Praying for Boldness

Intro:

Recap

W 1: You are a witness for Jesus

W 2: Jesus gives the HS

W 3: The Church Gathered (Community)

W 4: The Church Scattered (Mission)

W 5: The Church Faces opposition (Prayer)

Big Idea: When you face opposition (in mission), starting praying.

pray

Get your eyes on God: V 23-24

Acts 4:23–24 ESV

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 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,

Recap Situation

Continued Preaching in the Temple

Priest, Captains, sadducees

Speak Directly to them, Jesus is the only way.

To scare them they “charge them” to no longer speak of Jesus.

2. Why Go to God?

Shifts our focus from the opposition to God who is...

They Cling to the truth that….

- God is Sovereign,

- and made all things

Get your eyes on a big God.

Get your eyes on scripture: V 25-26

Acts 4:25–26 ESV

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? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

Why get your eyes on Scripture?

Scripture is Truth

John 17:17 ESV

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

What do we see in scripture:

Instruction

people with similar struggle.

Hope in Gods promises.

Transition: (Sifter Image) What am I left with...

In Prayer… Bring the situation before God.

Acts 4:27–28 ESV

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, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

What do we see from their situation:

God Im confused why this is happening?

God I thought this is what should happen?

God we are trying to do what we thought you wanted?

Be real with God… he knows… It is simply Good for you!

Now.. Make your request v 29-30

Acts 4:29–30 ESV

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Now...

You have sifted your situation through...

Who God is

The Truth of Scripture

You have brought the situation before God.

Request:

God get involved

Help us to continue to minister out of boldness.

May they know this is the work of Jesus.

Conclusion: Result of this kind of prayer

Acts 4:31 ESV

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.

Boldness

Ministry Continued

Eternities were impacted

(Next Week) Community was strengthened

Small Group Questions:

Give people time and space to share tough circumstances that they are facing in their life?

Spend time reflecting on the character of God, and how can relate to the situation

How can scripture speak into these circumstances? (really try to share scripture)

Spend time in prayer!