A Prayer-First Church Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [11] Acts 4:23-31 May 6, 2012 Pastor Paul K. Kim

WHAT THE EARLY CHURCH’S REPONSE TO THE PERSECUTION OFFERS US This response offers us a MODEL to follow in how to respond to persecution. This response offers us a LESSON to learn about how to pray in hardships. This response offers us a KEY to outpouring of the Holy Spirit we all need.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHURCH? 1) Put prayer as THE FIRST RESPONSE to all things corporately as well as individually. 23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God (vs.23-24a)  The early church’s first response to the threats of further persecution was not a strategy or plan but prayer.  Why is this important? It is the first sign of the Spirit- dependence; a “prayer-first” church is a powerful church.

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. John Bunyan When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy. Corrie ten Boom

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHURCH? 1) Put prayer as THE FIRST RESPONSE to all things corporately as well as individually. 23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God (vs.23-24a)  The early church’s first response to the threats of further persecution was not a strategy or plan but prayer.  Why is this important? It is the first sign of the Spirit- dependence; a prayerful church is a powerful church.  To be such a church, prayer must be (1) prioritized as first, (2) practiced frequently, and (3) preserved fervently.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHURCH? 2) Focus first on WHO GOD IS in order to know WHAT to pray for. "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. (vs.24b-28)

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHURCH? 2) Focus first on WHO GOD IS in order to know WHAT to pray for. "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea… 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said… 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus… to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place… (vs.24b-28)  They focused on Sovereignty in three ways [Stott]: (1) God of the creation, (2) God of revelation, & (3) God of history.  Why is this important? Adoration of God’s greatness & unchanging attributes shape our perspective and prayer.  To whom we pray affects the way we pray. Contemplate first on WHO GOD IS to find a right perspective and faith in Sovereign God for your desperate circumstances.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHURCH? 3) Pray for STRENGTH AND POWER to do what God desires & wills rather than asking for an easy way out. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 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. (vs.29-31)  They asked two things (1) boldness: strength to do God’s will and (2) healing, signs & wonders: power in Jesus’ name.  The results: Boldness and fullness of the Spirit.  Therefore, God-centered, earnest prayers are the key to outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

What the Church Needs Today What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men [and women] whom the Holy Spirit can use—men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men—men of prayer. - E. M. Bounds

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.How can we become a “prayer-first” church & Christians? What is your first step in so doing? 2.In what ways can I change the way I pray in order to follow the example of the early church’s prayer? 3.How do I turn away from praying for quick fixes to praying for strength and power to do God’s will?