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Sermon Notes

Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

• Challenge for all of us – Gospel – deep into our hearts – take it to the world!

• Jesus empowered normal people through the Holy Spirit to accomplish His mission on the earth!  You and I are normal people! 

Prayer:  Awaken our hearts to obey Your Spirit and surrender to your Kingdom Purpose (Mission)

• Love Jesus, Love His Church, Love those that Jesus Loves

Acts 3 – Summarize

Acts 3:19

Repent therefore and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come form the presence of the Lord…

Results of Acts 3…

Acts 4:1-4

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 

3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 120, 3000, 15,000

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 

10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

• Invitation to the gospel!  Jesus is THE WAY – followers of THE WAY…

• 60% of born again Christian adults (18-39) believe that Buddha, Muhammad and Jesus are all valid paths to salvation (to God)

• Exclusive – not a way – This is the way for me…  -to each his own…

• They are sincere in what “they” believe – who am I to say?….  You didn’t say, Jesus did!   

• “Good person!” – better than many Christians I know…

• If sincerity or goodness was a way to heaven…then Jesus didn’t have to leave heaven and come to the earth to be crucified for my sins! 

• Not a way – THE WAY – The Only Way!

• Most inclusive, exclusivity there is!  Available to all!  (Vs 12) is an invitation to salvation!

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, (we see them as the apostles – they saw them as blue collar- common folk) they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another…

Acts 4:18-20

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 

• Words describing the believers in Acts… Repentance, Power, Devotion, Boldness, Unity, Love Generosity

• What words would describe my faith? Powerless, apathetic, anemic, selfish, convenient

• Peter and John are released – they go back to their friends – give a report – they all celebrate and PRAY – powerful prayers… 

Acts 4:29

Now Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants, to continue to speak your word with all boldness…

• How we pray… safety, keep us from suffering, give us favor… 

Acts 4:31

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.

Acts 4:32-33

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

3 Steps Of Boldness For The Holy Spirit Empowered Christian

• Matter of daily surrender… He is in control!  Letting Jesus live through me.

“I might have the Holy Spirit but He may not have me…”

• Boldness is an overflow… Acts 2 “Devoted, God’s Word, Prayers, Fellowship”

Acts 4:13b

And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

Love Boldly

– Love Jesus, Love His Church, Love Those That Jesus Loved

Speak Boldly

Acts 4:8

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…”

• We have a speaking gospel – witnesses (court)

• I’m not equipped – don’t know all the arguments or about theology….  Have you been with Jesus – testimony

• We think its about winning an argument or trying to convince – Lame man is right in front of them! – God’s Spirit at work – we don’t save anyway!  Simple gospel

• Example of not convincing…

• Our Identity – Witnesses  

Pray Boldly  

• This is the key – the secret sauce! 

Acts 4:31

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.

• Prayer unleashes the Power of God in our lives and in our church 

• If you want God to do “Something New” in your life – pray – pray specific – ask Him!

• God desire for your life is to be a BOLD – follower of Jesus – filled with his HS doing great things for the Kingdom!

• Everyone – ordinary uneducated people who have been with Jesus!