Sermon Central
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Chains That Hold Us Back
Contributed by Duane Boehm on Jun 14, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: This is from Acts 12. Peter was held in prison with chains, we as a church can be held back with chains. View the chains that keep us from growing as a church.
THE CHAINS THAT HOLD US BACK
Acts 12:6
Acts 12:1-10
Intro: In this text we here so often of the prayer this church
had made and yet we focus on the idea they didn’t believe
when God did intervene.Today I want to look at it from a
different angle, while sitting in St.Louis at the SBC convention
this past week I was studying in this passage in a break time and
God showed me a new angle to this passage.
I will focus on the chains that hold us back in growth both as a
Church and a individual Christian.
There is four chains that hold us back
There is a priority that we need to focus on
There is a chain breaker in this passage
I) THE CHAINS THAT HOLD US BACK
a. Chains of tradition
when you always do what you always done you
will get you always got
I think we need to remind ourself God is not
Limited to this box, that we limit Him to.
In Worship, Service, Attendance
Why do we come?
because we have to, it’s the right thing. etc
are these the primary focus of our
heart ?
We must come to be with Jesus
B. The chains of reluctance (half-hearted service)
It is all or none
Luke 9:62
Luke14:26
No fence straddling
I Kings 18:21
Matt. 6:24
Lord of all or not at all
It is time He is Made King of King and Lord of Lords
In our life.
C. The chains of self will
Luke 9:23
His will over mine
Most decisions are made on my desire, not His will
D. The chains of no expectancy
Acts 12
Matt 7:7
Luke 11:9
Do we expect God to work
Do we plan for Him to work
Do we believe He can work
Do we believe He wants to work
II) THE MUCH NEEDED PRIORITY
Lack of priority is reason churches/Christian do not grow
Priority to our Christian walk is needed
Priority to our Lord is needed
Priority to soul winning
Prov.11:30
2 Peter 3:9
John 12:32
Not seeing salvation means 1 of 2 things
All are saved-we know this is not true
Or we are not sharing
Heb. 4:12
Rom. 10:17
when soul winning is our focus, God will bless
we only have to share-rest is up to the Holy
Spirit. John 16:8
III) THE CHAIN BREAKER
PRAYER
a. Constant—Acts 12:5
Church praying- Matt.18:19-20
b. Persistent---I Thess. 5:17 always in mind of prayer
c. Fervent—James 5:16
d. Results---Peter released
Church will see great and mighty things
CONCLUSION:
The chains can be broken, the question is do we want them
Broken?
What has God spoken to you about this day?
