January 28-29, 2006, Acts 3-4

GO FISH!
WHY FISH?

TO FOLLOW IS TO FISH!

*** Acts 1:8a "When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere..." [New Living Translation]

*** Acts 3:1-10 "One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. [4] Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" [5] So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
[6] Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."
[New International Version]

*** Acts 4:18-20 "Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. [20] For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." [NIV]

- IT’S NOT ABOUT COMPARATIVE THEOLOGY!

- IT’S ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND HEARD ABOUT JESUS!

CHANGED HISTORY TO HIS STORY!

What is it that they saw and heard that:

- caused them risk their lives for it?

- caused them to jettison what most everyone believed & follow Jesus?

- caused them to say, "even if you put me in prison & kill me, I'll still tell!"

*** Acts 4:5-6 "The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. [6] Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family." [NIV]

*** Acts 4:7 "They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"

*** Acts 4:8-12 "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! [9] If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, [10] then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. [11] He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' [12] Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

*** Acts 4:13 "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." [NIV]

WE HAVE TO FISH BECAUSE:

- THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION ISN'T INTUITIVE!

*** Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." [NIV]

GOOD PEOPLE AREN'T SAVED,
FORGIVEN PEOPLE ARE SAVED!

WHY DO WE FISH?

- BECAUSE OUR FAITH IS GROUNDED IN HIS STORY!

- BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW HISTORY UNLESS SOMEONE TELLS YOU!

SO...GO FISH!