“Do you play basketball?” That has to be the most common question I have received in my life. I got it a lot in my teens and 20s; and even at my age I still get it. Now, I don’t know why I get that question and my wife doesn’t. Maybe it’s because I’m 6’ 5” and she’s 4’ 11”.

But it’s a tricky question for me to answer. Because the moment I tell someone that I play, when you have my height and you look how I look, people automatically assume that you’re good – that you know how to play.

Now don’t get me wrong, I feel like I have a pretty decent shot. But here’s the problem. I have a decent shot as long as no one is guarding me. If someone is applying pressure, my shot disappears – I’m not a good in-game player. As long as there is no opposition, I’m great. But with opposition, I crumble. Now, that being true of me in the game of basketball is okay. But if it’s true of me in life, which is not a game, that’s not okay.

You don’t need me to tell you this, but life is full of pressure. We are dealing with things in our relationships, with things at work, with our health, that are putting pressure on our lives. So let me ask you: How are you managing under the current pressures and oppositions you are facing in life?  

What studies are showing is that as a society we are not thriving under that pressure – we are not making our shots – we are buckling under it. Let me give you some stats on that.

Recently, seventy-six percent of adults reported that stress impacted their health, with symptoms that included headaches, tiredness, nervousness, anxiety, and depression or sadness.

Even more eye opening is that nine in 10 (91%) experienced high pressure or stress at some point over the last year. It’s ubiquitous.

And somehow, it’s actually getting worse. Anxiety levels are climbing year over year. In 2024, 43% of adults said they felt MORE ANXIOUS than they did the previous year – that’s up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022.

Here’s another thing. There are differences with how the generations are handling certain types of pressure. Younger people have higher stress related to the pressure to succeed. Get this, 60% of 18-24 year olds and 41% of 25-34 year olds mentioned feeling that pressure to succeed, compared to 17% of 45-54s and 6% of over 55s. (Maybe it’s because the older you get you realize it’s not that important.)

The last sobering stat that I’ll share, which is particularly alarming for the younger generations, is that Gen Z and millennial workers are reporting peak burnout at just 25 years old—a full 17 years earlier than the average American who experiences peak burnout at 42.

My concern is that many of you hear those stats and you’re just numb to it. You don’t know what it is not to have pressure; to not be dealing with stress and anxiety. It’s the water you swim in. My other concern is that it causes many of you to feel helpless – like you have no choice. The stress and anxiety is just a natural byproduct of what it is to have your life and responsibilities.

But the Scriptures invite us to Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Our culture’s emphasis on individual achievement and self-reliance is failing us. We are attempting to carry too much on our own and in our own strength. What is the definition of insanity? To keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. If many of us don’t change how we are managing the pressures of life we will just end up becoming another statistic.

But how do we avoid that – how do we not let our anxiety derail us? As we continue with this series, I want us to see the response of the disciples to the pressure and opposition that was coming against them and the movement — because it was severe.

The passage we are looking at today is the aftermath and culmination of a powerful miracle. Back in early July (it’s crazy that 5 weeks and 2 chapters have been all about one story) Rachael shared how Peter and John healed a lame beggar at the gate called Beautiful. While that miracle brought tremendous blessing – both in the man's healing and the opportunity it gave Peter and John to share the message of Jesus – it also stirred up serious opposition. The religious leaders were determined to silence Peter and John and shut down the entire movement. So they threaten them. Let’s see how they respond.

Acts 4:23-31

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:

“‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

The threats that Peter and John faced from the religious leaders were clearly severe and having an impact on them. And we know that because they didn’t just ignore those threats. The very first thing Peter and John did after their release was rush back to the church to report what had happened. Hear me, the pressure was so intense that they immediately sought the support and prayers of their fellow believers. This tells us something important: even the boldest apostles recognized their need for community and God’s intervention when facing opposition.

I want to frame this whole message under those two things: that When we are under pressure or facing opposition, it’s important to turn to people and prayer.

So let’s start with the first: the people. Verse 23 says, On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people… I love that wording: their own people. Let me ask you, When the pressure in your life rises, who are your ‘own people’ that you turn to for support? I don’t want to alarm you, but if you can’t rattle off two or three names in 10 seconds, you are at a deficit – that’s a problem.

Now, I don’t know too much about this – so I’m not speaking as an expert – but I’m hearing that there are some who are turning to ChatGPT and other AI platforms for emotional support and companionship. While I think those platforms are great tools, they simply cannot replace having our “own people” to turn to for fellowship and companionship. I know that it’s easier to connect with a machine than a human. But haven’t we learned that easier is not always better? Porn is easier than God-honoring intimacy – but it leaves you addicted and ashamed. Getting drunk or high is easier than dealing with your problems – but it’s a coping mechanism that leaves you with more problems.

Can I challenge you to do the hard work of finding your ‘own people?’.

Here are a few quick tips on finding your ‘own people’:

Make it a priority. Things that are a priority make it onto your schedule first. And there’s no bargaining with those time slots. They are non-negotiable – even if a better opportunity comes up.

Give chemistry time. Not everyone is going to be your best buddy on day one. Give time for relationships to form. This is especially important when we are seeking to be in community with others who are completely different from us.

Be vulnerable. For real community and fellowship to be present there has to be vulnerability – we can’t stay surface level. Verse 23b says, …Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. Who in your life can you report all that is going on with you? Not only that, who are you extending that type of sharing to? It goes both ways.

To close out this point on people, let me leave you with this quote: “In all ages one test of a Christian’s character is where he finds fellowship and companionship.” Where are you finding fellowship and companionship? I pray that in many ways it’s here and with other believers.

