Standing for God's Truth

Standing on God’s Truth

Acts 4

Objective:  It is my goal to show how the Apostles stayed with the truth.  On this Father’s day, I want to encourage Fathers to stay with the truth and follow Jesus.  Remember we have an enemy who would love to destroy the family.

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Happy Father’s day

2.  Fathers ought to be look up to

3.  Character—Men of integrity

4.  Promise Keepers

5.  How does a man develop great character

I.  Mistake of the enemy  Act 4:1-22

    A.  Tell the Story

1.  Jealousy of the religious leaders

2.  Peter's address to Sanhedrin  5-12

3.  Result of being with Jesus  13-22

      a.  Saw him at his baptism

      b.  Saw him as he began to serve

      c.  Many only with Jesus for a year

      d.  Saw Him take care of people

      e.  Miracles,

            5000 fed

            Walking on the water

            Dead raised

            Blind made to see

            Deaf to hear

      f.  They heard him speak and one on on

      g.  They ate, slept, worked, crowd control

      h.  They were with Jesus at the Last Supper

      i.  They saw Jesus tortured and killed

      j.  They saw his blood pour out

      k.  They saw him after the resurrection

      L.  They were with him when he restored them to ministry

      m.  They saw the power of the Holy Spirit when 3000 were saved in one day

      n.  They saw the church beginning to grow.

                        4000 saved

4.  Character of these men

      a.  Spent time in learning

      b.  Had great failure

      c.  Repentance and forgiveness

      d.  Restored by Jesus

5.  v. 24--One accord  23-31

6.  one heart and one soul  32-37

      B.  How does Satan Work?

1.  2 Corinthians 2:10-11 10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him.    And what I have forgiven -- if there was anything to forgive -- I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (NIV)

2.  James 4:7 ESV 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

3.  1 Peter 5:8 ESV 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

4.  2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

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      C.  Opportunity to spread the Gospel

II.  Prayer and Praise  Acts 4:23-31

      A.  The report was brought before the Lord

      B.  Request for Boldness  v. 29-30

            1.  Let others see the Greatness of Jesus Christ

            2.  Let people continue to come to Jesus

            3.  Act 4:4—5000 men saved

      C.  Speaking with Great boldness

            1.  Do we need persecution so that we will again focus on Jesus

            2.  Do we need to place such small value on things that all of life and salvation is the only thing that has value?

Conclusion:

1.  Message is Acts 4:12

2.  Life on earth is so limited

3.  How will you live?

      Great resistance to live right

      Great encouragement to sin.

4.  The battle for your life and soul is real.  What will you do with Jesus Christ?

5.  What is going on at FBC?

a.  God is blessing

b.  There is a great spirit of unity

c.  We are in One accord

d.  House sold and all is done-Pastor

6.  The Battle is very real

7.  Resist the devil

a.  go on in the ministry

b.  Serve the Lord with Gladness

c.  What did they do in Acts 4:23-31

Fathers day—Funny

      Fathers—The tape that binds it all together.