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Sermon #5778

Prayer

A Sermon on Acts 4:1-37

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Acts 4:1-37 ESV KJV

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the … And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 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, 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? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 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. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 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. 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. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 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 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (ESV)

1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13¶ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23¶ And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31¶ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Sermon Description

Take a look at the first persecution of the infant Christian church. In this sermon on Acts 4:1–37 titled “Prayer,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones proclaims that it’s not the pew, nor the people, that determine the message being preached. This sermon takes a closer look at what the secret of prayer is and how one ought to pray. Prayers must not start with a person, but with God. Christians should learn to begin prayers by remembering and praising the one to whom they are praying. Prayer is coming into the presence of God. Approach Him in worship. One cannot focus on themselves and their problems, but should look at the God who controls everything, even His enemies. While the hand of people carry out works, it is the purpose of God that plans them. The church is not owned by people. When persecution comes, it is not person against person, but it is rather person against God Himself. Look at the prayer of the Psalmist in the second chapter and see where his concern is. God is the one who moves and shakes. “There is no difficulty about [understanding] miracles if you believe in an Almighty God.” There is great unity in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Breakdown

The early church faced persecution and opposition from the start.
Peter and John were arrested for preaching about Jesus and his resurrection.
The authorities charged them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus anymore.
Peter and John went back to their own company, the church, and reported what happened.
The church prayed to God, starting with worshipping and praising Him.
They acknowledged God as the all-powerful creator and sustainer of the universe.
They recognized that the crucifixion of Jesus was according to God's predetermined plan.
They realized the opposition was not against them but against God and His Christ.
They prayed for boldness to continue preaching the gospel despite threats.
The place where they prayed was shaken, showing God's power and affirming their prayer.
They were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
The believers were of one heart and soul, sharing their possessions with one another.
The apostles witnessed to the resurrection of Jesus with great power and grace.
We need the power and filling of the Holy Spirit today like the early church.
When God's Spirit moves, He shakes and revives His people and then shakes the world.

Sermon Q&A

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Prayer and Church Revival: Questions and Answers

What can modern Christians learn from the early church's response to persecution?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, modern Christians can learn that when facing opposition, the early church didn't resort to strategies like appeasement, watering down their message, or forming committees. Instead, they immediately turned to prayer. The early believers "didn't waste a second in any proposals and counter proposals and investigations and examinations and committees and commissions." They recognized that "if God doesn't intervene, we are finished," and therefore their first and primary response was to pray with one accord.

How should Christians approach prayer according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christians should approach prayer by beginning with worship and adoration of God, not with their own problems. He says, "The first thing that you and I must always do when we pray is to remember the one to whom we are praying—the Lord God Almighty." He criticizes the common approach where people "rush into his presence and we start and end with ourselves." Instead, believers should first acknowledge God's greatness, power, and sovereignty before presenting their requests.

What was unique about how the early Christians viewed their persecution?

The early Christians viewed their persecution not as a personal attack against them but as opposition to God Himself. As Lloyd-Jones explains, "They have the great spiritual wisdom and understanding to realize that the problem wasn't their problem at all." They understood that "these men are not against us... They're against thee. They're against the Lord and against his Christ." This perspective allowed them to see their difficulties in the proper context—as part of a larger spiritual battle.

What did the early Christians request from God in their prayer?

Rather than asking for comfort or for God to remove their difficulties, the early Christians asked for boldness to continue their ministry: "Lord, grant unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word by stretching forth thine hand to heal." They didn't ask for personal protection or ease but for power to continue proclaiming Christ despite opposition. Their focus was on God's glory and the advancement of His kingdom, not their own safety or comfort.

What happens when believers are filled with the Holy Spirit according to the sermon?

According to Lloyd-Jones, when believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, several things happen: 1. They receive "absolute certainty and assurance concerning the things of God" 2. Unity comes naturally among believers ("they were of one heart and of one soul") 3. They witness with power ("gave the apostles witness of the resurrection") 4. "Great grace" comes upon them 5. They may be "shaken out of complacency" and experience a "baptism of love and of blessing and of power"

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the greatest need of the modern church?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies the greatest need of the modern church as a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit—the same kind of spiritual power that energized the early church. He states: "Every revival of religion is another filling with the Holy Ghost. It is another descent of the power." He emphasizes that the church needs to "come to an end of ourselves and our little resources" and realize "that nothing is of any value except the power of the Lord manifested and demonstrated amongst us all."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the physical shaking of the building in Acts 4?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues for a literal interpretation of the building being shaken when the early Christians prayed. He defends the miraculous nature of this event, saying, "I have no difficulty with miracles. I believe in a God who is almighty, and I can't believe that a God who is almighty can't act directly at times if he wants to do so." He even draws a parallel to his own experience during WWII when Westminster Chapel was physically shaken by a bomb, suggesting that if man-made weapons can shake buildings, God certainly can too.

What is the relationship between prayer and church unity according to the sermon?

According to Lloyd-Jones, true church unity comes not through organizational efforts or ecumenical conferences but through the Holy Spirit's work when believers pray. He explains that when Christians are "filled with the Holy Ghost, they're all looking into the face of Christ. They haven't got time to look at one another." This shared focus on Christ creates "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," which Lloyd-Jones calls "the only unity that's worth talking about," while dismissing organizational efforts as "artificial and man-made."

Itinerant Preaching

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.

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