Into the Fire

A Journey Through Acts  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Intro
Relationship of this story to Shadrach Meshach and Abednego
The Goal: To learn how we should face difficult situations for Christ through the example of the apostles.
Acts 4:23–31 CSB
After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers assemble together against the Lord and against his Messiah. “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your will had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.
The proposal: To learn how we should face difficult situations for Christ through the example of the apostles.

They Went to the Church Body

We should go to our church body when we have issues that we are facing in the world.
The church ought to be a place for genuine community, not a place of pretending.
We come with our problems, our struggles so that together we might help one another.
This is the ideal answer, but we are reminded by Scripture that God is faithful even when we aren’t.
1 Kings 19:4–5 CSB
but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.”
In many ways, this highlights the importance of community.
Elijah was alone and when he faced a threat, he feared for his life.
Even the best of us will have difficult times, but we should seek to remember to run to our church brothers and sisters for support and encouragement to face what God has called us to.

They Went to the Lord in Prayer

Began their prayer with reference to who God is. This frames their prayer and the way they live.
Sovereign
Creator
When seeking to serve God, it only makes sense to go to him with our prayers.
Philippians 4:6 CSB
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
When we have problems, we are able to take it directly to the source.
Some company structures make you go through the proper channels.
Some religions make you go through a “holy man”
We have direct access to the Father!
Prayer...
To the one who made us.
Who knows us better than the one who made us?
"You are Special” book
Punchinello feels like an outcast but can go and talk to Eli (his creator)
To the one who loves us.
“Tell it to someone who cares”
“Did I ask”
Takes us to the one who can fix out problems
Going to the wrong place for your problems is foolish.
To the one we serve
If we are working for someone

The Went to Scripture

While praying they reflected on Scripture.
This showed several things.
The value of God’s word for our lives!
The reality of the work that God has already done.
The reality that the work of God is ongoing in this moment.
They literally were referencing Scripture that is being fulfilled!
We should remember that even today there will be Scripture that directly applies to the situations we are in, and to the ways that people are interacting.
Even the Scripture in this passage, we see played out when people stand opposed to God and to Jesus Christ.
Scripture helps to set reality straight.
Who we are.
Who God is.
A reminder of his promises.
What this world is.
What this world will be.
Scripture gives us confidence.
“Why do they plot in vain.”
This reminds us that God is in control.
Scripture is sufficient.
All we need to know to follow God can be found in Scripture.
This is why going to it is essential for our lives.
Scripture guides us.
Psalm 119:105 CSB
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.
The Bible helps us to know what God wants us to do, and how he wants us to do it.

They Asked for God’s Help to do HIS Will

“Grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Luke 22:42 CSB
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
We must remember that right now we are focused on seeking to do the Father’s will.
This doesn’t ONLY mean a situation exactly like this. It could be something else, but it would be within the Father’s will.
If you are worried that God would not care about what you are going to ask Him about, you might first ask if you should be involved in it.
Or rather, maybe it is alright to be involved in, but should the outcome of that situation cause you such turmoil?
God is both able and willing to do what we ask of Him when it comes to doing His will.
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