April 23, 2023 - There is Power Week 2

Introduction: The English word “martyr” comes from the Greek term for “witness” (μάρτυς, martys). Although μάρτυς (martys) sometimes carried a specifically legal connotation as “one who testifies before a court,” the word commonly had the generic meaning of “one who testifies, a witness.” Over the early centuries ad, a precise use of the term came to focus upon those who chose to die for their religious beliefs or principles rather than renounce them. In other words, martyrs witness to their commitment to their beliefs at the cost of their lives.

Link:

Paul was willing to lay his life down for Jesus at this point, he was willing to be a martyr. However as I mentioned last week, God is soverign, He is all knowing and will not let something happen without His knowing and timing of it, including anyone's act to be martyr.

Review:

Last week we talked about Paul, and when he left Jerusalem, He had been disputing with the Hellenists and as a result, their anger became such that they wanted to kill him. And we got to see how God did great things for him, God kept him safe. Lets re-read vs. 28-29

Acts 9:28-31

28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.

29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: God Arrests Saul (Acts 9:1–31)

Saul began to witness to the Greek-speaking Jews, the Hellenists that had engineered the trial and death of Stephen (Acts 6:9–15). Saul was one of them, having been born and raised in Tarsus; and no doubt he felt an obligation to take up the mantle left by Stephen (Acts 22:20). The Hellenistic Jews were not about to permit this kind of witness, so they plotted to kill him.

30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Nine: God Arrests Saul (Acts 9:1–31)

Saul shared this message with the church leaders, and they assisted him in returning to his native city, Tarsus. The fact that they believed Saul’s testimony about the vision is proof that he had been fully accepted by the church.

We see two things, no matter where you go, if your on Gods side:

Satan wants you defeated and or dead.

God wont let satan get you. Psalm 18:1-2 “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

2 things contributed to the peace in the churches

Saul's conversion - When a man of God realizes the power of His God, THINGS HAPPEN!

Political changes contributed to the rest also. A stricter Roman governor and the expansion of Herod Agrippa’s authority restricted the persecution. - John MacArthur

32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.

Lydda (modern day Lod) was located about 10 mi. SE of Joppa (Jaffa today), it was a hub servicing roads from Egypt to Syria and from Joppa to Jerusalem.

33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed.

The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 9

Use of “certain man” to describe him means he was an unbeliever

So from this, we see that Aeneas, was both unsaved and paralyzed. Not much is known about him other then this. But when Jesus healed Aeneas, those around him, saw and knew the miracle to be true and that Jesus was alive and powerful, There is power in JESUS! This ended up convincing those around Aeneas that the Gospel is alive and powerful and many trusted in Christ.

34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.

The Apostles, once again, never hesitated to give the glory to Jesus. They were faithful. Sometimes we can fall into wanting to take the glory for ourselves. However when we do this, it can make us prideful, it is stealing and it can push folks away from the Lord as opposed to bringing them to him.

Like we talked about last week, sometimes God wants to use us in a particular way to reach others for him, to bring the wandering sheep back to Him. But we need to be faithful to be used of God where He wants us. The folks in Lydda & Sharon as well as Aeneas are grateful for the faithfulness of Peter, even yet today, b/c they are in Heaven with Christ.

35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 9

Sharon. The plain surrounding Lydda and Joppa and extending N to Caesarea.

Challenge: If you know Jesus as your savior, do you recognize the power of God?

Illustration: In one of his essays, Robert Louis Stevenson wrote that as a young man he sailed out into the ocean to see the founding of a lighthouse. Nothing would satisfy him until he put on a diving suit and went down where the men were working. When they stood on the floor of the sea, his companions signaled for him to spring up on a great rock which towered above his head. Young Stevenson thought they were joking, but again they repeated the signal. He obeyed and, to his surprise, he landed on top of the rock. He had forgotten that the water was buoyant and that the force of the ocean would support his body. Just so, the Holy Spirit supports and enlarges our feeble efforts. - G. Curtis Jones, 1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1986), 164.

Likewise, if you know Jesus as Savior, recognize that with God all things are possible and He is inviting you to do something big with Him

Saved:

This week, will you recognize God’s Power and what He wants you to do?

I want to encourage you to also

recognize the power of Satan and what he uses as doors to oppress you and your family.

Take some time to seriously think and pray about what and or who is in your home, who your kids spend time with, who you spend time with.

If there is anything related to the demonic realm, get it out! Pray over your home, invite me to come and pray over your home.

If it isn't explainable and its not right, deal with it spiritually.

Unsaved: Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Closing Song: Since Jesus Came Into My Heart