Apostolic Without Apology

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more
than unto God, judge ye. {20} For we cannot but speak the things
which we have seen and heard.

We live in an “In Your Face” society. It is not good enough to be what you want to
be, but there is an unwarranted need to prove that you are defiant of all others.
From Dennis Rodman to Ellen Degeneres, homosexuality and rebellion are
flaunted as the ultimate expressions of independence and individuality.

If you don’t like it, deal with it. If you think it’s wrong, then keep your opinion to
yourself. I am not a proponent of this, in your face attitude, but I do believe that
we need to refuse to be intimidated.

Lame man at the Gate Beautiful. Such as I have. Peter began his life after
Pentecost. He was Apostolic without apology. Peter and John were arrested for
preaching the Gospel and teaching the people about Jesus and the resurrection of
the dead.

They were thrown into jail, but the word of God does not return void. About 5,000
men were saved as a result of their preaching that day.
The next day they were brought before the Sanhedrin to be questioned and
reprimanded. There in their presence Peter answered the question, How did you
heal this man? The Bible says that Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost and began
to preach to them!

Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel,
that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified,
whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand
here before you whole.

Acts 4:11-12 This is the stone which was set at nought of you
builders, which is become the head of the corner. {12} Neither is
there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Look at what happened next. The men saw the boldness of Peter and knew that he
had been with Jesus.

There is something powerful about being with Him. It causes you to be like Him
even when you do not have to be. It causes you to be Apostolic without apology.
You do not have to tell any one you are sorry. You do not have to try and excuse
your behavior. You are simply a Holy Ghost filled believer through and through!

The council tried to figure out how they could punish these men without causing
the multitudes of people to rise up against them. Some one had the bright idea of
threatening them. Let’s threaten them with their lives, so that from this day
forward they will not speak to anybody in that name.
I want you to know that the devil hates it when you speak to anyone in the name
of Jesus. It still causes him to tremble and flee with fear! Listen to Peter’s reply.

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more
than unto God, judge ye. {20} For we cannot but speak the things
which we have seen and heard.

Another translation says it like this, we can’t stop talking about the things that we
saw and heard Jesus do. Why? Because once you have been changed by the power
of Jesus name, no other power, influence, or name can do the same.

When you have felt the ultimate peace of God, man’s attempt to frighten you will
pale in comparison to his ability to deliver you.

In Desert Storm, one of America’s greatest weapons was revealed. It was called
the PATRIOT missile. It was totally different than the Tomahawk missiles and the
Howitzers that were used in offensive strikes, it was and is a defensive weapon.
When the Iraqi armies launched their dread SCUD missiles, the patriot batteries
would track it, fire, and destroy the weapon before it could come into contact with
its intended target. An awesome display of technology and power.

The PATRIOT arrived at its name in a very unique way. The men and women that
manufactured it, were given the opportunity to name it. PATRIOT was chosen. It is
an acronym for the following.

 Proud
 Americans
 Taking
 Responsibility
 In
 Our
 Time.

I believe that it is time for the prince of the power of the air to feel the effects of
some PATRIOTS in Rector. Some Proud Apostolics Taking Responsibility In Our
Town!
Satan will do all that he can to hinder the progression of the church, but I am
persuaded that Jesus meant it when he said that the Gates of Hell would not
prevail against His church!

He will attack, but there are some Apostolics here that are going to take the
responsibility of the town. We refuse to be intimidated. We refuse to allow
someone else to tell us what is permissible or not.

Somebody here tonight, help me. We need to get Apostolic without apology!

I refuse to apologize for my belief in One God! Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is
one!

I refuse to be intimidated out of preaching the Acts 2.38 message. You must be
born again of water and spirit. You must be filled with the Holy Ghost. You must be
baptized in Jesus name for the remission of your sins.

Tongues are not of the devil! They are a sign for the unbeliever. They are the initial
evidence of the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Paul said, I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all! He was
Apostolic without apology! Get a hold on an apostolic attitude tonight.

Are you embattled by peer pressure? It is because your peers do not know where
you really stand. If you are in the middle of the road, you are susceptible to peer
pressure. But if you are apostolic, then know where you stand.

I am apostolic regardless of the pressures of the world!

I refuse to allow any one inside or outside the church dictate to me what is and is
not acceptable in worship to God. I am going to give him my best. If my best on a
particular night means that I end up rolling on the floor or kneeling in quiet prayer,
I will not be intimidated.

I want to be like King David. I want to dance before the Lord with all my might.
Jeremiah said that is was like fire shut up in his bones.

The world will tell you to stop acting like a fool. You do not have to be that way.

Jesus says don’t stop. He can use you. He will empower you and then they will
know that you have been with Him! If you will get in here and allow the Lord to
renew you in your spirit, you can become like Peter.

I can’t stop talking about what Jesus did! I’ve seen too much to doubt him now.
You are too late to tell me that God is not real, will not fill with his spirit. I have felt
him for myself. I am Apostolic without apology!