acts 4:23-31

We often say things like

“It is great to be with likeminded believers”

That wasn’t an unheard of concept for the apostles

However, I believe the modern church has lost the true meaning of what it means to be likeminded

The disciples, when saying when seeking to be like minded, were truly bound together.

The very thoughts, focus, words, action and much more were all focused on the building of the kingdom.

So in trying to understand what it truly means to be likeminded and the way that can impact the kingdom , let us go to Gods word.

Acts 4:23–31 KJV 1900

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

In recalling the previous verses the apostles had just been taken by the religious Leaders for causing an uproar.

After the religious leaders could find no way to punish them, they had to release them

Upon their release the apostles gathered together

in verses 23-24 scripture says

Acts 4:23–24 KJV 1900

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

In response to what had just happened they began to pray

That prayer continues in a Holy and heart wrenching manner as we had just read.

Though many would say the only response here was prayer

I would take that a minor bit forward

I believe the apostles responded in unified like mindedness through their prayer

Think of it, everything the apostles have done they carried the same burdens and the same goals

They worked together and faithfully seeked the same vision

So therefor in their prayer, they wee unified together. They were all praying yet in our scripture reading we only find ourselves getting one prayer.

Why? they all had the same convictions and goals

So, I ask you today Corinth Baptist Church

First, What is your vision and goal for this church?

Have you shared that vision with anyone else?

What do you believe the other members before see as the future of Corinth Baptist Church?

I tell you today we cannot reach the community, we cannot fill our church, we cannot see the gospel pierce the souls of many if we are not likeminded today.

The Apostles prayer shows their unity and mission

So today church I encourage you to show the same like mindedness

I love the prayer in verses 24-29

Acts 4:24–29 KJV 1900

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

The apostles saw that the leaders of the earth were after them

But they knew that Christ was much more powerful

Yet they didn’t ask for protection or anything of such

They said in verse 29

Acts 4:29 KJV 1900

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

They simply asked for courage to speak the word of God Boldly and faithfully in the face of opposition.

I I present you today with a goal and a means to achieve such goal.

You may ask how this church can grow, how the community may be reach.

It is through this churches like mindedness and commitment to the goal

People will come to church when their souls become sold out to Jesus

The church needs to become likeminded in delivering the gospel.

We need to be seeking the same goal of leading those to Christ who don’t know him.

Their are many in our area that may even think they are saved.

Yet they don’t even know what salvation is, they are dying and going to hell and they are clueless.

Let us gather together and share the word with those who have not heard it or do not understand it.

It is time for us to become likeminded behind the goal of salvation and through that grow the believers.

In conclusion I encourage you to talk to each other about where you see the future of this church.

How do you see us delivering the gospel and how can we do a better job at that.

It is only through being unified behind the word of God.