Date: 01-28-2020

Title: Powerful Speech

(S) cripture:
    Acts 4:1-2 (NIV) The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

(O) bservation:
    The leaders of the people were disturbed and tried to silence Peter and John because they were proclaiming that Jesus had risen from the dead. Their lives and places of power and prestige were at stake. People were becoming Christians and following the disciples instead of them. These preachers must be stopped. Why were they so fearful of this message? What was it that enraged them so? It was about power and authority over the people.
    

(A) pplication:
    This sounds a lot like our world today. There are some in government and other groups want to squelch any mention of faith in Christ. Somehow Christians have become the enemy of the state. Why is it that we are so afraid of the teachings of Jesus? In the guise of tolerance Christians are to be silent because we are the majority in our country. Where is tolerance when one group is told to be quiet. Problem is that for too long we as Christians have had a privileged status in America and now that that place if privilege is being challenged we get defensive. We respond by complaining and condemning and railing against those that would quiet our speech. I do not need to be combative or gripe and complain. I need to follow the example of Peter and John by simply continuing to live and speak the truth. When challenged I must speak the truth. Because someone or some government authority wants to quiet the church does not mean we are to be silent. With respect for all we are to continue to speak the truth, in love, concerning Jesus. As we do maybe just maybe some will respond in faith and follow Jesus. Today I will seek to speak the truth clearly and boldly. In the arena of ideas none compares to faith in the resurrected Christ, so speak clearly so that others might know the truth.
    

(P) rayer:
    Lord give me courage to speak even in the face of opposition and especially when those in political power try to quiet speech about Jesus. Let me live and speak in such a way that those who hear me will see Jesus. Amen