Preaching Point: No matter the circumstances, persistently pray for God to glorify Himself knowing He answers the prayers of His faithful children.

Acts 4:23–31 (ESV)

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’— 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.

Preaching Points:

1. In All Circumstances, Be Quick to Pray (vv. 23-24a)

2. Pray that You Would Obey God in All Circumstances (vv. 24b-30)

3. In All Circumstances, Pray Confidently (v. 31)

Preaching Point: We must see our lives, ministries, and future rewards inextricably linked to Christ and our service to one another, in His name.

Main Text: Matthew 10:40–42 (ESV) 40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Teaching Points:

1. Comprehend Your Union with Christ v40
2. Grasp the Interconnectedness of Our Service v41
3. See the Significance of Personal Generosity v42

Preaching Point: Getting serious about evangelism requires a steadfast commitment to prayer.

Main Text: Acts 1:12–14 (ESV) 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Teaching Points:

1. Pray for Evangelistic Progress v14
2. Pray with Evangelistic Christians v13
3. Pray When You Don’t Feel Like it v12