I. Companionship V.23, 24a
A. Who Do You Run To? V. 23
1. “Companion”, (NKJV) “company”, (KJV) “back to their own people” (NIV)
idios- pertaining to self, one’s own; private or separate
John 13:1 “…when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart,… having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2. When in trouble, the apostles went to their own that were separated to God.
3. When you need help, comfort, counsel, who do you go to?
4. Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
5. 1 Cor. 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
B. Who Do You Agree With? V. 24a “with one accord”
1. Psalm 1:1,2 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
2. Eph. 4:17-19 you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
3. Christians should find themselves agreeing w/ & receiving comfort & counsel from other Christians. The Christian should not be directed by ungodly counsel, or evaluate life from an ungodly perspective.
II. Confession Of Faith Confess- to agree with
A. God- Creator Of All Things V. 24b
1. Genesis 1:1,2 1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
2. Ephesians 2:10 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
3. The Christian lives in a God made world, and has a God ordained purpose.
4. Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) If man is not made for God, why is he happy only in God? If man is made for God, why is he opposed to God?
B. God- Sovereign Over Man
1. V. 24- Lord- despota, not kurios. Despota– one who rules over others, absolute authority
2. Rage- Anger & hatred of man against Jesus. Rage & rejection doesn’t guarantee victory.
3. Man’s Plans-Vain V. 24a, 25, 26
Man’s efforts against God and for self are vain and powerless. God rules over all.
Job 8:13, 14 13 So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, 14 Whose confidence shall be cut off, And whose trust is a spider’s web.
4. God’s Plans-Sure V. 27, 28
5. Man does what he can, and God what he will.
III. Confidence
A. In What God Wanted V. 29
1. Speak About Jesus
2. Matt. 28:18-20 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples (students, learners, followers) …, baptizing them …20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…
3. Acts 1:8
4. Good To Know God’s Will- Clear Purpose For Life
B. God’s Method For Them
1. Signs And Wonders
2. Bold Proclamation
IV. Results v. 31
A. God’s Manifested Answer
1. The Room Shook
2. Not the normal occurrence; does happen in Acts 16, Paul and Silas in prison.
3. God Does Let Us Know That He Hears Our Prayers
4. Inner Witness; External Circumstances
B. Filled W/ Holy Spirit- Continued Dependence Upon God’s Spirit
C. Spoke Boldly About Jesus
V. Questions We May Ask
A. Why Doesn’t God Shake The Church When We Pray?
B. Should We Pray For/Expect That?
C. Can/Does God Still Do That Kind Of Thing?
1. God Still Does Miracles
2. Last Sunday- My Back Injury- Grace For The Moment
3. Gospel For Asia- A dead man was raised to life in India. GFA coming September 7.
VI. Questions To Ask Ourselves
A. Who Are Our Companions?
1. When Life Is Difficult, Who Do You Run To?
2. Who Do You Agree With?
3. We Often Become Like The People We Are With
B. What Do You Believe?
1. Is God The Creator Of All Things?
2. Is Man Sovereign Over God
3. Is Man Independent From God?
4. What You Believe Will Determine How You Live
5. How You Live Reveals What You Believe
6. How You Live Reveals How Deeply You Believe
C. Your Thoughts Regarding God’s Will
1. Are You Sure About God’s Overall Will For Your Life?
2. Speaking About Jesus Is Every Christian’s Calling. Are You Doing That?
3. Are You Praying To Be Enabled And Motivated To Speak About Jesus?