Monday, November 21, 2011

The manifestations of being fullfilled by God's Spirit.

Sermon Title: The Manifestations of Being fulfilled by God’s Spirit.

Text: Acts 2:1-4

Preposition: Three Manifestations that happen at Pentecost.

Introduction.

 I don’t understand electricity, but I’m no fool-I’m not going to sit around in the dark till I do.  I don’t understand the thermodynamics of internal combustion and the hydraulics of an automatic transmission either, but I’m no fool---I’m not going to stay in one place until I do.

The truth is that I don’t understand a great deal of the things that are part of my everyday life, but I make them a part on my life anyway.

The same is true of salvation. No one will fully understand how God could become man, how he could die, how his death could be the basis of our forgiveness, how he could give you and me a new life, and all of the other aspects of salvation.  But only a fool would ignore such a great opportunity just because he didn’t understand it.

My personal testimony.

Wrong conceptions and believes about the Holy Spirit.

On my last sermon I was talking about three aspects on how you and I can find God’s will for our churches. First. The urgency of Prayer we can find out God’s will. I said must church’s priority, must be in devoting attitude, and must be unanimous or together.  Second. The necessity of prayer. Mighty way to resolve church’s problems. Third the way of God’s sovereignty takes control on how to find His will.

My plan is to talk about three manifestations at Pentecost. I am going to develop the first one the manifestations of being fulfilled by God’s Spirit. Repeat. Repeat



I.                    The Scene at the day of Pentecost.  V.1

A.      What means Pentecost?

Pentecost has often been referred to as “the birth of the church.” All the Jesus’ disciples where invited to this special time and event. There is no indication that they were in the same place. This was fifty days after Passover, and that is what Pentecost means “the fiftieth”. This was a big holyday also called the feats of weeks. Passover occurred in mid April, so Pentecost was at the beginning of June. Every Jews was coming to this special Holyday feast.  God picked this magnificent holyday to do one the greatest event in church history. Without this manifestation our work is in vain because our work it will in our flesh and not in the power of God’s Spirit. Pentecost was one of the three Jewish pilgrimage feasts to Jerusalem during the year which explains why people from so many nationalities are present.

B.      They were unanimous.

ὁμοθυμαδόν adverb; of action agreed on unanimously with one mind, with one purpose, by common consent.



II.                  The Promise is Here V.2

A.      God made His indications.

1.       Heaven.  Supernatural origin.

οὐρανός, οῦ, heaven, as a part of the universe (MT 5.18), opposite γῆ (earth); (1) as the atmosphere directly above the earth sky, air, firmament (MT 6.26; LU 17.24); (2) as the starry heaven firmament, sky (MT 24.29a); (3) as the dwelling place of God (MT 5.16), the angels (MT 22.30), and the righteous dead (2C 5.1, 2) heaven; (4) by metonymy, as synonymous with God or the inhabitants of heaven (LU 15.18; RV 12.12 [possibly personification]); (5) plural οἱ οὐρανοί heaven, the heavens, a Jewish concept, originally found in the Septuagint, that heaven is comprised of several spheres, with God dwelling in the highest heaven (2C 12.2; EP 1.10)

2.     Noise.   ἦχος  (Act 2:2 BGT)

ἦχος, ου, (I) sound; of a trumpet blast (HE 12.19)



3.     βίαιος, αία, ον violent, forcible, vehement (AC 2.2)



4793  βίαν N-AF-S βία

4794  βίας N-GF-S βία

4795βιασταί N-NM-P βιαστής



4796  βιαστής, οῦ, violent person, violator, one who uses force, usually in a bad sense (MT 11.12)



Rushing. rushing (Act 2:2 NAS)



                                 Wind. πνοή, ῆς, (1) wind (AC 2.2); (2) with ζωή breath (AC 17.25)

                             The term is using by Luke is called The acts of God in a Theophany what mean This        term has been used to refer to appearances of the gods in the ancient Greek and Near Eastern religions. While the Iliad is our earliest source for descriptions of theophanies in the Classical tradition (and they occur throughout Greek mythology), probably the earliest description of a Theophany is in the Epic of Gilgamesh.

