My sermon notes for Sunday, Sept 7. Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon. To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net
Acts 4:23–33 – [23] When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. [24] And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, [25] who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
[26] The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
[27] for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, [28] to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. [29] And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, [30] while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [31] And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
[32] Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. [33] And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (ESV)
Acts 4:23-33
Life Together – The faithfulness of His Church
I was listening to a podcast this week from NAMB about church revitalization and replanting. I was encouraged but also reminded of the work and diligence necessary to really see a Gospel Change within a church and then the community. I was also greatly encouraged and remind about this same thing as I read through the book of Acts. They worked hard and faced much, but they really did make a difference. They were faithful to Him and to others. The did life together and made a difference.
THEY ASSEMBLED AS THE BODY OF CHRIST v. 23
They understood the importance of The CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST.
A love and devotion for the Church of Jesus Christ…
- The people of His church – Friends v. 23/Own company/Their own
- The purpose of His church – worship of God, Invest in others
Eph. 1:15-23
- Faith in Christ. Love for the Saints v. 15
- Christ is the head. His body the fullness of Him who fills all in all vv. 22-23
Ephesians 1:15–23 – [15] For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, [18] having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might [20] that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (ESV)
Ephesians 4:15–16 – [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (ESV)
1 Cor. 12:4-31 – each member gifted for His service. (God’s glory and the benefit of others.)
- 4-6 – variety of gifts and ministries
- 7 – Given for the common good
- 11 – Empowered by the Spirit
- 12, 14, 20 – many members…one body
- 18 – arranged by God
- 21-26 – All are significant
- 27-28 – God has appointed (His Sovereignty)
THEY ACKNOWLEDGED HIM vv. 24-28
- He is above all – v. 26 – 27
1 Chronicles 29:10–13 – [10] Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. [11] Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. [12] Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. [13] And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. (ESV)
- We can trust His plan – v. 28
- What can the World do to us
- He is on His throne
- We are His….HE WON!! And we are His – Rom. 8:31-39
THEY ASKED HIM TO EMPOWER THEM vv. 29-30
- Grant to YOUR SERVANTS v. 29
- To continue – to speak the Word
- Continue to do what got us in this situation. HOW DIFFERENT THEY PRAYED THEN HOW WE TEND TO PRAY TODAY. WE PRAY FOR THINGS TO CHANGE. THEY PRAYED FOR THEM TO CONTINUE.
Things to consider:
- We are His servant
- It is HIS Word
- He stretches out HIS hand/plan
- He is in control (remember) This is His plan. His history.
THEY ACTED UPON THEIR FAITH v. 31 – 33
The faith and obedience to go and make a DIFFERENCE
Act upon who we are in Him. A life of faith, obedience, confidence and dependence.
- They were filled (under control of the Spirit …FAITH) He does the empowering. We do the yielding!!!!
- They continued (OBEDIENCE)
- Share with boldness (CONFIDENCE)
- One heart and one soul. Nothing was their own. Had everything in common (DEPENDENCE)