Sermon Tone Analysis

I. Introduction

We have been going through our “What is the Church of Jesus Christ?” series where we take a closer look at the foundational aspects of the Church in order to ascertain whether or not we are actually operating in accord with the early church.

Jesus’ Promise of the Church

The Apostolic Gospel

The Body of Christ

The Apostle’s Doctrine (Parts 1 & 2)

What a Fellowship!

The Breaking of Bread

The Praying Church (Parts 1 & 2)

Continuing in our series to see the activities of the first church on and after Pentecost, we find in the book of Acts that the gospel message was regularly proclaimed and shared amongst the people of Jerusalem as well as surrounding areas.

Acts 4:23-31 gives us a clear picture of the kind of gospel proclamation done in the face of threats by the Jewish council against the Apostles.

This passage serves as a shining example of the kind of gospel proclamation inherent in the early church and necessary in the witness of the church today even in the face of opposition and persecution!

II.

Context of Acts 4:23-31.

A. Opposition to apostolic gospel proclamation?

B. What was the persecution?

C. the response of the apostles to their Jewish persecutors

D. The ultimatum of the Jewish council.

E. The response of the Apostles to the council

F. The final judgment of the Jewish council.

III.

The response of the church to the persecution of their leaders.

(Acts 4:23-24a)

IV.

The church prayed about their proclamation.

A. The church recognized the sovereignty of God in their proclamation.

(Acts 4:24b-28)

1. Creator of all

2. The prophetic speaker and fulfiller of Scripture

3. The Mover, Master Planner and Ultimate Decision Maker

B. The church requested empowerment for their continued proclamation!

(Acts 4:29-30)

1.

They did not ask for judgment against their opposers but that God would simply “look.”

2. They asked God to grant that they to continue to speak the word with all boldness.

3.

They asked that God would continue to go before them authenticating His message by His miracles.

V. God responded to the church’s prayer for their proclamation.

(Acts 4:31)

A. The place was shaken.

B. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

C. They continued to speak the word of God with all boldness.