Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! Ephesians 3:20 (TPT) LIKE THE ACTS CHURCH… 1. WE / I HAVE A REASON TO PRAY ● We should pray because of the STRENGTH of our extraordinary ENEMY … King Herod got it into his head to go after some of the church members. He murdered James, John’s brother. When he saw how much it raised his popularity ratings… he arrested Peter—during Passover Week, mind you—and had him thrown in jail, putting four squads of four soldiers each to guard him. He was planning a public lynching after Passover. All the time Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse. Acts 12:1-5a (MSG) Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world. Ephesians 6:12 (NIrV) ● We should pray because of the WEAKNESS of our very ordinary NATURE (FLESH) Now the (Jewish) leaders…looked at Peter and John and realized they were typical peasants—uneducated, utterly ordinary fellows …. Acts 4:13a (VOICE) … and not because we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success comes from God 2 Corinthians 3:5 (TLB) ● We should pray because of the SUPREMACY of our sovereign GOD Then the time came for Herod to bring him out for the kill. That night, even though shackled to two soldiers, one on either side, Peter slept like a baby. And there were guards at the door keeping their eyes on the place. Herod was taking no chances! Suddenly there was an angel at his side and light flooding the room. The angel shook Peter and got him up: “Hurry!” The handcuffs fell off his wrists. The angel said, “Get dressed. Put on your shoes.” Peter did it. Then, “Grab your coat and let’s get out of here.” Peter followed him, but didn’t believe it was really an angel—he thought he was dreaming. Past the first guard and then the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city. It swung open before them on its own, and they were out on the street, free as the breeze. At the first intersection the angel left him, going his own way. That’s when Peter realized it was no dream. “I can’t believe it—this really happened! The Master sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s vicious little production and the spectacle the Jewish mob was looking forward to.” Acts 12:6-11 (MSG) He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. Psalms 18:17 (NIV) 2. WE / I SHOULD RELENTLESSLY PRAY. All the time that Peter was under heavy guard in the jailhouse, the church prayed for him most strenuously. Acts 12:5 (MSG) ● “All the time” describes the CONSISTENCY of prayer in an unstoppable church Always keep on praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (TLB) **NOTE: Variations of “pray” or “prayer” appear 31 times in the book of Acts** ● “strenuously” describes the INTENSITY of prayer in an unstoppable church … for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer! James 5:16 (TPT) ● “the church prayed” describes the UNITY of prayer in an unstoppable church ● About 90% of the times that a Christian prays in Acts it is “TOGETHER” They all joined together constantly in prayer … Acts 1:4 (NIV) 3. WE / I SHOULD EXPECTANTLY PRAY. Still shaking his head, amazed, he went to Mary’s house, the Mary who was John Mark’s mother. The house was packed with praying friends. When he knocked on the door to the courtyard, a young woman named Rhoda came to see who it was. But when she recognized his voice—Peter’s voice!—she was so excited and eager to tell everyone Peter was there that she forgot to open the door and left him standing in the street. But they wouldn’t believe her, dismissing her, dismissing her report. “You’re crazy,” they said. She stuck by her story, insisting. They still wouldn’t believe her and said, “It must be his angel.” All this time poor Peter was standing out in the street, knocking away. Finally they opened up and saw him—and went wild! Acts 12:12-17a (MSG) (SOME) EXAMPLES OF PRAYER FROM THE UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH IN ACTS PRAYER: Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” RESULT: Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” __ PRAYER: Acts 3:1 “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer- or three in the afternoon.” RESULT: Acts 4:4 “But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.” __ PRAYER: Acts 4:29 “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” RESULT: Acts 4:31 “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.” __ PRAYER: Acts 6:3-4 “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” RESULT: Acts 6:7 “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” __ PRAYER: Acts 9:13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.” RESULT: Acts 9:18 “Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, …” __ PRAYER: Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. RESULT: Acts 16:33 “At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.”

