The First Church
Notes
Transcript
Acts 4:23–37. Do not read:
The disciples were arrested, persecuted and placed in jail for preaching the gospel. They learned to pray together; they worked together and witnessed together. They felt a deep love for each other. Unity was the secret to their success! When there is unity in the church it creates a great power which destroys the power of sin and Satan. The quickest of all ways to destroy the church is disunity. Dis-unity in the church leads to: (1) division, (2) contention, and (3) confusion.
The disciples were arrested, persecuted and placed in jail for preaching the gospel. They learned to pray together; they worked together and witnessed together. They felt a deep love for each other. Unity was the secret to their success! When there is unity in the church it creates a great power which destroys the power of sin and Satan. The quickest of all ways to destroy the church is disunity. Dis-unity in the church leads to: (1) division, (2) contention, and (3) confusion.
I. The People’s Consecration—vv. 23–31
I. The People’s Consecration—vv. 23–31
A. We as Christians, we seem to gravitate to other believers don’t we?
A. We as Christians, we seem to gravitate to other believers don’t we?
Acts 4:23 “23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.”
Acts 4:23 “23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.”
As soon as the disciples were freed they went to join their own people and tell them what had happened.
As soon as the disciples were freed they went to join their own people and tell them what had happened.
B. When Peter and John returned, all the people had Praise in their hearts.
B. When Peter and John returned, all the people had Praise in their hearts.
Acts 4:24–25 “24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?”
Acts 4:24–25 “24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?”
Despite their persecution they praised the Lord.
Despite their persecution they praised the Lord.
C. In the book of Psalm, we read a bit of a Prophesy don’t we?
C. In the book of Psalm, we read a bit of a Prophesy don’t we?
Psalm 2:1–3 “1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
Psalm 2:1–3 “1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
This scripture is showing Christ as Lord, the highest of all and ruler of the world.
This scripture is showing Christ as Lord, the highest of all and ruler of the world.
Acts 4:26–28 “26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.”
Acts 4:26–28 “26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.”
D. In verses 29-30, The disciples did not pray for freedom but for boldness as they spoke God’s Word. They asked that God reach out His hand and heal.
D. In verses 29-30, The disciples did not pray for freedom but for boldness as they spoke God’s Word. They asked that God reach out His hand and heal.
Acts 4:29–30 “29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:29–30 “29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
E. So, in tough times, the disciples did what you and I are to be doing during all times of life, good and not so good.
E. So, in tough times, the disciples did what you and I are to be doing during all times of life, good and not so good.
Acts 4:31 “31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:31 “31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
1. Like our prayers today, their Prayers were The secret to their success.
1. Like our prayers today, their Prayers were The secret to their success.
2. Like our lives today, we have that special Place or at least we should. The place was shaken as the result of prayer.
2. Like our lives today, we have that special Place or at least we should. The place was shaken as the result of prayer.
3. Their prayers resulted in Power as They spoke God’s Word with boldness.
3. Their prayers resulted in Power as They spoke God’s Word with boldness.
II. The People’s Cooperation,
II. The People’s Cooperation,
Acts 4:32–33 “32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.”
Acts 4:32–33 “32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.”
A. These were kinda of unusual people don’t you think? They wanted to really love one another, they remembered what Jesus had taught them.
A. These were kinda of unusual people don’t you think? They wanted to really love one another, they remembered what Jesus had taught them.
1. These followers were of One heart. All had the same feelings toward each other because of Jesus. A church?
1. These followers were of One heart. All had the same feelings toward each other because of Jesus. A church?
2. They were all of One soul. They All had the same spiritual desires, to follow Jesus and love one another.
2. They were all of One soul. They All had the same spiritual desires, to follow Jesus and love one another.
3. One desire. They shared what they had with others, food, property, money, their time I would imagine.
3. One desire. They shared what they had with others, food, property, money, their time I would imagine.
III. These things that were going on were really The People’s Compassion.
III. These things that were going on were really The People’s Compassion.
Acts 4:34 “34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them”
Acts 4:34 “34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them”
A. They considered themselves to be equal, none better than the other. The people sold their houses and shared their money with other poor Christians. Now, of course This was before they had welfare or social security.
A. They considered themselves to be equal, none better than the other. The people sold their houses and shared their money with other poor Christians. Now, of course This was before they had welfare or social security.
B. They were Sharing whatever was needed. Can’t you see that happening today?
B. They were Sharing whatever was needed. Can’t you see that happening today?
Acts 4:35 “35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.”
Acts 4:35 “35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.”
The people sold their homes and gave the money to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to those in need.
The people sold their homes and gave the money to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to those in need.
Acts 4:36–37 “36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”
Acts 4:36–37 “36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.”
C. Fellow Christians, other believers in Jesus Christ started what we are to be continuing today, Surrendering ourselves, our stuff, our time in the name of Jesus.Barnabas sold his land and gave the money to the disciples.
C. Fellow Christians, other believers in Jesus Christ started what we are to be continuing today, Surrendering ourselves, our stuff, our time in the name of Jesus.Barnabas sold his land and gave the money to the disciples.
Should Christians sell their homes and give the money to the church? The Bible says that first we should take care of our families.
Should Christians sell their homes and give the money to the church? The Bible says that first we should take care of our families.
Galatians 6:10 “10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
Galatians 6:10 “10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
James 2:15–16 “15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?”
James 2:15–16 “15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?”
We should pay our tithes.
We should pay our tithes.
Malachi 3:8–10 8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
Malachi 3:8–10 8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!”
God may ask us if we are willing to surrender everything to Him. We should obey Him no matter what He may tell us to do. God wants to be first in our lives.
God may ask us if we are willing to surrender everything to Him. We should obey Him no matter what He may tell us to do. God wants to be first in our lives.
This church family, is how the first church was started, doing what Jesus has instructed us to do in His precious name.
This church family, is how the first church was started, doing what Jesus has instructed us to do in His precious name.
AMEN
AMEN
INVITATION HYMN
INVITATION HYMN
CLOSING PRAYER
CLOSING PRAYER
CLOSING SONG
CLOSING SONG
