The Church God Blesses
Acts 4:23-37
Acts 4:23-30 (NIV)
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. ' Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.
4 Marks of a Church that God blesses:
1st Prayer
Acts 4:23-24 NIV
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.
Acts 12:1-3 NIV
It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.
Acts 12:5 NIV
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
Why Wed. Prayer Meeting is so important!
Psalm 100:4 ESV
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise...
Acts 4:24 NIV
"Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.”
Acts 4:25-26 NIV
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. '
Acts 4:29 NIV
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Acts 4:31 NIV
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 5:12, 15-16 NIV
The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people... As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.
Acts 4:31 NIV
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 1:8 NIV
But you will receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
2nd Unity
Acts 4:32 NIV
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
3rd Powerful preaching
Acts 4:33 NIV
With great power (mega dunamis) the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much (mega) grace was upon them all.
1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
4th Generosity
Acts 4:32 NIV
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
Haggai 2:8
The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,” declares the LORD Almighty.
Acts 4:34-35 NIV
There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Acts 4:36 NIV
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)
Acts 4:37 NIV
sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
