Building the Church (4)
Building the Church • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
Good morning.
I hope everyone had a great week.
How did you see God move this past week?
We are continuing our journey through the book of Acts.
We have already seen:
The fulfilment of the promise of the Holy Spirit.
The birth of the church at Pentecost.
Some early signs and wonders done through the Apostles.
Now they are getting noticed.
This was not a fad.
The early church did not have the advantages we do today:
No big budgets or buildings, the pastors were uneducated, they did not have any celebrities endorsing them, a lot of the leaders ended up with criminal records.
Many of today’s churches probably wouldn’t hire and some probably wouldn’t let them join
They did have a power and boldness where ever they went.
They were a people who prayed and trusted God.
They were obedient to their calling and steadfast in their belief.
Christians should be the boldest people in the world – not cocky and sure of ourselves, but sure of Him.
– AW Tozer –
Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
We are going to look at this today.
What happens when we face opposition to our faith and beliefs?
What happens when the law of the land is against the standards of the Word?
Where is the first place we turn when trouble comes?
Let’s pray.
Being Noticed
Last week we left off with the story of Peter and John healing am man lame from birth and preaching to the people.
Peter made sure the power witnessed point to Jesus
16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Being Noticed
They were making a ruckus.
People were listening and hearts were being changed
The sharing of the Gospel will disrupt the normal flow of the day.
1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Being Noticed
I love it says “annoyed”
These were Sadducees - did not believe in resurrection
So they arrested them - under the guise of disturbing the peace.
But, the Gospel is not thwarted.
4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Being Questioned
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
Being Questioned
These names sound familiar - trial of Jesus
The sharing of the Gospel will bring questions and push-back
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
Being Questioned
When we are moving and growing as a church and as a person, there is going to be push back.
Our faith is not only counter cultural, but it is dangerous to the world view.
That is why Christianity is banned is some places and shown to be foolish, close minded, irrelevant in others.
Giving the Proper Credit
When asked about our faith, the only answer is Jesus
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.
Giving the Proper Credit
Our lives and our actions will open doors to share.
When this happens we must be ready.
I wonder if Peter was thinking about this instance when he wrote:
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
So how do we get these opportunities?
Leave no doubt
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Leave no doubt
There lives and actions matched their claims.
They knew who Peter was and his background - this was different, he had changed.
There was no question to what they had done.
14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
Choose commitment over comfort
15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
Choose commitment over comfort
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Ask for opportunity and boldness
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 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, 25 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? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 27 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, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
Ask for opportunity and boldness
They praised for the push back and prayed for more
29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,
Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
A day is coming when it will get more difficult to live and acts as a Christian.
How do we prepare?
St Augustine once said:
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: Persecution, Prayer, and Power (Acts 4:5–31)
“Pray as though everything depended on God, and work as though everything depended on you.”
Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
We may and will be asked about our faith.
The only way we stand firm is by first kneeling
When we do that as church in unison - this city will shake
31 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.
Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
Standing Firm by Kneeling Low
I hope you are still praying each day for the church and it’s leaders
Spurgeon was once asked the secret of his success. He said “My people pray for me.”
Next week - Acts 5
We will look at the heart of the people of the church.
Let’s pray.
