybreak
7:00 pm Youth Studies
7:30 pm Biblical Response to Culture
WEDNESDAY, November 8
9:45 am Keenager’s Study
4:00 pm AWANA
5:30 pm TREK
6:30 pm AWANA
6:40 pm Road to Emmaus
6:40 pm Men’s Study
6:40 pm Soul Care
6:40 pm Truth Project Study
6:40 pm Worship & Prayer
THURSDAY, November 9
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey
7:00 pm Evening Edition
FRIDAY, November 10
7:30 YOUTH - Jr. High Only "Phobias"
SATURDAY , November 11
SUNDAY, October 12
9:15 & 11:15 am Worship Services
6:00 pm Hymn Sing
JOURNEY UPDATE
SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING has been postponed until November 26 at 1:00 pm. This training is required for anyone who works with youth or children. RSVP to Debbie.
WOMEN join us this Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00 pm for DEEP DISH. A time of connection, community, and conversation. We will meet in the Fireside Room and dessert and coffee will be served. All women are welcome to attend this casual evening.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoeboxes will be collected on November 12. Please include $10 for shipping of these care packages. Brochure and shoeboxes can be picked up at the Welcome Centre.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT If you have not already, please submit your pledge form. This will allow us to plan for the future with a full understanding of the ability and willingness of the congregation to support Phase 1. Pledge forms are available online or at the Welcome centre.
CHILI CHALLENGE cook off six Pastors, one winner. Come to the gym between services and after the 11:15 service November19 to taste test the options of chili made by each of the pastors. Proceeds go towards the Antigua Missions Team.
CELEBRATING GOD THROUGH ART
Join in creating a piece of corporate art celebrating God’s grace and love. Using paper provided create a piece of art to testify to how God has blessed our church family. The individual pieces will form an art installation that will be unveiled as funds are raised for Phase 1.
Paper and directions are available at the welcome centre. Questions? Email us.
DEEPER LIFE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY Want to earn your Theology degree or grow in your faith? Join us for our next Bible School Course:
Survey of the Old Testament I with Dr. Charles H. Gaulden on November 23 – 25. This will cover
the Pentateuch and 17 Old Testament Books describing their impact of the Scriptures. Contact Pastor Coreen to register by November 5.
CHRISTMAS UNPLUGGED Dessert Night -come out on Monday, December 4 at 7:00 pm for a Christmas comedy and music surprise! Featuring comedy by Leland Klassen and music by Dan Macaulay, this is a night you don’t want to miss. Tickets are $20 each at the Welcome Centre or church office. This event replaces the Dec. 1 one advertised in the Journey.
THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED on Monday, November 13 for the Remembrance Day holiday.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Weekly Update - Oct. 29,2017
General Fund giving Oct. 22 $ 21,534
18 Week Average $ 20,812
-Budget Requirement $24,327
Future Development Fund giving Oct. 29 $ 962
--Balance as of Oct. 29, 2017 $531,728
Monthly Update July1 to Oct. 31, 2017
General Fund:
Budget Shortfall $ 63,267
Year to date Shortfall $ 9,652
Global Advance giving $ 34,046
Canadian Ministries giving $ 9,290
PRAYER
Please pray for:
- Our International Workers: K.I., Jon & Andrea Bauer, Shelby Fehr.
- Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor Art Quist. Art is married to Betty and they have 3 married children.
- Our AdministrativeTeam Staff Member: Joanna Halliday. Joanna is married to Joel and they have 2 children ages 10 & 7.
- Our Elders Team Member: John Olsen. John is married to Arlene and they have 4 children ages 14, 12, 7 and 5.
- Pastors at Prayer Retreat November 6-9: Pastor Art & Betty Quist, Pastor Coreen & Dave Frey, Pastor Andrew & Amy Bugiera
Family Matters
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The Salvation Army “Adopt-A-Kettle” Campaign begins November 13 to December 23. If you are able to volunteer at various locations in Spruce Grove and Stony Plain call Fiona or Patricia at 780-458-1937 or email .
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Camp Nakamun’s Annual meeting will be held at the camp November18. All are welcome to attend. Call Daylene at 780-967-5585.