It is epic poetry from Mesopotamia and is among the earliest known works of literature. Scholars believe that it originated as a series of Sumerian legends and poems about the protagonist of the story, Gilgamesh king of Uruk, which were fashioned into a longer Akkadian epic much later. The most complete version existing today is preserved on 12 clay tablets from the library collection of 7th-century BC Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. It was originally titled He who Saw the Deep (Sha naqba īmuru) or Surpassing All Other Kings (Shūtur eli sharrī).

The story revolves around a relationship between Gilgamesh (probably a real ruler in the late Early Dynastic



The term Theophany has acquired a specific usage for Christians and Jews with respect to the Bible: It refers to the manifestation of God to man; the sensible sign by which the presence of God is revealed. Only a small number of theophanies are found in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. 2 Sam. 22:16 Job 37:10. Ezekiel 13:13  

2. Here is a visible sign of the gift they were to receive. They saw cloven tongues, like as of fire (v. 3), and it sat—

Ekathise , not they sat, those cloven tongues, but he, that is the Spirit (signified thereby), rested upon each of them, as he is said to rest upon the prophets of old. Or, as Dr. Hammond describes it, "There was an appearance of something like flaming fire lighting on every one of them, which divided asunder, and so formed the resemblance of tongues, with that part of them that was next their heads divided or cloven." The flame of a candle is somewhat like a tongue; and there is a meteor which naturalists call ignis lambens—a gentle flame, not a devouring fire; such was this. Observe,

4.      Filling the house. Very nice indication that the Holy Spirit took place.

5.      Tongues of Fire

Fire: Fire is a symbol of God’s presence throughout the Bible, beginning with Moses at the burning bushes Exodus 3:2-4 and continuing with the consuming fire on Mount Sinai Exodus 24:17. Tongues. The emphasis is on the objectivity of the manifestation. It was audible, visible and manifested itself in an outward demonstration of inspired speech. The audible manifestation described as coming suddenly from Heaven.

Luke was using metaphorical languages for describing like the blowing of a violent wind and tongues as of fire.

These tongues allow the disciples to speak about God’s activity in the foreign languages. Thus these tongues function as an evangelistic enablement, so that person can hear about God’s work in his or her own language.

6.      Distributing on each one of them. I Co. 12:11

III.             The result fulfilled by the Holy Spirit.

A.    Who is the Holy Spirit?

   The Holy Spirit is a Person

The Holy Spirit is included in the Trinity, which is made up of 3 distinct persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The following verses give a beautiful picture of the Trinity in the Bible:

Matthew 3:16-17
As soon as Jesus (the Son) was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven (the Father) said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
(NIV)

Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
(NIV)

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
(NIV)

2 Corinthians 13:14
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
(NIV)

Acts 2:32-33
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
(NIV)

The Holy Spirit has the Characteristics of Personality:


• The Holy Spirit has a Mind:

Romans 8:27
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
(NIV)


• The Holy Spirit has a Will:

1 Corinthians 12:11
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.
(NASB)


• The Holy Spirit has Emotions:

The Holy Spirit grieves:

Ephesians 4:30
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption. (NIV)

Isaiah 63:10
Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
(NIV)

The Holy Spirit gives joy:

Luke 10: 21
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
(NIV)

1 Thessalonians 1:6
You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

• He Teaches:

John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
(NIV)
• He Testifies of Christ: John 15:26
When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
(NIV)
• He Convicts: John 16:8
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt [Or will expose the guilt of the world] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
(NIV)
• He Leads: Romans 8:14
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
(NIV)
• He Reveals Truth: John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
(NIV)
• He Strengthens and Encourages: Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
(NIV)
• He Comforts: John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
(KJV)
• He Helps Us in our Weakness: Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
(NIV)
• He Intercedes: Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
(NIV)
• He Searches the Deep Things of God: 1 Corinthians 2:11
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
(NIV)
• He Sanctifies: Romans 15:16
To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
(NIV)
• He Bears Witness or Testifies: Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(KJV) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. (NIV)
• He Forbids: Acts 16:6-7
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
(NIV)
• He Can be Lied to: Acts 5:3
Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
(NIV)
• He Can be Resisted: Acts 7:51
"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!"
(NIV)
• He Can be Blasphemed: Matthew 12:31-32
And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the
blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (NIV)
• He Can be Quenched: 1 Thessalonians 5:19

B.      What Holy Spirit’s role?





Seven major ministries of the H.S.

1C. Convicts unbelievers of sin, righteousness and judgment: John 16:8-11.

