Part 9 - Trinity Fellowship - Raton, New Mexico

THE CHURCH THAT PROSPERS

The Acts of the Apostles Part 9

The Teaching Ministry of Rick Trice

August 7, 2005

Acts 9:31-43

WALKING IN FEAR AND COMFORT (V.31)

The church had been disbursed outside of Jerusalem. Phillip had paved the way up the coast (ie. The Plain of Sharon) and planted churches throughout Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. Paul had seen and spoken with the Lord Jesus, been convicted and brought through the valley of death to himself; had been born again, received the Spirit, was baptized and had begun to preach mightily in the synogogues.

And had returned to Jerusalum to meet the apostles.

And now these new churches are beginning to walk in the peace and power of the Holy Spirit. What’s the sign of this? They were multiplied.

Acts 16:5 tells us that being multiplied is two things: it’s numerical, and it’s a strengthening of faith.

What is the “fear of the Lord?” (Ps. 34:3-10) Those that fear the Lord want for nothing!!

What is the comfort of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17)

A “helper” is one who helps with all things. 1 John 2:1 calls him “an advocate for the defense” of those who trust Him. So to have peace and power, we are to exhibit fear in the Lord and trust His Holy Spirit.

PETER’S MISSIONARY JOURNEY

(V. 37-43) Peter sort of followed Phillip’s footsteps, ministering to those areas where the church had taken root.

HEALINGS AND RESTORATIONS

The healing of aeneas: “arise and make your bed.”

When Jjesus encounters and heals us, He doesn’t always immediately send us out. There are often circumstances that have to be dealt with; the remains of our lives. We have to “clean up our bed”, and He will show the world what He’s done.

(v 36) Dorcas is raised from the dead: She’s had her funeral, with all her friends weeping, and showing off all the deeds and works of her life.

But even though the Lord has prepared works for us to do, His judgement isn’t going to come by our works. Jesus’ judgement is going to be based solely on what He has done in us.

So what has Jesus done in you today? Is He doing things that will allow us to be a church multiplied (ie. Strengthened in faith and numbers)?