Sermon Tone Analysis

Continuing Power in the Church

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.

And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly.

14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.

16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The Apostles did just as Jesus did.

They healed the sick and delivered those that were tormented by evil spirits.

The New King James Version (Chapter 1)

Mark 1:32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.

33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.

37 When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”38

But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”39

And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

This was a paramount sign that the Kingdom of God had come among the people with great power.

It is part of the new life that God by the Holy Spirit working through is desires to heal those oppressed by sickness and Satan.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.

19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught.

But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

On the night before he was arrested, Jesus had assured his followers: “Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you….

The people of the world will hate you….

For you will be expelled from the synagogues” (John 15:20–21; 16:2 NLT).

DANGER!

TROUBLE AHEAD!

The apostles experienced power to do miracles, great boldness in preaching, and God’s presence in their lives, yet they were not free from hatred and persecution.

They were arrested, put in jail, beaten, and slandered by community leaders.

Faith in God does not make troubles disappear; it makes troubles appear less frightening because it puts them in the right perspective.

Don’t expect everyone to react favorably when you share something as dynamic as your faith in Christ.

Some will be jealous, afraid, or threatened.

Expect some negative reactions, and remember that you must be more concerned about serving God than about the reactions of people (see 5:29).

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

OBEY HIM!

Declaring their intent to obey God, the apostles proclaimed their priorities.

While believers should try to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18), conflict with the world and its authorities is sometimes inevitable (John 15:18).

Situations will come where we cannot obey God and please those in charge.

At those times, we must obey God and trust his Word.

When you must make such a choice, remember Jesus’ words in Luke 6:22: “God blesses you who are hated and excluded and mocked and cursed because you are identified with me, the Son of Man” (NLT).

18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

20 Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Relationship of Believers to the World

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own.

Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’

If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.

If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.

24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.

25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’