2C. Regenerates or causes us to become believers: John 3:1-8; Titus 3:5, I Peter 1:23-25; James 1:18.

3C. Indwells and baptizes the believer: I Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:9; John 14:16; I Corinthians 12:13.

4C. Seals us: Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.

5C. Imparts gifts: I Corinthians 12:7-11.

6C. Fills the believer: Ephesians 5:15-21; Galatians 5:16.

7C. Causes us to bear fruit: Galatians 5:22-23.- T

3. They speak on other tongues. These refer to speaking on Glossolalia which debate on I Co. 12-14.? Paul made clear statement about it. In I CO praise language edifying to the individual tongue-speaker, but not to the church.  These disciples begin to speak in heterais glossais which refers to other languages.

4. The term utterance ἀποφθέγγομαι 1aor. ἀπεφθεγξάμην; speak out (loudly and clearly), declare (emphatically

IV. Conclusion.

The promise is already here, the result of fulfilled by the H.S. The Pentecost happen many years ago but still available to us. If you don’ have it just turn your life toward to Jesus and you will receive the power from God or the manifestation from God that happen at the event of Pentecost.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Discuss process philosophy and theology

Theology finds its scholars pursuing the understanding of and providing reasoned discourse of religion, and God. The beginning of the word theology came from late Middle English, and only was applying to Christianity.

Theologians use rational analysis and argument to understand, explain, critique, defend or promote any religious topic. The word theology has classical Greek origins, but was given new senses when it was taken up in both Greek and Latin form by Christians authors. The word theology originated in Ancient Greece. Theology come from a Greek word which means study of God, and is simply humanity’s attempt to understand God as He is revealed in the Word of God.

God is infinitely an eternally higher than we are. In consequence, theology is a science, an attempt to present want we can know and understand about God in an organized and understandable manner.

Also, the word of theology comes from telos, which means purpose or goal. The theological argument applies to the whole universe. If designs imply a designer, and the universe telling, and showing us marks of design, then the universe was created. Literally hundreds of conditions are required for life on earth, everything from the mass density of the universe must be tuned in order for life. The Theology has been used to demonstrate God’s existence, and He was the intelligent design of the whole universe.

In other order of ideas, theology study God’s manifestations and in the Bible is tangible to the human sense. The Bible confirms visible manifestations of God in the Old Testament. God in the Scripture is almighty God. Paul says that even Gentiles unbelievers knew God but did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him. Also Paul recognizes that sin will cause people to deny knowledge of God, and those who do this are without excuse for this denial of God.

Also, traditional proofs for the existence of God that have been constructed by Christian and non-Christian philosophers at various points in history are in fact attempts to analyze God’s evidence, especially from the evidence from nature, in extreme careful and logically precise ways, in order to help, and persuade people that it is not rational to reject the idea of God’s existence.

Theology helps to understand that God is the creator of the universe and His creation is in God’s control. The universe itself must have a cause, and the cause of such great universe can only be God. A powerful creator has created the universe.

Christian theology is the study of what the Bible teaches and what Christian believes. The Bible teaches us that God inspires the Bible. Process theology is based the philosophy that the only absolute which exists in the world is change. Therefore, God too is constantly changing. The Bible argues against this view Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generations to generations, and James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. How I mentioned, the Bible expresses many attributes, qualities and characteristic of God. This include His holiness, sovereignty, unity, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, self-existence, eternally, immutability, perfection, infinity, truth, love, righteousness, faithfulness, mercy, graciousness, justice, just, and freedom.  God uses these in the world and actively exercise all of these today. God is the same. God transcends all of His creation, and He is personal and knowable. Process theology denies the deity of Jesus Christ, saying that Jesus has no intrinsic difference from other men. Additionally, the humanistic philosophy of process theology teaches that human being, or mankind does not require salvation.

It is not doubt, that the Scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is God.

Process theology is a school of thought influenced by the metaphysical process philosophy. Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy concerned with explained the ultimate nature of reality, being and the world.

Process theologians dislike the doctrine of God’s immutability because they think it implies that nothing we do can really matter to God. Process theology often mistakenly accuses evangelical Christians of believing in a God who does not act in the world, or who cannot respond differently to different situations. Once again, Scripture is clear that our ultimately significance comes not from being able to change the being of God, but from the fact that God has created us for His Glory and tha He counts us as significant. Other error in process theology, God is not omnipotent in the sense of being coercive.

