Heart Bread

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Making Heart Bread

I. Intro – Making Heart Bread

a. Story in generalities

b. This story reminds us that we can do nothing with our own strength. So when life happens, what sustains us? When our ministry and call is presented to us, how do we fulfill it?

c. Similar questions were faced by the early church. In particular, for us today, by Peter and John in the face of the events we spoke about last week. [recap and lead to text]

Acts 4:1–22 NRSV

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand. The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another. They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

Acts 3:

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II.

pray

[peterandjohntrial]

III. Exegete

a. Fears they faced

b. Confusion and doubts they could have had

c. What is the result if they don’t have an anchor, if they have nothing that fills their heart. Nothing to sustain their souls and take away their fears

1. Compare that to us when we have no anchor apart from our social rules, and strength, and traditions

IV. How do we get to where we need to be? How can we, as a church, face trials, face LIFE, like the early church did? How can we go and do, like the text above our doors reminds us every Sunday as we leave to go out to our life’s ministry?

[Heartbread]

We need heart bread. After all, we all have doubts/fears/anger/loss/even joy. So how do we find that thing that can fill our hearts when we struggle or when life seems unfair. Thankfully, that answer lies in scripture as well. And in scripture written by someone who – like you and me and Peter and John – wasn’t always living his best life now as some televangelists try to peddle.

Psalm 42 NRSV

To the leader. A Maskil of the Korahites. As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?” As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, “Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

a. Longing.

b. Thirsting

c. Why are you cast down?

d. Hope in God! For I shall again praise Him! My help and my God!

1. Hold God in your heart. Make God the thing you long for more than anything else. Hope in God! As you lie to sleep, and as you awake. Put your hand on your heart and remind yourself that you are loved. You are accepted. You are God’s child – and all you need rests in Him. He is our help and our God.

2. And never forget, church, there is nothing that can stop Him from getting to you. His love – overwhelming, never-ending, undeniable and complete love of the God who created you.