Title: When I Fulfilled My Wishes
Acts 4:23-31 After praying.... Topic: 14. Prayer 2007. 7. 22.
◎ Introduction
: Those who truly believe will suffer persecution (John 15:20) : Those who believe in Christ, the Early Church, and even today are persecuted. can't avoid it
※ Persecution can occur in ① slander, anger, slander, scandal, cynicism, cursing, isolation, and violence ② in markets, churches, homes, communities, and schools.
※ What believers need is not escape from persecution, but victory over persecution (requires strong conviction in unwavering mission)
One). Background (23-24)
2). Man's futility and God's plan (25-28)
3). Confidence in mission and God's interest (29-30)
4). Results (31)
1. Background: Peter and John are released (23-24)
※ As soon as they were released, they went to their believers, that is, the church. (They were praying)
One). They reported and shared their experiences with the church.
① They were imprisoned, tried in the supreme court, threatened and warned, but not defeated, and did not remain silent. (Preached the Gospel)
② Peter and John were not even triumphant. (The gospel was preached to the best ruler)
*About boasting, pride, being used more by God, glorifying oneself, a special servant of God, exalting above one's fellow men.
③ “Everything is known” Peter and John's interest is to encourage the church, to give instruction (to build up), and to warn of impending persecution.
* We shared what kind of persecution would come if we preached Jesus, and how God helped us.
*There was no discussion about whether to stop preaching the gospel or not. He had already been commanded to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
2). There was only one thing the church could do, pray with a victorious voice.
※ “With one heart” means praying with one heart and one spirit. Notice that they were united, not each.
※ This is the prayer that God hears and answers (Matthew 18:19, Mark 11:24, James 5:16, Jer 29:13)
“Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth to ask for anything, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19).
3). Confidence in God's power (24)
※ “Great Lord,” because he is the omnipotent One who created the universe, there are no people, beings, or organizations that can block God.
there is no country This is why the church has great confidence in the power of God.
※ “Lord” means the master, ruler, and lord who rules.
2. Human futility and God's plan (confidence in providence) (25-28)
※ God's will (predestination): God's plan (provided providence and doing all things good) has already been proven.
* The prophecy of David and the death of Christ prove it.
One). People will oppose God (David's prophecy) (compare Psalm 2:1-2)
① The nations (the lost ones of the world) will be angry.
* It means to be arrogant and unruly without restraint.
② The tribes (worldly people) operate in vain.
* Focusing life, time, and energy on meaningless possessions and material things (worldly things)
③ Princes and rulers come together to oppose the Messiah.
2). God has controlled man's adversary by his own plan.
※ You have set a policy for what you will do in the future.
①The prophecy was fulfilled in the death of Christ.
They: resisted the “Holy Servant Jesus” and finally killed him.
God: Destroyed all these and “raised them from the dead”
* God's intention (God's plan and omnipotence) is to accomplish all good. (Acts 2:23)
② That prophecy is still being fulfilled in the life of the believer and in the church.
The world is: still angry, manipulating in vain, and opposing God and the church.
God: Makes the gospel preached and saves all who hear and believe the gospel.
(1 Corinthians 2:7, 2 Tim. 1:9, 2:8,9, Titus 1:2~3)
3. Confidence in mission and God's interest (29-30)
※ Evidence: They had confidence in God's mission and God's interest.
One). Their mission was “to preach the word of God.”
※ They pray for the destruction of the wicked ① for the persecution to stop ③ for the preaching of the gospel until silence
I did not pray for you to rest. rather
※ I prayed for greater courage and boldness (fear disappears) to bear witness to the gospel.
① “Now,” the church needed more courage to dispel fear and spread the gospel.
②“Look down” means to look down. Give me what I need to endure persecution with patience...
③ “Servants” (Dulos) In the sense of slaves, they are slaves of God, doing God’s will
They shared and preached the word of God despite persecution. (Matthew 28:19~20, Mark 16:15, Acts 4:20, 2 Timothy 1:8)
2). Their demands are signs, knights, and healing powers.
※ They asked for God's power to be shown so that their claims could be justified.
※ Their claim is that the Son of God ① has come. ②He died. ③ He was resurrected. ④ by God's right hand
you have been exalted ⑤ He is still working today and is working in people's lives.
※ It is the Lord's power to prove all these things through signs and wonders.
That power is ① in the “name” of Jesus (Acts 3:6, 4:7, 10, 12, 17, 18)
②It is only for the glory of Jesus (Matthew 10:1, Mark 3:14-15, 16:17-18,...)
4. Outcome (31) triple.
One). The place where they had gathered shook. : The sign of God's dominion over the material world
2). They were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1 4): They needed and experienced a very special manifestation of God.
3). As they prayed, they received boldness and courage to speak the word and preach the gospel powerfully.
(Acts 1:8, 4:13, 9:28, 14:3, 28, Titus 2:15, 1 Pet 3:15)
◎Conclusion: