~ LISTENING CENTER ~

Date: February 26, 2023 Title: Serving the Lord Passage: Acts 12:25 - 13:4 Speaker: Bob Corbin Sermon Note Sheet (PDF) Download Audio Watch it on

* Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. As they waited, they prayed. The Holy Spirit then empowered them and they willingly proclaimed the message of Christ to the crowd that gathered. Three thousand people turned to Christ that day! * Prayer then became an integral part of the life of the church: - "And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (2:42) - Peter and John were going to the Temple at the hour of prayer when they healed the lame man and when they were released they went to where the church would be gathered ... and the church prayed and received power (Acts 3 & 4) - The Elders of the church realized that there were struggles in the church because they had been taken away from two of the primary functions: prayer and the study of God's Word. (Acts 6) - Stephen prayed while being stoned to death (Acts 7) - Peter and John prayed for the new believers in Samaria, and challenged Simon to pray for forgiveness. He then asked them to pray for him. (Acts 8) - The Lord spoke to Ananias through prayer that he was to go to heal Saul ... who was praying! (Acts 9) - While praying and fasting, Cornelius was sent an angel who told him to send for Peter. When the representatives come, Peter is praying! (Acts 10) - While Peter was in prison "constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church" (Acts 12) * The early church recognized it's dependence upon YHWH and spent much time in prayer to Him. As a result, the Word and Church of God multiplied! * Today, we return to the church of Antioch with Barnabas and Saul, and see that prayer was at core of what we refer to as: "Missions."