Introduction: Do you love to spend time with Jesus? He makes the difference! People can even tell the difference He makes when we wait upon Him in “Prayer & Faith.” PRAYER WORKS if you WORK it!

A good example of that is found in the book of Acts.

Check it out:

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

1. After being persecuted for doing the “Work of the Lord,” check out Peter’s response! (Acts 4:8-10)

“8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.”

A lame man was healed. But as you might suspect, everyone was not happy, especially the religious crowd. Yet, Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit,” That was the key. After spending time in the presence of Jesus Christ, the glory of the Lord was on Peter and John. They were bold witnesses. 

Have you been persecuted? Do you spend time to get “FILLED UP”?

2. The proof was in the pudding – the lame man was healed by the power of God, which was working through yielded vessels such as Peter and John! (Acts 4:11,12)

“11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Here is the GOOD NEWS! Jesus is His name. There is POWER in His resurrected life. He holds the keys to death and hell (Rev 1:18).

Go tell! Don’t be ashamed!!

3. Others will not be able to deny the proof and the testimony of the transformation of a life that has been changed by Jesus Christ! (Acts 4:14)

“14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”

Glory! Don’t you love it!! Praise the Lord!!!

Conclusion: “Being with Jesus” makes the difference not only in our life but in others – like the lame man. In turn, when our Lord performs His mighty unstoppable work, others – like the religious crowd – cannot deny that Jesus Christ is Lord!