Great Things!

And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

The early church was ALIVE!

The church was filled with the presence of Christ!

The church was filled with the activity of the Holy Spirit!

The church was filled with new converts and growing disciples!

God did GREAT things in the early church!

What were the “great things” that characterized the early church?

Great GOD!

The early church knew their God and that He is a GREAT God! They were not intimidated by man. When threatened, they raised their voice to GOD (v. 24)

The covenant God (YAHWEH): “Lord, You are God!” (v. 24)

God the CREATOR: “Who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them.”

The God of SCRIPTURE: “who by the mouth of Your servant David has said:” (v. 25)

The SOVEREIGN God: “Against the LORD and against His Christ.” (v. 26)

The God of JUSTICE: “Now, Lord, look upon their threats.” (v. 29)

The ALMIGHTY GOD: “by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (v. 30)

Great PRAYER!

The early church was birthed in prayer in the Upper Room.

The early church continued in prayer

Acts 2:42 NKJV

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The early church depended on prayer for direction, provision, deliverance, and empowerment.

The early church experienced answers to their prayers.

Acts 4:31 NKJV

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Great POWER!

Literally, “MEGA Power”!

The early church prayed for power and God filled them with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 4:31 NKJV

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

They experienced power in preaching—boldly preaching the word of God.

Acts 4:33 NKJV

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

They experienced power to bear witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He is ALIVE!

Great GOSPEL!

The power was contained in the message of the gospel—the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)

Romans 1:16 NKJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 NKJV

And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

Great GRACE!

Literally, “MEGA Grace”

Grace can be measured, and the measure of God’s grace on the early church was GREAT!

Grace is evidence of the presence of Jesus in our midst.

John 1:14 NKJV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:17 NKJV

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Grace is evidence of the work of the Spirit of grace.

Zechariah 12:10 NKJV

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

Hebrews 10:29 NKJV

Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

MEGA Grace was upon them ALL!

The grace of God enabled the saints of God to do the work of God through the power of God for the glory of God.

Every believer is a “face” of God’s grace!

May this church be a place of “great grace” where everyone is a “face of God’s grace”.

Can you recognize the “faces of grace” in the church today?

May God do GREAT THINGS in His Church Today!

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