I Am A Church Member Series

The Persistence of the Church

The Book of Acts  

1)The War Front - WHO DO YOU STAND WITH?

Commander and Chief 

Addressing the Sanhedrin - Acts 4:5-12

5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family

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Commander and Chiefof the high priest, were gathered

together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done

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Commander and Chief to a helpless man, by what means he

has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the

people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here

before you whole. 11 This is

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Commander and Chief the ‘stone which was rejected by you

builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is

no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be

saved.”

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Civil Disobedience in an Uncivil World

 The Name of Jesus Forbidden

Acts 4:13-2113 Now when they saw the boldness of

Peter and John, and perceived that they were

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Civil Disobedience in an Uncivil World

 uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of

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Civil Disobedience in an Uncivil World

The council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been

done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we

cannot deny it. 17 But

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Civil Disobedience in an Uncivil World

so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them,

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Civil Disobedience in an Uncivil World

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.

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Ceasing Not

Gamaliel’s Advice - Acts 5:33-42

33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and

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Ceasing Notcommanded them to put the apostles

outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him.

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Ceasing NotHe was slain, and all who obeyed him

were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away

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Ceasing Notfrom these men and let them alone; for if

this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten

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Ceasing Notthem, they commanded that they should

not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

2) The Home Front – WHERE DOES YOUR HOUSE

STAND?

The Philippian Jailer SavedActs 16:25-34

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were

2) The Home Front – WHERE DOES YOUR HOUSE

STAND?

loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they

2) The Home Front – WHERE DOES YOUR HOUSE

STAND?said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

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STAND?Chains

What are the chains that bind our families? 

Concern Is everyone in your family saved? Why not? Has concerned turned into complacency? 

ConvictionThe jailor was convicted of His sin when he experienced the power of God.

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Romans 1:18,24-3218 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

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 Romans 1

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error

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 Romans 1

which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things whichare not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are

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 Romans 1

whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

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 My friends, we are not fighting for victory

today. We are fighting from victory!

The church should be persistent to stand firm in all battle fronts, even when victory seems dismal, knowing that

ultimate victory is God’s.