Welcome Home everyone
Hello everyone, It been a long 5600 miles!
Chapter 4 has been primarily about the healing of the disabled man and how the religious establishment hoped to deal with Peter and John always talking about Jesus. They wanted to know by what name did this miracle occur? After finding no fault in them the Sanhedrin was forced to let them go. Today we see what happens after their release.
My big idea for you today is the together we would move one step closer to The image of Jesus Christ. My prayer today is that by hearing this message we would realize the tools we have in the Holy Spirit to make an impact on our world. If you have your Bibles today you can join me in Acts chapter 4, verse 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:
Acts 4:23-31
“‘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.
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into 3 sections or points. As Christ followers, our passage today gives us a model for which we can follow and learn. The first pattern that our passage addresses is the importance that we…
POINT #1: Pray Together
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.
Acts 4:23-24[a]
This idea of going back to their own people speaks to a personal group of believers. This is like their support system. Part of the reason this idea of praying together is so important is because this is where we lift each other up. This is where we receive encouragement. This is how our fellowship helps in times of crisis.
When we (you and me), are together we understand that we share fellowship and love. We/you should know that we are committed to one another in Christ Jesus. We are a local support system for the body of Christ. Not just some faceless hoard of people that you don’t really know, but you and me. We pray together. We for one another. We pray for our children. And we pray for the sick. We look out for one another. And we belong to one another. We as a group find great courage and strength together. In our fellowship we intercede for one another. And we are engaged in the communication with the almighty.
As we engage in corporate prayer, we also are engaged in the unification of the church. We are in agreement and in one accord. As I pray alone, sometimes I get confused, I don’t fully understand. Sometimes, I’m even reluctant to be obedient. Then usually through the process of praying and sharing with others God confirms in my heart the very thing I need to move forward. And I’m at peace. And I have the courage to be obedient in the Holy Spirit’s leading.
I’ll move on to my next point. The next pattern that our passage addresses is the importance that we…
POINT #2: Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty
“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.
Acts 4:24[b]-28
“‘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.
The early church has figured out that affirming God’s control and sovereignty is important. Not just in their doctrinal theology, but in the acknowledgment of their own surrender to His will. Taking the farthest extreme, proclaiming the fulfillment of the Psalms that the rulers who were otherwise natural enemies would come together against the Messiah Jesus. Their claim is that it was all according to God preordained will and plan.
Here’s the thing church, God is in control! Someone once said the we make plan while God laughs. The problem is that we are too carnal in our thinking that we aren’t even on the same wavelength sometimes. Here’s where it begins to come together, when we encounter God through the unification and encouragement of the body we begin to operate on His wavelength through the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. We concede to His will and authority that places Him in His rightful place in our lives. God is in charge and we need to in a place where we can hear Him.
I’ll move to my final point. The final pattern that our passage addresses is the importance that we…
POINT #3: Make 2 (specific) Requests
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.”
Acts 4:29-30
It’s all coming together friends. All of this leads to this moment where we ask God to enable us to be obedient to His will and Authority. Not just to do what He says/ follow orders. Rather to speak/preach His word boldly. Remember we talked about support and encouragement to be obedient. This is how it come together.
Part of following Christ is not about just asking for things, rather it’s asking God to give us the ability to do his will. Remember not our will but his will be done. These aren’t just words, but they are concepts we live by.
And then we ask God to provide signs and wonders to demonstrate His purpose and Power in times of need. Much like the act of speaking in tongues where they heard their own language, God is undeniably drawing their attention. Praying together/ being unified, Acknowledging His sovereignty, And asking for His help to do His will and provide sings draw the lost and to confirm what he promised. Heal the sick, raise the dead, the blind would see and the evil Spirits cast out! To boldly speak the word of God.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19
God’s Response:
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.
Acts 4:31
Was to shake the place where they and renew them with a fresh spirit were. How many here can use an affirmation/ assurance of God’s presence? How many here are in need of a renewed spirit? All of this leads right back to how do we live the Gospel and how must we approach the living God? How many need to feel the belonging of the body of Christ? How many need someone to pray with? How man of use need to put down the pride of life and individualism and allow God’s sovereign authority to rule in their heart?
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values. This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ. Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. But God has a plan! He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late
It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here. Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me?
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’