Acts: The Church of Acts 29 - Wk3

Focus Point: As followers of Jesus, we should ask God to embolden us to share the Gospel and expect signs and wonders to follow.

1. We must pray – v.24a
• Is Abundant Grace a praying church?
• Are you a praying believer?
2. We must trust God’s Sovereignty – vv.24b-29a
• When we face persecution, do we trust God’s Sovereignty?
• Nothing happens outside of God’s permission.
3. We must ask for boldness to share the Gospel – v.29b
• The changing of culture via people in power, laws, etc. cannot change hearts.
• Our methodology must be biblical, trusting in the power of the Gospel.
• We must not replace the Gospel with any method made by man, no matter how good it
may be, even if it is based on biblical principles, the Gospel is the only means by which hearts
can be changed!
4. We must ask for and expect the miraculous – v.30
• They saw this in life/ministry of Jesus.
• Jesus said this would happen, Jn. 14:12.
• What had happened in chapter 3 with the lame man.
4. We must ask for and expect the miraculous – v.30
• The miraculous glorifies God.
• They are expressions of God’s kindness, compassion, mercy and grace to fallen humanity.
• They are a confirmation of the Gospel.
Acts 2:22 “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”
Hebrews 2:4 “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
• The miraculous is not a springboard for the Gospel.
• The miraculous is not a sideshow.
Healings, signs and wonders are an expression of the Gospel on the earth today!
“People will profess many things, but they will always live what they believe.”
5. The results – v.31
• Place was shaken.
• They were filled with the Spirit.
• They continued to speak the word with boldness.

Application:
• What is your life of prayer like?
• Do you trust in the Sovereignty of God, especially in the face of persecution?
• Are you asking for boldness to share the Gospel?
• Are you asking and expecting God to perform healings, signs and wonders as you share the Gospel?