Acts
Notes
Transcript
The Believers Pray for Boldness
Acts 4:23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Christian courage depends upon biblical praying grounded in the sovereignty of God.
Our Prayers should be approached From the knowledge of a sovereign Creator.
FB Post: The reason why records of young people
are leaving the Christian Church can be
boiled down to one thing: they are
unconverted.
It's time to put away entertainment, preach
an unadulterated gospel, and pray that the
Holy Spirit will usher the next generation
into the Kingdom.
If we desire a change but neglect prayer we are choosing one while neglecting the important function of prayer.
Creation
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
We cannot even grasp the full extent of this phrase. He alone was there in the beginning. Before there was oxygen and coffee, God existed in such a powerful and obvious way. There were no political systems or social networking sites. There was God and he was full of creative power and perfection. Creativity rules the context of these words and the Creator began a work from nothing. We see no production facilities or factories working diligently to produce the expanse and dirt. There were no committees or building inspectors. There was just God in His majestic glory creating the heavens and the earth. This One is still actively creating life and redemption. He is the One who makes us one. May we continually draw closer to him as one. We all have a common situation.
Revelation
But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
The reason why many are still troubled, still
seeking, still making little forward progress is
because they haven't yet come to the end of
themselves. We're still trying to give orders,
and interfering with God's work within us. AW Tozer
Incarnation
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. Leo Tolstoy
Christ came that we might be changed. To miss that aspect is to negate the power of his incarnation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
What prayer brings-refreshing.
Prayer is not a mantra. Prayer is not a wish list. Prayer at its core is communication with the creator, the one who has revealed himself, the one who became incarnate for our good and for his glory.
May we pray the right way for seasons of refreshing and for the glory of God.
Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.
Scripture/Prayer. Hand in hand
Scripture reading should cover our prayers and prayer should surround our scripture reading.
The prayer of the Psalmists reflects the prayer and work of the Apostles.