Cultures In Collision
ACTS 4:13 NLT
The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
ACTS 4:2-3 NLT
These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. 3 {so} They arrested them…
ACTS 4:15-17 NLT
So they ordered Peter and John out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves. 16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked each other. “We can’t deny that they have performed a miraculous sign, and everybody in Jerusalem knows about it.
If Christ has called us to BUILD THE CHURCH, the Enemy will also have a Demonic agenda to DESTROY IT!
2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-5 NKJV
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
HOW DO WE CHOOSE KINGDOM OVER CULTURE?
- FEAR GOD OVER MAN
ACTS 4:18-20 NLT
18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
GALATIANS 1:10 NLT
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be a servant of Christ.
If any authority comes to a Christian and tells him or her that they may not pray, worship, preach, tithe, or do any of the things that God commands, that Christian not only may disobey, but they must disobey.
-R.C. Sproul
John 15:18-21 NIV
18“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ b If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
ROMANS 8:17 NLT
17And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
1 Peter 4:13 BSB
But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
We want to be LIKED more than we want to accept the responsibility to LEAD.
HOW DO WE CHOOSE KINGDOM OVER CULTURE?
- FEAR GOD OVER MAN
- BELIEVE GOD FOR BOLDNESS
ACTS 4:21-23 NLT
21 The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God 22 for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years. 23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.
Psalm 2:1-2 NLT
Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one.
KEYS TO WALKING IN BOLDNESS:
- Remember WHO God is
ACTS 4:27-30 NLT
27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.
KEYS TO WALKING IN BOLDNESS
- Remember WHO God is…
- Remember HOW God moves
ACTS 4:29-30 NLT
29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant, Jesus.”
ACTS 4:31 NLT
31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
KEYS TO WALKING IN BOLDNESS
- Remember WHO God is…
- Remember HOW God moves…
- Know WHAT God gives…
HOW DO WE CHOOSE KINGDOM OVER CULTURE?
- FEAR GOD OVER MAN
- BELIEVE GOD FOR BOLDNESS
- WALK TOGETHER IN UNITY
ACTS 4:32-33
32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.
5 OUTREACH SUGGESTIONS
- Donating to your local co-op/food pantry
- Writing thank you cards for the school faculty
- Taking Desserts to first responders
- Trash clean-up around your neighborhood
- Hosting a watch party for Easter
JOHN 15:34-35 ESV
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Maybe you made a decision to follow Jesus today, or maybe you’re curious what life with Him is all about. Wherever you are on your journey, we invite you to share with us so we can help you discover your next step.
