GREAT GRACE IS GOD’S SUPPORT TO A PRAYERFUL
CHURCH
(ACTS 4:31-34) “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. 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. 33 And with great power gave the
apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was
upon them all. 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.”
Introduction:
We, the believers
of Christ, are saved by the grace of God, and by His grace, we continue to live
in the bountiful provisions He has prepared for us.
(2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10) “And he said
unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Five (5) great
supports that God gave to a prayerful church out of His bountiful grace:
I. UNITY
IN PRAYER WAS A NORMAL EXPERIENCE OF THE CHURCH
(ACTS 4:32) Acts 4:32
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.
a. God supports
the church with His grace through perfect unity. They were of one heart and
soul in the ministry of the Lord.
b. God was
touched and pleased by the unity of the church.
(Psalms 133:1) “Behold, how
good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
II. BEING
SPIRIT-FILLED WAS A NORMAL EXPERIENCE OF THE CHURCH
a. The power of
the Holy Spirit moved in the midst of the church with great power.
(ACTS 4:33) Acts 4:33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
b. The Holy
Spirit empowers the Church to be effective and fruitful in fulfilling the Great
Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(ACTS 1:8) Acts 1:8 But
ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
c. The Holy
Spirit guides and gives wisdom and knowledge to God's people to be effective in
serving the Lord.
(JOHN 16:13) Jn 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all
truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that]
shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
III.
BOLDNESS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL WAS A NORMAL EXPERIENCE
(ACTS 4:31) Acts 4:31
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.
a. The boldness
of the Christians comes from the working and moving of the Holy Spirit in their
lives.
b. The disciples
of Christ were known to be courageous and bold in preaching the gospel.
(ACTS 4:13) Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were
unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them,
that they had been with Jesus.
IV.
FRUITFULNESS IN THE WORK OF THE LORD WAS A NORMAL EXPERIENCE
(ACTS 4:32) Acts 4:32
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.
a. The
fruitfulness of the church was dynamic because a multitude of precious souls
were being saved. (ACTS 6:7) Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the
number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of
the priests were obedient to the faith.
b. The Hand of
the Lord was a normal experience in their soul-winning and revival meetings.
Many souls were saved and Christians were totally revived.
(ACTS 11:20-22) Acts 11:20
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to
Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord
was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
Acts 11:22 Then tidings of these
things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent
forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
V. GREAT
BLESSING WAS A NORMAL EXPERIENCE OF THE CHURCH
(ACTS 4:34) Acts 4:34
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,
a. God supplied
all the needs of the church. The Jerusalem Church was grateful for the members
who contributed to the needs of the body. (PSALMS 126:2-3) Pss 126:2
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said
they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
Pss 126:3 The Lord hath done great
things for us; [whereof] we are glad.
God bless you
all!
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