The Pilgrim Path---Acts 4: 23 – 31

When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign LORD, who made the heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

Why did the Gentiles rage,

And the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers were gathered together,

Against the Lord and against his Anointed---

For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, LORD, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

AND WHEN THEY PRAYED…

---Picture this: Peter and John are released from the authorities and return to the brethren. All the saints praise God at the provision and protection that the LORD had provided. They are quick to use Psalm 2---to remind all assembled, “no rulers can stop the advance of the LORD’S Kingdom or the purpose of His Anointed.” That great Messianic Psalm speaks of Jesus---and reminds us that the only appropriate attitude to have toward Him is to, “kiss the Son”---an act of homage in the ancient world---for He is God of very God. The LORD will have the last laugh concerning those who ridicule The Son or make light of the Gospel (Psalm 4: 4). We do our best to educate people that these “soul matters” are of utmost significance. They are not to be trifled with. Have you come to The Son in submission and praise? Do this now---today is the day of Salvation…time is passing---and we are all passing “out” of time!

---Planned by the Sovereign LORD: Herod, Pilate, Gentiles, and people in Israel---may have gathered together against God’s holy servant Jesus---but it was all predestined by the LORD. The LORD Jesus came to draw His people to Himself---and he does so with glorious mercy and grace (John 6: 44—47). People are absolutely responsible for their actions---and the LORD is absolutely sovereign in salvation.

From The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter III,

Of God’s Eternal Decree

Section 1. God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but established.

Section 2. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such condition.

Section 8. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special care, that men, attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.

---Praying and pressing on: The Church knew where the power was---in seeking the face of God. The LORD gave them a visible manifestation of His presence when they prayed---He shook the place! We are very frail beings. Sometimes we need some tangible reminders that we are not alone---the LORD gave them a very telling indication of His abiding walk with them. It came as they prayed. One of my professor’s, Dr. Kelly, always said: “you have got to pray the power down!” How true that admonition is. We must demonstrate to the LORD our ongoing awareness of our dependence---and need of Him –always!

---Particularly noteworthy: Ole Dr. Luke points out that King David was the “servant” of the LORD---and Our Savior (Jesus) was the LORD’S, “holy servant” (verses 25 and 30). We are servants of the Master. This is our privilege. We are here to serve for Him. As Corrie ten Boom often said, “we do not give orders---we simply report for duty.” We really get in trouble when we start “lording over people.” Serving is the good place.

From George Swinnock: Every saint is God’s temple and may pray anywhere. Every house is a house of prayer. Prayer is pouring out the soul to God in the name of Christ, crying, “Abba, Father!” A prayer in a moment can fly to the highest heavens. It is a sweet savor to God, a terror to the devil, and a shelter to a Christian. Bernard calls it the conqueror of him who is invisible, and Luther says that it is omnipotent. By prayer fire has been quenched, water divided, the mouths of lions stopped, iron gates opened, the windows of heaven opened, the course of nature overturned, diseases removed, health restored, sin subdued, grace bestowed, kingdoms supported, enemies scattered, the blind restored, and devils’ cats out. Prayer is the midwife to bring mercies to the believer that were conceived in the womb of promise…

From Simon Kistemaker: God gave the apostles a sign that as he shook the house with a quake so he would shake the world with Christ’s gospel…

From Thomas Brooks: God is never better pleased than when his people importune him in his own words and urge him with arguments taken from his own words.

HYMN

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare:

Jesus loves to answer prayer;

He himself has bid thee pray,

Therefore will not say thee nay;

Therefore will not say thee nay.

While I am a pilgrim here,

Let thy love my spirit cheer;

As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,

Lead me to my journey’s end;

Lead me to my journey’s end.

John Newton, 1779

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason