Carmichael Ministries

Acts PT6—In Defense of Miracles

Acts 4

· These leaders had long allowed their fire to go out, being quenched by the swirling winds of political ambition and secularism. Dr. Trevor Grizzle.

· Peter and John were now on trial with the miracle by those who do not believe for miracles nor are used by God for miracles. These types will always attack those who do believe for miracles and are used by God for miracles.

Peter and John were not silent. They responded. So should we.

How do we respond in defense of miracles/ministry that God is doing through us?

There are eight responses we need to be aware of in defense of what God has called us to do.

God wants us not to be shocked by the pushback of the enemy.

Acts 4:1-3

[Mar 13:9, 11 NASB95]

Know this: Satan never yields territory without a fight.

God wants us to stay full of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 4:8

One of the purposes of the attack is a distraction. Stay connected to Him.

God wants us not to comprise the message.

Acts 4:10-12

Jesus’ Name. His name connects us to His power. His name gets all the glory.

No other name. The Gospel is exclusive in that Jesus is the only source. No mixture.

God wants us to be confident in what Jesus has given to us.

Acts 4:13

The attack seeks to intimidate you. Make you self-conscious.

These men were trained and educated by the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ.

God wants us to refuse to give in to obstacles.

Acts 4:18-20

Christians are obliged to obey the government. [Rom 13:1 NASB95]

Yet, civil disobedience is necessary when the government counters God’s clear commands.

You will have to stand up against many excuses and oppositions to fulfill the call of God in your life.

God wants us to stay in community with others who encourage us.

Acts 4:23

Peter and John did have a company of people who supported them.

A quote: “You can go fast alone. You can go far with others.”

Who is your support group?

God wants us to pray.

Acts 4:24-30

Their prayer

Honored God’s power and sovereignty v. 24

Remembered God’s Word v. 25

Rehearsed recent victory v27

Asked for more power to counter current problem v 29-30

Ask God to help. From other Scriptures, it is appropriate to ask God to deliver you. It is also appropriate to ask God to empower you to endure and overcome.

God wants us to boldly do what God has called us to do.

Acts 4:31

Never stop doing what God has called you to do.

[Jer 20:8-9 NASB95]

· God wants us to weather the opposition of miracles and ministry with these seven responses.

· Opposition always comes. Reminder: Satan does not yield territory without a fight.

· Will you stand up to the opposition of what God is doing in your life or will you fold?

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ACTS PT5—From Mountaintop To Mainstreet

Acts 3

The church had just had a “mountaintop” experience in Acts 2. Now it’s time for it to go to Mainstreet. Ministry is done in the streets.

Mountaintop experiences are good and necessary. These experiences are intended to empower us to minister in the “streets.” God told Moses to get off the mountain and go to the people. (Ex. 32:7)

What can we learn about how to take our mountaintop experiences to the main street?

There are four responses for us to take our mountaintop experiences to Mainstreet.

God wants us to have a persistent prayer. V.1

After the life-changing experience with Pentecost, they understood the value of corporate prayer and worship.

Sometimes after a deep spiritual encounter people grow impatient with the ordinary routine of church.

Like in Acts 2:42, the organic church started to become organized. They continued in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

There is a connection between our effectiveness in people and our prayer life.

God wants us to care about people. V. 2-5

We are endued with the power to help people.

Peter and John understood that God had vested them with power and authority to continue Jesus’ work on the earth.

The man wanted money but needed a miracle. He wanted coins but needed a cure.

God wants us to notice, care, and do something about the plight of others. The experience of the Holy Spirit is not just for us.

God wants us to believe for a release of power. V. 6-9

Peter and John were penniless but not powerless.

The name of Jesus can activate the power of the Holy Spirit when accompanied in faith during a time of need.

We need to stop wringing our hands in hopelessness and reach our hands in hopefulness.

Do we expect that we have something that can help others?

God wants us to passionately preach. V. 11-26

The miracle gave Peter a platform for a message.

The message:

Peter gave Jesus the praise. V. 12 – 16

Peter called out their sin. V. 17-18

Peter preached about God’s plan of forgiveness through Jesus. V. 20-25

Peter commanded them to repent. V. 19 and 26

God wants us to preach the Gospel to the world.

God is calling us to have a mountaintop experience that will prepare us to help others on Mainstreet through praying, caring for people, believing for a release of power, and passionately preaching.