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:18-19 ICB But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:18 NLT And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. Matthew 10:22 NLT A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. Acts 8:1b NLT 1. MY PURPOSE, NOT WHERE I AM DETERMINES WHAT I DO. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Acts 8:4 NIV You, beloved, are the salt of the earth…. And you, beloved, are the light of the world. Matthew 5:13a,14a VOICE 2. MY PURPOSE, NOT WHO I LIKE DETERMINES WHO I TEACH. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. Acts 8:6 NIV The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) John 4:9 Message Then a Levite who was on his way to assist in the temple also came and saw the victim lying there, and he too kept his distance. hen a despised Samaritan journeyed by. When he saw the fellow, he felt compassion for him. Luke 10:32, 33 VOICE Jesus … said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Matthew 28:18b-19a ICB 3. MY PURPOSE, NOT THE CULTURE DETERMINES WHAT I PREACH. • This is true as I communicate with unbelievers. Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them…. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. Acts 8:9-13a NIV • This is true as I communicate with believers. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” Acts 8:14-23 NIV 4. HOW I EXECUTE MY PURPOSE MAY DETERMINE IF OTHERS DO. After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. Acts 8:25 NIV

Things were going well, and the number of disciples was growing. But a problem arose. The Greek-speaking believers became frustrated with the Hebrew-speaking believers. The Greeks complained that the Greek-speaking widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. The twelve convened the entire community of disciples. We could solve this problem ourselves, but that wouldn’t be right. We need to focus on proclaiming God’s message, not on distributing food. So, friends, find seven respected men from the community of faith. These men should be full of the Holy Spirit and full of wisdom. Whomever you select we will commission to resolve this matter so we can maintain our focus on praying and serving—not meals—but the message. The whole community—Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking—was very pleased with this plan, so they chose seven men: Stephen (a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (a Greek-speaking convert from Antioch). These men were presented to the apostles, who then prayed for them and commissioned them by laying their hands on them. The message of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples continued to increase significantly there in Jerusalem. Even priests in large numbers became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:1-7 (VOICE) TO SUSTAIN SUCCESS WHEN FACING PROBLEMS, WE MUST… 1. Acquire the information quickly. … But a problem arose. The Greek-speaking believers became frustrated with the Hebrew-speaking believers. The Greeks complained that the Greek-speaking widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. Acts 6:1 (VOICE) NOTE: How you find out is not as important as that you find out. Be angry, but don’t sin, don’t let the sun go down before you have dealt with your anger; otherwise you leave room for the Adversary. Ephesians 4:26, 27 (CJB) ● What is the problem? ● Who does the problem involve? Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled. But those who obey what they have been taught are happy. Proverbs 29:18 (ICB) 2. Acknowledge the problem openly. The twelve convened the entire community of disciples. We could solve this problem ourselves… Acts 6:2a (VOICE) A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance. Proverbs 28:13 (TLB) 3. Assert the purpose relentlessly. …but that wouldn’t be right. We need to focus on proclaiming God’s message, not on distributing food. Acts 6:2b (VOICE) ● The solution must always support the purpose. So instead of going, I sent messengers back to them.  “I am in the middle of a great work and cannot be interrupted. I am not coming down to meet with you. What is so important that I should suspend this great work we are doing to travel to see you?” Nehemiah 6:3 (VOICE) No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead... Philippians 3:13 (TLB) 4. Address the problem wisely. So, find seven respected men from the community of faith. These men should be full of the Holy Spirit and full of wisdom. …we can maintain our focus on praying and serving—not meals—but the message. Acts 6:3 (VOICE) …so they chose seven men: Stephen (a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (a Greek-speaking convert from Antioch). These men were presented to the apostles, who then prayed for them and commissioned them by laying their hands on them. Acts 6:5b (VOICE) 5. Applaud the solution collectively. The whole community—Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking—was very pleased with this plan… Acts 6:5a (VOICE) Oh, how wonderful, how pleasing it is when God’s people all come together as one! Psalm 133:1 (ERV) 6. Anticipate God blessing abundantly. The message of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples continued to increase significantly there in Jerusalem. Even priests in large numbers became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7 (VOICE) The whole group of believers was united in their thinking and in what they wanted. None of them said that the things they had were their own. Instead, they shared everything. … And God blessed all the believers very much. Acts 4:32, 33 (ERV)

