They Turned ... They Believed
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· 7 viewsMiracles open the door to share the good news. What are our "door openers"?
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31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
The Thriving Church
The Thriving Church
- Part 1: the growth of the church in Jerusalem
- Part 2: the growth and spread of the church into Judea, Samaria, Galilee and beyond
- Part 3: the end of Peter’s recorded ministry with the spread of the gospel to the Roman Centurion, Cornelius
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
“was being built up”
the church was being constructed - an ongoing process which never stops
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Eph 2:
“being built together”
21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
an ongoing process which includes winning the lost, teaching, discipline, suffering
“together” = an organism not an organization
1 Th
being “built up” happens as new believers become a part of the church and are taught ()
9:31
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
started when we were saved and continues through our sojourn on earth
“walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the HS”
the result of being built up:
as this building up occurs believers walk in fear and in the comfort of the HS
growth into maturity is always marked by fear and comfort
there is much “church growth” today that does not manifest itself in these two ways and if it doesn’t it is not true church growth!
“walking in the fear of the Lord”
the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (; )
the fear the Lord is present at salvation and must be cultivated throughout our lives
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
those who practice evil practice divination, abominable customs, deceit, ungodliness, oppression, extortion
those who practice good practice: fear, righteousness
God practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth
recall often that we are indwelt by the Triune God
Albert Martin in his book “The Forgotten Fear” lists 8 things we can do to cultivate the fear of God:
must be saved
feed on scripture
think often of God’s forgiveness
dwell on the majestic greatness of God
cultivate a sense of God’s presence
my experience: in-dwelt by the Triune God
remember your obligations to God
associate closely with those who fear God ()
pray for it
if you would experience the comfort of the HS you must walk in righteousness and holiness
2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.
sin makes a separation between us
4 Then they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Mic 3:4
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Th 5:19
the presence of the HS: the comfort of the HS the result of our not grieving him with our sins
we experience greater comfort as we practice the fear of God!
“it multiplied”
“ it multiplied”
as the church was being built up it was growing
true church growth is not the result of beautiful buildings or wonderful programs or excellent ministries
church growth is about:
glorifying God: giving him the honour, reverence, worship that is due him
being built up: through faithful preaching and teaching of the whole counsel of God
this is not happening in many churches
this is not being cultivated in personal walks of many believers
believers who are growing produce churches that are growing
The Growing Church
The Growing Church
how does a church grow?
programs, ministries, flashy entertainment, glitsy programming, high tech?
these human methods are easy and give quick results
churches like this: big front and back doors!
God’s plan is much more simple but more challenging
the results though are long lasting and life changing
The Healing of Aeneas
The Healing of Aeneas
“Peter went here and there among them all”
a high level picture of Peter’s preaching and teaching ministry in the fledgling church
Peter was going to the gatherings of believers to “build them up” (v.31)
he was strengthening and encouraging them
“he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda”
“the saints” - christians
holy or holy one: a person of God; a person dedicated to God
a NT description of believers
saints are not those who do miracles, live more virtuous lives than anyone else, and approved by the Pope
Peter was visiting saints with the purpose of strengthening and encouraging them
remember what Jesus commanded Peter when he reinstated him
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
feed = give them food
food vs. milk
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.
Heb 5:12
tend = to shepherd ()
pastor/shepherd are one and the same ( - included in list of Jesus’ gifts to the church)
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
Ps 23
31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
“a man”
contrast with “a disciple” in regard to Dorcas
most likely an unbeliever
had been confined to his bed for 8 yrs and most likely would have remained there apart from his miraculous healing
“they saw him (Aeneas)”
“they saw him (Aeneas)”
when they saw him it was because he was out and about and telling everyone what had happened to him
he was telling them, “I was paralyzed for 8 years, I was bedridden but Jesus Christ healed me”
we know this because Luke tells us in v.35, “all the residents saw him … and they turned to the Lord”
“all the residents saw him … and they turned to the Lord”
although it is possible it is doubtful that every single inhabitant of Lydda and Sharon became believers
examples of this type of language:
19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
seeing a paralyzed man walking is not enough to save a person
the gospel must be presented and the HS must open their spiritual eyes and ears
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Rom 10
until the HS does this sovereign, irresistible work of grace, opening spiritual eyes and ears, gospel truth remains unintelligible
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Summary:
the miracle of a paralyzed man walking gave the unbelievers a compelling reason to listen to Peter’s preaching
it was compelling enough that it looked like everyone had turned to the Lord
it is through the hearing of the gospel that people are saved
there are many examples in Jesus’ ministry of those who “believed” but were not saved
purpose of miracles in Acts:
God’s affirmation of the apostles and their designates (godliness, holiness, righteousness)
God’s affirmation of the message (it is true)
with the deaths of the apostles and the completion of the NT there was no more need for miracles
what is it that causes unbelievers to listen to the gospel today?
love demonstrated in acts of kindness
first and foremost among believers
secondly to unbelievers
faithfulness to Christ and all that he has commanded in spite of persecution
never under estimate the power of suffering for righteousness’ sake!
The Raising of Tabitha
The Raising of Tabitha
Tabitha = Aramaic name
Dorcas = Greek name
means gazelle, a small, swift, graceful antelope
a small, swift, graceful antelope
a clean animal considered good for food
Dorcas reflected this in her good works and acts of charity
no husband is mentioned so it is likely she was a widow
she was a disciple = a believer, a Christ follower
she had died and Peter raised her from the the dead
“full of good works”
when people thought of her they thought of these things, they characterized her
should characterize us all believers!
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
grace that saves is a grace that works
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.
hearts focused on every good work and word
10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Tim
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
“acts of charity”
benevolent activity
almsgiving: something given freely to relieve the poor
v.39 - she made clothing for them
specifically garments and tunics or undergarments
tunic: like a long shirt reaching to the knee or even the ankle
to be clothed only in it was to be naked and to be without it was to be completely naked
40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”
29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.
23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom,
the response in Joppa: many believed
not necessarily salvation but an acceptance that Jesus was someone great
Summary Principles
Summary Principles
Peter: “Jesus Christ heals you” & “Peter put them all outside”
those who would minister effectively for Christ must seek to exalt him not themselves
Peter’s example stands in stark contrast to many well known Christian personalities who seek their own fame and fortune
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
the importance of prayer in the raising of Dorcas
if we would see God do great things in our personal lives and our church life we must pray
an acknowledgment of our own need and an acknowledgment of God’s power to do above and beyond what we could ask or think (Eph 3:20)
Peter’s healings were instantaneous and complete
no progressive healings as is true of all faith healers today
Peter was available which led to these two amazing opportunities
Tabitha/Dorcas was a true disciple
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
she exemplified the woman
the faith of the disciples who knew Dorcas
instead of burying her right away which was customary they laid her in an upper room and called for Peter
if we would see God do great things we must step out in faith
though Dorcas was not permitted to teach and lead the church she fulfilled her calling in such a way that she was dearly missed when she died
her reputation was such that the chief of he Apostles came to her aid
would this be true of many of us?
Peter stayed with Simon the Tanner
a trade despised by the Jews because it required working with the skins of dead animals
Peter was willing to associate with those who were despised
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.