The second thing that we see Peter, John, and the rest of the church doing when facing opposition is praying. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. (v.24a) There are a couple of amazing things about their prayer.

‍Components of the Church’s Prayer

1) How they address God. They address God first as “Sovereign Lord,” which is a word meaning “Absolute Master,” and is seldom used in the New Testament. But also, they recognize Him as Creator. Verse 24 says, …“Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. (v.24b) What they are doing here is declaring and reminding themselves of who God is and that he is ultimately in control – not the religious leaders. This is also shown in verse 28 of their prayer. It says, They (the religious leaders) did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

2) They use Scripture. In the middle of their prayer they quote the beginning of Psalm 2. “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ (vv.25a-26) One commentator writes: “They showed true spirituality by the divine skill with which they wove Holy Scripture into the body of their prayers.”

There’s something about praying the Scriptures. You don’t have to know the entire Bible to be able to do this. You can just find, or ask someone to help you identify, a passage of Scripture that speaks into your current situation. Like for those of you dealing with anxiety, Philippians 4:6-7 is always helpful for me: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

3) They don’t dictate what should happen to their opposition. This is probably the main thing that struck me as I studied this passage. Again, I’ve mentioned to you that the religious leaders’ threats were severe and having an impact on the church. But look at how they pray specifically about that: Now, Lord, consider their threats… (v.29a) That’s it. There’s no Crush them, Lord. Make them stop. Here’s what I’m sure that they figured: These religious leaders are threatening and opposing us because of a miracle – because someone was healed in the name of Jesus. We don’t want the healings and proclamation of Jesus to stop. So keep the opposition coming.

Oh, do we need this attitude more! Why is it that at the first sign of opposition we flee or think that something has gone terribly wrong? Some of you have bosses that are very difficult to work under. That doesn’t mean it’s time to leave or that you should pray for your boss to get fired. What if you just prayed: Consider my boss…? What if it’s an opportunity to grow and see God move in even greater ways than if things were just at peace?

Let me share with you a quote that I absolutely love: Jesus teaches his disciples to pray expectantly. He does not, however, teach them to "pray themselves out" of their troubled times; instead he counsels them to truly look at their situation and ask what they might learn from it. He does not say: "You who are weary and burdened, pray more!" But rather: "Come to me, ... take my yoke upon you, and learn from me" (Matthew 11:28-29).

There is a powerful lie that wants to persuade the believer: "Why learn? After all, there are spiritual gifts! Why suffer? There are miracles! Why endure hardships? After all, God is here!" In times of crisis, the hideousness of these lies whisper in our hearts, "You're having a rough time? What? Did you sin? You weren't healed? Was your faith too small? You feel downtrodden and lousy? Has God withdrawn from you?"

If you think that being blessed means not having troubles, your faith will likely end up shipwrecked. —Martin Schleske, The Sound of Life’s Unspeakable Beauty

Do you realize that nothing in the kingdom of God goes uncontested. If you are living for God you should actually be surprised when you are facing no opposition. Nothing in the kingdom goes uncontested. So because pressure and opposition is a given, we need to ask God for what we need to keep moving forward. Which is the fourth and last thing I want to mention from the church’s prayer.

4) Boldness and Miracles. After they pray Lord, consider their threats… they ask and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (vv.29-30) ‭‭They pray for miracles because they knew that that was one of the key factors that was allowing them to share the message of Jesus. But they also prayed for boldness to speak the message of Jesus despite the opposition. Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:1 says, “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” The lion is the king of the jungle. He doesn’t back down from anyone. They wanted that type of boldness.

Let me ask you, What could more boldness in your faith lead to? I’m sure a lot. Are you willing to ask God for it? And are you willing to seek out community in order to encourage each other into that boldness?

It says that After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Because of people and prayer they received from God exactly what they needed to keep moving forward despite the opposition. It says they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Do you realize that that is the third time that it mentions specifically that Peter was filled with the Spirit. Because of the pressure and opposition you and I will face, we will need to keep being filled with the Spirit. In order for that to happen we will need others and to seek God through prayer. Let’s do it together.

If you don’t have that rhythm of community and fellowship with church, just start somewhere. Prioritize it; and then give it time for the chemistry to develop. In two weeks we will be rolling out our fall list of groups. That’s a great opportunity for you to put this into practice.

But you don’t have to wait for that; you can start today. Seek people out. And also, we know that many of you are facing intense pressures right now. You don’t have to carry those things alone. Come seek out prayer from your church community. Don’t worry about bothering anyone that is blocking your way to the aisle – they would be more than happy to move for you. Let’s respond.

Over the past year, our family has needed extra support – especially my wife, Bea. Next Monday, it’ll be a year since her mom passed away unexpectedly. And since that time, her dad has been dealing with significant complications. And then just last month, her grandmother passed away. But over the past year I have watched amazed at how well she has handled things. The year hasn’t been without challenges and setbacks; but she’s been strong – because she has modeled so well what we have been talking about today.

After her grandma passed, and because I could see how well she was handling things, I asked her how she's managed to do that during this difficult season. Remarkably, without knowing this passage or the points I planned to teach, she described many of the same responses we see from Peter and John.

First, she emphasized community—but she described it in concentric circles. She spoke about having safe people in her innermost circle who could hear everything she was wrestling with and hold that space with her. She noted that in crisis or seasons of intense pressure, that inner circle naturally gets smaller. But that didn't mean shutting everyone else out. She felt deeply supported by the prayers of the next layer of community. After her mom passed away, many of you sent messages of condolence and DoorDash gift cards that truly sustained our family during that time.

Finally, even when she was tempted to withdraw, she never stopped coming to church. She talked about how crucial it was to continue worshipping and learning alongside this broader church community, even in her pain.