Sermon Tone Analysis

Several centuries ago, a Japanese emperor commissioned an artist to paint a bird.

A number of months passed, then several years, and still no painting was brought to the palace.

Finally the emperor became so exasperated that he went to the artist's home to demand an explanation.

Instead of making excuses, the artist placed a blank canvas on the easel.

In less than an hour, he completed a painting that was to become a brilliant masterpiece.

When the emperor asked the reason for the delay, the artist showed him armloads of drawings of feathers, wings, heads, and feet.

Then he explained that all of this research and study had been necessary before he could complete the painting.

Our Daily Bread.

Powerful experience

continual study

What happened?

How did it happen?

Can it be repeated?

Start from beginning...

Other version

NKJV

Adds detail

With One Accord

How did they

get to be

in one accord?

Previously,

division

in-fighting

competition

rivalry

Now… Perfect

unity

harmony

accord

How did that Happen?

How did Pentecost Happen?

These answers...

Seem to be related.

Back to first question.

How did they get united.

God had made a promise:

They didn’t know much...

stay in Jerusalem

power

Holy Spirit

Go to Jerusalem

wait

what to do while waiting.

had time to think...

What else would they do?

Acts 1:12–14 (ESV)

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James... together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

The group

11 disciples

women

Jesus’ family

First step?

Small Group Meeting

They came together.

small room

small group

Step one...

Get together.

Unity doesn’t happen

without being together.

Marriage

Takes effort

Take intention

But is rewarding

And Powerful

To grow together...

spend time together.

As a church,

spend time together.

working

social

small groups.

Step 1: Small Group Gathering

Small Group Advertisement

It goes further

what were they doing?

Step Two

Acts 1:14 (ESV)

All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer...

Spending time

earnest prayer.

Something special

when a group

prays together.

Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 4—Pentecost)

They knew that they had a Representative in heaven, an Advocate at the throne of God.

In solemn awe they bowed in prayer, repeating the assurance, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.

10 days of prayer

intimate

meaningful

personal

unity

What did they pray about?

Multiple things…

we will see.

Step 1: Small Group Gathering

Step 2: Earnest Prayer

Small group prayer time.