Key Takeaway
Being astonishing is the fruit of being filled with the Spirit and walking closely with Jesus.
When we pick up in Acts 3-4, we are 50 days from the resurrection and 10 days from the ascension, and we see the word "astonished" used a couple of times. But how is the word "astonished" used in this text?
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.
Acts 4:13
The people in this verse were astonished, or filled with wonder, simply by the way that Peter and John lived.
We want to be with Jesus so that we can live in a way that leads people to ask why.
Read Acts 3:11-20 and Acts 4:1-22.
When people saw the courage—
They were astonished that they were ordinary/unschooled.
They took note that they had been with Jesus
The people were astonished at the healing. (Acts 3:11)
The temple leaders were astonished at their courage. (Acts 4:13)
Do people ever say this about our lives?
Here are six takeaways from these chapters to help us live lives that astonish others, not for our sake, but to open the door to Jesus.
1. The Holy Spirit fills ordinary people to act in extraordinary ways. (Acts 4:8)
The Holy Spirit wants to do this work in you. He isn't looking for extraordinary people—He's looking for people who ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit’s supernatural working always has a purpose, and that purpose is to open eyes to see Jesus.
It's time to ask the Holy Spirit to open doors for Jesus' sake.
This isn't about doing something miraculous; it's about showing others Jesus so that it opens the door for them to follow Him.
3. Astonishing lives lead to questions that open doors, allowing us to tell others about Jesus. (Acts 4:7)
People will be astonished by the way that you live and ask why.
You don't need the perfect testimony to share, but a life that is a testimony.
4. The Holy Spirit fills us with astonishing boldness to speak the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:8)
The Holy Spirit doesn’t fill people so they can talk about the Holy Spirit; He fills people so that they can boldly talk about Jesus.
Being bold doesn’t mean being loud; it means doing whatever and going wherever the Holy Spirit leads you and trusting Him to give you the wisdom you need.
5. Proximity to Jesus leads to lives that look like Him. (Acts 4:13)
These men mentioned in Scripture had been with Jesus.
Being astonishing is the fruit of being filled with the Spirit and walking closely with Jesus.
You don’t wake up and say, "I’m going to be astonishing today." You wake up and say, "I’m going to stay close to Jesus today and walk in step with the Spirit."
6. They prayed for boldness more than protection. (Acts 4:23-31)
God is sovereign and has a mission that cannot be thwarted.
His message and the mission of the Gospel were more compelling to these men than the threats to their safety.
Peter and John walked free from the threats this time, but ultimately, John ended up on Patmos, and Peter was crucified upside down.
Do we live in a way that no matter the cost, we pursue Jesus and live accordingly?
At the end of the day, we want to live lives that cause others to be astonished because our actions are evidence of our time with Jesus.
What does living a life that causes others to be “astonished” mean?
Why do you think people were so impacted by Peter and John’s boldness?
How does the Holy Spirit equip us to live extraordinary lives?
What areas of your life feel “too ordinary” to be used by God?
When was the last time someone noticed something different about you because of your faith?
What does it practically look like to “be with Jesus” in your daily life?
How can boldness be expressed without being loud or confrontational?
Why do you think the early church prayed for boldness instead of protection?
What would change in your life if you prayed more for boldness?
How can you start living a life that points others to Jesus this week?