Intro: In the passage of Scripture we read, We see in Acts 1:8 that Jesus told the Disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Ghost came upon them. In verse 4 Jesus commanded them to stay in Jerusalem and to “wait for the promise of the Father”. Then we read of the disciple going to the upper room and they abode there. We read that they were in prayer and supplication with one another, then they chose someone to take the place of Judas Iscariot. When we open Chapter 2 of acts we see that the power of God fell on that place, it changed the church would be forever. People saw the difference in the believers that were there that day. People will always notice when you have the power of God on your life.
What about the church today? Do we enjoy that same power that the early church in Acts had? Are we tapping into the same resource that they tapped into? Are we making an impact like they did back then? You see on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost came upon the disciples the Bibles says that 3000 souls were saved. Lives were changed, the Word of God was preached with boldness, and Jesus Christ was uplifted.
But as we think about the church today, our church today, let us ask this question, “DO WE HAVE THE POWER OF GOD IN OUR CHURCH TODAY THAT RESULTS IN WINNING SOULS, CHANGING LIVES, AND MAKING AN IMPACT ON THIS COMMUNITY?”
We are talking about having a DYNAMITE church. When you think of dynamite, you think of Power. The power to move mountains so roads can be built. Power to change the landscape of Mt. Rushmore to attract people to see that marvel of craftsmanship.
The child of God with the Power of God On their life can do marvelous things, so to can a church that has the POWER of God resting on it? Do we want the power of God?
What caused the early church to have the power of God?
Prop: I WANT TO EXAMINE 6 CHARACTERISTICS THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE POWER OF GOD ON THE EARLY CHURCH.
I. IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF WHOLE-HEARTED
DEVOTION.
A. We will never have the Power of God with Half-heartedness.
B. God does not bless half-hearted service, or obedience.
C. Matthew 22:37 says - “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” This verse leaves no
room for HALF-HEARTEDNESS.
ILLUS: Limiting God In our Lives. (We tell God that he can only have
so much of our lives, or he can only go into certain areas of our
Hearts.) When we do this we limit God in our lives. When we
limit God in our lives, we Limit the Power of God on Our lives.
When we limit God In our church, We limit the power of God
on our church.)
D. Whole-hearted devotion will result in: 1. His Word having priority.
2. His Work having priority.
3. His Will having priority.
Application: The Disciples wanted to follow Jesus, they put their whole being into it.
II. IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE UNITY OF THE
BELIEVERS. Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1
A. The Bible states that the disciples were ALL in one accord. Not
part of them, not 95% of them but they were ALL in one accord.
B. One of the things that will take away the power of God on the church
will be disunity. Satan tries hard, and oftentimes succeeds in
bringing disharmony in the church.
C. Some causes: Color of carpet, personal opinions, color of
hymnbooks, etc. Most of the time it is not doctrine. Rather
it is something silly.
D. Psalm 133:1 - “Behold, how good and hoe pleasant it is for the
brethren to dwell together in unity.”
This is what God desires for his church.
III. IT CAME ABOUT FOR THE PURPOSE OF
WITNESSING FOR CHRIST. Acts 1:8
A. This verse tells us the main reason for the Power of God,
To tell others of what Jesus Christ has done.
B. We are commanded to Go and tell the world about Jesus.
Mark 16:15 - Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to
Every Creature. It is the power of the Holy Ghost the enables us to
be a witness of Christ.
C. The Power that comes from the Holy Spirit gives us the same
boldness that Peter experienced in preaching on the day of
Pentecost. (This same power is still available to us today! Do
we take advantage?)
IV. IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE PRIORITY OF
THE WORD OF GOD. Acts 1:16, Acts 2:15-36,42
A. The Word of God was very important to the early church. In vs. 42
The Bible states that continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine...
B. In the sermon that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost we find
Peter referring back to different passages of Scripture. As Peter
preached the Word of God the it brought about the convicting
power of the Holy Spirit and people got saved.
C. In Our churches today, we are seeing that the Word of God doesn’t
seem to have the priority that it once had. It is impossible to do
the Lord’s work apart from Scripture. It is impossible to grow
apart from Scripture.
The Bible must become important to us once again.
The Word Of God: 1. Must be read.
2. Must be preached.
3. Must be obeyed.
APPLICATION: The Word of God is Necessary for the Christian to
have the Power of God on their lives.
V. IT CAME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF PRAYER:
Acts 1:14; Acts 2:42
A. Prayer has often been referred to as the Christian’s power. It is
here in the sweet fellowship with God our Heavenly Father that we
can ask for the power to live the Christian life and to do his work.
B. Prayer is not only a privilege, it is a necessity, when we do not pray
we are cutting ourselves off from the source of life, light and love.
C. The disciple knew what is was to pray and see the power of God in
their lives. They not only prayed for themselves, they prayed for
each other. (Needs, that they would be filled with the Spirit.) We
need to pray for each other. (Eph. 6:18; Col. 1:9-11 READ)
Good illustration how to
pray for others.
VI. IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE GOD FULFILLED HIS
PROMISE Acts 1:4-8; 2:1-4
A. When Jesus said that the Father would send the Holy Ghost and
then the disciples would have power, it was fulfilled just as he
said.
B. Wouldn’t you have like to have been there that day when the
Holy Ghost came down, what an exciting time it must have been.
C. There is just something exciting about knowing that God keeps His
Word. God does not want his children to be failure, so His gives
enabling power of the Holy Ghost to fulfill His will in our lives.
Left to the flesh most of us would not do His will, but the power of
God enables us to do it.
NOTE: What a wonderful thought that you and I have the same
opportunity to be empowered by the same Holy Ghost that
gave power to the early church. (Are we making Ourselves
Available?)
