Check out the video below and see the outline of the message here--
A.D.--In
the Year of Our Lord: STAND FIRM
Acts
4:18-20 “18 Then they called them in again and
commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is
right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen
and heard.’”
BIG
IDEA: You will always be opposed
when you try to follow Christ, but the Holy Spirit will help you STAND FIRM.
COURAGEOUS
The Holy Spirit gives courage in the face of opposition.
Acts
4:8-12 “8 Then Peter, filled
with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the
people! 9 If we are being called to account today
for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how
he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the
people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you
crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before
you healed. 11 Jesus is ‘the stone you builders
rejected which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there
is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
1
Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be
strong.”
OBEDIENCE
IN SPITE OF OPPOSITION
Standing firm in your faith results in certain blessings.
Acts
4:18-20 “18 Then they called them in again and
commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is
right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen
and heard.’”
Proverbs
3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding; 6 in
all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
INSPIRATIONAL
FAITH
Standing firm in obedience and faith moves the hearts of
people.
Acts 4:4 “But many who heard the message believed; so the
number of men who believed grew to
about five thousand.”
Acts 4:13 “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.”
BOLD
The Holy Spirit will make Jesus to shine through the life
of person who is standing firm.
Acts 4:31 “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.”
UNITED WE
STAND
The Holy Spirit fills and blesses the church that stands
firm.
Acts
4:32-37 “32 All the
believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their
possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time
to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had
need. 36 Joseph,
a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of
encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the
money and put it at the apostles’ feet.”
John
16:33 “33 I have told you these things, so that in me you
may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the
world.”
ACTION: Keep standing firm and receive fresh strength
from the Holy Spirit today!