The Power of a Prayer Meeting
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 24 viewsNotes
Transcript
The Power of a Prayer Meeting
The Power of a Prayer Meeting
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Intro: What the Church needs today, is a good shaking; and I believe that has happened. When we become too comfortable with the way we do things, we become complacent. Comfortable sounds good, but comfort usually turns into laziness. Churches all over the world are being persecuted. I would say it is very light in America, but the day is coming when it is going to get bad. Maybe the next generation, maybe very soon.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
This is what we are called to do. Elab.
a. But there those who do not want to hear it, or want it to be told.
b. After Jesus died on the cross, buried, rose form the dead, and His followers were commanded to share to gospel. After the day of Pentecost the power of the Holy Spirit came down on them they began the do what they were commanded.
c. The religious leader the thought that with Jesus gone, surly His followers would give up. But they were wrong, they were preaching Jesus, preaching salvation only through Jesus.
d. Their next step was to stop the preaching of Jesus.
e. Peter and John have been arrested, threatened and forbidden to preach Christ, But, the Lord has told them to do just that! Jesus told the church to preach the gospel to EVERY creature!
So now Peter and John had a choose, do what the leaders told them, or what Jesus told them.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
I. Peter and Johns Response. VS 23
I. Peter and Johns Response. VS 23
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
Notice what they didn’t know.
a. First, they didn’t quit. They didn’t gripe and complain. They feel sorry for themselves. They go down the the Temple and protest.
b. No matter what, even during persecution, we can praise God.
1 I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.
d. The moment Peter and John are released, they headed straight for their own people. They go to the people that they had something in common with. Fellow believers, followers of Jesus.
e. When they meet they will pray together. You own personal prayer life is important. Praying together as a church is important. If we will pray together the way they prayed here, God will give us the boldness we need to share the gospel.
I. They were united in Prayer.
I. They were united in Prayer.
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
Take a look at praying together just after Jesus ascended to heaven.
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
VS 14 “With one accord”
There was a problem, Peter and John were told to stop preaching about Jesus. They knew they had to, so they needed boldness, they needed wisdom.
a. Each of us should have our own private prayer lives. We should pray as a family... before meals... at bedtime... during family devotions... when we face some crisis... in the hospital, etc.
b. But we need to come together as a body and lift up the needs of other believers. We need more time, on our knees before God, as a group!
c. Each of us should have our own private prayer lives. We should pray as a family... before meals... at bedtime... during family devotions... when we face some crisis... in the hospital, etc.
d. But we need to come together as a body and lift up the needs of other believers. We need more time, on our knees before God, as a group!
e. Remember the saying, I family that prays together, stays together. Someone changed that saying, “The church that prays together stays together.” But I want you to know that a church that prays together turns the world upside down, in the Name and a power of Jesus.
f. If we will pray together, and pray unified, we will see the power of God do great life changing things.
II. They prayed a God-centered Prayer. VS 24
II. They prayed a God-centered Prayer. VS 24
24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
1. They recognized God as Creator. When we do this, it puts our problems in perspective and reminds us that He can handle every problem we will ever face. He spoke the world into existence.
a. When you God’s word you see the most powerful prayers in scripture, you’ll see they’re not problem-centered, but God centered!
b. Nehemiah, in chapter 9 was in serious trouble, but he spent several minutes just praising and remembering Who God IS, before making his request!
c. Isaiah in 42:10--he talks about God’s power, God’s guidance, God’s control and faithfulness, before he got to his personal requests
d. David centered his prayer on God before making any request.
e. Our prayer life needs to be more praising.
III. This was a prayer based on scripture. VS 25-26
25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
This is from psalms 2
They recalled how God spoke through David about how people would treat the Messiah. They also told about the fulfilling of this prophecy.
a. Then they pray the interpretation:
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
Elab on this verse.
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
“Lord, you were in control when the rulers crucified Jesus, and you’re in control of our situation.”
They prayed Scripture… They were claiming scripture as their own… Their prayers were based on Scripture...
Today you and I can and we should be doing the very same thing!
b. If you want to share the saving grace of Jesus with other people, this is a great vs to pray.
We should pray Biblically!
When it comes to souls, lost without Jesus: Pray; “Lord, you’re not willing for them to perish! Your Word declares that you added to the church daily.” II Peter
Do you or someone you know need healing? Pray, “Lord Your Word tells us that You’re the great physician who touched the eyes of the blind and made them see.”
c. As a church we need to pray as they prayed, to have boldness.
d. Pray for boldness. Means , openly, confidence, plainly.
III They prayed a totally unselfish prayer. VS 29-30
III They prayed a totally unselfish prayer. VS 29-30
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
1. We need to notice what they asked God to do in verse 29
a. They didn’t ask God to keep them from persecution. They didn’t ask God to hide them. They asked God for boldness in speaking His Word.
b. They didn’t pray for deliverance! They did not ask God to crush the heads of their enemies! They didn’t even ask for protection!
c. They prayed that they would be able to still do what they are supposed to do in spite of it all!
d. Being a Christian that is bold, by that I mean a Christian that is willing to share the gospel of Jesus with the lost is going to, means the enemy is going to attack you.
e. Don’t pray for an easy life, pray for God to make you stronger.
VI They prayed the right way, and God Answered. VS 31
VI They prayed the right way, and God Answered. VS 31
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
1. The place where they were meeting, shook. They were filled, (overflowing) with the Holy Spirit.
a. Here is our problem- We want to limit what God can do. When God’s people are filled with the Holy Spirit, there is no limit to what can happen.
b. God responded to their pray by giving them boldness.
c. They didn’t just have boldness against the government and religious leaders; they had a boldness in speaking the Word of God. (This has been done during this covet 19) Elab in this county) John MacArthur pastor on Grace Community, Sun Valley Ca. Elab singing in Church.
d. God responded by Making them one.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
They were unified: READ VS 33—35 and Ealb
END: When the church is shaken, we will speak God’s word with boldness. We will be as one. We will help those in need.