"For We Cannot But Speak" - Chad Phelps

Dusk was falling over the middle-eastern landscape as the prison party was led into the magnificent house of the high priest.  As the prisoner was led into the inquisition room, a chill began to seep through the majestic corridors.  A small group of people decided to start a fire in the great hall of the high priest, and they began to warm themselves.  A man named Peter followed a little far off, and as the fire was started, he began to warm himself.  Every so often Peter would look up and catch a glimpse of his friend, his mentor, his hero, as he stood there amidst the ridicule of those that would seek to take his life.  Finally, the silence was broken…

• First Accusation: Peter's response - "I know Him not."
• Second Accusation: Peter's response - "Man I am not."
• Third Accusation: Peter's response - "Man I know not what thou sayest."

After that third accusation and subsequent third denial by Peter the rooster crows. Peter locked eyes with his Savior. Peter has forsaken his Lord.

At this point, Peter has nothing left to do, but to run out and weep bitterly.  Peter had denied his mentor, his hero, and his best friend.

Fast forward, 5 chapters later, in part 2 of Luke’s treatise to Theophilus, Acts chapter 3.  Peter is now accompanied by John, and he approaches the temple for the hour of prayer.  As he approaches the temple, he looks down with compassion on a man who has been lame since birth, and is asking for money.  Peter, full of the Holy Ghost speaks to this man saying. “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”  The man stands, the crowds are amazed, and Peter begins to preach.  As Peter is preaching, the religious leaders fall upon him, and take him into captivity.  This is where we pick up our reading in Acts 4:13.

Acts 4:13-20
13 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.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

What an amazing transformation!  Just a few chapters ago, Peter forsook his Savior, and now, he “cannot but speak of the things which he has seen and heard.”

Have you ever been where Peter was in Luke 22? Have you ever felt as though you have forsaken your Savior in such a way that all you can do is go out and weep bitterly? We all have. There are moments in each life that serve to provide regrets we will carry with us to the grave. These are just moments.  hey do not have to be lifestyles.  

Just as Peter found his way back into an amazing relationship of fellowship with and delighting in His God, so God can take you, where you are today, and change you so that you “cannot but speak of the things which you have seen and heard.”  You can pursue a life that finds it’s ultimate delight in God.

How can you find ultimate delight in God? How do you allow God to take you form where you are to the point where you are absolutely delighting in Him? Peter changed and turned him from rejector to receptor.

PETER ALLOWED HIMSELF TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT --  AND SO MUST YOU!

In Acts 2, after the promised Comforter comes, we see an amazing transformation that takes place in the lives of the disciples as they decide to live a Spirit-controlled Christian life.  We can see boldness, joy, and results!

Look at what happens in the lives of the disciples as the Spirit comes    

This is what happens when you live a Spirit-controlled life!  You will have faith, you will have power, and you will give the glory to God.

Christians, until you decide to live a Spirit-controlled life, you will never come to the place where you to where you cannot but speak of the things you have seen and heard. Peter was so consumed with the awesomeness of his God that he could not possibly be silent, no matter what the rulers said!

Make that your attitude, too, and Delight in God! We truly "cannot but speak."