Homiletics Acts 4

 Acts 4:1-37

Content:

1. The powers that be disturbed by apostles teaching Jesus and his resurrection. 1-2
2. Peter and John put in jail yet many believe in Jesus. 3-4
3. the rulers question their authority and power to heal. 5-7
4. Peter concisely and clearly responds, Jesus who you killed is means for salvation. 8-12
5. Rulers astounded at uneducated men's courage, noting they'd been with Jesus. 13-14
6. Rulers ask what can we do - can't deny the miracle but don't want "this" spreading. 15-17
7. Rulers demand "no Jesus stuff" and Peter and John say "not happening." 18-20
8. Rulers let them go with threats but no real punishment. 21-22
9. John and Peter return to believers, praising and praying with scripture. 23-26
10. They acknowledge God's sovereignty. 27-28
11. They pray for boldness and miracles29-30
12. Holy Spirit filled, the spoke word of God boldly. 31
13. All believers united sharing what they had, taking care of one another's needs. 32-35
14. Joseph (Barnabus) sold a field giving proceeds to the apostles. 36-37

Divisions:

1. Peter and John cause disturbance among Jewish leaders due to miracles thus spend time in jail. 1-22
2. Peter and John praise God, praying for boldness. 23-31
3. Believers are united and generous towards one another. 32-37

Subject Sentence: (couldn't decide. So sharing all three I came up with)

• Peter and John opposed for miracle but respond boldly unshaken.
• Peter and John jailed yet respond boldly unshaken empowered by HolySpirit. (I like to count Holy Spirit as one one word even sometimes simply using HS.  I know its not grammatically correct,)
• Rulers imprison Peter and John,  yet they are boldly unshaken. 

Aim: once again sharing two aims I came up with

TCMT (to cause me to) not be afraid to cause a disturbance by speaking truth about Jesus, trusting the Holy Spirit to empower me with boldness.

 TCMT to respond to the difficulties resulting from commitment to Jesus with praise, prayer and community.

Application (using the second aim)

1. What disturbance to others or perhaps in my own life may I be causing as a result of obedience to Jesus and his teaching? 
2. What would it look like in my live to respond to the difficulties with praise of God, refocus on Jesus and prayer for boldness.
3. What does community with believers for mutual encouragement and strengthening look like in my life? Is there something I need to give away or receive?