Sermon Tone Analysis

Hello and welcome back!

We are in a series on the book of Acts, maybe the most exciting books of the Bible.

Acts is where the church begins.

It starts with Jesus giving the church a mission right before ascending up to heaven.

We began our series by looking into the fact that Jesus is indeed alive, he is resurrected.

We looked at how that marvelous fact impacts us and our lives.

Then we investigated the mission that He gave to us, the mission to reach the world with his message of Good News.

And then last week we looked at the ascension and the promised return on Jesus our Savior.

This week I want us to look at the new few verses in chapter one of Acts.

Verses 12-14.

I do realize that we are crawling along in this first chapter.

Maybe you are wondering how long I plan on spending in the book acts, this is week 4 and we are still in chapter 1!! Well chapter 1 is the most important, it sets up the rest of the book.

I want to make sure we understand what is happening here as everything else that happens is based on what happens in this chapter and in the next.

So, we see the disciples on Mount Olivet getting last instructions for spreading the Gospel, then they are instructed to return to Jerusalem and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit, which we will learn about in chapter 2. And angel appears to them and urges them along and then we pick up where we are studying today.

Look with me at Acts chapter 1:12-14

Acts 1:12–14 (ESV)

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

13And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.

14All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

These verses at first glimpse may seem insignificant to the rest of the book of Acts.

I mean with tongues being spoken, people being healed and raised from the dead, thousands of people being converted to Christianity, but I don’t want us to miss the truth in these verses.

That is why I have isolated them for us today.

We see the 11 returning to Jerusalem, and they returned to what they knew.

They returned to the upper room where they had been staying.

This may have been the same upper room that they had shared the last supper with Christ before the crucifixion.

The same upper room that Jesus had appeared to them after the resurrection.

I told you that chapter two is the power chapter, the chapter where the Holy Spirit is given.

I want to suggest to you that chapter 1 vs. 14 is the reason that the power is given.

The source of that power is found here in verse 14.

Acts 1:14 (ESV)

14All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

They joined together in constant prayer.

I believe that the power of the Christian life is in prayer.

Are you missing power in your life?

Do you lack courage to witness to others?

Are you facing problems that you are not sure how to handle and are overcome with fear?

Are you dealing with family issues that dominate your life and fill you with anxiety?

Do you feel powerless?

Maybe you have said to yourself, you know, I am a Christian.

I am supposed to have the Holy Spirit in my life.

If this is true, then where is the power?

How come I cannot seem to tap into this power that the Disciples had, and that so many Christians around me seem to have?

What do I need to do to get through my situation without going crazy!?

I believe that the reason that many Christians live their life with the power of God in it is because they have never figured out that the source of the power is in prayer.

The first Christians understood this.

Remember I said that chapter 2 is the power chapter?

Thousands of people came to know Christ after the power of the Holy Spirit came upon the Disciples.

Do you know what the Disciples taught those thousands?

Look at Acts 2:41-42

Acts 2:41–42 (ESV)

41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

They taught them to pray.

Today I would like to show you three areas that you can get involved in prayer that will change your life.

First of all you need to Spend time alone with God.

You Need to Spend Time Alone With God

Colossians 4:2 says,

Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

This kind of prayer life is one that must be learned.

It is not normal for us to want spend time talking to our creator.

We are born with a sin nature.

That sin nature is a natural barrier that separates us from the Holiness that is God.

That is why having a healthy prayer life is so difficult.

It takes dedication, devotion.

The NIV translates this passage like this.

Colossians 4:2 (NIV84)

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Devote yourselves, Paul writes to the Colossians.

You know, I don’t have to devote myself to watching football.

That comes easy.

I don’t have to devote myself to eating.

That comes easy.

I don’t have to devote myself to any of my many hobbies, those are fun!

But you know what, I have to devote time and energy to my prayer life.

I have to set aside time and energy.

It isn’t easy, so I have to make a special effort.

So, how do you get alone with God?

Well, Jesus says in Matthew 6:5-7

Matthew 6:5–7 (ESV)

5“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites.

For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.

Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

6But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.

And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Find a prayer closet.

You Need to Find a Prayer Closet.

Find a place with no distractions and spend time with him.

So, what do you pray about when you are alone with God? Paul says in Philippians 4:6-7,

Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV)

6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The answer is, “whatever is on your heart and mind.”

Just spend time with him, that is where the power is.

Next, you need to Spend time praying with your Family.

You Need to Spend Time Praying With Your Family

This is easier for some than it is for others.

Some people grew up in a home where there was a constant presence of prayer.

That is awesome, that is great!