Earthquake Prayers

The local Jewish religious leaders do not like this sermon by Peter…they arrest Peter and John, threaten them and command them not to preach in Jesus’ name—and let them go.

we pick up on that in verse 18…look at what the religious leaders do and say..

Acts 4:18 NIV

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

look at verse 21...

Acts 4:21 NIV

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.

Acts 4:23–31 (NIV)

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David (inspiration—mention Bible quizzing?): “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Put yourselves in the shoes of Peter and John...

Your life has been threatened—you are being threatened not to speak at all in the name of Jesus Christ…don’t do it!

b/c these leaders are the same ones that threatened and killed Jesus Christ...

you have been released—you go back to your people...

what would you do?

It’s hard for us to imagine that—b/c most of us don’t face that kind of scenario...

but just think about when life doesn’t go your way. when an unexpected problem comes up, or pain or suffering...

what do you do?

Think of our common responses to this sort of thing:

be afraid and fearful (that is normal). life feels of out control—so we get worried…so huddle up—stay out of the limelight…that would have been tempting for Peter and John…to just huddle up, lick their wounds, and stay underground… (and there are times when the church has to go underground)

Gossip — might want to go back to our people and really talk badly about the other people—really put them down “Oh I just can’t believe the religious leaders did this...” so maybe complain and gossip—especially if our problem involves another person

we might be very action-oriented— “we need to organize and conquer this problem whatever it...” Peter and John could have been tempted to let’s strategize, and organize, and counter what happened. fight fire with fire...

Escape it or look for addictions. if the problem is overwhelming—it might lead us to want to escape it, and look for something pleasurable—maybe an addiction to cover up the pain so we don’t have to think about it…or just do something else altogether...

we could go on...

and so Peter and John go back…to their people

and look at what they do...

I want to answer this in 3 parts....

Overwhelmed? Pray

look at verses 23-24

Acts 4:23–24 NIV

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

they report back to their people—they gather with fellow believers in Christ

and pray

so the answer—what to do when suffering---PRAY IN COMMUNITY

why do they do this…they recognize that their problem is so big, and so overwhelming, it threatens their very life—that they must cry out to God in community.

Praying like this shows our deep dependence on Jesus Christ...

and again—it’s not just individuals praying—they are praying together…they need each other, and they need the Lord.

so it’s worth pausing here—when you are facing huge threats, problems, sufferings, the example of the early church—even the example of Jesus is to cry out to the Lord in prayer…he spent entire nights in prayer...

do you and do you have others...

in the Book of Acts—prayer is mentioned in almost every chapter—it is that important...

but interestingly—this prayer—has an unusual effect…look at verse 31...

Acts 4:31 NIV

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

that word for shaken—I don’t think it was just internal—almost every time when that word is used in the NT—it’s the idea of going back and forth—the building and room moved. it was that powerful.

most of us have probably have not experienced an earthquake before. It you watch videos of ones that cause extreme damage—they can be terrifying—they don’t last long—but if their magnitude is big enough, it can move entire structures and buildings easily…you realize you are not in control...

and if you know your science—earthquakes are caused by tectonic plates deep down below the surface of the earth—and the US Geological Survey organization says that these tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction…when the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth’s crust and cause the shaking that we feel.

and even if earthquakes last only a few seconds or a minute at most—they cause quite the result.

the prayer that these disciples prayed together—caused quite the result—in an incredibly powerful way...

how do we pray we pray these kinds of earthquake sized prayers...

Earthquake Prayers… how to pray...

(btw this is the longest recorded prayer in the book of Acts…)

disclaimer—if you are new to praying…a new believer…not a Christian—when it comes to prayer—don’t over-complicate it.

There is a lot of value in thinking of prayer as talking and listening to God—and as his child—you can come to God with anything…just like a child can come and talk to their parent with anything in a healthy relationships…You don’t have to overthink it—I think God delights in us just approaching him...

however, as we grow in our relationship with Christ and our prayer life---I want you to notice how they pray—and I want you to notice this—b/c I think it does 2 things:

#1 matches up with Scripture—patterns of prayer in Scripture—helps us know God more intimately--and thus brings glory to God

#2 will revolutionize your prayer life—and make a difference in your everyday life in how you face problems…earthquake prayers...

and these are not huge movements—just like an earthquake—even though tectonic plates are huge—they are not moving that much—and it causes quite the result...

#1 — Earthquake prayers put God first (vs. 24) (and this is a pattern after Scripture—Lord’s Prayer—and encouraging…)

Acts 4:24 NIV

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

the first thing they do in the prayer life—before looking in to their problems—is they look up. Sovereign Lord—that means God is all-powerful—He is king. He is in control....He is the one who has all authority, power, and dominion...

this idea of the Sovereign Lord—looking at him first—goes back to the Lord’s Prayer when Jesus taught his disciples to pray…the first thing He mentioned...

