Praying & Sharing Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

The Christians Praying:

• notice who is praying (vs 23-24)

• notice when it was prayed (vs 23&29)

• notice who they prayed to (vs 24-28)

• notice what was asked (vs 29-30)

• notice what happened next (vs 31)

The Christians Sharing:

• notice there was unity (vs 32)

• there was sharing (vs 32&36)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

Let’s start with a little quiz, some collective name trivia…

• The collective name for a group of foxes is? Charm

• The collective name for a group of owls is? Parliament

• The collective name for a group of butterflies is called a. Kaleidoscope

• The collective name for a group of hedgehogs is called a. Prickle

• The collective name for a group of tortoises is called a. Creep

• The collective name for a group of sharks is called a. Shiver

• The collective name for a group a swarm of Ladybugs is called a. Loveliness

• The collective name for a group of crows is called a. Murder,

• (Because in the past, before gunpowder was invented, a group of crows was used as a signal for an ambush).

• TRANSITION: A collective name for a group of Christians is…

• (Church, congregation, assembly, flock, fellowship, body, family…)

• If you only used the Bible passage this morning,

• A collective name for a group of Christians is…believers, prayers, attenders, & sharers,

• Two of those four words summarise their activities in these verses.

• This passage naturally divides into two sections:

• Verses 23-31: Praying.

• Verses 32-37: Sharing.

(A). The Christians pray (vs 23-31).

• As you read through the book of Acts you soon discover.

• That the early Church was a praying Church!

• In fact, in the book of Acts prayer is mentioned 30 times.

• Now we all know it is easier to hear a sermon on prayer than to actually pray,

• Yet as a well-known quotation goes,

• “An ounce of practice is generally worth more than a ton of theory.”

• Too many of us are slow to learn that!

• Notice the early Church was serious about praying together!

• And in this first section (vs 23-31) I want you to notice five things regarding prayer:

(1). Who Is Praying (vs 23-24a):

“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God”.

On their release from prison Peter & John meet up with the rest of the Church:

• The writer does not say that they went to "the other apostles."

• He says they went to "their friends," literally: "their own."

• The point I want to make is this – praying is for ordinary Christians!

Ill:

• Years ago, I was the guest speaker on an Oak Hall holiday.

• Oak Hall is a Christian company that run holidays for Christians all over the world.

• On one of the trips, we took a coach with 74 people to Spain.

• And on numerous occasions on the outward journey, I was asked to pray.

• i.e., for a safe journey. i.e., Grace before a meal etc.

• I am not sure if one of the people was serious or trying to be humorous,

• But one of the holiday makers asked me if I was a ‘professional prayer’.

• I guess it seemed to them I was the only one of the team who ever publicly prayed!

Notice:

• The writer says they went to "their friends," literally: "their own."

• The point being prayer is an activity that is do-able by every Christian.

• i.e., in the lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament.

• Have you noticed there is no gift of prayer?

• All Christians – whether you have been saved five minutes or fifty-five years,

• Have the ability to talk to God in prayer.

• So, when the opportunity comes along to pray – seize it!

• And if there is no opportunity – create it!

(2). When It Was Prayed (vs 23&29):

“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them”.

“Now, lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”

Please notice the occasion when this prayer was prayed.

• It was prayed during a period of opposition,

• Peter & John had been threatened by the Religious Leaders.

• In fact, they were commanded by the Religious Leaders in verse 18:

• “Not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus”.