The Persecuted Church
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Pastor Jerry Tom
Weekly Bulletin | Worship Lyrics
Acts 4:23-37
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’[e]—
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.
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Devoted to Prayer (v. 23-31)
Devoted to the Preaching of the Word (v. 31, 33)
Devoted to Fellowship (v. 32, 34-37)
1. Devoted to Prayer (v. 23-31)
v. 19-20 “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Sovereign Lord – Greek word is despota which means unrestricted power and absolute domination.
v. 24 “who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them”
"God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone" (James 1:13).
"God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5)
v. 25b-26 - “‘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’
George Grant of Ligonier Ministries:
In the first three centuries of the church, from Nero to Diocletian, Roman imperial and provincial persecutions were fierce. Tradition tells us of gladiators in the Colosseum, lions in the Circus Maximus, and staked pyres in the Forum as threatening the earliest believers. They were forced into a precarious, often secretive existence, living on the margins of society and meeting in catacombs, caverns, and copse (thicket of trees) hideaways. Yet they persevered. As Tertullian quipped, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."
“Astonishingly, though, it has been the twentieth century, along with the first decade and a half of the twenty-first, that has seen the greatest increase in persecution. According to ministries such as Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs, more Christians have been killed for their faith in the last century than in all other ages combined.”
v. 25 “Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?”
Matt. 16:18 “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
V. 27-28 “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, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”
Prov. 16:4 “The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.”
Rom. 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
How is persecution for our eternal good?
Matt. 5:44 “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Rom. 5:10 “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.”
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.
Practical Application from this Effectual Prayer for Boldness:
The prayer focused on who God is… Our faith and confidence when we pray is based on the truth of who God is.
The prayer focused on the promises or prophecies of God… Our faith and confidence when we pray is based on what God said he will do.
Regularly pray for pastors, especially those being persecuted around the world, to boldly preach the Word
Pray for boldness for yourself and others in the church to share the gospel.
Pray for the salvation of those persecuting the church.
Pray and encourage those you know around you who are having a tough time loving someone.
2. Devoted to the Preaching of the Word (v. 31, 33)
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. 33 - And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
Greek word ex nihilo means out of nothing
Eph. 2:5 “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
Rom. 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Rom. 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know”
Heb. 1:1-2 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”
2 Cor. 2:12 “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.”
Rom. 15:19 “By the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ.”
2 Tim. 4:2 “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
3. Devoted to Fellowship (v. 32-37)
V. 32 - Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.
The Greek word for “church” is ekklesia
ek which means “out from.”
kaleo which means “to call.”
church means “to call out from.”
Eph. 4:4 “There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.”
Rom. 12:5 “so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
v. 32 “those who believed were of one heart and soul.”
Col. 3:14-15 “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
v. 34 - “There was not a needy person among them.”
1 Jn. 3:17 “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?”
v. 32 “no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common” and in v. 34 “or as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. v. 35 - and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”
John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
So how do you show your love to others in the church?
Matt. 25:23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
The word encouragement means to come alongside another closely to provide comfort, exhortation and consolation to press on.
Heb. 10:25 “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”