Praying through Acts- Chapter 15

Intro:

Acts 15:1–2 NKJV

1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

Tonight we will continue to pray through Acts, focusing on chapter fifteen.

We are over halfway through the book of Acts. By this point, the focus is on the Apostle Paul and his ministry. God used him to walk in supernatural power.

What was the reason for God’s power operating in Paul’s life? Prayer. The early church prioritized prayer. They walked closely with God and communicated with Him regularly.

When something tragic occured, they prayed.

When something wonderful occured, they prayed.

God responded to their prayers and sent His power.

Acts 1 - promise of power

Acts 2 - received power

Acts 3- exercised power

Acts 4 - prayed for more power

Acts 5- people lied and God displayed His power

Acts 6- conflict arose and God used people of power to help the church

Acts 7- Stephen reminded them of God’s power in history

Acts 8- walked in power to spread Gospel in Samaria

Acts 9- Saul was converted through an encounter with God’s power

Acts 10- the power of God fell on the Gentiles as Peter preached

Acts 11- Peter defended Gentiles receiving power

Acts 12- the church prayed and Peter was released from prison

Acts 13- God sent Barnabas and Paul as a result of prayer

Acts 14- Paul and Barnabas took the gospel to new regions proclaiming God’s message with power

As the church grew, the enemy did everything he could to stop the body of Christ. He did this by bringing internal and external problems.

Problems are inevitable. Spiritual attacks will always come. Therefore, we need discernment.

One of the gifts of the Spirit is the discerning of spirits. A person of prayer will have discernment, being able to sense if something is of God or not.

The apostles lived in a day where discernment was necessary. In our text we read of certain men who taught new believers that they had to keep the law of Moses, specifically in circumcision, to be saved.

Many people started to believe this teaching. When Paul and Barnabas heard it, something did not set well with them. They discerned their message was not of God.

Had they not been consistent in their prayer life, they would might have been swayed by this false doctrine. But God used them to keep purity in doctrine and teaching.

If the apostles needed discernment, we need discernment. We live in a day where there are many opinions and falsehoods about God and His truth.

People of prayer will discern what to do in whatever they face.

We will divide the chapter into three parts, [A Discerning Discussion], [A Discerning Decision], and [A Discerning Departure].

Let’s begin

1. A Discerning Discussion

Acts 15:6–9 NKJV

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

The question of Old Testament Law means very little to us. But to the Early Church, it was everything. Most of the leaders were raised following the Law.

Now, because Jesus fulfilled the Law, they have freedom. But some wanted to but undue burdens on those who came into faith, specifically the Gentiles.

Notice the aspects of this discussion. Whenever there is a heated exchange of views, it is easy to get personal.

But Peter spoke up and turned everything back to God. He shared a testimony of what God did. He reminded them of what took place at Cornelius’ home.

As far as he was concerned nothing separated the Jews and Gentiles. For when anyone comes to Jesus, He accepts them just as they are.

He wondered why certain people wanted to burden the new believers with religious duties that not even their ancestors could fulfill?

Then it was Paul’s turn to speak.

Acts 15:12 NKJV

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

Notice, they did not get petty. Instead, they focused on God. They pointed to what Jesus did through them, specifically the signs and wonders.

What would have happened if they early church would have had a knockdown drag out over this? It would have caused serious damage.

But, as people of prayer they were discerning on how to discuss important matters.

We will not always see eye to eye with everyone. But people of discernment take the high road in their dealings with others.

Our discussions should always glorify Jesus.

We have to remember, God hears everything we say. People of discernment will discuss their dealings in a Godly manner, pointing it all back to Jesus.

2. A Discerning Decision

Acts 15:13–17 NKJV

13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’

I love this passage of scripture. James, the brother of Jesus who pastored the church in Jerusalem, stands to speak.

Instead of giving his opinion, he focused on scripture. He took them back to the prophecy of Amos that spoke of the day when God would accept Jew and Gentile.

He reminded them of the Tabernacle of David. Spiritually it had fallen and was in ruins. But God came to restore and rebuild the Tabernacle.

Why did God reference the Tabernacle of David?

When David moved the Ark to Jerusalem and set it up in Jerusalem, he placed it under a tent. The tent became known as the Tabernacle of David.

Unlike other Tabernacles or the Temple, there was no veil separating the people from the Ark. Meaning, the Old Testament people got a taste of what we enjoy in the New Testament.

Now, there is not separation between Jew or Gentile. Jame’s point is, this was always God’s plan.

How discerning of James. He could have stood up and reprimanded the crowd. Instead, he returned to scripture.

We are wise and discerning when we depend on God’s Word.

In a world of varying opinions, it remains vital that the Body of Christ believes the word. But also KNOWS the word.

In their heated discussion, Peter and Paul returned to their testimony.

Now that it was time to make a decision, James reminded them of God’s word.

The crowd agreed with the apostles and they made the decision. Gentiles can join the church, However, they need to abstain from:

The Outline Bible Section Outline Fifteen (Acts 15)

a. Eating meat sacrificed to idols (15:20a)

b. Engaging in sexual immorality (15:20b)

c. Consuming blood (15:20c)

d. Eating the meat of strangled animals (15:20d)

They sent Paul and Barnabas out to tell everyone what the church leaders decided. But this led to...

3. A Discerning Departure

Acts 15:35–37 NKJV

35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.

I like this part of Acts, because it shows the humanity of the early church. Paul and Barnabas were in discussion about where to go next in their ministry work.

They agreed to return to the Galatian churches, but they disagreed on who to bring.

Barnabas, ever the encourager, wanted to ask John Mark to come. Paul vehemently disagreed. The last time they gave John Mark a chance, he deserted them.

The disagreement grew so strong that they separated and departed in different directions.

Why was this discerning?

Had Paul and Barnabas went forward without agreeing, they would have risked slowing down the work of God.

Therefore, they divided to conquer more ground for the Kingdom of God.

There are some times a relationship or friendship keeps us from doing ALL we can do for God. We can continue to move forward and remain limited in our benefit to the Kingdom, or we can have a discerning departure.

It is not that Barnabas was right and Paul was wrong, or that Paul was right and Barnabas was wrong. They simply knew they could do more for God IF they surrounded themselves with those who could help.

Eventually, Paul and Mark reconciled and Mark assisted Paul. But it was discerning for them to depart from one another.

Discerning people have relationships that help them grow closer to God and do more for God’s Kingdom.

We must remain discerning about our relationships!

Close:

We live in a day where discernment is absolutely necessary. Never before has the division in our country been more evident.

That is not to say we are more divided than ever. Only that the division is right in front of us through twenty-four hours news and social media.

Furthermore, the enemy wants to weaken the church’s influence through spreading false information. Therefore, we have to have discernment.

In our discussions, we must be discerning to glorify God in what we say and do.

In our decisions, we must be discerning to depend on God’s word in what we say and do.

In our dealing with others, we must be discerning to depart from relationships or friendships that do not draw us closer to God.

Ephesians 4:14–15 NKJV

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

The more we pray the more discerning we become.

Who would like to have more discernment in our walk with God?