Overcome through prayer
Acts 4:13-30; 4/2/2023; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Have you ever overcome difficulties by praying? There will always be a point in life where you find that you are really incapable, or your ability is limited. What should we do at this time? Is prayer an option for you? Let’s look at the first point:
Boldly witness God
Yes, bearing witness to God requires boldness and courage. Think about our mood when we preached on the street for the first time. We may be afraid or be at a loss? First, experience being looked down upon by others. One of the legacy Adam left us is pride, which is why we find it difficult and despised today when we go to the mission and evangelize. The high priest and those in authority were amazed when they saw this group of unlearned people. Wonder how they can say things that even they can’t, and still be full of wisdom, power, and transcendence. Perhaps someone around him reminded him that the high priest gradually realized that these people had followed Jesus. Originally they wanted to take advantage of this, but found that the man crippled from birth was standing with the apostles, so that the high priests had nothing to say. At this time, it seemed weak to say anything, so they told them to get out of the council! Since the people are treated as having no value, right? It’s like hearing the judge kick the defense lawyer out of the court at will in court, have you seen it?
Second, face being dealt with by others. One of the evil deeds of those in power is to negotiate with each other and deal with civilians. What should we do with these two people? In fact, the dictator just feels that he has no face, and he can’t see that the people live better and are more capable than himself! Brother Niu Yun has the strength to plow the fields. On the one hand, the landlord wants to take away his strength, but on the other hand, he is very afraid that his strength will affect the tenants’ respect for the landlord. The family of the landlord was about to discuss how to deal with Niu Yun during dinner, just as the family of the high priest discussed with the Jewish Sanhedrin how to deal with Peter and John. If this Niu Yun not only has strength, but also has some brains, and even points out that the landlord’s farming system is not complete, then the landlord’s cheese has been moved.
Finally, to bear being intimidated by people. If a man of God wants to testify for the Lord, he must face the face of authority. Those in power at the top must also face the shepherds, otherwise there will be no wormwood for the wool! The tension between the two can be said to ebb and flow and interact with each other. Those in power are also afraid of whether people’s hearts will be turned against them, so they must control the direction of public opinion, and even lie and make falsehoods. Now if Peter and John are arrested and imprisoned, they are afraid that the people will not follow him. At this time, the power of authority and the power of witness are competing with each other and competing for superiority. The seemingly weak witness left the power of God in the hearts of the high priests, but it terrified those in authority. The high priests said: “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. (Acts 4:16) Let’s look at the second point:
Glory to God
Now that we have reached this point, can we still give glory to God? Power is so terrible, in front of the Nanjing Presidential Palace, a man was taken away for disturbing public order just by saying a few words. 可怕嗎？Is it scary? The fear is real, but not the truth. First of all, he is more afraid than you are. Human beings after Adam are all in a state of restlessness, and no one is an exception. Once a person has power, he will inevitably suffer from phobia, fearing that one day he will lose power. People who live in fear are in constant panic every day, and their bodies are also living in a sub-healthy state. Macedonian king Alexander the Great, possibly the greatest king of all time, almost as famous as his mentor Aristotle, lived to be only 32 years old. Caesar in Rome, like Alexander, fought and dominated the world all his life, and he only lived to be 55 years old. Hitler lived to be 56 years old, Stalin lived to be 74 years old, Mao Zedong lived to be 82 years old, and Chiang Kai-shek lived to be 89 years old. No matter how old they are, most of them have killed countless people in their lives, and they all live in uneasy fear. Because of their belief in the Lord, Peter and John had already regarded death as home. Their quality of life cannot be compared with, and peace and joy are also the secrets for unbelievers not to peep.
Second, speak calmly. When those in authority come to show off their power in front of the witnesses, there is no need to panic or be afraid! Because their ending is pitiful, cursed by God, and living forever under the curse of hell. Submitting to such an authority is unavoidably resentful. But it doesn’t matter, just choose to obey. Because this is the last grace God has reserved for them, God wants to use our obedience to bestow upon these superiors and powers. It means that I let you see these children who imitate My life, so that you too can be saved. You don’t allow us to gather, tear down our crosses, and destroy our churches. Excuse me, is this reasonable? Israel’s exodus from Egypt was recorded in the Bible. Haven’t you read what the Bible said? The Lord Jesus said, I am the resurrection, and I will rise again. Haven’t you read that?
Finally, give glory to God. The Bible says: “After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. (Acts 4:21)” This is already the highest level of witnessing power! At this time, the officials still have some bottom line, and they will give more consideration to the factors of the crowd. Today’s power of authority is already out of date, and it includes some local bullies and hooligans, who even dare to fight against believers in the church, including pastors and ministers. They blatantly broke into the temple where they were meeting and stopped the worship of believers. All I can say is that the last day is coming, and the Lord is coming back soon! Encourage brothers and sisters to pray for them more, because the window of grace is shrinking and the chances of salvation are shrinking too. Let’s look at the third point:
Pray and praise God
Perhaps the truth we are most likely to overlook is prayer, and the thing we are least willing to work on and put effort into is worship and praise. The essence of ignoring prayer is unbelief, and the reason for not loving praise is not knowing God. First, pray in church. It is a mystery, and it can be a temptation. Peter and John were released, why didn’t they go home to see their wives and children first? First take a bath, eat a meal, sleep, get a haircut, and cross a brazier for good luck? Let these so-called traditional cultures or advanced civilizations stand aside! Because there is one thing that is more important than all this! It is prayer! So why not just pray with your wife and kids? Or just pray with John alone! No, nothing pleases God more than praying in church! Is there even a question? The church is the body of Christ, and Christ is the head of the church.
Second, pray in the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ younger brother Judas was the leader of the early church. He only wrote one book, the Book of Jude. There is only one chapter in the Book of Jude. There is a sentence in it that is the motto of my seminary: “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20) Once Peter and John returned to the church, the Holy Spirit gave them one accord, worship and praise, and of course, they couldn’t do without God’s word. The Holy Spirit may work in a person, but the Holy Spirit must work in the church. This is why I emphasize over and over again, bring your prayer requests back to the church. If a prayer revival like Asbury University is going to lead to a prayer revival in the church worldwide, it must be of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, pray in the Bible. Of course, all standards come from the Bible. Including our prayers and praises, we must also be connected with the Bible, through the blood of Christ. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit must be through the Bible, through the second Psalm of David, to understand that the crucifixion of Christ and the arrest of Peter and John are all prophecies in the Bible. The first church in the New Testament prayed to God with one accord at this time “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” ” The church has come to such a point that it is strong and courageous and no longer afraid! Through prayer, they have overcome the fear in their hearts and taken the steps of victory.
Conclusion
Well, victory in prayer is a reflection of the life of God’s children. Witnesses like clouds walk in front of us. What else can take away the love of the Lord? No more, don’t be afraid, just believe!
Let us pray……
Acts 4:13-30
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.
16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.
17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!
20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