Matthew 6:9–10 NIV

9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

prayer that focuses on God and his kingdom first—enlarges our vision.....

it takes our eyes first off our problems which seem so overwhelming and puts them on a big God who is not overwhelmed by them...

in particular—my next point--

Earthquake prayers are bathed in God’s sovereignty (vs. 24-28)

this is really the bulk of his prayer...

remember—God’s sovereignty means he is in control, he is king, he is all-powerful, he has all authority and dominion...

look at the reminders of God’s sovereignty...

in creation…vs. 24

Acts 4:24 NIV

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

it is so true when you get out in nature—God’s creation—just how you and I are reminded of how big God is…our family recently went for a walk with the weather changing…leaves, caterpillars, I even saw a snake…and got really excited…all of that was good for my soul.

even recently just watching a nature show National Geographic Style—I watched a guy named Bertie explore the Galapagos Islands—iguanas, sea lions, sharks…i was blown away—we serve a big God who made all things…I love watching these little iguanas bathe themselves in the hot sun, and then they will get in the water, swim through the crazy ocean current, feed on the seaweed way out in the ocean, and get back (and they have to do it in less than an hour—or they die b/c of muscle paralysis—the water is so cold). I find myself on the edge of my seat watching these little iguanas—and when I do…I am reminded that God cares for these little iguanas who could be eaten by the sharks.

and that encourages me…that we serve a big sovereign God

we also are reminded of God’s Sovereignty not just in creation but

in Scripture and its history… (look at vs. 25)

Acts 4:25 (NIV)

25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

the early church reminds themselves of what God’s Word says—quoting Psalm 2— (btw—we see the doctrine of inspiration—

if you are in junior quizzing— question #81 “How did God give us the Bible?” Answer — the Holy Spirit inspired holy men, giving them both the truth and the words to write.” they ground their prayer in Scripture…

question #83 in jr. quizzing— what do we mean when we say that the Bible is verbally inspired — We mean that God inspired each word of the Bible and not just the thoughts or ideas...

and yet somehow God did this without overriding human personality and artistic phrasing...

we have a big God.

it continues...

vs. 25 — Why do the nations rage and the peoples in vain

Acts 4:26 NIV

26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’

in other words—there has always been this pattern in history of people being against God—including the most powerful kings and nations on earth--

in terms of Peter and John and the early church—their suffering, the threats they are under—is not new. they are reminded that as they open God’s Word—this pattern of suffering and being rejected—is part of what it means to follow God.

There has always been nations and kingdoms against God’s kingdom.

the prophet Elijah—if you know his story —there is a great showdown—between him and the prophets of a false god named Baal. The story is Elijah—1 vs. 450 prophets—and if you know the story—Elijah challenges the 450 prophets to a contest—they set up an altar and sacrifice—and the challenge is each side will pray to their god—and whoever’s god answers with fire—that’s god. It’s an incredible story—one where Elijah proves that God is God—b/c God answer with fire…but afterwards—Elijah’s life is threatened. King Ahab and Queen Jezebel threaten to kill him. Elijah runs for his life—and he wants to die—he prays to the Lord— “take my life!!” This same bold prophet who just witnessed a miracle is now crying in fear and wants to die...

and God answers Eljiah—so amazingly—providing food for him---appearing to him in a gentle wind…and reminding him—that there are 7,000 who are still with him.

it can feel like when we are suffering—that I am the only one. Nobody…understands me....nobody gets me…everyone here at church looks like they are so happy worshipping Jesus, clapping…but that is not the truth. we are all suffering…we all have major problems...

when we feel like we are the only one—we need to look to God’s incredible revelation in Scripture—reminding us there are many who have faced what we have faced—experienced what we have experienced.

I think of the Psalms—every human emotion is covered there—joy, grief, sorrow, anger, depression, anxiety/worry

and God is sovereign over all of it—over all Scripture, history—this pattern—it is not a surprise to the King of King of Kings...

most of all we see God’s sovereignty in Jesus’ life.

in the plan of Jesus and the cross

Acts 4:27–28 NIV

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

in one of the most awful events in history—the most awful really—King Herod, the Roman governor Pilate—the Jews and Gentiles—all conspired to kill Jesus Christ, the Son of God—the one chosen by God.

it was awful!!

they are responsible for killing Jesus---

but it was all part of God’s plan!

There is definitely a tension here—we think this is a contradiction—how could God hold them responsible for doing this—if he had planned this! I think that’s really hard to answer…but the early church did not have a problem with this tension

Acts 2:23 NIV

23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

they are responsible and yet God is sovereign...

