By What Power?

Introduction

Acts 1 — Jesus promises the Spirit, Matthias replaces Judas Acts 2 — Pentecost Acts 3 — Peter heals a beggar Preview // Acts 17:6-8 — “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. Stories of campuses turned upside down

Sigma Chi at Troy getting turned upside down UNT frat house turned campus ministry building Ohio State football players hosting evangelistic events with 2,000 in attendance Rice Night of Decadence

Started 1972, over 1,000 of the 4,000 students, underwear only, shut down a couple years ago after two dozen hospitalized Evening of Elegance, Chi Alpha, ministry of 100, started in 2014 with 300, outgrew NOD with over 1,000 in 2017, nearly bankrupted it I’m not the morality police. I want this campus changed because…

alcoholism, one night stands, glorification of athletics, obsession with appearance, pursuit of academic success aren’t freeing people from anxiety, depression, addiction, broken relationships but Jesus is making people whole, mending relationships, etc. It’s already beginning to happen

InterVarsity conversions up 33% SBC baptisms highest since COVID REACH having 2x student leaders as the size of our whole ministry in 2023 I want more of it. Some people act like Auburn and A&M are basically Christian colleges. I pray that the normalcy of Bible studies at Heritage House, Monarch, etc. becomes true all across the city. I pray that Alabama would become as known for sending missionaries as we are for #RushTok. What’s it going to take to make that happen?

Explanation

Verses 1-7

They are dumbfounded by what power allowed them to heal a cripple

The campus doesn’t know what it takes to change the campus. (v. 1-7)

You can…but it’s not gonna give you the answers

check your horoscope all day

turn to your political idols

keep going to the same sins that left you only temporarily satisfied

The world doesn’t know.

If you want freedom, hope, joy, peace, eternal life (and life transformation for others as well) you can’t go to people who don’t know.

Verses 8-13

Capstone or Cornerstone? Yes.

“Author and Perfecter” (Heb. 12:2)

He’s both the foundation our faith is built upon and the ideal of our vision.

If you want to change the campus, it has to start with Jesus changing you. (v. 8-13)

Everyone wants the big splash, but not as many want the subtle obedience.

Very rarely does the conversion of a high profile figure lead to many other conversions, but every single day normal Christians sharing the good news leads people to Christ.

Our campus turning upside down starts with one normal student at a time letting Jesus turn their life upside down in radical obedience.

Revival — get some chalk, draw a circle around yourself, pray for total commitment there first

Verses 14-31

If you don’t have time for prayer, you don’t have time for power. (v. 14-31)

PBT prayer goals — $ for new offices in the middle of the recession, missionaries out of the woodworks during COVID

REACH growth has come from a desperate dependence on God in prayer

If you’re too busy for prayer, you’re too busy…

to grow from a baby in the faith to one who can lead

to overcome the sins that keep tripping you up

to gain the boldness to share the gospel with your family and friends.

Exhortation

Sinner — It is only by Jesus that so many in this room are healed (v. 10), but more importantly it is only through Jesus that you can have eternal life (v. 12)

If my life is a broken record, it’ll be a broken record of how Jesus can save you.

Go to small group and ask a friend your questions. Come to baptism class and learn about accepting the gift of grace.

Saints — Pray for desperation. Ask God to give you more dependence on him for his power.

Philippians 2:13 // "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”