June 1, 2014
Morning Service

Acts 4:18-37

 

I am thrilled this morning to know that I belong to something that was started 2000 years ago, and is still as much alive now, as it was then.  I’m talking about the Lord’s church that He said He would build.  What I mean by alive is that all the same things that makes His church so wonderful, and powerful, are still in operation today:   Such as:

1.       He that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved.   Believe me, the wrath of God is coming on this world, and you, Christian, are saved from it.     Rom.5:9; IThess.1:10.

2.      Our communion service still produces, and keeps life in the believer, and makes us part of Him.   St.Jn. 6.

3.      We still have the right to come boldly before the very throne of grace, and speak to Almighty God.  And, 1Jn 1:9 And If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.    Heb.4:16;

Now, just how wonderful, and powerful is that?

 

We left off last Sunday morning with Peter, and John being admonished by the Jewish leaders not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  This was Peter’s and John’s reply.

·         Act 4:18-37  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.  (19)  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  (20)  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.  (21)  So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.  (22)  For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. 

·         These men, being full of the Holy Ghost, and have seen, and heard what they did from the Lord, was not about to quit teaching in the name of the Jesus.

·         This brings us to the questions, what have I seen, and heard, and how much of God’s Spirit do I possess?

·         Well, only you can answer if you have seen and heard enough to be this confident, and as far as how much of the Spirit of God do you possess, is just how much you have ask Him for.

·         Because God gives the Holy Spirit to them that obey Him;  ACTS 5:32.

·         And, you have not because you ask not;  Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

So, ask, and you shall receive, obey, and He will give you of His Holy Spirit.

 

NOW LET’S SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY RETURN TO THEIR GROUP:

(23)  And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 

·         Luke doesn’t give us how many of the 8,000 believers are here, but does mention later, the multitude of believers.

·         But remember Peter has just spoken 3 sermons, and 8,000 people were added to their number, or God added them to His church.

(24)  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 are they talking too?  The creator of the universe, Jesus of Nazareth, when He was the Word, before becoming flesh. 

·         Col 1:14-16  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  (15)  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

·         The Apostle Paul was used by God to relay this wonderful knowledge of God to all people.  You see, the Father, Who is the Eternal Spirit of Love, turned all creation over to His Son Jesus, the Word, and one day, according to ICor. 15, Jesus will turn the kingdom back over to the Father.  Such a great and wonderful mystery, and there still things we don’t understand, but we know enough to miss the wrath of God that’s coming on this world..

They went on to say; 

(25)  Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?  (26)  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.  (27)  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,  (28)  For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.  (29)  And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,  (30)  By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

·         Again scripture is quoted:  Psalms 2:1-2.

·         WHAT DOES GOD THINK OF THIS KIND OF AN ATTITUDE?

(31)  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. 

·         Another filling, or moving of the Holy Spirit.  These were believers, had been baptized, and would have received a portion of the Holy Spirit, but now God blesses them again with another outpouring of His Spirit.

·         Recognize that they did not ask, nor seek, but God just poured out a blessing for them praising Him.

(32)  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 

·         What do any of us have, that it hasn’t been given to us by God?

(33)  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 

·         A truth that no other religion has.  We have a resurrected Savior, Who is alive and well.

(34)  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,  (35)  And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.  (36)  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,  (37)  Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

·         Sold out to God.

·         Barnabas, a man we will learn more about as we continue in this Book of Acts.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.  I ASK THIS MORNING FOR YOU TO BLESS YOUR CHURCH, AND BESTOW UPON US YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, THAT WE MIGHT CONTINUE TO PREACH BOLDLY THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD, AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, AND YOUR AMAZING GRACE.    AMEN.