Pray Differently (Acts 4:23-31)

Attention

how much do WE pray?

“Prayer is oxygen for the Christian.” John Onwuchekwa

really how much do YOU pray?

“So we come to one of the crying evils of these times, maybe of all times — little or no praying. Of these two evils, perhaps little praying is worse than no praying. Little praying is a kind of make-believe, a salvo for the conscience, a farce and a delusion.” E. M. Bounds

little prayer = little power

American churches are often built on ingenuity

the early church was built on prayer

American church is in decline

the early church exploded

bamboozled to think we can do this church thing on our own???

“The things you pray about are the things you trust God to handle. The things you neglect to pray about are the things you trust you can handle on your own.” H.B. Charles

Need

more prayer…but not just any kind of prayer

“Unfortunately, our prayers in the church too often feel like prayer before a meal: obligatory and respectable, but no one really gets much out of it. Our church prayers get reduced to a tool for transitioning from one activity to the next. Let’s have everyone close their eyes and bow their heads, so that transitioning the praise team on and off the stage isn’t so awkward.” John Onwuchekwa

not just more prayer

but more different prayer

PRAY DIFFERENTLY

prayer in NT is powerful

Body

4:23

When they were released

Jesus heals lame man through Peter

Peter preaches

4:1-4

4:12

4:13— boldness

4:18-20

went to their friends

and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

4:24-28

responded in prayer

not sulk, whine, complain, anger

but prayer

how do you respond when things are tough and don’t go your way?

unified in prayer

they lifted their voices together (4:24)

1:14 - All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer

LN — ‘with one mind, by common consent, unanimously.’

tonight—sit close

pray differently

the early church didn’t run to their wish list

slay my accusers

give them heartburn and indigestion Tums cannot cure

they stopped and considered Who they were praying to

they stopped and considered how much bigger He is than their problems

Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them

early church didn’t have NASA

Earth

Earth with moon

Milky Way Galaxy

let’s start with God in our prayers

Sovereign Lord (4:24)

Δέσποτα not κύριος

LN--one who holds complete power or authority over another

ruler of unchallengeable power

religious leaders can make threats and try to silence church

but their authority was subject to a higher authority

the edicts of men cannot overturn the decrees of God

before the people prayed about any need

they filled their minds with thoughts of divine sovereignty

when you do this, problems change

God uses prayer to remind you how big He is and how small your problems are to Him

Annawood house

working 2 jobs and barely paying bills

needed to sell house with lots of repairs (roof, leak in pool, carpet)

find out Amanda’s pregnant

I was focusing on my problem

not God’s power

not God’s plan

what about for you?

what are you going through that is overwhelming?

loss of job

family member sick

medical diagnosis

marital strife

“Even If” Mercy Me

I know You’re able

And I know You can

Save through the fire

With Your mighty hand

But even if You don’t

My hope is You alone

do you believe God has a plan for you even through the ugly stuff?

Romans 8:28–29 (NASB95)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son

the same Sovereign Lord who made everything (4:24)

is the same Sovereign Lord who predestined the circumstances around Jesus — whatever (4:28)

that means the opposition to Jesus was predestined

that means Jesus’ death was predestined

that also means Jesus’ resurrection was predestined

that means the opposition to the early church was predestined

the early church applied Psalm 2:1-2 to Jesus

and in turn trusted God to accomplish His purposes in the opposition by the religious leaders

no matter how horrendous the circumstances could be

what good could come out of the death of God’s Son???

God knows what He is doing

God uses prayer to show you His ways are higher than yours

4:25-26

Psalm 2:1-2

4:27-28

early church application

opponents did evil to Jesus

Herod

Pilate

Gentiles (Romans)

peoples of Israel (religious leaders)

BUT according to God’s plan

Jesus’ death was necessary for our salvation

compatibility

God is sovereign

humans are responsible

predestination is not a scary word

it is a comforting word

no matter what humans (or Satan) conjure up

they cannot thwart God and His plans

trust in God’s plans when they don’t make sense

when it looked like the religious leaders and Romans had won by crucifying Jesus

God was paying in full the debt we owe

when persecution comes on the church

God causes it to grow

when your life doesn’t go as planned

God has a plan, so trust Him

you must see God as the great God of the universe with all power

then you know

He is greater than your problem

He has plans unlike your plans

with their vision of God clarified

and humbled before him

now they are ready to make requests

Let’s pray differently

many Christians will go throughout life and never share the gospel with a lost soul

many more will never lead someone to Christ (I will make you fishers of men)

nerves, fear, etc.??? this prayer if for all of us

we want to defy the odds

we are crazy enough to believe God is greater than our nerves, fears, etc.

God wants to use us to accomplish His purposes of saving souls right here in Nac

4:29-30

2 requests

1. look upon (4:29)

notice what the early Christians did not pray for: deliverance

Christianity is not an honor religion

we look to Jesus

thus, request is just to notice (God, take note)

Hezekiah vs. early church

Isaiah 37:16–20

same elements

God addressed as Lord and Creator

threat of Israel’s enemies (Babylon—Sennacherib)

request—DELIVERANCE

notice early church request—COURAGE

Commit to pray, “Lord, help me share Jesus”

2. grant (4:29)

δὸς from δίδωμι

give the power/ability to

grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness

NOT stop persecution

OR revenge

BUT boldness to keep proclaiming Jesus

they knew persecution would keep coming

they wanted to proclaim Jesus with boldness despite persecution

boldness—confidence, implying intimidating circumstances

consequences (early church = jail, beatings, death)

FCC — nerves, fears

what intimidating circumstances do you face when sharing Jesus?

have you prayed for boldness?

not only for boldness but for fertile soil

Commit to pray for salvation of lost souls

by name

bringing them before the throne room of God

who’s salvation are you praying for?

who should you start with today?

these are the types of prayers God answers

Let’s experience God answering this type of prayer

4:31

we pray all sorts of prayers (comfort) and neglect the prayers God desires to answer

how often do you do you ask for boldness in sharing Christ?

Paul did

Colossians 4:2–4 (ESV)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:18–20 (ESV)

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

boldness (4:31)

link to 4:13

4:29

What would happen if we regularly prayed for boldness to share Jesus?

Pray tonight @ 5

Share Christ Saturday from 10-12

honor Matt