Kingdoms Collide Part 8: Kingdom Strength

March 26, 2023

INTRO

Joseph Kennedy

Asst. HS Football Coach

In 2015 he was fired from Brementon Public Schools, near Seattle, WA, after refusing to comply with the School Boards decision he was no longer allowed to pray on the 50 yard line after football games.

They told him that if it was a must for his convictions to play out then he must wait till every single person was out of the stadium, including any players gone from the locker rooms.

He decided that continuing to pray, without reservations, just as he had for years, was the right thing to do.

It cost him his job, 6 years of court battles, and a trip to the Supreme Court.

Standing in the face of criticism, backlash, and persecution is not easy…unless you have the right priorities and understand what really matters! At that point, it becomes easy to stand, because its the only option!

Far too often, Christians are not bold enough to take Kingdom Stands because they don’t have their priorities in the right place. To be a Kingdom people with Kingdom strength and boldness, we must be sold out to Jesus and Jesus only!

Acts 4:23–37 ESV

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. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

1) Threats Will Be Faced (v.23)

Acts 4:18 “18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

The leaders made threats and swore there would be consequences…and there were, but it didn’t matter because God has authority over the authorities.

There is nothing that these authorities can do that God can’t either undo or use to further His glorious purposes.

We face threats from culture all the time.

I’ve been called bigoted and intolerant. I’ve been labeled a homophobe, xenophobe, self-righteous a-hole, and fake Christian who hates people and therefore hates God…all for stands I’ve taken against abortion, against the acceptance of homosexuality, and the rejection of transgenderism and the sexualization of Children through “pride” parades.

Even in past churches i’ve served in, I’ve been called arrogant and cocky, selfish and told I will never amount to much as a minister if I even make it long enough to remain in ministry because of stances I’ve taken on handling things in biblical ways inside the church as opposed to be political and just going along to get along...

I don’t let the culture define me and who I am…I know who I am and I know whose I am! This is important if we are going to be Kingdom people who live with Kingdom Strength!

2) Turn to God (v.24-30)

What did the people do…did they bow out, cower down and say, “well, it’s been a good run for as long as it lasted?” NOOOOOO. They did what we all need to do…they prayed!

Acts 4:24-30 “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.””

Recognized the Sovereignty of God (24)

Remembered the Supremacy of God (25)

Realized the opposition was to God and not them (26-27)

Relied on God to work through the opposition (28-30)

Grant boldness to God’s People

Continue in God’s Purpose

True Kingdom People have a Kingdom focus that keeps in view Kingdom Priorities. We are not our own. We don’t ask Jesus to be President and give approval ratings and ask Him to work around what we feel are our rights and have a limitation of power over our lives....We surrender to Jesus to be King and to rule over all of us!

When we face discomfort for being Kingdom people…let us do so gladly with our Lord and King Jesus in view.

When we face persecution and worldly “consequences” for living our faith…let us do so with boldness and conviction knowing that Jesus reigns and is sovereign…even to use our situations for His glory and the advancement of the Gospel and His Kingdom.

Let us be sold out to Jesus to be truly Spirit-filled people!

3) True Spirit-filled People (v.31-37)

Acts 4:31–37 ESV

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. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

May the Lord shake this place and shake our hearts and lives this morning.

May we be moved by God to speak His word with boldness (31)

May we be convicted to see that we are stewards of His creation and that all we have is His (32)

May we be driven by grace filled Gospel proclamation of our testimonies (33)

May we be continuously generous and bold in our concern for others (34-37)

We can no longer be content with allowing our faith to be just a part of our lives. Our surrender to Jesus must be our lives if we are going to be a bold Kingdom people who live by Kingdom strength!

CALL TO RESPOND

Will you be a person who walks by faith and not by sight?

Will you be one who boldly stands as a light for Jesus in our dark world?

Will you seek to have Kingdom Strength?