God’s Word Will Prevail

GETTING STARTED

So often I am frustrated by my efforts to clean my car when it just gets dirty all over again so quickly. It makes me not want to clean it ever again! Do you ever feel the same way? Or when you are sitting in traffic and you haven’t moved but just a few feet over the course of a few minutes? It is frustrating, isn’t it? In today’s passage, Peter and John have been faithful to deliver the news of the risen Christ. But they are seemingly thwarted.

  • What things frustrate you when you are trying to accomplish something important?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 4:1-4 (ESV)

4:1 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.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Who came to Peter and John as they were speaking to the people (vs. 1)? Why does verse 2 say they were “greatly annoyed”?
  2. What did these people do to Peter and John in verse 3?
  3. What is the result of all this activity in verse 4? Why is this important?
  4. In the midst of all the upheaval in the world today, how are you encouraged by the truth that God’s Word prevails?

RESPOND TO GOD

Peter and John had given their lives to Christ and to furthering God’s kingdom. The arrest of Peter and John was important because they didn’t labor in vain. The effort of the apostles in this passage proves the Word of God will prevail. Many came to faith in Christ despite both Jews and Gentiles allied against Christ. God and the power of the gospel can still work despite interference. We all have opposition, and whether it’s circumstances or people or even ourselves at times, God is bigger and can still spread his Word through us. God can share the gospel through us even in conflict. He alone is in charge of the results.

  • Pray and ask God to make you brave and bold in sharing about Christ with others.
  • Thank God that he alone is in charge of the results, and remember, your efforts are not in vain.