January 8 | Pastor Jason
Acts 4:23-24
23On 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. 24When 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.
- The church was a worshipping community of Spirit-filled believers.
Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and…
- If you’re in this situation, facing strong political, religious, and cultural opposition, what follows the “and”?
Acts 4:29-30
29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
They were committed.
The church was a worshipping community of Spirit-filled believers who were committed.
Acts 4:24 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.
In the middle of uncertainty in the face of difficulty they chose to exalt the Lord.
The church was a worshipping community of Spirit-filled believers committed to exalting the Lord…
Acts 4:25-30
25You 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?
26The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord
and against his anointed one.’
27Indeed 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. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
God your kingdom is greater than these little kingdoms. Let your kingdom invade this earth. Expand your kingdom beyond just what we see.
The church was a worshipping community of Spirit-filled believers committed to exalting the Lord, expanding His kingdom…
Acts 4:31-35
31After 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. 32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
The church was a worshipping community of Spirit-filled believers committed to exalting the Lord, expanding His kingdom on earth and equipping believers for a life of meaning and ministry.
Worshipping Community
Spirit-Filled Believers
Our commitment is to:
1) Exalt the Lord
2) Expand His Kingdom on Earth
In 2022 over 250 people gave their lives to Jesus Christ through the ministries of Metropolitan Church. We baptized 44 people in water and 29 people were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
In 2023, the first Sunday of every month will be Missions Giving Sunday, Missions is foundational for this church.
Vision Challenge - In 2023 I challenge you to be a part of expanding His kingdom on earth by supporting or participating in a Metro Missions trip.
3) Equip Believers
In 2022 you gave over $200,000 to missions, missionaries, and mission projects. In 2022 you gave over $75,000 to widows, widowers, and single moms.
Your giving to Metro won’t get you into Heaven; but your giving to Metro will help someone else get to Heaven.
Vision Challenge - In 2023 I challenge you to be a part of the equipping process by committing to be obedient and generous in tithes and offerings.
Fill me with your spirit so I can (exalt, equip, expand).