God is infinite and personal. He does not has any human limitations and of creation in general. He is greater than anything that exists. He interacts with us as a person. We can talk with Him through pray, worship Him, obey Him, and show our love to Him, in many different ways. Also, He can speak to us, rejoice in us and love us. He loves us that He sent His only begotten Son to take our place at Calvary. He pays very big and ultimate price. The big error of process theology, the universe is characterized by process and change carried out by the agents of free will.

God is characterized by a sovereign will, and we are made in the image of God our wills are reflections of His, like little strings which can be detached from the overall chord and temporally reattached into additions, images, ambiguous ideas, relationships, or any form of idolatry. The logo is the highest level of God’s will. The Logos is the reference of everything else, so it is free from dichotomy

Some implications the only way to escape is through the light of Jesus. He is the Son of God. The apostle mentioned that Salvation only can be reach by Jesus, and He is the mighty hope for mankind. The biblical teaching about Jesus could be summarize Jesus was fully God and fully man in one person, and will be so forever. He was without sin.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Como las iglesias pueden encontrar la voluntad de Dios Hechos 1:12-26

Titulo del Sermón: Como las Iglesias pueden encontrar la voluntad de Dios

Texto: Hechos 1:12-26

Proposición: Tres aspectos de como las Iglesias pueden encontrar la voluntad de Dios.

Introducción.

Un señor comento acerca de la historia de un pequeño pueblo que ha sido conocido históricamente como “seco”. Un hombre de negocios de ese pueblo decidió construir una taberna. Un grupo de cristianos de una iglesia local estaban muy preocupados y decidieron y planearon realizar una vigilia de toda la noche y pedirle a Dios que interviniera en esa situación. Minutos después que ellos comenzaran su vigilia de oración un relámpago cayó del cielo y fue a dar en el bar y por supuesto el bar fue consumido en llamas, y solo quedaron cenizas. El dueño del bar que era el hombre de negocios, decidió demandar a la iglesia porque ellos habían los responsables de los daños ocasionados en su bar ya que ellos estuvieron en vigilia y le solicitaron a Dios que interviniera en ese problema, pero la iglesia decidió contratar a un abogado para que los defendiera y argumentara en la corte que ellos no habían los responsables. El juez que presidia el juicio, después de su inicial revisión del caso, dijo lo siguiente “que no sabe cómo va a terminar este caso, pero de algo si estoy seguro y muy claro, que el dueño de la taberna cree en el poder de la oración, pero los cristianos no creen en ella.”

Yo he estado envuelto en el ministerio desde aproximadamente desde el año 1986. He estado en muchas aéreas del ministerio. Una cosa que ha captado mi atención es esta: Cuanto tiempo los creyentes de las iglesias dedican tiempo a la oración? Necesitamos ser honestos en esa área específicamente. Si nosotros vamos a usar la iglesia del primer siglo como ejemplo, nosotros vamos a encontrar que ellos trataban de encontrar la voluntad de Dios para los ministerios de la iglesia.. Ellos compartían tiempo con Dios en oración. Actualmente nosotros podemos ver muchos pastores y miembros de las iglesias en relaciones fuera del matrimonio. Podemos ver muchos miembros envueltos en pornografía. También, cuando las iglesias tratan de encontrar los nuevos líderes o el pastor, algunas veces podemos ver como la “voluntad del hombre” trabaja dentro de su decisión. Yo he escuchado esto; el comité de búsqueda creemos que Dios nos está dirigiendo para traerles este hombre delante de la iglesia, entonces después de un año o dos años de haber sido seleccionado este hombre es botado de su posición como pastor de la iglesia. Mi pregunta es: Donde estuvo la voluntad de Dios?

En mi último sermón hable de tres requerimientos que son necesarios para ser testigos de Dios. 1. Ud debe conocer a Jesús como su personal salvador y Señor. Si Ud. No conoce a El cómo eso Ud. no puedes ser parte del equipo de Dios. 2. Ud. Tiene que obedecer los mandamientos y además creer en Sus promesas. 3. Ud. tiene que conocer y creer que Jesús vendrá otra vez, o regresara.

