Stretch Out Your Hand To Heal Part - Audio

Bakersfield First Assembly

Acts 4:27-31 (NIV) – [27] “Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. [28] They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. [29] Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great BOLDNESS. [30] STRETCH OUT YOUR HAND TO HEAL and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [31] After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God BOLDLY. 2023 Theme: Stretch Out Your Hand to Heal 1. God is sovereign. SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD - “A theological term which refers to the unlimited power of God, who has sovereign control over the affairs of nature and history (Isaiah 45:9-19; Romans 8:18-39). The Bible declares that God is working out His sovereign plan of redemption for the world and that the conclusion is certain.” (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) 2. God’s predestination is based upon His foreknowledge. 3. God sovereignly chose us. 4. God is sovereign, but we also have free will. Acts 9:15-16 (NIV) – [15] But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. [16] I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 5. God sovereignly heals us. “While the book of Proverbs clearly shows the importance of human responsibility and choice, this proverb recognizes that outcomes are determined by God’s sovereign providence. Proverbs makes no attempt to resolve the tension between the two ideas. Both human responsibility and God’s sovereignty are affirmed, and the mystery of their interaction is allowed to remain. (The Apologetics Study Bible) Proverbs 16:1 (NIV) – [1] To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. 1. God sovereignly has the final word. Proverbs 16:2 (NIV) – [2] All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. 2. God sovereignly weighs our motives. 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NIV) – [9] “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every MOTIVE behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Proverbs 16:3 (NIV) – [3] Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 3. God sovereignly brings success. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NLT) – [17] “He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ [18] Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be SUCCESSFUL, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. Proverbs 16:4 (NIV) – [4] The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster. 4. God sovereignly uses even the wicked. Exodus 9:15-16 (NIV) – [15] “For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. [16] But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Proverbs 16:5 (NIV) – [5] The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. 5. God sovereignly punishes the proud. 1 Peter 5:5-6 (NIV) – [5] Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Proverbs 16:6 (NIV) – [6] Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. 6. God sovereignly forgives our sin. Micah 7:18-19 (NIV) – [18] Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. [19] You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Proverbs 16:7 (NIV) – [7] When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. 7. God sovereignly brings peace with our enemies. Proverbs 16:8 (NIV) – [8] Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. 8. God sovereignly makes us satisfied with righteousness. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) – [9] In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 9. God sovereignly determines our steps.