Been with Jesus — Acts 4:13

Garden Valley Community Church

July 18^th 2021

“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 4:13 NLT

• Peter & John were not looking for a confrontation ~

they went to the Temple to pray,                              

NOT to preach, and NOT to get arrested

“The members of the council were amazed”

• Peter & John confronted the councils sin
• They expected Peter & John to cower in fear  

“When they saw the boldness of Peter & John”

• They were doing what ALL Christians were supposed to do (1 Peter 3:15)
• Impulsive shaky Peter became as solid as a rock

“for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures”

• Flavor of uneducated, lacking talent, unrefined
• Fact is they were fisherman by trade

“They also recognized them as men who had been WITH Jesus”

• NOT “around” Jesus ~ they were “WITH” Jesus
• Luke 24:44-45 NLT “Then  said,                       

“When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”

People who have been with Jesus _____________ !  

#1: John 1:14 “Jesus was full of grace & truth”

• Jesus spoke the truth with grace
• READ: Ephesians 4:15
• Jesus lived a life marked by Humility, Honesty, Approachability, Kindness, Truth Telling, Gentleness, Compassion….
• Jesus lived a life that had the aroma of heaven

#2: How do we become like Jesus?

• It is developed through (a) people & (b) pain
• KEY: there are NO shortcuts ~ Job 23:10-12
• DIFFERENCE between Christian & Unbeliever
•  A Christian in times of trouble is calm, courageous, hopeful, and helpful
•  A Unbeliever in times of trouble is angry, irritable, restless, hurtful, and bitter
• LESSON: even your enemies can see who you

                    serve in times of trouble

#3:  Where do I begin? (3 legged milk stool)

• Everyday read God’s Word

   John 15:4 “abide” (dwell)

•  To bear fruit
•   To gain God’s perspective
•    To experience transformation  
• Everyday spend more time in prayer

   1 Thessalonians 5:16

• Everyday share your faith with someone

   Romans 1:16 “for I am not ashamed”