Call to worship:
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your[b] mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.Psalm 145:10-13
Gathering Video
Questions for reflection:
How do the apostles respond to the threats against them?
What do we see about how they pray? How is that instructive for today?
Why do you think the resurrection leads to generosity?
Corporate Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven,
We thank you for your story that centers on Your Son. Would You empower us by Your Spirit to live as witnesses to Your kingdom in every sphere of life. May we trust and serve you as we look to show your love this week.
In the name of Christ we pray, amen.If you are able to support the church financially, we invite you to give securely by clicking the button below:
Notes//Quotes//Slides:
Acts 4:23-37
“If we allow the Bible to become fragmented, it is in danger of being absorbed into whatever other story is shaping our culture, and it will thus cease to shape our lives as it should. Idolatry has twisted the dominant cultural story of the secular Western world. If as believers we allow this story (rather than the Bible) to become the foundation of our thought and action, then our lives will manifest not the truths of Scripture, but the lies of an idolatrous culture. Hence, the unity of Scripture is no minor matter: a fragmented Bible may actually produce theologically orthodox, morally upright, warmly pious idol worshippers! - Mike Goheen
John 17:20-23
”We must have hearts that are harder than iron if we are not moved by the reading of this narrative. In those days the believers gave abundantly of what was their own; we in our day are content not just jealously to retain what we possess, but callously to rob others.... They sold their own possessions in those days; in our day it is the lust to purchase that reigns supreme. At that time love made each man's own possessions common property for those in need; in our day such is the inhumanity of many, that they begrudge to the poor a common dwelling upon earth, the common use of water, air and sky.” John Calvin
1 Cor 6:19-20