Acts of the Apostles: Simple Process, Supernatural Progress

Quote: Healthy things grow.

Why do we trust that healthy things grow? Because we trust the process to healthy growth.

Think about gardening… do you focus on the growth of the plant or the process of nurturing healthy soil, positioning for sun and shade control, watering at the right time of day, etc. The focus is not the growth, it’s about trusting the process of gardening. And after you have put in the work of gardening, you get to reap a harvest.

The same is true about physical strength and endurance. Do you focus on big muscles and longer distances, or on nurturing a disciplined mindset, healthy diet, quality coaching, consistent rest, ice baths, etc. Long lasting and sustainable growth can only come as a result of intentional focus on overall health.

The same is true for the local church. The process matters. I believe when we trust God with the process, we can have confidence that he’s going to produce supernatural results. Healthy and steady growth comes as a result of submitting ourselves to God and His plan for our lives.

Passage: Acts 5:41-42

“Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name. Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”

Pray:

Title: Simple Process, Supernatural Progress

Big Idea:

I want to show how God outlines for us a simple process that produces supernatural progress in our lives.

Main Points: 5 Steps Toward Supernatural

1. Power (vs. 12-16)
   1. Many signs and wonders were being done… As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them… they were all healed.
   2. The Apostles modeled a supernatural power through the Holy Spirit that met the needs of the people and pointed people to Jesus
   3. Miracles had 3 main purposes
      1. Show compassion and meet a need
      2. Present Jesus as the Son of God
      3. Opportunity to convey spiritual truth
      4. Miracles are never for our glory or our fame. Miracles gave Christians a platform for proclamation!

   4. Spiritual War

      1. When you engage with signs and wonders, you are engaging in supernatural. You are engaging in something bigger than us!

      2. You are initiating a spiritual battle

         1. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.” - Ephesians 6:12 3. When we tap into the supernatural power of God, we declare war against the enemy, and God knows no defeat!

         2. “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” - 1 John 4:4

            5. The power of Peter's shadow
               1. It wasn’t the shadow that healed people, but the power of God coming from Peter that healed the sick
               2. “They begged him that they might only touch the end of his robe, and as many as touched it were healed.” - Matthew 14:36
               3. “Just then, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years approached from behind and touched the end of his robe,” - Matthew 9:20
               4. “The whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from him and healing them all.” - Luke 6:19
               5. “God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, 12 so that even facecloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.” - Acts 19:11-12
               6. C’mon Church! Do you have a desire to be so filled with the Spirit that people just want to get in your shadow, touch your shirt, shake your hand… because they know this woman has faith, this man has faith!
               7. Pinewood is a church full of faith. Believing that anything in Jesus name is possible!
            6. Turn your moments into miracles

      3. Pray for people

      4. Pray for people

      5. Pray for people

         7. Greater Things, Greater Things

      6. “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” - John 14:12-13

      7. Persecution (vs. 17-18)
         1. Then the high priest (& Sadducees) rose up… they were filled with jealousy… So they arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
         2. Opposition and persecution were used to strengthen and the Apostles and propel the church, never slowing it down
         3. “Faith in God does not make troubles disappear; it makes troubles appear less frightening because it puts them in the right perspective.” Life Application Bible
         4. Your primary focus should be your responsibility to God, not the reactions of others. Speak with courage and boldness and trust God with the results, trust God for your good, trust God that He’s working all things together for good.
      8. Proclamation (vs. 19-30)
         1. But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple, and tell the people all about this life.” Hearing this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach… “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the commander went with the servants and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them… Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.”
         2. Question: What is success?
      9. Story: Moving to Boulder. Success is obedience to God.
      10. Immediate obedience to God is our primary responsibility, not obedience to people. When we move in obedience, we move in the calling of God on our lives.
          3. How to be a spirit filled witness?
      11. Pray for opportunities to witness and watch God work
      12. Listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance for who, when, and how to witness
      13. Look for opportunities to witness and God will give them to you
      14. Obey whatever He calls you to say and do
          4. Attractional Model
      15. Generous (distributed to all that had need)
      16. Authentic (held leaders to a higher standard)
      17. Compassionate (healing the sick)
      18. United (same message, same Spirit)
      19. Bold (they stood on truth and spoke with confidence)
      20. These attributes require zero skills or resources. Empowered by the Holy Spirit you have everything you need!

      21. Praise (vs. 41)

          1. Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.
          2. Even amidst persecution and adversity, the leaders maintained an attitude of humility, gratitude, and praise
          3. Story: Foster Care & Adoption Problems
          4. Quote: Praise shifts the atmosphere

      22. Pain to praise

      23. Beatings turn to blessings.
      24. Threats turn to thanksgiving!
      25. What kind of faith is this?
      26. Question: How do you respond to push back? How do you respond to persecution and opposition?

      27. Perseverance (vs. 42)

          1. Every day in the temple (Church), and in various homes (Crews), they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
          2. The leaders demonstrated courage and perseverance against all odds. They were resolute in their steps and persistent with their calling.
          3. If you don’t quit you win.

      28. It will be hard, don’t quit

      29. You will have doubts, don’t quit
      30. There will be opposition, don’t quit
          4. Question: What is the one thing you need to not quit?

Closing: Simple Process, Supernatural Progress

Listen close, as followers of Jesus, we are called to a supernatural life!

God has not called His people to a common life, there is nothing about the Christian life that is average or mundane.

• The Jesus life is abundant, extravagant, and supernatural!
• The Jesus life is not passive, but passionate!
• The Jesus life is greater than all we could ask, think, or imagine.

“A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” - John 10:10

“Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20-21

“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 1:6