I will save how we solve that for another sermon or discussion.

but just think how encouraging this is…despite what they are going through...

God has got a plan…b/c He is made all things...

He’s got a plan…b/c it’s always been the pattern of Scripture and history—for people to reject God and persecute God’s people...

He’s got a plan—b/c even in the worst of evil—the Son of God was killed by human beings—what man intended for evil—God meant for good to bring about the salvation of all who trust in Jesus so they can be forgiven and start a new life with God in His kingdom

and it’s encouraging—that Jesus knows what this is like…He suffered—He was rejected..He faced difficult problems—and He always relied on His Sovereign Father. when we are confused by God’s sovereign plan—we just need to be reminded of Jesus—who knows what it is like...

do you pray this way—with a God-centeredness…and soaked and saturated in God’s sovereignty?

There is something mightily encouraging about this…

these small shifts—just like an earthquake—produce massive results in your life. Not only do you get a more accurate, Biblical picture of our God—but it takes our eyes off ourselves and puts them on a big God who is working out all things for our good and His glory (even if we don’t quite understand it)

b/c when you do—look at the 3rd kind of prayer we need—not just God-centeredness—beginning with God and focused on His sovereignty...

Earthquake prayers... ask big requests from God(vs. 29-30) what do they ask for?

look at their 3 requests—vs. 29-30

Acts 4:29–30 (NIV)

29 Now, Lord, consider their threats (they don’t even pray smite their enemies or get vengeance—but Lord—see and know...” that’s request #1 ...

and then request #2...

and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” — that’s request #3

#1 - consider their threats

#2 - enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness

#3 - stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus

What is it that enables them to pray this way?

are they better human beings than we are? are they just super spiritual saints or something?

no—I think that in light of being so focused and saturated on God and His Word—it’s like they get perspective--

they are reminded who is in control...

and say— “consider their threats--” Lord if you are sovereign king—you have got this and them.

#2—give us boldness. you have charged us with a mission to be your witnesses by your Spirit to the ends of the earth—help us to not back down—help us to go forward. this is scary! we need your help!!

The Apostle Paul prayed for this regularly too—

so apparently the early church struggled with being afraid—that’s normal—God can help—

#3—praying for miracles—signs and wonders—and it’s not to show off—they all want it to be done in the name of your holy servant Jesus—they all want it to testify to Jesus Christ.

and these miracles help show that they are sent by God—that Jesus is who He says He is—and the Gospel message is true. it’s not that you need a miracle to prove that—b/c miracles don’t always make people follow God. sometimes it just hardens hearts—but they want people to know Jesus is Lord—and so they pray for miracles.

and look at the results

Acts 4:31 NIV

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

shaken…just like Mt. Sinai was in the OT when Moses went up on the mountain—they have an encounter with God

filled with the Spirit—this isn’t a new Pentecost—they never lost the Spirit—but Spirit fills them in such a way that He empowers and encourages them. All of us are commanded to be filled with the Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 NIV

18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

this happens as we pray and focus on God and His Son Jesus Christ

and the result is they spoke the Word of God boldly....

earthquake size prayers---

when you think of the death of Jesus on the cross…we read this

Matthew 27:51 NIV

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split

the earth shook...

the reason that we can pray these kinds of prayers—is because Jesus experienced the ultimate shaking on our behalf...

the reason we can trust a sovereign God whose plan doesn’t always make sense—is because that same God—sent His beloved Son to endure and suffer on our behalf and shed his blood so we could be a part of the kingdom of God.

time of reflection…from Mission Encounter, Acting Up—earthquake sized prayers...

—heard from Wolheters — Bolivia — had food (missionaries to Bolivia) (picture)

—heard from Joe Johns— (picture—of an event)

—heard from and are hearing from some panels (picture)

—Willa K.

—Andy and Abby Lehman

—Emili Marling...

—couple of events coming up:

—Wednesday night

—Brandi Liechty — Support meals for new families and their SS class

—Renee Captain and Brenda DeArmond - Brianna’s Hope

—Katie Caffee — Continental Apartments manager

—Joe Johns — World Partners — global staff

How is God calling you to have a Missions Encounter—to reach compassionately...

—a huge part is prayer—seismic shift

—part of it is getting others together to pray

—Joe Johns mentioned making a list of people to regularly pray for...

—how is God calling you to pray—like this and reach out compassionately to the ends of the earth...

pray--

Jesus---he was so focused on His Father

—He was focused on God’s plan— “not my will but yours be done...”

—he spoke God’s Word boldly...

—He was filled with the Spirit

What a Lord and Savior we have!!

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