The Life of Peter: Acts 4:1-8
“1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. 5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, [1]” (Acts 4:1–8, NASB 95)
On Sunday, Pastor Rick preached "Grace Under Pressure," opening with the powerful story of Decie and Justin Mangrum, whose newborn daughter Haddie was fighting for her life in the NICU at Texas Children's Hospital. Pastor Rick showed how pressure is inevitable in our broken world, but it doesn't have to be destructive—it can be transformational. Through Peter's transformation from denying Jesus before a servant girl to boldly proclaiming the gospel before the same religious authorities who condemned Jesus, we learned that we are not only saved by grace but also sanctified by grace under pressure. Pastor Rick emphasized that when we stop trying to be our own god and trust the God who is actually in control, everything changes. He illustrated "God's mathematics," where pressure becomes a multiplication factor rather than subtraction. 2 arrests led to 5,000 conversions, showing how God uses opposition as opportunity.
Discussion Questions
- Pastor Rick opened with the story of baby Haddie fighting for her life in the NICU and her parents' faith under extreme pressure. Share about a time when you or someone close to you faced intense pressure. How did that experience reveal or test your faith?
- Pastor Rick said, "Pressure will destroy you or transform you," and that "We are saved by grace, and we are also sanctified by grace...and it often happens under pressure." How have you seen God use difficult circumstances to shape you more into the image of Jesus? What did you learn about yourself and God during that time?
- The contrast between Peter's cowardice (denying Jesus before a servant girl) and his boldness (proclaiming Jesus before the religious authorities) was striking. What caused the change? How does being "filled with the Holy Spirit" influence how we handle pressure today?
- Pastor Rick shared his business illustration about walking into a difficult client meeting with the power of his whole firm behind him versus operating alone. How does knowing you have "the power of our whole firm" (God's resources) change your approach to the pressures you're currently facing?
- Pastor Rick described "God's mathematics," where pressure acts as a multiplication factor rather than subtraction—2 arrests resulted in 5,000 conversions. Share an example from your life where what seemed like a setback or difficulty actually led to something greater than you could have expected.
- Pastor Rick warned that our "comfort zone might actually be a spiritual danger zone" because we can become so tuned in to our own voice that we can't hear God's voice. How do you balance seeking genuine rest and comfort with remaining open to God's call to step out in faith?
- The Mangrum family's crisis united their community and provided a platform to showcase God's faithfulness. How might God want to use your current pressures or past struggles as a ministry to others? What testimony could come from your trials?
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