We live is a fallen world and although God takes special care on us, we are exposed to trouble. In fact, part of the trouble is because we are Christians!

1. COURAGE IN CRISIS
Acts 4:23-31
By Rev Mutinda Musyimi
Introduction
Lies that the people spread during times of crisis
Lie #1: Christians are immune to trouble.
Truth: We live is a fallen world and although God takes special care on us, we are exposed to
trouble. In fact, part of the trouble is because we are Christians!
Lie #2: Trouble works against God’s plans.
Truth: No trouble catches God by surprise. God can use any situation for His glory.
Lie #3: Victory over trouble depends on my strength.
Truth: Victory over trouble depends on my obedience to God.
SO HOW DO WE FIND COURAGE IN CRISIS?
I: REMEMBER GOD IS IN CHARGE!
“When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign
Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in
them.” 4:24
What to Remember in the most Difficult Times:
Satan may seem to be calling the shorts, at times he will want us to believe so. The truth is God
is sovereign.
The term they use here is “Sovereign Lord”
Sovereign:
Lord:
Vv. 4:25-26 ‘You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
“‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’”
Call upon the SOVEREIGN LORD!
Sept.911; Corona Virus

2. Human forces may conspire but they cant win! God has the final word on this!
“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.” 4:27
They only fulfilled God’s plan!
“They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.” 4:28
Action Plan: When you concentrate on the crisis, the enemy seems so powerful and his
schemes so well planned – you feel weak in comparison. Instead, follow the first church’s
example; concentrate on the sovereignty of God. As a child of God, you are playing on the
winning team! Hint: Recall Scripture passages which speak to your issue of concern.
II: ASK GOD FOR THE EXTRA-ORDINARY!
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great
boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the
name of your holy servant Jesus.” 4:29-30
Action Plan: The first prayer request the disciples made was for boldness in order to be
obedient to Jesus’ command. In any crisis, the supreme battle we fight is the battle of obedience
(faith). In order to triumph through your crisis, ask God, “What step of faith (action of obedience)
are you asking me to take right now?”
**pray with humility, certainty, authority and clarity
Grief can kill a person emotionally and physically. If not counteracted with God’s
strength and power, our personal weakness may debilitate us.”—Billy Graham
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
III: EXPECT THE INTERVENTION OF GOD!
COVID19 has made us focus on the essentials of life.
Our concerns:
• Its not about how I can’t access my entertainment zone
• Its not about how rich one is
• Its not about the affluent neighborhood I live in
• It is not about which University I went to
• It is not about what type of a car I drive
• Its not about how many figures are in my salary
• It is not about my tribe, race or colour
• It is not about my Church denomination

3. • It is not about whether I attend a Mega mainstream church, or I am from a roadside
congregation
• It’s not about whether I am the President, or the King, or homeless
4:31: “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.”
When you’re praying through a crisis, prepare yourself for God’s intervention!
Pray knowing that God is listening!
• If we pray as a routine, then there’s no need to pray
• If we pray and hope may be God might one day take interest in our prayer, then we
shouldn’t pray
• If we pray without expecting an answer, then we shouldn’t waste our breath
When we pray, we should expect God to show up.
Acts 12: 5 “ So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him”
vv.6-12 Peter is freed by God and goes to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark where
“many people had gathered and were praying.”
He knocks at the door and a servant named Rhoda recognizes his voice and runs back with joy
to tell the rest. Their response to Rhoda?!
• “You are out of your mind”
• “It must be an angel”
Question: why were they praying?
What were they asking God?
Why would an answer to their prayer surprise them?
When we pray, we should expect God to show up.