Power to Share Good News
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16a).
Session Truth: Effective evangelism is not the product of human skill or effort, but is the result when God’s people are filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly share the Good News.
Session Goals:
*To learn to pray for boldness in sharing the Good News.
*To rely on the power of the Holy Spirit in giving witness.
*To acknowledge our dependence on prayer.
*To recognize the importance of generosity.
*To learn to pray for boldness in sharing the Good News.
*To rely on the power of the Holy Spirit in giving witness.
*To acknowledge our dependence on prayer.
*To recognize the importance of generosity.
Jesus started with 12 men. They had little formal education, financial resources were negligible, no organization to rely on, no church buildings to meet in, opposed by the officials of government and hated by the leaders of religion. They were hounded by the law, arrested and persecuted.
These were just ordinary people. But because of their relationship with Jesus Christ, God used them in extraordinary ways! While they had little of the things this world prizes, what they did have made it possible for God to use them.
We live in a world that is hostile to our faith. We are pressured to choose other priorities, tempted by the materialistic values of the world, work in stressful environments, and live at a hectic pace.
THE SAME LORD WHO WORKED THROUGH THOSE EARLY DISCIPLES IS READY TO EMPOWER ORDINARY PEOPLE TO BE EXTRAORDINARY WITNESSES OF HIS GRACE AND POWER.
These were just ordinary people. But because of their relationship with Jesus Christ, God used them in extraordinary ways! While they had little of the things this world prizes, what they did have made it possible for God to use them.
We live in a world that is hostile to our faith. We are pressured to choose other priorities, tempted by the materialistic values of the world, work in stressful environments, and live at a hectic pace.
THE SAME LORD WHO WORKED THROUGH THOSE EARLY DISCIPLES IS READY TO EMPOWER ORDINARY PEOPLE TO BE EXTRAORDINARY WITNESSES OF HIS GRACE AND POWER.
When we meet Peter and John in the Book of Acts, we quickly realize that something happened to them. These are not the same men we knew in the Gospels. There, they were unsteady, vacillating. Now they are dependable and effective. What made the difference?
*They were witnesses to the Resurrection (Acts 2:32; 4:33).
*They had been filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33; 4:31).
These two events changed the disciples. It is the same with us: The foundation of our faith is (1) an encounter with the resurrected Christ and (2) the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
*They were witnesses to the Resurrection (Acts 2:32; 4:33).
*They had been filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33; 4:31).
These two events changed the disciples. It is the same with us: The foundation of our faith is (1) an encounter with the resurrected Christ and (2) the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
(2)
THEY PRAYED (ACTS 4:23-30)
When Peter and John were released, they met with the believers and told them what had transpired at the Sanhedrin. The church’s response to their report were raised voices together in prayer to God.
By addressing God as ‘Sovereign Lord’, it reminded them that God is ultimately in control.
If we read the quotation of David’s words from Psalm 2:1-2 in verses 25-26, we see a messianic hymn picture of the rebellion of the nations against the coming of Christ, the Lord’s Anointed One. It reminds us that God’s people have always had trouble. Those who stand with Christ will be treated with the same disdain He faced.
**According to verses 27-28, as these praying believers recalled the mistreatment Jesus received, what gave them consolation? (They recalled that God brought good out of evil. God was reconciling the world to himself. The cross of defeat became Christ’s cross of salvation.) What is most amazing about this prayer is what they did not pry for!
**What things would you have expected them to include in their itemized requests to God? (Freedom from persecution, safety, no more arrests, etc.)
**What three petitions are in the closing words of the prayer (vv. 29-30)? (1. Speak your word with great boldness. 2 and 3 Heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.)
THEY PRAYED (ACTS 4:23-30)
When Peter and John were released, they met with the believers and told them what had transpired at the Sanhedrin. The church’s response to their report were raised voices together in prayer to God.
By addressing God as ‘Sovereign Lord’, it reminded them that God is ultimately in control.
If we read the quotation of David’s words from Psalm 2:1-2 in verses 25-26, we see a messianic hymn picture of the rebellion of the nations against the coming of Christ, the Lord’s Anointed One. It reminds us that God’s people have always had trouble. Those who stand with Christ will be treated with the same disdain He faced.
**According to verses 27-28, as these praying believers recalled the mistreatment Jesus received, what gave them consolation? (They recalled that God brought good out of evil. God was reconciling the world to himself. The cross of defeat became Christ’s cross of salvation.) What is most amazing about this prayer is what they did not pry for!
