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Empowered To Help     Ac 4:5-10, 12-13, 18-20, 31-35    June 8, 2008

Introduction
In the Book of Acts the term "filled with the Holy Spirit" is used several times. In this text on two occasions it refers to the filling. Why do we need several fillings? It is because we leak! Sin quenches and grieves the Spirit so we must be refilled. God allows us to be Empowered To Help in all kinds of ministries for which all of us need to give a hearty and grateful thanksgiving.

1. Empowered To Declare . . Healing In Jesus Name. 4:5-10

A. Calling For . . A Testimony About The Healing In Jesus Name. 4:5-7
5 The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John and Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family.  7 After they had Peter and John stand before them, they asked the question: "By what power
or in what name have you done this?"

B. Communication . . Of The Testimony About The Healing In Jesus Name. 4:8-9
8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man--by what means he was healed--

C. The Clarity . . Of The Testimony About The Healing In Jesus Name. 4:10
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene--whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead--by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.

        All healing comes from God; sometimes it comes in a miraculous manner and other times in a more natural way. At times we do not receive the healing we desire the way we desire it. We must be submissive to the Lord. We, like Peter and John, may be called upon to testify about a healing. We need to boldly communicate depending upon the Holy Spirit. He will lead us to testify with clarity so the name of Jesus is exalted.

2. Empowered To Declare . . Salvation In Jesus Name. 4:12-13

A. The . . Exaltation And Claim For The Name Of Salvation. 4:12
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.

B. The . . Evaluation And Claim For The Statement Of The Name Of Salvation. 4:13
13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and knew that they had been with Jesus.

        Often the world wants to place other religions and leaders on the same plane as Jesus. We must never back down from declaring the cardinal truth that Jesus and only Jesus can produce salvation. We must exalt Jesus; for salvation only comes through Him. It is interesting that the council evaluated John and Simon as unlearned men but that they had been with Jesus. I am afraid some today express more awareness of their education than they do of being with Jesus. I heard a great testimony about the former pastor of FBC Dallas,
W A Criswell, as a church member said, "he gives evidence of being with Jesus during the week." May that be true for all of us.

3. Empowered To Declare . . Security In Jesus Name. 4:18-20

A. Security To Declare A . . Disregard Of The Council. 4:18-19
18 So they called for them and ordered them not to preach or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it's right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide;

B Security To Declare A . . Defense Of Their Eye Witness Testimonies. 4:20
20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.  Are we secure in Jesus? Our proclamations need to be secure defenses of scriptural truth. We will be as secure as we are filled with the Holy Spirit. At all times we can and must stand up for Jesus. Have you noticed the number of times a Christian is criticized for saying Jesus is the only way of salvation? I like it when someone just points out what the scriptures say. We must disregard the world and stand for the truth that Jesus alone saves.

4. Empowered To Declare . . Speech In Jesus Name. 4:31-35

A. Empowered Speech From the . . Filling They Experienced. 4:31
31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God's message with boldness.

B. Empowered Speech From the . . Fellowship They enjoyed. 4:32, 34-35
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.  34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or
houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. NKJV

C. Empowered Speech From the . . Foundation They Espoused. 4:33
33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.

        When a Christian receives a new filling, there is a desire to proclaim boldly the name of Jesus. The filling also creates a sweet fellowship of sharing among believers. Think about this; did you ever see a hospital, college, or rescue mission started by atheists? The Spirit motivates Christians to share and great grace proceeds from the foundational message of the resurrection of our living Lord. It is a great pleasure to witness a new Christian who boldly proclaims the truth of the Lord. All Christians can be Empowered To Help! Amen? Amen!