Hoy tengo unas preguntas que necesitan respuestas: Como vamos a convertir gente, si nosotros no pasamos tiempo en oración y no le pedimos a El que sea El que convierta a esas personas? Como vamos a creer en las promesas de Dios, si nosotros no creemos que la oración puede ser la gran diferencia? Como le vamos a permitir a Dios que tome El control sobre la decisión de la iglesia o mis propias decisiones, si nosotros no pasamos tiempo con Dios en oración?

Jesús paso tiempo en oración. Iglesia nuestra oración debe ser sin cesar. Nosotros necesitamos prestarle atención y pasar tiempo en oración pero sin cesar.

I.                    La urgencia de la oración. V. 12-14

A.      Debe ser la prioridad del iglesia. V.13

B.    Debe ser la oración con actitud de devoción. V. 14



Devoto προσκαρτεροῦντες (Hechos 1:14 BGT) προσκαρτερέω fut. προσκαρτερήσω; significa basicamente persistente y esta con; (1) devote es un persona leal y asociada con sus creencias, esta diligentemente con una actitud persistente, y ayuna para alcanzar aun su perseverancia, y persevera tiempo continuamente (Hechos 1.14; 2.42); Es un seguidor que pasa mucho y continuamente para ser devoto (Hechos 2.46)



C.      Debe ser unánime or juntos. V.14b

Juntos ὁμοθυμαδόν adverbio; acción de estar de acuerdo y unánimemente con una sola mente, con un solo propósito, por consentimiento común..



1)      Las mujeres, María(la madre de Jesús), y sus hermanos.

ἀδελφοῖς  (Hechos 1:14 BYZ) ἀδελφός, οῦ, ὁ hermano; (1) literalmente, hombre con un padre como mínimo en común (JN 1.41); figurativamente, miembros de una comunidad cristiana y asociados en asuntos religiosos y trabajo (espiritual) hermano, mi hermano cristiano, mi hermano creyente (RO 8.29);  



II.                  La necesidad de la oración. V.15-20

A.      La manera poderosa para resolver los problemas de la iglesia. V.15

1)      El problema era remplazar a Judas, uno de los apóstoles de Jesús.

a.       Los problemas vienen a nuestras vidas. No tengo ninguna duda acerca de eso.

b.      Algunas personas caen en las drogas o alcoholismo  o deciden quitarse sus vidas.

B.      La vida esta llena con  muchos ejemplos. V.16

1)      Pablo fue un hombre con una vida de oración, Pedro, el Rey David Salmo 51, y Moisés.

C.      La manera para remplazar los líderes de las Iglesias o encontrar nuevos líderes. V.16b

D.      La manera de santificar la vida de la iglesia. V.18

E.        La manera de crear o limpiar el testimonio de la iglesia. V.19

III.                La manera para que la soberanía de Dios tome control. 21-26

A.      Pidamos a Dios para tome el control sobre nuestras decisiones. V.21

B.      Lideres calificaciones. V.22

1.       Los lideres deben ser o venir a ser testigos. V21b

2.       I Timoteo 3:8-13

C.      El Señor sabe todo. V.24

1.       Gálatas 6:7

D.      Las escogencias del Señor, no los hombres escogencias. V.24b

IV.                Conclusion.

Actualmente muchas Iglesias están actuando en la carne. Iglesia debemos recordar las palabras de nuestro Señor buscad primeramente el reino de Dios. No estamos copiando el modelo de la iglesia del primer siglo. Como nosotros vamos a actuar? Vamos a seguir fallando en esa específicamente área de nuestras vidas? Mi recomendación es orar, orar, y orar. Algunas algún hermanos cristiano se nos acerca y nos comparte sus problemas y nosotros le decimos que nosotros vamos a orar por el o por ella, y cuando salimos del lugar no lo hacemos. Atraves de la oración es cómo vamos a pedirle a Dios que tome sobre nuestra necesidad o situación. . No  tengo iglesia que debemos necesitamos orar.

Ilustración de la iglesia de Corea del Sur.

How churches can find God's will

Sermon Title: How Churches can find God’s will

Text: Acts 1:12-26

Preposition: Three aspects how churches find out God’s will.

Introduction.

A tale is told about a small town that had historically been "dry," but then a local businessman decided to build a tavern. A group of Christians from a local church were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. It just so happened that shortly thereafter lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner of the bar sued the church, claiming that the prayers of the congregation were responsible, but the church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were not responsible. The presiding judge, after his initial review of the case, stated that "no matter how this case comes out, one thing is clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not."