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Pastor John-John Carmichael

06122022

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Acts Pt4—From Organic To Organized

Acts 2:37-47

[Act 2:42 NASB95] 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

The church was built upon more than mystical experiences.

What helped the church go from that experience to an established church?

There are four aspects of the church that helped them go from the outpouring to an ongoing establishment of the church.

Devoted to apostles’ teaching.

Acts 4:2; 5:25,28, 42; 15:35; 18:11; 20:20; 28:31 (last verse in Acts is preaching and teaching.)

[Act 15:35 NASB95]

[Act 18:11 NASB95]

[Act 20:20 NASB95]

[Act 28:31 NASB95]

Bible teaching and preaching will consist of new revelation and constant reminders.

Teaching and preaching was central to the life of the church in Acts. Church history would verify that teaching and preaching has been part of the growth and development of the church.

Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint you to value and receive teaching and preaching of the Bible.

Devoted to fellowship.

Stanley Horton, “God never saves us to wander by ourselves.

[Act 2:46 NASB95]

[Eph 4:11-12 NASB95]

More than meeting together. There was a partnership.

Unity in purpose. Not just the Apostles were committed.

Devoted to the breaking of bread.

The Lord’s Supper and table fellowship. Paul possibly stopped it in 1 Corinthians 11:22.

[Act 2:46 NASB95]

[1Co 11:20-22 NASB95]

Devoted to prayer.

[Act 1:14 NASB95]

[Act 3:1 NASB95]

· What devoted are you to the teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer as a church?

· Are these important to you as part of the church? Or are you a lone ranger?

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Acts pt3—The Outpouring

Acts 2:1-36

Today is Pentecost Sunday. This is part 3 of the Acts series.

Acts 2 speaks about the empowerment of the church. It might be considered the first revival. Saints were empowered. Sinners were convicted. God was glorified.

God wants to experience this kind of revival today!

What can we learn from the Acts 2 outpouring that will prepare us for today’s outpouring.

There are three truths God wants us to know about the outpouring of His Spirit.

God wants us to prepare for an outpouring.

The 120 prepared for the outpouring.

They were saved. [Jhn 20:22 NASB95]

They prayed. [Act 1:12-14 NASB95]

They stayed. [Act 2:1 NASB95]

How bad do we want this experience? Bad enough to prepare for it?

God wants us to experience the outpouring.

The outpouring was experienced with their senses.

[Act 2:2-4 NASB95]

Sound – noise like wind

Appearance – tongues of fire

Action of the Holy Spirit

All filled v 4

All spoke v4

Others heard

[Act 2:6, 8, 11 NASB95]

[1Co 14:2 NASB95]

Not just sensory, but also significant.

Are we seeking for and practicing this experience? Is it worth our time?

God wants us to understand the outpouring.

Peter defended the outpouring.

Not drunk

[Act 2:15 NASB95]

[Act 2:13 NASB95]

Prophetic v16-21

Last days v17 [Act 2:17 NASB95]

For everyone v17-18 [Act 2:17-18 NASB95]

To the end v19-20 [Act 2:19-20 NASB95]

Salvatic v21 [Act 2:21 NASB95]

Its about Jesus’ atonement and resurrection

V. 22-36

Be witnesses – [Act 1:8 NASB95]

As we understand the purpose of the outpouring we can make a better defense of it.

God wants to us to continue to experience an outpouring of His Spirit. We need it. The world needs it.

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Acts Pt2—The Ascension of Jesus and Us

[Act 1:9-11 NASB95] 9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Visibly and physically ascended

The ascension of Jesus was an act of the Father. It is all over the NT while only Luke gives the description of the event. There were details that were given in Luke 24 and Acts 1 that are not discrepancies just additional details (time and location.)

Is the ascension of Jesus important to us today?

There are five important truths of Jesus’ ascension that affects us today.

Jesus is interceding for us.

[Psa 110:1 NASB95]

[Act 2:33 NASB95]

[Rom 8:34 NASB95]

[Heb 9:24 NASB95]

[Heb 1:3 NASB95]

The Holy Spirit descended for us.

[Jhn 16:7 NASB95]

[Act 2:1-4 NASB95]

There is a mandate for us.

[Act 1:8 NASB95]

There has been a repositioning for us.

[Eph 1:20-23 NASB95]

[Eph 2:4-7 NASB95]

Jesus is coming back for us.

[Dan 7:13-14 NASB95]

[1Th 4:16-17 NASB95]

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