Points of Meditation & Reflection
Sermon Title & Text “Devoted to God’s Direction” Acts 6:7 ESV
Devoted: Key to Personal and Church Growth
Message in a Sentence: God grows us spiritually, through prayer, when we seek, receive and apply direction from the Lord.
• 3 Acts of the Apostles: 6:4 is a model, seen in 3 specific “actions” between Acts 4:4-6:7 where direction from God is requested, given and received: (1)Peter & John released. (2)The apostles were arrested. (3)Complaint arose
• The focus of the “action” between 4:4-6:7 is not dogmatically on what is done. The apostles were responding to what they were facing & God gives direction to it all through prayer.
• As they devoted themselves to the Lord, direction from the Lord brought unity - each time.
Directed to Serve: Come to Go. Serve to Grow.
1. Directed to Speak the Word 4:24-31. Prayed for Boldness
• What?
• Christ Centered Response
• Opposition
• God’s Direction
2. Directed to Teach 5:20, 29. Directed Go & Stand
• What?
• Christ Centered Response
• Opposition
• God’s Direction
3. Directed to Choose 6:6. Will Devote Ourselves to Prayer & Ministry
• What?
• Christ Centered Response
• Opposition
• God’s Direction
Ministry Report: Acts 6:7 Word of God continued to increase. Number of the disciples multiplied. A great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. God grows us, as we devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
To continue to develop your relationship with Christ, spend time every day this week praying and meditating on this passage and it’s truths [EveryDay Jesus - below].
Edward
Everyday Jesus: Lord teach us to seek & receive direction from You.
· Monday: Read Acts 4:4-6:7. Acts 6:4 & the report card in 6:7 is a model for handling life’s problems. Pray for God to deepen your devotion in prayer that you may receive clarity and direction from the Lord.
· Tuesday: Read Acts 4:4-6:7 Focus on Peter’s message to the Jewish rulers in, 4:8-12. Peter recognized the crucified, resurrected Christ as the source of the lame man’s healing. Further, he explained Christ is the only way to salvation. Too often we reduce life to people centered understandings [should grieving brother have hugged convicted killer?]. Ask God for clarity of vision to see Christ as the source of all things and the center of all that happens in your life.
· Wednesday: {Day of Fasting} Read Acts 4:4-4:31 When Peter & John were released they prayed with their friends for God to overcome every obstacle to sharing the gospel. God filled them with the Holy Spirit & they continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Today, acknowledge the sovereign power of God against every obstacle that opposes your relationship with Him. Ask God for boldness to share His word.
· Thursday: Read Acts 4:4-5:42. God continued to grow the church, they were united and no one was in need. Out of jealousy, the Jewish leaders threw the apostles in jail. God directed them to continue to teach in the temple. Today, pray to see & receive God’s direction. How does He want to use you to further His great work of “this Life”, 5:20.
· Friday: Read Acts 4:4-5:42 Today, meditate on 5:41. The apostles rejoiced that they were worthy of suffering for the gospel. Ask the Lord to deepen your view of God’s purpose and His desire to use you, even through tough stuff.
· Saturday: Read Acts 4:4-6:7 In Acts 6, the number of disciples grows. But the ministry is being restricted. By devoting themselves to prayer and ministry of the word, God provides a solution. Today, devote your self to praying for whatever is challenging God’s presence in your life.