THE
PRAYERFUL CHURCH IS A POWERFUL CHURCH
(Acts 12:1–5) "Now about that time Herod the king stretched
forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother
of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded
further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And
when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four
quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth
to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made
without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
Introduction:
a. A powerful church is a prayerful church, and the Holy Spirit provides
the necessary power from above.
(Ephesians 3:14–16) "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is
named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"
b. When a local congregation unites in prayer, they tap into divine
strength capable of overcoming any external threat or persecution.
I. A CHURCH IS POWERFUL BASED ON THE
WORKING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ITS MIDST
(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."
a. The power of the Holy Spirit is evident in the spiritual lives of
church leaders.
(Acts 6:5–6) "And
the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of
faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon,
and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the
apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."
b. The Holy Spirit fills believers with courage for daily witness.
c. Spiritual leadership relies on divine guidance rather than human
wisdom.
II. A CHURCH IS POWERFUL BASED ON THE
WORKING OF GOD'S HAND FOR THE SALVATION OF SINNERS IN ITS MIDST
(Acts 11:20–21) "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. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a
great number believed, and turned unto the Lord."
a. God's hand is revealed as many precious souls are saved through the
soul-winning ministry of the church.
b. Unceasing prayer moves God to open hardened hearts to the gospel
message.
c. True spiritual power is measured by the lives transformed by Christ.
III. A CHURCH IS POWERFUL BASED ON
ITS WORK TO REACH THE LOST AT ANY COST IN SPITE OF GREAT HINDRANCES
(Acts 5:26–29) "Then went the captain with the officers, and
brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should
have been stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the
council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command
you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled
Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God
rather than men."
a. Our enemy, the devil, will use unsaved people to try to stop us from
winning souls.
b. Peter displayed great courage in continuing to win souls despite
severe opposition to the gospel.
c. A powerful church refuses to let opposition silence its witness.
IV. A CHURCH IS POWERFUL BASED ON THE
WORKING OF GOD TO BLESS IT WITH DYNAMIC GROWTH
(Acts 6:6–7) "Whom they set before the apostles: and when
they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 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."
a. God is still actively saving lost people today.
(Acts 2:41) "Then
they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls."
b. Prayer fuels the systematic expansion and multiplication of
disciples.
c. God honors a united, praying congregation with true spiritual
revival.
Conclusion:
a. A church that prioritizes prayer becomes an unstoppable spiritual
force through the working of the Holy Spirit.
b. True power in the local church results in courageous witness,
transformed lives, and continuous growth for God's glory.
God bless you all!
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