**What things would you have expected them to include in their itemized requests to God? (Freedom from persecution, safety, no more arrests, etc.)
**What three petitions are in the closing words of the prayer (vv. 29-30)? (1. Speak your word with great boldness. 2 and 3 Heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.)
THEY SPOKE (ACTS 4:31-33)
In these two verses, we are told how each of the three prayer request (vv. 29-30) was answered by God.
**They prayed, “Perform miraculous signs and wonders: (v. 30b). How was the prayer answered? (The place where they were meeting was shaken [v. 31a]
**They prayed, “Stretch out your hand to heal” (v. 30a). How was the prayer answered? (All the believers were one in heart and mind [v. 32a] That kind of unity requires a great deal of healing. It is what Jesus prayed for in Gethsemane. See John 17:21)
**They prayed, “Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness: (v. 29). How was the prayer answered? (They…spoke the word of God boldly [v. 31b]. This was not just a momentary burst of enthusiasm. These people were changed forever: “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” [v. 33].
In these two verses, we are told how each of the three prayer request (vv. 29-30) was answered by God.
**They prayed, “Perform miraculous signs and wonders: (v. 30b). How was the prayer answered? (The place where they were meeting was shaken [v. 31a]
**They prayed, “Stretch out your hand to heal” (v. 30a). How was the prayer answered? (All the believers were one in heart and mind [v. 32a] That kind of unity requires a great deal of healing. It is what Jesus prayed for in Gethsemane. See John 17:21)
**They prayed, “Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness: (v. 29). How was the prayer answered? (They…spoke the word of God boldly [v. 31b]. This was not just a momentary burst of enthusiasm. These people were changed forever: “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” [v. 33].
THEY GAVE (ACTS 4:34-37)
**Why were there no needy members among them? (The spirit of unity was so great that it fostered a spirit of generosity [v. 32b])
**How was the directive of Deuteronomy 15:4 kept by the early Christians? (v. 34)
(From time to time, those who owned lands or houses sold them bring the money from the sales to the apostles and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.)
**How was the money in the common fund distributed? (v. 35) (It was distributed to anyone as he had need.)
**Who was Joseph? (v. 36) (A Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas.) What was the meaning of the name Barnabas? (v. 36) (Son of Encouragement) He sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
(3)
**Why were there no needy members among them? (The spirit of unity was so great that it fostered a spirit of generosity [v. 32b])
**How was the directive of Deuteronomy 15:4 kept by the early Christians? (v. 34)
(From time to time, those who owned lands or houses sold them bring the money from the sales to the apostles and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.)
**How was the money in the common fund distributed? (v. 35) (It was distributed to anyone as he had need.)
**Who was Joseph? (v. 36) (A Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas.) What was the meaning of the name Barnabas? (v. 36) (Son of Encouragement) He sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
(3)
PETER AND JOHN HAVE CHANGED
Something is different about Peter and John. They have changed. Explore the “before and after” differences in Peter and John by reading these parallel passages.
Something is different about Peter and John. They have changed. Explore the “before and after” differences in Peter and John by reading these parallel passages.
Before: After:
1. Hurting: John 18:10-11 1. Healing: Acts 3:6-8a
2. Running Off: Matthew 26:56b 2. Standing Firm: Acts 4:1-2, 13
3. Denying: Matthew 26:74 3. Evangelizing: Acts 4:18-20
4. Failing: Matthew 26:75b 4. Succeeding: Acts 4:21
5. Not Praying: Mark 14:33-38 5. Leading Prayer: Acts 4:23-24a
1. Hurting: John 18:10-11 1. Healing: Acts 3:6-8a
2. Running Off: Matthew 26:56b 2. Standing Firm: Acts 4:1-2, 13
3. Denying: Matthew 26:74 3. Evangelizing: Acts 4:18-20
4. Failing: Matthew 26:75b 4. Succeeding: Acts 4:21
5. Not Praying: Mark 14:33-38 5. Leading Prayer: Acts 4:23-24a
The same power that was available to the Early Church is available to us this day. It is power with a specific purpose. It is power to make a difference for eternity. It is power to bring transformation to the lives of those we encounter each day. It is the power of the Holy Spirit made visible through acts of compassion and made audible through bold proclamation. Pray for this power. When you receive it, use it. Share the Good News! Don’t let it be said of you, “The power is there, but it is never used.”
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