2012/03/25
Building on Firm Foundations : Much Grace was upon them All
Steve Lane

Review
A historical book… impacts our study
The source of Peter and John’s courage – behold and reflect 2 Cor 3:18
TODAY: UNITY OF THE BODY, A POWERFUL AND BOLD WITNESS, AND THE GREAT COMMISSION CONTINUING TO BE AT THE HEART OF THE CHURCH
Much Grace was upon them all – Acts 2:47, Acts 4:33

A. Peter and John’s answer
He told His apostles they were His representatives and they
were to witness to… Who should they obey? Acts 4: 19 - 20
B. Peter and John’s release
Acts 4: 21 – 22
C. The Church met to pray
Acts 4:23 – they prayed
Acts 4: 24 – 30
D. God’s answer to their prayer
Acts 4: 31
E. The Results
1) The love and unity of the believers was strengthened for one another.
2) They boldly told others about Jesus
3) God’s blessing was on the whole company of believers
F. The Unity and Fellowship of the Believers and revealing the love God
Acts 4: 31 – 35 Direct line to John 17: 20 - 23
Unity in the body is a supernatural thing
Unity is one of the key ways God has chosen to reveal His love
You must be yourself- not hide who you are
John 15: 16 – 17 Mixing loving each other and going and bearing fruit
John 13: 35 He’s doing it again.

They had the potential for the love of God to be seen and lived in them
And much grace was upon them all. They found favor with all the people.
Jesus was hospitable… God is hospitable. “My grace is sufficient…”
We are to be like minded with God…. He desires to give us
grace and for us to be an outlet of His grace

This is what was going on with the early church.

Pray for grace. Let’s not receive this grace in vain.