THE IMMOVABLE CHURCH
The Immovable Church
Let the Church Be the Church – Week 4
Introduction
This is the fourth message in our series, Let the Church Be the Church.
Over the last three weeks, we have been looking at the early church in the book of Acts.
We have seen:
Tonight, I want us to look at the immovable church.
Times have changed.
Methods have changed.
There are even things God has ordained for this time in which we live.
But I am thankful that there are still some things we can be settled in, grounded in, and sure about—while still being obedient to the Lord.
Let’s look at the immovable church.
1. The Early Church Was Unmoved by Pressure
Sometimes we think we live under pressure in the modern church.
Maybe the auditorium is 69 degrees when we prefer 70.
Maybe the ice cream shop ran out of our favorite flavor after church.
Maybe the waterslide is closed at youth camp.
But the early church lived under real pressure.
They were facing the threat of imprisonment—and even death.
The government had warned them not to preach Christ.
After Peter and John healed the lame man, they were arrested and commanded to stop preaching in Jesus’ name.
But listen to their response in Acts 4:20:
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
They said, “We cannot stop.”
I wonder—how many of us would stop if we were told not to gather?
Recent years have shown us how possible that really is.
So what made them unmoved by pressure?
A. A Personal Experience with Christ
These were not people repeating religion.
They were not going through the motions.
They had experienced Christ personally.
1 John 1:1 says,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;”
They had seen Him.
They had heard Him.
They had experienced Him.
And when you truly experience Christ—you cannot help but tell it.
B. A Higher Authority
They had lived under Roman rule—under tyranny, bondage, and control.
But now, they had submitted themselves to God Almighty.
Acts 4:19 says,
“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.”
Acts 5:29 says,
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
We should do all we can to submit to earthly authority.
But we must never forget—there is a higher authority.
And when we stand with Him, we can be confident—He stands with us.
2. They Were Unstopped by Persecution
This wasn’t inconvenience.
This wasn’t preference.
This was real persecution.
In the book of Acts:
And yet—they kept going.
So here’s the question:
What does it take for us to stop?
Bad weather?
Disagreements?
A busy schedule?
They were unstopped.
3. They Were Unshaken in Their Production
It’s one thing to be unmoved—and accomplish nothing.
To be stubborn but fruitless.
But the early church was immovable in the right things—and it produced something.
They made an impact.
They understood they were called to bear fruit.
To use what God had given them.
To give Him a return on His investment in their lives.
And because they stood firm—their influence spread.
Acts 17:6 says,
“And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;”
That was meant as a criticism.
But what a compliment.
They turned the world upside down for Christ.
May it be said of us.
We can still make a difference:
It’s hard to follow inconsistent people.
It’s hard to follow invisible leaders.
It’s hard to follow ever-changing convictions.
Yes, the world will change.
Yes, the church must adapt in some ways.
But:
The gospel must stay the same.
The mission must stay the same.
The truth must stay the same.
And our impact should keep growing.
Conclusion
The early church faced pressure—but they didn’t move.
They endured persecution—but they didn’t stop.
They stayed grounded—and they produced fruit.
They were an immovable church.
And in a world that is constantly shifting…
in a culture that is always changing…
God is still looking for a church that will stand.
Not stubborn in preference—
but steadfast in truth.
Not rigid in tradition—
but rooted in Christ.
So the question is this—
Are we easily shaken?
Or are we firmly grounded?
Because when the church stands firm…
the world takes notice.
May it be said of us—
that we are still standing,
still serving,
still speaking,
and still making a difference.
Let the church be the church.
Let the Church Be the Church – Week 4
Introduction
This is the fourth message in our series, Let the Church Be the Church.
Over the last three weeks, we have been looking at the early church in the book of Acts.
We have seen:
- The infant church—young, eager, and surrendered
- The involved church—faithful in prayer, community, and service
- The invested church—giving of themselves and their resources
Tonight, I want us to look at the immovable church.
Times have changed.
Methods have changed.
There are even things God has ordained for this time in which we live.
But I am thankful that there are still some things we can be settled in, grounded in, and sure about—while still being obedient to the Lord.
Let’s look at the immovable church.
1. The Early Church Was Unmoved by Pressure
Sometimes we think we live under pressure in the modern church.
Maybe the auditorium is 69 degrees when we prefer 70.
Maybe the ice cream shop ran out of our favorite flavor after church.
Maybe the waterslide is closed at youth camp.
But the early church lived under real pressure.
They were facing the threat of imprisonment—and even death.
The government had warned them not to preach Christ.
After Peter and John healed the lame man, they were arrested and commanded to stop preaching in Jesus’ name.
But listen to their response in Acts 4:20:
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
They said, “We cannot stop.”
I wonder—how many of us would stop if we were told not to gather?
Recent years have shown us how possible that really is.
So what made them unmoved by pressure?
A. A Personal Experience with Christ
These were not people repeating religion.
They were not going through the motions.
They had experienced Christ personally.
1 John 1:1 says,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;”
They had seen Him.
They had heard Him.
They had experienced Him.
And when you truly experience Christ—you cannot help but tell it.
B. A Higher Authority
They had lived under Roman rule—under tyranny, bondage, and control.
But now, they had submitted themselves to God Almighty.
Acts 4:19 says,
“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.”
Acts 5:29 says,
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
We should do all we can to submit to earthly authority.
But we must never forget—there is a higher authority.
And when we stand with Him, we can be confident—He stands with us.
2. They Were Unstopped by Persecution
This wasn’t inconvenience.
This wasn’t preference.
This was real persecution.
In the book of Acts:
- Peter and John were warned not to preach (Acts 4)
- The apostles were imprisoned (Acts 5)
- The apostles were beaten (Acts 5)
- Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7)
- James was executed and Peter imprisoned (Acts 12)
- Paul was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14)
- Paul and Silas were beaten and jailed (Acts 16)
And yet—they kept going.
So here’s the question:
What does it take for us to stop?
Bad weather?
Disagreements?
A busy schedule?
They were unstopped.
3. They Were Unshaken in Their Production
It’s one thing to be unmoved—and accomplish nothing.
To be stubborn but fruitless.
But the early church was immovable in the right things—and it produced something.
They made an impact.
They understood they were called to bear fruit.
To use what God had given them.
To give Him a return on His investment in their lives.
And because they stood firm—their influence spread.
Acts 17:6 says,
“And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;”
That was meant as a criticism.
But what a compliment.
They turned the world upside down for Christ.
May it be said of us.
We can still make a difference:
- In our homes
- In our communities
- In the morals of our world
- In the priorities of people
It’s hard to follow inconsistent people.
It’s hard to follow invisible leaders.
It’s hard to follow ever-changing convictions.
Yes, the world will change.
Yes, the church must adapt in some ways.
But:
The gospel must stay the same.
The mission must stay the same.
The truth must stay the same.
And our impact should keep growing.
Conclusion
The early church faced pressure—but they didn’t move.
They endured persecution—but they didn’t stop.
They stayed grounded—and they produced fruit.
They were an immovable church.
And in a world that is constantly shifting…
in a culture that is always changing…
God is still looking for a church that will stand.
Not stubborn in preference—
but steadfast in truth.
Not rigid in tradition—
but rooted in Christ.
So the question is this—
Are we easily shaken?
Or are we firmly grounded?
Because when the church stands firm…
the world takes notice.
May it be said of us—
that we are still standing,
still serving,
still speaking,
and still making a difference.
Let the church be the church.
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