OFF THE AXIS
Message by Chris Chase – April 30, 2023
Acts 4:23-36 NIV On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
1. Reach out to your community.
“The church is more than a group of people who agree in their beliefs. The church is a family of brothers and sisters who experience the reality of Jesus in and through their growing love for one another.”
2. Remind yourself of God’s power (then and now).
The disciples knew God came through in the time of David and through Christ which gave them confidence to know he’d come through for them.
3. Remain committed to the Story.
- Filled with the Holy Spirit – empowered for mission
- Bold doesn’t mean mean. Bold means God-filled confidence
You can listen to the sermon on YouTube here.
About Chris Chase: Chris Chase is a husband (Becca), father (Eliana and Liam) and sought after leadership and church communicator. He recently joined the staff team of The Meeting House as the new lead pastor of their Newmarket Site/Parish. Chris enjoys time with his family (even after spending months with them due to covid-19), a good cup of coffee, reading a good book, researching exclusive Jordan basketball shoes and laughing at memes.
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