At LBC, we want to make it easy for you to jump in and worship on Sundays. We believe a big part of this is coming to Sunday service prepared! Each week, we provide the sermon text, some discussion questions, the songs we will sing, and anything else we think you need to know to prepare your heart to worship the Lord this Sunday!
This week we are continuing our series in the book of Acts!
Last Sunday, we heard of the salvation available in Christ alone, and the boldness that gives his followers!
This week, we're excited to continue our series in Acts! Our sermon text is Acts 4:23-31.
Sermon Text:
Acts 4:23-31
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
Acts 4:27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Discussion Questions:
1. What was the reaction of the friends to the disciple's reported persecution? (v. 23-27)
2. Read Psalm 2. How do they understand Psalm 2 in light of what was happening? (v. 25-27)
3. Who was ultimately sovereign over the events of the cross and Jesus' rejection? Were the accusers still in the wrong? (27-28)
4. In light of the persecution, what was the disciples' request (and God's response)? (v. 29-31)