Unstoppable: God’s Plan For Multiplication

The Comfort Trap

Introduction: The Early Church’s Growth

• From 120 to 3,120 people after Peter’s first sermon
• The church’s rapid expansion in Jerusalem

Three Key Events in Jerusalem

1. The Lame Man Healed (Acts 3:1-6)

[Acts 3:6] “But Peter said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!'”

“The most powerful proof of the way God can change a person’s life is in the way He’s changed yours!”

Peter’s boldness before the Sadducees:

[Acts 4:12-13] “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”

2. The Apostles Arrested (Acts 5:16-20)

[Acts 5:29-31] “But Peter and the apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven.'”

“The Apostles demonstrated their priority to do what pleased God over everything.”

3. Martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7)

Stephen’s defense and bold proclamation:

[Acts 7:51-52] “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One–the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.”

“Stephen’s circumstance pushed him to decide how far he’d take his faith.”

The Gospel Unleashed

[Acts 8:1] “A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.”

Application

1. What’s your God-story?
   • Recognize opportunities to share your faith
   • Pray for opportunities to witness
2. What priority does God have in your life right now?
   • Should I listen to God or listen to man?
   • Align your values with God’s will, not cultural sin
3. Where have you drawn the line in the sand with God?
   • How willing are you to allow God to stretch you?
   • What won’t you give to God?

“Each one of us, every week are pushed up to a line and then we decide if we’re going to step over it or not.”