The Blessings of Spiritual Worship
Alfred Buckley. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost… I. THE DEVOTIONAL SUPPLICATION OFFERED TO GOD. "They prayed." It was — 1. Earnest. 2. United. 3. Believing. 4. Sincere. 5. Specific. II. THE VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE LORD'S PRESENCE. "The place was shaken where they were assembled together." 1. The unmistakable proof of Divine power. 2. The reliable sign of Divine nearness. 3. The full assurance of Divine protection. III. THE INVISIBLE DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT. "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost." 1. The gift of the Holy Ghost was bestowed. 2. The supply of the Holy Ghost was abundant. 3. Every worshipper received the baptism of the Spirit. IV. THE CHRISTIAN COURAGE OF THE DISCIPLES. "They spake the Word of God with boldness." 1. The subject of their speeches. 2. The fearlessness of their conduct. 3. The activity of their labours.Lessons — 1. To plead with God should be our first thought when surrounded with difficulties. 2. God will grant to our request some token of His presence and help of the Spirit. 3. The prayers of true worshippers bring blessings if we wait patiently at the throne of grace. 4. May we seek by holy fellowship to speak Divine truths without the fear of the world. (Alfred Buckley.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. WEB: When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.