I have been involved in the ministry since 1986. I’ve been involved in many areas of the ministry. One thing catches my attention is this: how much time church’s believers spend time with God on pray? We must be honest before him. If we used the church of the first century as an example; we are going to find they were trying to find God’s will for church’s ministry. They spent time with God on pray. In churches today, we see many pastors and church’s members fail into outside marriage activities. We can see church’s members involve in pornography. Also, when churches are trying to find their new leaders or pastors sometimes we can see on how “human’s will” is working into their decision, or/and sometimes I heard this as a church’s committee we believe that God is leading us to bring this man before our church, and then after one year or two years he was selected this man gets fired. My question is: where it was God’s will?

Last Sermon we were talking about three requirements for become God’s witness. 1. You must know Jesus as your personal savior and Lord. If you do not Him you are not part of God’s team. 2. You have to obey Jesus commands and to believe Jesus’ promises. 3. You have to know and to believe that Jesus is coming back.

Today questions are: how we are going to convert people if we do not spend in pray and asking God to convert this people. How we are going to believe in God’s promises if we do not believe that pray can make big different. How we are going to allow God to take control on over church’s decision or my own decision, if as a church we do not spend time with God on pray?

Jesus spent time praying. Church we must pray without ceasing. We need to pay attention and to spend time on praying without ceasing.

I.                    The urgency of Prayer. 12-14

A.      Must be church’s priority. V.13

B.    Must be praying in devoting attitude. V. 14



Devote προσκαρτεροῦντες (Act 1:14 BGT) προσκαρτερέω fut. προσκαρτερήσω; with a basic meaning persist at, stay by; (1) with the dative of person be loyal to, attach oneself to, associate closely with (AC 8.13); serve personally, wait on (AC 10.7); of a boat be continually ready for someone, stand ready (MK 3.9); (2) with the dative of the thing; (a) occupy oneself diligently with, pay persistent attention to, be devoted to (AC 6.4); (b) hold fast to, cling to, persevere in (AC 1.14; 2.42); (3) followed by ἐν and a place spend much time in, continually be in (AC 2.46)



C.      Must be unanimous or together. V.14b

Themselves ὁμοθυμαδόν adverb; of action agreed on unanimously with one mind, with one purpose, by common consent.



1)      The women, Mary (Jesus’ Mom) and His brothers

ἀδελφοῖς  (Act 1:14 BYZ) ἀδελφός, οῦ, brother; (1) literally, male sibling with at least one parent in common (JN 1.41); figuratively, members of the Christian community, and of associates in religious work (spiritual) brother, fellow Christian, fellow believer (RO 8.29); (2) in Jewish usage fellow countryman (AC 3.22); (3) of one of equal rank and dignity (MT 23.8); (4) of a neighbor or member of one's in-group brother, friend (MT 5.22)



II.                  The necessity of prayer. V.15-20

A.      Mighty way to resolve church’s problems. V.15

1)      The problem was to replace Judas. Jesus’ apostles.

a.       Problems are coming to our life. I do not have any doubt about that.

b.      Some people get into alcohol drugs or decide to take away his life.

B.      The Scripture is fulfilling with a lot examples. V.16

1)      Paul was a man of prayer life, Peter, King David Psalm 51, and Moses.

C.      The way to replace church’s leaders or to find new leaders. V.16b

D.      The way to sanctify church’s life. V.18

E.        The way to create or cleanse church’s testimony. V.19

III.                The way God’s sovereignty takes control. 21-26

A.      Ask to our Lord Jesus to take over. V.21

B.      Leader’s qualifications. V.22

1.       Leaders must become witnesses. V21b

2.       I timothy 3:8-13

C.      Lord’s knows everything. V.24

1.       Galatians 6:7

D.      Lord’s choices not men’s choices. V.24b

IV.                Conclusion.

Today churches many are acting in the flesh. Church we must remember this Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven. They are not copying first century church’s model. How we are going to act? What we are going to do from now on? Are you still lacking on this specific area on your life? My recommendation is pray, pray, and pray. Sometimes when a Christian friend is approaching us to tell us about his or her problems we replied  I am going to pray for you, and when you are out you don’t. Through prayer is where you and I are going to ask to take over, because we are desperate for God’s intervention. It is not doubt that we need to pray.

Illustration of the church in Seoul Korea.