Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC 

Acts 4:31-37
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

In Acts 4 Peter and John are arrested and threatened by the Priests and the Sadducees not to preach in Jesus name any longer.  Although the leaders wanted them imprisoned for an extended period, they couldn’t find anything specifically they had done criminally wrong so they decided to let them go.  When Peter and John made it back to their companions from the church at the end of Acts 4 we have a powerful picture of what happens when God’s people pray.  This group of believers got together and prayed fervently to the Lord and the Scripture says when they did, “the place where they had gathered together was shaken.”  God shakes the church when God’s people pray fervently.  What happens when God shakes the church? 

 

  1.     THERE IS A RENEWED SENSE OF SECURITY.

The first thing they did in prayer was acknowledge God as the Creator of the world and he said persecution would come.  Whenever God’s people pray they have a deep sense of peace and security in the midst of the most horrifying of circumstances that cannot be explained.  When I live in prayer I come to realize that I am a blood bought Child of the King and there is nothing man can do to me.  Man may touch the body but he can’t touch the soul, and one day Jesus is coming again to bring recompense on my enemies. I am safe in the arms of God. 

 

  1.     THERE IS A REAL SPIRIT OF UNITY.

Acts 4:32 says they were all of one heart and soul after the prayer.  When God’s people pray it’s amazing how the petty differences and negative critical opinions cease.  The Spirit of God moves in and brings a holy hush over God’s people and we suddenly learn what it means to love.  The Spirit of God fills us with the love of God, and when we pray the love of God’s Spirit takes over.  The cross of Christ comes into view and we come to the striking realization that love really does cover a multitude of sins. 

 

  1.     THERE ARE RADICAL DISPLAYS OF GENEROSITY.

The Bible says there was not a needy person among them because they were selling property and giving the proceeds to care for the people of the church.  When God’s people pray giving becomes contagious.  Living in God’s Presence causes you to fully understand the supreme beatitude of Christ which says, “It’s more blessed to give than receive.”  The Spirit of God has a powerful way of opening both your heart and your hands.  When He comes in your money and possessions go out because God is the ultimate giver. 

 

  1.     THERE IS A REVOLUTIONARY TENACITY IN WITNESSING.

It says here when the place was shaken they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the Word of God with boldness.  When the Holy Spirit comes in you become a witness.  This is born through fervent prayer for the lost.  When the church and the Christian pray for the lost his heart begins to break.  The Spirit of God comes in and turns this brokenness into boldness. 

 

Prayer, the powerful preaching of the Gospel, and personal evangelism are missing from many churches today.  As a result, the power of the Spirit is the great omission in the church today.  If the church will once again get serious about prayer God will shake the church and bring a fresh wind of His Spirit.  What lost person are your praying for? What fellow brother or sister in Christ are you interceding for? How has God moved in your life through prayer recently? May we pray with a fervent heart to see the lost evangelized, the church edified, and Jesus glorified!  

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, shake your church once again. Start in my heart and shake out that in me which is not honoring to you, and Lord bring a unified and powerful revival to your Church in these days. In Jesus name I pray, amen! 

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
2 Timothy 2:1
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus