How Shall We Live? Text: Acts 4:13-20
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Peter and John were transformed by the very presence of Christ Jesus. These two men were once known to many as just common fishermen, but now they spoke as a true spokesman they understood and believed in what they were saying; therefore, their words were alive and real! Their accusers ask the question “What shall we do to these men?”
Everyday you and I have 1,440 minutes to make a difference. Everyday you and I have 28,800 seconds to make a difference!
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
God desires to transform your life! He enjoys watching your metaphors take place. (A worm into a butterfly!)
The church of God was born in the heart of what historians call “The Modern Era” of Western world history. This period- about three hundred years extending from the late 1600s to the late 1900s-vastly improved people’s quality of life.
However where advancements of every conceivable kind came; there also came new anti-God, anti-Christian, anti Bible and anti faith philosophy!
Right in the middle of this era, in 1886 eight men and women got together and formed what they called the “Christian Union”
These men were lead by Rev. Richard Spurling an ordained minister, he rejected the dominate views of most churches, he believed they were too creedal and exclusive, these individuals wanted more than just creeds!
David said in Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.
When a deer is hunted it will look for a hiding place. Sometimes it will find a pond or lake, and then he or she will submerge itself under water until it’s prey leaves!
Talking about hunger: according to historian Charles W. Conn, about one hundred men and women received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Yet, these early years were marked by intense
persecution-burnings, bruising and beatings!
Acts 4:17-20 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
In 1896, the church regrouped and established a simple government and changed their name to “The Holiness Church at Camp Creek.” In 1906, twenty-one people came together in their first General Assembly. In 1907, the name was changed to “Church of God!”
Since that time the church has been a lot like Peter and John in verse 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
The “Church of God” has had great exponential growth, but at the same time the devil has thrown many assaults upon those who choose to stay blinded!
Now Pluralism says, “Jesus is a way, but only one of many ways to Spiritual truth.” Political correctness says, “Believe what you will but keep your faith to yourself!”
God say’s in Ezekiel 33:10 Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?”’
Shall we live in isolation, in a Spiritual cocoon?
Shall we live in intimidation and lose confidence in God?
Shall we be afraid of the challenges?
Shall we become mesmerized by the blur of rapid change?
Will we live in division, or turn within ourselves?
Will we devour one another with words, both written and spoken?
Will we dumb down the Gospel, hide the cross, show the Holy Ghost the door and lose our hearts for the harvest?
The real question is “How shall we live?”
There are three areas that we should live by: We shall live by ‘Revelation’! Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
The supreme revelation is the person of Jesus Christ-Savior, healer and deliver!
He (Jesus) desires to share His revelation with you!
Secondly, We shall live by ‘Prayer’! What is prayer? Prayer is the heartbeat of the church; Prayer is the heartbeat of our relationship with God!
I John 5: 14-15 NIV This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.
Third, We shall live with intention! A plan, target, objective, meaning, purpose and aim!
That’s why Jesus gave us His last words! Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
When you become a witness for Christ you begin to take the right aim!
Some one without true intention, purpose or aim is sad! When a person is playing sports, exercising or losing weight he or she has to have intention!
Hear this last word, “when we begin to listen to men and listen to men again then and only then will we have a chance to tell men about our God!”
Question: So how shall we live? We shall live by Revelation, Prayer and Intention!
