APPREHEND

By now we have seen that many things had to happen for the Church to arise.

We have heard this many times, but the disciples did not fully comprehend what God had prepared for them. As they came together in unity and started to walk out what they had been told, then they were able to APPREHEND that which God had prepared for them.

We are in those moments now in our day.

Do you remember in Acts 3 the story of the lame man at the Gate Beautiful? Peter and John saw past what he was asking for and answered his real need to come into contact with the one true God who brought salvation and wholeness to him.

But the story doesn’t stop there.

Acts 3:11

Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.

All of a sudden there were many gathering together and Peter seized the moment.

Acts 3:12

So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?”

Peter announced that it wasn’t about them. In humility, he pointed them to the right source.

Acts 3:13-16

13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
16 And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Let me emphasize this truth: Through faith in whose name? In the name of Jesus!

Acts 3:17-21

17 Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,
21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

This was their opportunity for all to be saved. That would be a great, easy, wonderful story. But when God moves, satan tries to interfere.

Acts 4:1-2

1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Through persecution, the enemy tried to get Peter and John to back up on their stand.

Acts 4:7

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”

However, once again, we find the Holy Spirit on the scene. Peter spoke, but it wasn’t really him speaking. He was the conduit from heaven, operating by power He received from the Holy Spirit.

Are we ready to do this? Are we ready to stand against all authorities set in place by the enemy and speak out God’s truth, and see it as a great opportunity?

This is what we need to APPREHEND. We need to seize the moment and possess what God has put before us.

Acts 4:8-10

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.”

Praise God! This is not a fearful Peter; this is a fierce Peter! This is not the Peter that denied Christ three times. This is the Peter that is FILLED with Holy Spirit power! This is a man who is fearless because He knows who He is and He knows the power that comes from above.

Peter continued:

Acts 4:11-12

11 This is the “stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.”
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

And there it is: The very bold statement that many Christians try to stay away from.

People ask, “But what if others are fully committed to what they believe in with all of their heart? Won’t they get into heaven? Why Would God be so mean?”

This is OUR opportunity to tell the truth, as Peter did. There is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

This is the year of the HIGH CALL. This is what it looks like! It looks fierce! It looks like the Body of Christ overcoming the lies of the enemy with pure truth. No compromise allowed!

It doesn’t matter if others agree with us. Your stand will be the difference that makes others recognize that you aren’t doing this in your own strength. Something supernatural is happening! And that is just what happened here!

Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

I am crying as I write this. I want the whole Body of Christ to shine as brightly, no matter what is being plotted against them! I want every believer to make such an impact that even the worst accusers will have to recognize that we have been with JESUS!

That doesn’t mean satan won’t try to stop us.

Acts 4:18

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

I know we don’t have this kind of persecution in America, but all over the world, many believers face this kind of persecution, and worse! We must continue to take a stand for our God and follow the Apostles’ footsteps.

Acts 4:19-20

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

We do not have to answer to men. We know the truth that will set people free! How can we help but shout it out?

Please do not let people or circumstances stop you, or get you to shy away! We must APPREHEND that which we have been given to APPREHEND. We have a HIGH CALL, and we can face anything because we are not alone!

Look at what happened to the Church body when they heard what happened:

Acts 4:23-28

23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.”

What happened? They spoke with ONE VOICE IN ONE ACCORD! They were inspired and taken over by the Spirit just hearing this testimony! They began to speak out truths of the Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke in unison to glorify God!

And this is what they were compelled to pray:

Acts 4:29-30

29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

Do you understand this is the purpose of this fast? I know many other churches also fast in January. I know God is pleased, and we can experience the unity and the ability given by the Holy Spirit to respond in perfect obedience, no matter what we face.

The Holy Spirit will come where God is being magnified!

Acts 4:31

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.

What happened? They were more generous than ever; they gave their all to help others and one another.

And they were the living proof that they had seized, comprehended and obtained what God had in mind for His Church!

Acts 4:33

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

Are we ready? Is your heart ready? Is your mind set to accomplish all that God has called you to do? Are you ready for all that God has called us to do?

This is a great time in the history of the Church! We are the Church of the living God, and we are being filled with all the power of the Holy Spirit to rock the kingdom of darkness and bring forth the greatest movement of God!

He is calling His Church to a HIGH CALL!

Who will answer?

PRAYER
Dear God,
We recognize the importance we have of being alive during this time. We don’t want to just be happy for what You have done for us. We want to operate in the HIGH CALL and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us and fill us to the overflow.
Lord, we ask for our hearts to have no fear, but have full assurance of who You are inside of us. Let us not just cry out, but let us reach up and bring down Your glory to be manifest on this earth through us!
We are so in love with You, Jesus! Please give us opportunities to share that love with others and may we be bolder than ever with the truth.
Can I hear an Amen?

WORSHIP/VIDEOS
Passion – I’ve Witnessed It

Catch the Fire Music – Make Us One