ACTS - PowerThis message is from Plainfield Campus Pastor Jared Seeland in week five of the sermon series “Acts - Power”. Grace Pointe is a church dedicated to seeing a world full of healthy churches by making as many people as much like Jesus in the shortest time possible. We are a multi-site church in Illinois with a campus in Naperville, IL and Plainfield, IL. If you would like to learn more about Grace Pointe Church, please visit www.gracepointe.us. Grace Pointe Naperville: Sunday services at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 amGrace Pointe Plainfield: Sunday services at 9 am and 11 am.Important VersesActs 4:23-31Acts 4:10Acts 4:12Think about it!The sermon mentions that only 14% of pastors are satisfied with their prayer life. What do you think makes prayer feel difficult or boring for many Christians?Peter and John chose to tell the new converts about the persecution they faced rather than hiding it. Why do you think transparency about challenges is important in Christian community?The religious leaders asked 'In whose name did you do this?' rather than 'Did you do this?' What does this tell us about the undeniable evidence of God's power?The pastor said 'boldness requires dependence, not competence.' Can you think of a time when you had to depend completely on God rather than your own abilities?How does the resurrection of Jesus change everything about how we approach opposition and challenges?The early Christians immediately acknowledged God's sovereignty when they prayed. How does remembering who God is change the way we pray?What's the difference between living on the 'open roads' of comfortable Christianity versus the 'winding trails' of radical obedience?The sermon mentions that our prayers really do make a difference in what God does. Do you truly believe this? Why or why not?Apply it!This week, identify one area where you've been living in your own competence rather than depending on God. Take a step of obedience in that area that will require you to depend completely on prayer and God's power. Also, establish or recommit to a regular prayer time, whether daily personal prayer or joining with others for intercession.Key TakeawaysPrayer should be as essential to Christian life as breathing is to physical lifeBoldness in Christian living requires dependence on God, not self-competenceWhen we face opposition or 'red lights' in sharing our faith, our response should be prayerOur prayers genuinely make a difference in what God does in the worldLiving in comfortable routine Christianity makes prayer feel boring, but radical obedience makes prayer feel essential