When God Shows Up – What Happens
Acts 4:32-37
Strengthening Your Faith – 2009 Black Creek
February 22, 2009 AM Sermon
This past week, we discovered “the one true POWER SOURCE” – being plugged into the Holy Spirit through having a relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. It is imperative for each one of us to be SURE of our SALVATION – to KNOW that we KNOW that we are saved, that we are a Christian. The POWER that comes our way – comes because God is Faithful to those who are Faithful to Him. God will provide the Power to those who have a Relationship with Him. Finally, God will provide Power to those who Ask Him for It.
In that case, God truly shows up in a way that no one can truly explain. “A God Moment” or a “Wow Moment” occurs.
The text this morning takes us right after the room was shaken after the disciples and their companions came together and prayed in one accord – unified. Please notice this morning what happens when God truly shows up.
TEXT
I. When God Shows Up - Hearts are Mended – Hearts are Unified – Hearts are Flaming (Fire Filled)
Notice some things from the first part of the text:
1. Believers were of one heart and soul
2. All things were in common
When God shows up on the scene – bitterness disappears. Wrath is abandoned – clamour is flushed. Individuals who once were at odds become adversaries and allies. God brings peace – God brings hope – God brings Himself (Perfection) to an imperfect group of men and women.
“Hearts are Mended” – Times were tough – Peter and John had been challenged – their future was uncertain on earth (Eternal future was secure). The glue to the mending process came with the collective prayer as the believers prayed together.
“Hearts are Unified” – If a mighty move of God is to happen – the church must be together. Believers were unified through the collective prayer. The unification brought on a manifestation of the Glory of God.
“Hearts are Fire-Filled” – An occurrence that only happens when God’s people seek His face!
Remember this from Acts 2:42-47
3,000 were saved because of this:
1. Church was Doctrinally Sound – they knew what they believed:
* God the Father (Creator/Sustainer/Provider)
* God the Son (Jesus Christ – Born of a Virgin, Lived the Sinless Life, Died on the Cross for our sins, Defeated death, hell, and the grave, Ascended to Heaven to prepare for us a place – those who believe)
* God the Holy Spirit (Leader and Guider of our Lives)
2. Church Loved the Lord and Loved Each Other
3. Church Prayed for One Another
4. Church was Unified
5. Church Praised God for what He had done and was doing
RESULT: People were being added to the church daily
Hearts were on fire for God.
II. When God Shows Up – His Unmerited Favor is Abundant
John 10:10 – Jesus said, I have come that they may have life – and have it more abundantly.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The favor of God truly fell on the apostles and their companions. Notice what the word says:
“Great Power Fell”
“Apostles gave witness/testified of the goodness of Christ Jesus”
“Continued to talk about the Resurrection of Christ – simply – that’s the selling point – He’s not Dead”
“Grace was upon them”
Anything done in the power of man – will fail. All things done through the power of the Holy Spirit will succeed.
God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense
Notice something else from this:
This unmerited favor led to another amazing fact:
“Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostle’s feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need”
See what is amazing:
When God Shows Up, He must first be invited
But when He does show up – Hearts are mended, unified, and set on fire
His grace is abundantly supplied to all
And through His love – His people share what is not theirs to begin with.
Peter and John, according to the Scripture, didn’t have to preach on tithing or money or possessions – the Holy Spirit took care of it.
Needs were met – others came – same things happened.
CONCLUSION
We read this passage – we are amazed at God’s power and provision. But, the question lingers this morning to each person. Have you allowed God to show up in your life? Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
Jesus is the only way to truly:
Have a Broken Heart mended
Have a Broken Relationship Healed
Have a Cold Heart – filled with Fire
Experience Peace
Experience Life
Experience Love
Experience Grace
Friends – have you allowed God to show up in your life?
Let us pray.
