So what, specifically, do I do THIS week? (answers at the bottom)

Speaking Boldly

Acts 4:23-31

We’re reminded in this passage of the centrality of prayer in the life of the church.

Charles Spurgeon famously said:

If a church is to be what it ought for the purposes of God, we must train it in the holy art of prayer. If a church does not pray, it is dead. Instead of putting united prayer last, put it first. Everything will hinge upon the power of prayer in the church. 

If we are to be the church that God is calling us to be - we must pray. In this passage, prayer leads to their being “filled with the Spirit,” which leads to them Speaking Boldly.

The idea of “filled with the Spirit” comes up again and again, so what does it mean? How do we follow the command in Ephesians 5:18 to be “filled with the Spirit?”

What Filled with the Spirit is NOT:

1. It’s NOT just some sort of dramatic, emotional experience. 

2. It’s not robotic mechanical obedience - 

devoid of any feeling

3. It’s not a progressive thing. 

It’s not a little more here, then a little more - 

You were given the fullness of the Spirit at salvation. John 3:34 – he gives the Spirit without measure

4. It’s not “sealed, indwelt, or baptized” by the Spirit

Those are different aspects of the Spirit 

Understanding the meaning of “filled.”

Here are some helpful ideas to understand what it means to be filled.

• A glass that’s been filled up 

• Wind filling up the sails, carrying the boat along

• Something that’s been Permeated - like marinating meat - it absorbs the flavor. Every bite tastes good.

• A Sponge that’s Saturated with water. You can’t pick it up without getting wet. You can’t set it on the counter without water seeping out. You toss it at someone, it gets on them. 

Ultimately: Under Total Control

How to be Filled with the Spirit:

Practical Steps

1. Understand that this is God’s will for you. (Ephesians 5:18)

You don’t have to pray about it to determine if it’s a path/direction to pursue

2. It’s an ongoing thing

Not something you did in the past

Not something you should do in the future. 

But something you do all the time. 

keep being filled.

3. Be Saturated in the Word

The Bible is the inspired Word of God

Every word – written under the full inspiration, guidance, direction of the Holy Spirit

   These are the words of the Spirit

   These are the words of Christ

   These are the words of God

If we are to be filled with the Spirit

We MUST be filled with His Word.

4. You Must Make Effort

2 Peter 1:5 tells us to make maximum effort toward our spiritual growth. When we don’t make intentional effort toward begin filled, the default mode is toward the things of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16-23)

NOW - Get in the Word!

Three Options you can start this week.

Wednesday is May 1 - new month, new plan

Option 1: If the goal of Prayer and Bible Study is to know Jesus - a great place to start is one of the Gospels. Here’s a link to a 31 day Bible Reading Plan through the Book of John

Option 2: Take a book of the Bible or a section that you can read in 20-25 minutes and read it daily for 30 days. A the end of that month, you’ll really know that book. 

The book of James, 1 John, Colossians, Ephesians, or Philippians are good choices. 

Option 3: The ultimate goal of all this is “Speaking Boldly.” But what, exactly, should we be speaking? Ultimately, we want to boldly speak and share the gospel with others. Here’s a guide to learning to share the gospel in a month. Why not take the Month of May to solidify your ability to biblically share the gospel with others?

Any of these plans can be started at any time, but since we start a new month on Wednesday, why not kick off something new?

Praying you grow in your love for the Lord and that you keep being filled with the Spirit today!

Soli Deo Gloria!
Rob

Standing Firm! (Acts 4:1-22)

How to Stand Firm

These principles are drawn from the example of Peter and John in Acts 4:1-22. For the full sermon, check out the Fellowship Website. 

1. Know that Persecution WILL come!

2 Timothy 3:12 – all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Romans 8:35 – …Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

James 1:2 – count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds…

2. Be Devoted to the right things: Acts 2:42 

The Word of God

hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, & meditating

Fellowship

The Gospel

Prayer - Join us each Sunday morning at 9:00 in Room 113 for prayer.

3. Keep your Eyes Open

Always be ready for opportunities that the Lord brings you.

1 Peter 3:15

The question: how can we be silent?

How can we not be passionate about sharing the gospel with others?

Why are we not constantly thinking and planning and rehearsing sharing with others?

We need to be constantly strategizing how to weave the gospel into the rhythm of our daily lives. 

Thinking about the relationships the Lord has placed us in and how those can be leveraged for His purposes. 

4. Be Filled with the Spirit

Are you constantly saturating yourself in God’s Word? 

Are you making effort in all five areas of Scripture input?

You’ll never be “filled with the Spirit” unless you’re spending time at the Feet of your Master.

Luke 10:39 – Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving.

5. Obey God first and foremost

We must obey God first. We are slaves, He is our Master.

Someone once said to DL Moody: “the world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him.” His response was to strive with everything he had to be that man.

What is your level of commitment and loyalty to God?
Can you truly say “I must obey God rather than fear man?”

6. Confidence & Competence in the Gospel

We need to have full confidence that the gospels and Acts are accurate historical records of real events that really happened, written down by eye-witnesses. 

We also need to be competent in sharing the gospel. 

Remember: There’s a difference between your testimony and the gospel. Your personal story can be a powerful tool in evangelism.

A testimony is telling others what Jesus has done for you personally. 

Sharing the gospel is about telling others what Jesus has done for the world and how they can be saved from their sins

Acts 4:12 is the powerful message of the gospel

Acts 4:20 is the example that we must follow in the rhythm of our daily lives. 

We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard!