To be Unstoppable

Unstoppable

Acts 4:12-31  

After Peter’s first preaching (Acts 2) the church enjoyed favor from all the people. Yet in Acts 4 after giving a similar testimony the Priests, Temple guards, and Sadducees threatened and jailed them. Suddenly it dawned to the Jewish authorities that what looked like mere showers was a storm. What looked like an ordinary event was a movement growing stronger everyday.

Your faith will also disturb someone. It first disturbs your natural understanding and also disturbs those around you who are opposed to the mission of Christ. The chief opponent,  Satan knows the power of your faith because he suffers from it. You are however unstoppable just as the early church. He only has as much power as you give to him. We are not ignorant of his ways. His aim is to silence you, make you settle, detour, compromise, doubt God and fail.    In all he tries to do against you (John 10:10b) one thing is certain he is a loser (Isaiah 59:19b). 

God has not made a commitment to make you trouble free. As the saying, ‘If you never meet him face to face may be you are walking in the same direction.’ Faith does not exempt the believers from trouble but it prepares them for the day of trouble (Psa 91:15). Every step of faith is tested. Faith that is not tested cannot be trusted. Every motion faces resistance. Resistance is a sign that you are moving on. The bigger the resistance, the greater the fulfillment at the end.

Despite opposition, God continued to add thousands to the number of believers. From Acts 4:12-31 we can identify three reasons why the Apostles were unstoppable in the face of opposition and continued to testify Christ.

n      They had COURAGE. v. 13. Being full of the Holy Spirit was the source of their courage and tenacity. Also they had faith in God’s word ( Phil 1:6). Many times the Bible exhorts us to be courageous and fear not. Courage is not the absence of fear but continuing despite the fear. In their trouble, they saw an opportunity to witness without compromising to a relatively small group of the highest authority in the land. They achieved a better teacher pupil ratio. They highlighted that there is no other name by which we can be saved but the name of Jesus v. 12.  

2. They had CONFIRMATION v. 14, 21-22. The healed man was standing there with them. They had evidence of God’s presence and grace, which gave them favor with many other people.   God will give you a sign to assure you and restrain your opposition.
3. They had a CONSTITUENCY v. 23-32. Their opponents saw their  courage and the confirmation but did not see their compatriots. What they failed to see was the Apostles’ most powerful resource.  They had their own people standing with them behind the scenes.  You need an Inner circle that provides moral support and serve as a  prayer base. Esther also appealed to her constituency (Esther 4:16).  From among them were potential leaders who would take up the lead in the Apostles’ absence. The church is more like a starfish than a spider. Attempts to cut off the leaders will result in many more leaders. Our mission is unstoppable.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa