SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:1-12
“Called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame…” (Acts 4:9)
Their crime is an act of kindness.
Oh that church today would be more guilty of this crime.
What crimes are churches accused of today?
We need to learn from the criminals of our day, we need to be more bold!
More bold in the crime of compassion, more blatant in the act of kindness.
Our neighbours should be perplexed by our presence… ‘why are you doing this?’
This is not in addition to the gospel, it is the gospel (God’s grace) in action.
The good news is that resurrected Jesus is still guilty of raising up grace extremists.
By the name of Jesus may communities be healed, marriages be restored, struggling people supported.
And when asked, filled by the Spirit we will answer… ‘its all because of Jesus!’
And many who hear the message will believe, and the number of believers will grow!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, Your were and are and always will be good news – for me and for all the world. May Your amazing grace flow through me in crimes of kindness, so that many will see, hear and believe!
Observation/Application
Interesting how the religious leaders now obeyed their own rules and had no judgements at night like with Jesus. Peter and John were held to account the next day.
They were called to account for their kindness. What accuses me? What acts am I noted for? It is not by my might and power that I be a witness of the Gospel by Christ dwelling within me through His Spirit. As Peter was filed by the Spirit, I too need to be filled by the Spirit to do His work in all my activities this day.
I am His and He is mine
and
His banner over me is love.
1. He brings us in to his banqueting table,
his banner over me is love.
He brings us in to his banqueting table,
his banner over me is love.
He brings us in to his banqueting table.
His banner over me is love;
his banner over me is love.
2. The one way to peace is the power of the cross,
his banner over me is love.
The one way to peace is the power of the cross,
his banner over me is love.
The one way to peace is the power of the cross.
His banner over me is love;
his banner over me is love.
3. Peter built his church on the rock of our faith,
his banner over me is love.
Peter built his church on the rock of our faith,
his banner over me is love.
Peter built his church on the rock of our faith.
His banner over me is love;
his banner over me is love.
4. He asks us all to join hands together,
his banner over me is love.
He asks us all to join hands together,
his banner over me is love.
He asks us all to join hands together.
His banner over me is love;
his banner over me is love.
5. He calls us all to stand up and witness,
his banner over me is love.
He calls us all to stand up and witness,
his banner over me is love.
He calls us all to stand up and witness.
His banner over me is love;
his banner over me is love.