Why Arn't We Crying Out To God?

A few weeks ago we looked at this prayer of the church.
Acts 4:29-30 29 "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, (boldness) 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."


They cried for boldness in their witness.
They cried for God's hand to be extended to heal.
They cried for God to perform signs and wonders.

They were not just "open" to these things, they greatly desired them. They prayed for them to come. All of these things come from God's hand. When was the last time you cried out to God for these things?


WHY DID THEY CRY OUT TO GOD FOR THESE THINGS? Let's face it, this was the generation that had more compelling evidence of the truth of the resurrection than any generation since. Hundreds of eyewitnesses to the risen Lord were in Jerusalem.

This was the generation of believers whose preaching was more anointed than any other generation to follow…Peter, Stephan, Paul, Barnabas…

Why did this generation feel such a passion to see God stretch forth his hand to heal and do signs and wonders among them? Why did they ask for boldness? One reason is none of these come from within the believer. Boldness is not normal. It comes from God. Why aren't we asking for these things?

Here's why the first century church were. The answers are found in Acts 5:12-14.

1. Unity (12)
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico.

When God moves among a group, it brings people together…in unity and love and awe. The “they” is referring to the church.

13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them (the church); however, the people held them in high esteem.

Why did the people dare not associate with them?
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.


There were no insincere, superficial followers in this church after the death of Ananias and Sapphira. The people feared the deadly potential of joining the church.

But the Christians were held in high esteem.


They cried for boldness in their witness.
They cried for God's hand to be extended to heal.
They cried for God to perform signs and wonders.

Q. Why?

2. To Help People Come To Saving Faith (14)
14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,

Why aren't we crying out to God for these things?