The Healing Power of Hope
Text: Acts 5:12-16
Last week we discussed God’s protection of the church, and His desire for purity in the church demonstrated by His taking the life of Ananias and Saphira for lying to the Holy Spirit. Today we see the growing influence and impact of the church in their community and beyond through the ministry of the apostles.
The Unique Ministry of the Apostles
Apostolic requirements:
A follower of Jesus (Luke 6:13)
A personal eyewitness to the risen Christ (Ac. 4:33)
Chosen by Jesus (Ac. 1:2)
Apostolic endeavors:
Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ
Attest to the bodily resurrection of Jesus
Be teachers to the church
Apostolic endorsement:
God worked many signs and wonders through them
The Social Impact of God’s Activity
GOD’S ACTIVITY
God struck down two people who were lying to the Spirit
God was preforming many signs and wonders through the apostles
THE PUBLIC RESPONSE
Social distancing
They held the church in high esteem
Multitudes were continually being added to the church
The extended community brought their sick to be healed
God’s activity today
God offers Salvation
God forgives sin through Jesus
God gives life through Jesus
God reconciles us through Jesus
God offers Hope
God can do anything!
God is all-powerful, nothing is beyond His ability
God rules, He is sovereign over everything
Footnotes:
The people were even bringing the sick in hope that Peter’s shadow would fall on them as they passed by. We have no record that this healed anyone, but people will do just about anything in hope of healing. Trust God, Hope on the Lord! Guard your heart. The lack of hope leads to despair. In Christ we always have hope.
Our human response is to want to do something to try and fix things, to bring a return to normalcy. We need to recognize that there are things we cannot fix, and learn to live with the reality that bad things happen, but we never need to lose hope.
Guard your Heart
Do not let your heart be troubled;
believe in God, believe also in Me.
John 14:1
Be strong and let your heart take courage,
all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24