Enthusiastic Church – In the Name of Jesus Enthusiastic Church – In the Name of Jesus In the story of the healing of the paralytic we see the followers of Jesus continued the healing work of Jesus. In the story of the healing of the paralytic we see the followers of Jesus continued the healing work of Jesus. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Acts 3:6 = Acting on Jesus’ behalf, by his authority

Enthusiastic Church – In the Name of Jesus Enthusiastic Church – In the Name of Jesus Jesus is still on the seat of authority Jesus is still on the seat of authority "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matt. 28:18 Jesus is continuing his work in this world through his church until he comes again.

Enthusiastic Church – Refreshed & Forgiven Enthusiastic Church – Refreshed & Forgiven Peter addresses the crowd: Repent and turn to God So that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Enthusiastic Church – Refreshed & Forgiven Enthusiastic Church – Refreshed & Forgiven Enthusiastic, “God-in-us” Christians are people whom God forgives and refreshes. They continue on in the journey of life and faith, without the burden of guilt.

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying To understand our passage we need to continue on with story in Acts 4 vv.1-3 Rulers upset by Peter’s healing and preaching in healing and preaching in Jesus’ name They throw them in jail

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying Acts 4:1-22 v.4Impact on the church->5000 v.5-6Trial v.7Ask “By what power or what name did you do this?” name did you do this?” v.8Peter filled with Holy Spirit v.9-12Healed in the name of Jesus. Salvation found in no other name

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying Acts 4:1-22 “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 - “gramatica idiotes” - these men had been with Jesus

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying These men had been with Jesus Disciple = follower, student of the rabbi, teacher - Walk so close to the rabbi that the dust of his feet clings to you - 24/7 type of school - The more time you spend with him the more you become like him

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying Rulers backed into a corner man was healed, 18Commanded them not to speak in Jesus’ name

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying v.19 Peter and John’s reply: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." v.21Further threats then let go v.22Amazing because the man was over 40!

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying Our passage today: Peter and John return to the others Report on all the rulers said And the church join together in prayer Let’s look at that prayer together.

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Scripture Reading Acts 4:23-32

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying In light of the threats of the rulers of the day What would you have prayed for? Thanks for the release Request for protection Keep us, our families, and our church from harm and danger

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying Let us look more closely at this prayer "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” Acts 4:24 In the light of the rulers’ threats they acknowledge God as sovereign

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying 25You 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? 26The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying 27Indeed 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. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. - God, the sovereign king, turned evil to his saving ends

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." - Not by the power of people - bring glory to the name of Jesus not to believers - give them opportunities to share the good news of salvation

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 1.In light of the threats - persecution a reality today - increasing in NA - ok to be a private Xn - don’t bring it to work Reformed view: Xn 24/7 - Christian Labour Assoc. of Canada receives threats from other unions

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying “Enable your servants to speak with great boldness” Acts 4:29 1. Not - “help us to lay low” - “Help us fly under the radar so we won’t get shot at.” - “Help us fly under the radar so we won’t get shot at.” - “close their eyes to us.” - “close their eyes to us.”

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying “Enable your servants to speak with great boldness” 2 We need courage to live the Xn life - to live as citizens of God’s kingdom and not of the world - to forgive those who hurt us - to minister and to lead

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying “Enable your servants to speak with great boldness” Acts 4:29 3. Speak with boldness when… - we feel the threat of ridicule from the guys at work - we feel the threat of ridicule from the guys at work - we feel the threat of rejection when we think of talking about our faith with the persons we have been praying for. - we feel the threat of rejection when we think of talking about our faith with the persons we have been praying for.

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying “Enable your servants to speak with great boldness” Acts 4:29 3. Speak with boldness when… - we feel the threat of looking stupid when welcoming people in our church - we feel the threat of looking stupid when welcoming people in our church

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying Practical suggestions for welcoming students 1. Set a goal to learn 2 people’s names 2. A welcome, 3 questions & a wish - Welcome to Ottewell/Edmonton - “What’s your name?” - “Where are you from?” - “Where and what are your studying?” - Wish/Blessing: “I hope you have a great year.” 3. Connect with those people 1x/month

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying Subsequent weeks: A welcome, 3 questions & a wish Welcome to Ottewell > “Good morning, Travis!” 3 Questions: - “How has your week been?” - “How has your week been?” - “What courses are you taking?” - “What courses are you taking?” - “What has been the most interesting this week?” - “What has been the most interesting this week?”Wish/Blessing: “I hope you have a great week.” “I hope you have a great week.”

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying In the light of threats We pray for great boldness To speak the good news Knowing... that God is sovereign... That God is with us... That the Holy Spirit is in us answering that prayer

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying God answers those prayers ”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 4:31-32 ”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 4:31-32

Enthusiastic Church – Praying Enthusiastic Church – Praying Let us pray for boldness.