June 7, 2026
Expect Suffering While Doing Good
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Acts 4:1-3 NIV
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.
Acts 4:5-6 NIV
The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family.
Acts 4:7 NIV
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
Acts 4:8-10 NIV
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”
Acts 19:13-14 NIV
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
Acts 19:15-16 NIV
One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
Names have power.
Exodus 3:13 NIV
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
Exodus 3:14 NIV
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
I AM = YHWH
Exodus 3:15 NIV
God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.”
Psalm 20:7 NIV
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Philippians 2:9-11 NIV
Therefore God exalted him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Acts 4:12 NIV
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
It’s in His name and by the power of His name that we serve.
Colossians 3:17 NIV
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Yet, even with His name that doesn’t mean you won’t suffer for doing good!
Acts 4:18 NIV
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:19-20 NIV
But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:21 NIV
After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
Acts 5:38-39 NIV
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.
Acts 5:40 NIV
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
1 Peter 3:13-14 NIV
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
1 Peter 3:17 NIV
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:18 NIV
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Acts 5:41 NIV
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.