GOD LONGS FOR ME TO HAVE ETERNAL IMPACT ON... 1. GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME. A lot of people were now becoming followers of the Lord. But some of the ones who spoke Greek started complaining about the ones who spoke Aramaic. They complained that the Greek-speaking widows were not given their share when the food supplies were handed out each day. The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, “My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching." …they began by choosing Stephen …. Then they chose Philip… Acts 6:1-5 (CEV) 2. GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW ME. The believers who were scattered went from place to place, where they spread the word. Philip went to the city of Samaria and told people about the Messiah. The crowds paid close attention to what Philip said. They listened to him and saw the miracles that he performed … Acts 8:4 – 6 (GW) 3. INDIVIDUALS THAT DO NOT KNOW ME. An angel from the Lord said to Philip, “Get up, and take the desert road that goes south from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So Philip went. An Ethiopian man who had come to Jerusalem to worship was on his way home... Acts 8:26, 27 (GW) 4. INDIVIDUALS THAT KNOW ME WELL. …we went on to Caesarea and stayed with Philip the Evangelist, one of “the Seven.” Philip had four virgin daughters who prophesied… Acts 21:8, 9 (MP) FORECASTING MY IMPACT BY QUESTIONING MY CHARACTER My friends, choose seven men who are respected and wise and filled with God's Spirit. We will put them in charge of these things. We can spend our time praying and serving God by preaching." This suggestion pleased everyone, and they began by choosing Stephen. He had great faith and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they chose Philip… Acts 6:3- 5 (CEV) 1. DO I LIVE RESPECTABLY? My friends, choose seven men who are respected… Acts 6:3a (CEV) • Key to my being respected? Consistent (Godly) Conduct. Don’t let anyone belittle you because you are young. Instead, show the faithful, young and old, an example of how to live: set the standard for how to talk, act, love, and be faithful and pure. 1 Timothy 4:12 (VOICE) 2. AM I WISE? My friends, choose seven men who are…wise… Acts 6:3b (CEV) THREE INDICATORS OF WISDOM: First: I Ask God for wisdom? - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking. James 1:5 (VOICE) Second: I Associate with wise people? - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 If you want to grow in wisdom, spend time with the wise. Walk with the wicked and you’ll eventually become just like them. Proverbs 13:20 (TPT) The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15 (NIV) Third: I Appreciate correction? - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. Proverbs 15:31-33 (NLT) 3. AM I FILLED WITH GOD’S SPIRIT? ...friends, choose seven men who are…filled with God's Spirit. Acts 6:3 (CEV) TWO INDICATORS OF BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT: First: I have been baptized scripturally. Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 (NLT) Second: I have been Living obediently. I say this to you: Let the Holy Spirit lead you…. Then you will not please your sinful old selves. The things our old selves want to do are against what the Holy Spirit wants. The Holy Spirit does not agree with what our sinful old selves want. These two are against each other…. Those of us who belong to Christ have nailed our sinful old selves on His cross. Our sinful desires are now dead. If the Holy Spirit is living in us, let us be led by Him in all things. Galatians 5:16,17, 24, 25 (NLV)

I CAN ENSURE A LONG AND HEALTHY SPIRITUAL LIFE IF I … AVOID SPIRITUAL RIVALRIES The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” … And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need. Joseph, called by the apostles “Barnabas” (which means “Son of encouragement”), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering of it to the apostles. Acts 4:33-37 (MP) • Spiritual rivalry often leaves at least one person dead. Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want… James 4:1, 2 (ERV) Cain brought an offering to GOD from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. GOD liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn’t get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk. GOD spoke to Cain: “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.” Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him. Genesis 4:3-8 (Message) CHERISH ACCOUNTABLE RELATIONSHIPS A man named Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, also sold some land. He kept part of the money for himself. Sapphira knew he had kept it. He brought the rest of it and put it down at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:1, 2 (NIRV) Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it… Psalm 141:5 (NLT) Whoever spends time with wise people will become wise. But whoever makes friends with fools will suffer. Proverbs 13:20 (ICV) TREASURE AUTHENTICITY Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men got up, wrapped him in a sheet, and took him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? Acts 5:3-9 (NLT) • God punished their pretending, not their giving. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part [of my heart] You will make me know wisdom. Psalms 51:6 (AMP) “How terrible it will be for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter. And you will not let those enter who are trying to. "How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! You travel everywhere to win one person to your faith. Then you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. "How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You pretenders! Matthew 23;14, 15, 27 (NIrV) SHAPE MY VIEW OF GOD FROM SCRIPTURE As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified... Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened. Acts 5:5, 11 (NLT) While you did these things, I kept silent; somehow you got the idea that I was like you. But now My silence ends, and I am going to indict you. I’ll state the charge against you clearly, face-to-face. All you who have forgotten Me, your God, should think about what I have said or I will tear you apart and leave no one to save you. Psalm 50:20-22 (VOICE) …. try to appreciate both the kindness and the strict justice of God. Those who fell experienced his justice, while you are experiencing his kindness, and will continue to do so if you do not abuse that kindness. Romans 11:22 (Phillips)

“When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he began to ask them for a gift. Peter and John stared at him. Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gazed at them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I don’t have any money, but I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk!” Then he grasped the man’s right hand and raised him up. At once his feet and ankles became strong. Jumping up, he began to walk around. He entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God. They recognized him as the same one who used to sit at the temple’s Beautiful Gate asking for money. They were filled with amazement and surprise at what had happened to him.” Acts 3:3-10 CEB We All Can Identify With The Man At The Gate 1. Every one of us have felt lame at some point in our lives. “A man crippled since birth was being carried in.” Acts 3:2 CEB “Why didn’t I die at birth, come from the womb and die? For now I would be lying down quietly; I’d sleep; rest would be mine” Job 3:11,13 CEB “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalms 34:18 CEB 2. Every one of us have felt helpless to overcome our lameness. “Every day, people would place him at the temple gate known as the Beautiful Gate...” Acts 3:2 CEB “Because I was afraid of something awful, and it arrived; what I dreaded came to me. I had no ease, quiet, or rest, and trembling came.” Job 3:25-26 CEB 3. Every one of us have searched for relief in a multitude of ways. “...so he could ask for money from those entering the temple.” Acts 3:2 “I looked at everything I had done and the wealth I had gained. I decided it was all a waste of time! It was like trying to catch the wind. There is nothing to gain from anything we do in this life.” Ecclesiastes 2:11 ERV How Do We Move Beyond The Lame Life We Have Been Living 1. I must look to the one who can heal me. “Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gazed at them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I don’t have any money, but I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk!” Acts 3 (CEB) “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them. I will guide them, and reward them with comfort. And for those who mourn, I will create reason for praise: utter prosperity to those far and near, and I will heal them, says the LORD.” Isaiah 57:18-19 CEB 2. I choose to take the hand of those who can help me. Then he grasped the man’s right hand and raised him up... Acts 2 “For this reason, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve.” James 5:16 CEB 3. I obey God’s commands that allow me to find healing. “At once his feet and ankles became strong. Jumping up, he began to walk around. He entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3 (CEB) “Naaman’s servants came up to him and spoke to him: “Our father, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? All he said to you was, ‘Wash and become clean.’” So Naaman went down and bathed in the Jordan seven times, just as the man of God had said. His skin was restored like that of a young boy, and he became clean.” 2 Kings 5:13-14 CEB 5. I praise God and see others amazed by what God is doing. All the people saw him walking and praising God. They recognized him as the same one who used to sit at the temple’s Beautiful Gate asking for money. They were filled with amazement and surprise at what had happened to him.” Acts 3