Apostolic Without Apology
Pastor Scott Voss
New Life Christian Center
Rector, Arkansas
(Acts 4:19-20) But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. {20} For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
We live in an “In Your Face” society. It is not good enough to be what you want to be, but there is an unwarranted need to prove that you are defiant of all others.
From Dennis Rodman to Ellen Degeneres, homosexuality and rebellion are flaunted as the ultimate expressions of independence and individuality.
If you don’t like it, deal with it. If you think it’s wrong, then keep your opinion to your self.
I am not a proponent of this in your face attitude, but I do believe that we need to refuse to be intimidated.
Lame man at the Gate Beautiful. Such as I have. Peter began his life after Pentecost. He was Apostolic without apology.
Peter and John were arrested for preaching the Gospel and teaching the people about Jesus and the resurrection of the dead.
They were thrown into jail, but the word of God does not return void. About 5,000 men were saved as a result of their preaching that day.
The next day they were brought before the Sanhedrin to be questioned and reprimanded. There in their presence Peter answered the question, How did you heal this man?
The bible says that Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost and began to preach to them!
(Acts 4:10) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
(Acts 4:11-12) This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. {12} Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Look at what happened next. The men saw the boldness of Peter and knew that he had been with Jesus.
There is something powerful about being with Him. It causes you to be like Him even when you do not have to be. It causes you to be Apostolic without apology. You do not have to tell any one you are sorry. You do not have to try and excuse your behavior. You are simply a Holy Ghost filled believer through and through!
The council tried to figure out how they could punish these men without causing the multitudes of people to rise up against them.
Some one had the bright idea of threatening them. Let’s threaten them with their lives, so that from this day forward they will not speak to anybody in that name.
I want you to know that the devil hates it when you speak to anyone in the name of Jesus. It still causes him to tremble and
flee with fear!
Listen to Peter’s reply.
(Acts 4:19-20) But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. {20} For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Another translation says it like this, We can’t stop talking about the things that we saw and heard Jesus do.
Why? Because once you have been changed by the power of Jesus name, no other power, influence, or name can do the same.
When you have felt the ultimate peace of God, man’s attempt to frighten you will pale in comparison to his ability to deliver you.
In Desert Storm one of America’s greatest weapons was revealed. It was called the PATRIOT missile. It was totally different than the Tomahawk missiles and the Howitzers that were used in offensive strikes, it was and is a defensive weapon. When the Iraqi armies launched their dread SCUD missiles, the patriot batteries would track it, fire, and destroy the weapon before it could come into contact with its intended target. An awesome display of technology and power.
The PATRIOT arrived at its name in a very unique way. The man and women that manufactured it were given the opportunity to name it. PATRIOT was chosen. It is an acronym for the following.
Proud
Americans
Taking
Responsibility
In
Our
Time.
I believe that it is time for the prince of the power of the air to feel the effects of some PATRIOTS in Rector. Some Proud Apostolics Taking Responsibility In Our Town!
Satan will do all that he can to hinder the progression of the church, but I am persuaded that Jesus meant it when he said that the Gates of Hell would not prevail against His church!
He will attack, but there are some Apostolics here that are going to take the responsibility of the town. We refuse to be intimidated. We refuse to allow someone else to tell us what is permissible or not.
Some body here tonight help me. We need to get Apostolic without apology!
I refuse to apologize for my belief in One God!
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one!
I refuse to be intimidated out of preaching the Acts 2.38 message. You must be born again of water and spirit. You must be filled with the Holy Ghost. You must be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins.
Tongues are not of the devil! They are a sign for the unbeliever. They are the initial evidence of the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
Paul said, I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all! He was Apostolic without apology!
Get a hold on an apostolic attitude tonight.
Are you embattled by peer pressure? It is because your peers do not know where you really stand. If you are in the middle of the road, you are susceptible to peer pressure. But if you are apostolic, the know where you stand.
I am apostolic regardless of the pressures of the world!
I refuse to allow any one inside or outside the church dictate to me what is and is not acceptable in worship to God.
I am going to give him my best. If my best on a particular night means that I end up rolling on the floor or kneeling in quiet prayer, I will not be intimidated.
I want to be like King David. I wan to dance before the Lord with all my might.
Jeremiah said that is was like fire shut up in his bones.
The world will tell you to stop acting like a fool. You do not have to be that way.
Jesus says don’t stop. He can use you. He will empower you and then they will know that you have been with Him!
If you will get in here and allow the Lord to renew you in your spirit, you can become like Peter.
I can’t stop talking about what Jesus did! I’ve seen too much to doubt him now. You are too late to tell me that God is not real, will not fill with his spirit.
I have felt him for myself.
I am Apostolic without apology!
