Sermon Discussion (6-22-2025)

The Church is Born #7 / Acts 4:23–31

Peter and John have received the power of the Holy Spirit and are now equipped to perform deeds that Jesus did. Peter and John will perform their first miracle. They are fearless when they face the intimidating tactics of the Sanhedrin.

 

The Main Question: What made the church unstoppable?

Points to Consider

  1. They were not afraid.
  2. Prayer.
  3. They knew what they wanted.
  4. They believed God would show up.

Scripture References:

Acts 4:23–31 NIV

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.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Application Questions

  • Have you ever met or heard of someone who was unstoppable?
  • Who were they?
  • What made them unstoppable?

Love God / Invitation / Relationship

We experience the love of God when we invite Him into our lives.

  • Read Acts 4:23-31
  • What is driving Peter and John?
  • What is driving the other disciples?
  • Can you see an invitation being made in this passage?
  • Who is being invited to do what?
  • How does this request make them unstoppable?

Find Freedom / Learning / Clarity

Freedom is found when we learn a new way to think.

  • Peter, John and the other disciples are all thinking the same way, with the same freedom.How is this made possible?
  • How does this make them unstoppable?

See God / Prayer / Affirmation

It is much easier for us to “see” God when we are communicating with God. Prayer is how we communicate with God.

  • Starting in Acts 4: 24, how does their prayer make them unstoppable?
  • What are the characteristics of their prayer?
  • What is the order of subjects in their prayer?
  • What can we learn from this?

Experience Healing / Serve Others / Opportunities

The brokenness in our hearts begins to heal as we serve other people.

  • Whatever brokenness that has occurred in the past, I’m sure there is a great deal, it appears to be gone now.What has healed Peter, John and the disciples?
  • How is our healing affected when we focus on other people?

Discover Joy / Gratitude / Community

The more grateful we are the more joy we feel.

  • The circumstances around the disciples seem discouraging.How can they feel so much joy?
  • How can you feel joy in difficult circumstances?