Text: Acts 4: 23-35
Topic: The Gospel, filled with the Spirit, Response to persecution.
Application Point: As we continue to devote ourselves to God and one another, God will draw people into His kingdom.
Sermon Title: Boldness for the Mission to Come.
A Study of Acts 4:23-35 (NASB95)
Acts 4:23 (NASB95)
23 When they had been released, they went to their own [companions] and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Acts 4:24-28 (NASB95)
24 And when they heard [this,] they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, 25 who by the Holy Spirit, [through] the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS? 26 ‘THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’ 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 purpose predestined to occur.
1) There is
when we gather to
.
John 4:23-24 (NASB95)
23 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:23-24 (NASB95)
23 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Acts 4:29-30 (NASB95)
29 “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:31 (NASB95)
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and [began] to speak the word of God with boldness.
2) There is
when we
with expectation.
Luke 11:9-13 (NASB95)
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11 “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 “Or [if] he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
Acts 4:32 (NASB95)
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one [of them] claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
3)
people will grow our
of God.
1 John 4:7-8 (NASB95)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Acts 4:33 (NASB95)
33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:34-35 (NASB95)
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Life Group Questions:
What does it mean to live in a covenant relationship within the body of Christ? What does “genuine affection” for fellow church members look like? What can keep people (including us) from living in genuine community with one another? How does isolated Christianity impact the gathering when we worship together?
Read Luke 11:1-13 – What does this teach us about the character of God? What does this teach us about prayer? In verse 13 it lists the type of prayers that God will gladly answer. What kinds of prayers do we normally put before God? Will God answer prayer that is centered on selfish desires?
How can loving others grow our love for God? Why is community so important to our own personal Christian walk? What will isolation produce in our lives?
- Expanded Sermon and Study notes available online and in the foyer.