Experiencing Renewal (Lesson 2)

1. The cause of their prayers: Acts 4:23-24

Restored: God had answered to release them from prison (Acts 4:23).

Reported: They shared with all what the enemy did to them.

Raised their voices: They prayed together.

There is value in the volume of prayer.

-J. Arnold

2. The character of their prayers: Acts 4:23

Praying out loud. When you pray audibly, you “say” what you want God to do. “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain (barrier), move from here, and it will move” (Matthew 17:20).

Praying to God. “They raised their voice to God” (Acts 4:24).

Praying together. “With one accord” (Acts 4:23).

The condition of their prayers: (Acts 4:24-30)

God was their Master. They called Him, “Lord . . .” They called themselves “Your servants” (Acts 4:24).

God was their Sovereign. They recognized Him. “Lord, you are God.” They recognized His power. “To do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done” (Acts 4:28).

God was the Creator. They recognized God. “Made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them” (Acts 4:24). The foundation of our faith is that God created everything out of that which did not exist. “By faith we understand that the worlds were formed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Heb. 11:3).

God has spoken in the Scriptures. They applied Psalm 2 to their being put in jail, i.e., “the heathen raged” against Messiah and them. “The rulers were gathered together against the LORD and against His Christ” (Acts 4:26 from Psalm 2:2).

When people do not mind what God speaks to

them in His Word, God doth not mind what they

say to Him in prayer. –William Gurnall

God was reminded what happen to them (Acts 4:27-28).

“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together” (Acts 4:27).

a. Herod agreed.

b. Pontius Pilate condemned.

c. Gentile soldiers actually crucified.

d. People of Israel plotted.

4. The content of their prayers.

Boldness to speak. “Grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your Word” (Acts 4:29).

a. We are called to be Jesus’ witnesses (Acts 1:8).

b. They were threatened. “Not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18).

c. They had promised. “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

d. Continue (literally) “continue speaking Your Word”

Power to heal. “By stretching out your hand to heal” (Acts 4:30).

a. Past power to heal had given them the opportunity to preach (Acts 3:11).

b. Past power to heal protected them in jail (Acts 4:21-22).

c. Past power to heal caused others to worship God (Acts 4:21).

5. The consequences of their prayers.

“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

Shakened

a. Could have been as earthquakes (Acts 16:26).

b. Could have been God’s presence. The Old Testament describes a “shaking” when God appears, Psalm 114:7; Isaiah 2:19; Haggai 2:6; Hebrews 12:26-27.

c. The disciples were emotionally and physically shaken.

d. “The place was shaken, that their faith might be unshakened” –Matthew Henry

Spirit-filled. “All filled with the Holy Spirit.” Since all were praying, all were filled.

Spoke the Word of God. Their prayers were answered

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.