Acts 4:13, These Men Had Been With Jesus.

📖 SERMON TITLE:

“They Took Note: These Men Had Been With Jesus” Text: Acts 4:13

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." (KJV)

🙏 Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the high and holy calling to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Thank You for saving a wretch like me and turning my broken past into a blessed proclamation. Today, Lord, give me boldness like Peter, clarity like John, and most of all — help me to be recognized not by title or training, but by time spent with You. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

💥 Introduction – When Jesus is your Resume

Peter and John stood before the most educated religious minds of their day — the Sanhedrin. They had no degrees, no titles, and no polished speech. But they had something those religious leaders lacked: boldness, power, and the unmistakable mark of Jesus.

My dear friends, it wasn’t what they knew. It was Who they knew that made all the difference.

🎨 Illustration: The Firefighter’s Hands

Years ago, a small town held a banquet for its firemen. One grizzled old firefighter sat quietly at the back. A visitor asked, “Who’s that?” The fire chief replied, “That man has pulled more people out of burning buildings than anyone here. We all got our certifications. He got his scars in the fire.”You see, he wasn’t recognized by education but by evidence.

🧠 Biblical Explanation:

Let’s break down Acts 4:13 phrase by phrase.

1. “When they saw the boldness…”

• Boldness in Greek: παρρησία (parrēsía) – freedom of speech, fearless confidence, frankness.

• This wasn’t arrogance—it was Spirit-fueled courage. Peter wasn’t fishing anymore—he was preaching with fire!

  
  

2. “…perceived they were unlearned and ignorant men…”

• Unlearned: agrammatoi – without formal education.

• Ignorant: idiōtai – laymen, ordinary people.

• By human standards, they were nobodies. But God takes the ordinary and does the extraordinary.

  
  

3. “…they marveled…”

• The Greek here, thaumazō, means to be amazed beyond words.

• What amazed them wasn’t eloquence — it was effectiveness. Blind men saw. Lame men walked. And cowardly fishermen now preached like prophets!

  
  

4. “…they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

• Took knowledge: epiginōskō – to recognize fully, to discern clearly.

• In other words: *“We know where that boldness came from—they’ve been with Jesus.”

  
  

✝️ 3 Key Truths to Preach:

I. Time With Jesus Transforms Cowards into Courageous Witnesses

Peter, who once denied Jesus, now defies the very system that crucified Him. The difference? He’d been filled with the Spirit and forged in the fire of resurrection faith.

II. God Uses the Ordinary to Confound the Wise

You don’t need a seminary degree to have Spiritual authority. You just need time in His presence. The anointing breaks yokes, not academics.

III. The World Still Recognizes Whose Been With Jesus

You can fake religion, but you can’t fake a relationship. A man or woman who walks with Jesus walks in love, in truth, and power. That’s the kind of faith this generation is hungry to see.

🧭 Application:

1. Church — are we known for boldness or busyness?

2. Christian — do people recognize you’ve been with Jesus, or just that you go to church?

3. Preacher — is your message birthed in a study or in secret time with the Savior?

4. 
   

💡 One-Liner:

“You don’t need a platform to make an impact—just time spent in the presence of Jesus.”

🛟 Closing Invitation:

Beloved, if you’ve been living in fear, feeling disqualified, or thinking you’re too ordinary to make a difference—let Peter and John remind you: God delights in using nobodies who’ve been with Somebody.

If you don’t know Jesus yet, today’s the day to begin. Spend time with Him. Talk to Him. Walk with Him. The world may overlook you—but Heaven never will.

🕊️ Closing Prayer:

Lord, we don’t want to be known for charisma or credentials, but for Christ in us. Make us bold, not boastful; anointed, not arrogant. Let our lives testify to one truth: we’ve been with Jesus. In His holy name, Amen.

Pastor Terry

One Truth At A Time

docbmedia.com.