The Book of Acts: To the Ends of the Earth (Acts 4:1-22)

The Book of Acts

To the Ends of the Earth, Pt. 10

Teaching Pastor: Thomas Lee 

Thursday, November 13, 2025 

Sunday, November 16, 2025 

Setback to Set Up 

Acts 4:1-22 ESV 

1 “And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.”

In “Setbacks” you need to have:  

1.  BELIEF in God’s Word (vs. 1-4) 

Other key verses:  

• 1 Peter 4:12 
• Ephesians 4:27, Ephesians 6:17 
• Joshua 1:8-9 

2.  HUMILITY Under God’s Work (vs. 5-13)

Other key verses:  

• 1 Peter 5:5-8 

3.  TRUST in God’s Way (vs. 14-22) 

Talk It Over Questions  

Icebreaker: 

Share a time or a situation in your life when you faced some sort of discouraging or difficult “setback”  especially when you felt like you were making good progress.  

1. Was there a time when you struggled to believe a teaching or promise in God’s word? How was that resolved? Or in what ways are you still having difficulty believing and trusting it?  

2. Can you share a verse, a passage, or a story in the bible that has provided you encouragement and strength during the “setbacks” in your life?  

3. In what ways do you think pride or your “ego” can prevent you from going God’s way when experiencing some challenge, conflict, or crisis?  

4. Many Christian thinkers have regarded “humility” as the greatest of virtues but also one of the most  difficult for us to develop. But this is what Christ modeled to us and emphasized for us to practice.  What would it look like for you to exercise humility in some of the more difficult areas in your life today? 
   
   
5. Can you share how a deeper trust in God has helped you to see His hand and work in your life?