Extended Hands

WE NEED TO TALK. The subject I want to highlight as a headline in our little chat is: EXTENDED HANDS. The first 37 verses of Acts 4 shall serve as our Target Text.

TEMPLE TACTICS TRIGGERED EXTENDED HANDS!

A Paranormal Performance on the Parameter, A Paralysis in the Parishioners, plus a Prescription by the Paramedics, which resulted in the Capture of Five Thousand Converts Triggered The Extension of Three Sets of Hands.

One Set of Hands Were Extended to ARREST: to Arrest the Progression of the Proclamation of the Paranormal. In response to that, The Second Set of Hands Were Extended to APPEAL: to Appeal Paranoid Protestation. And finally, the Third Set of Hands Were Extended to ACCELERATE: to Accelerate the Progression of Purpose.

One Set of Hands were Extended in PARANOIA: an extension of excessive jealousy and irrational suspiciousness. The Second Set of Hands were Extended in PRAYER: an extension of lavish praise and rational petitions. And the Third Set of Hands were Extended in PLEASURE: an extension of wise counsel and irresistible execution. TEMPLE TACTICS TRIGGERED EXTENDED HANDS!!!

First, PARNOID PRIESTS EXTENDED THEIR HANDS (Acts 4:1-22). Second, PRINCIPLED PEOPLE POWERED BY PURPOSE EXTENDED THEIR HANDS (Acts 4:23-30). And Third, A POWERFUL POTENTATE EXTENDED HIS HANDS (Acts 4:31). Subsequently, THE CHURCH CONTINUED (Acts 4:32-37).

We need to be cognizant of the fact that this Fledging Flock experienced her very first year THE PARALYSIS and THE POWER OF EXTENDED HANDS! They felt the Pain of Paralyzed Hands, which forced the Projection of Raised Hands, by which they found the Powerful Security of the Lord’s Extended Hands.

I. The First Set of hands we see Extended Are those Of PARANOID PRIESTS.

Paranoid Priests Extended Their Hands. We see their hands extended in a HORIZONTAL AND HARASSING POSITION. They extended their hands in a horizontal position toward their fellowmen and violently took in custody Two Paramedics of the Paranormal (verse3). “They laid hands on them, and put them in hold…”

This was strictly a Defensive Reaction on the part of a Paralyzed Institution. And let me say here parenthetically that it is always advantageous to Keep Our Enemies on the Defensive. We have Lethal Weapons at our disposal: Perpetual Praise, Persistent Prayer and Powerful Proclamation are Lethal Weapons that keep our enemies on the defensive! On their part, this was a Defensive Reaction. After all, these Paramedics of the Paranormal were on their turf, addressing their parishioners, and making in-roads into their domain. In their opinion, they were trespassing without a permit. So, they felt a legitimacy in Extending Their Hands!

The board members felt it necessary to convene a special-called business meeting. The agenda was to ascertain whether or not there was a break-down in operational procedures. Perhaps there was a communication gap. Maybe someone on the council had authorized Peter and John to preach in the precincts. And so, after conferring with one another and determining that was not the case, they found they had cause for LEGAL ACTION. May be THE LOGIC OF THE LEGAL would put an end to this unauthorized movement. So we find this Panel of Paranoid Priests Pursuing THE LOGIC OF THE LEGAL. The Logic of the Legal is:

I. First of all, to Discredit by Examining Credentials (verse 7)

II. Second, to Intimidate by Threats: Intent to inflict evil, injury or damage (verses 17-18). And if that doesn’t work, the Logic of the Legal is:

III. Third, to Discredit by Appealing to Criminal Records – A Background Check (verse 13).

But thanks be to God, the Logic of the Legal has no power over the Led of the Lord. No longer are we under the dominion of the commandments of paranoid men. No longer are we subject to the Legalistic Logic of Paraplegic Institutionalism. Thus, Two Freed Preachers responded to the Logic of the Legal thusly in verses 19-20 and 5:29 (read). “We refuse to let you bring us back into bondage. We refuse to Bow to your Biddings!”

Thus, notice the question raised in verse 16 (read). They had used their logic, in that, they arrested them, questioned them, tried to discredit and threaten them, all to no avail. “What else,” they asked, “can we do?”

My friends, in asking that question, they were admitting that THEIR HANDS WERE PARALYZED! Three times is an admission of Paralyzed Power made:

I. Verse 14 – “WE can say nothing.”

II. Verse 16 – “We can deny nothing.”

III. Verse 21 – “WE can find nothing.”

They finally came to the conclusion that all they could do was to Threaten them again and Let Them Go! Paralyzed Power!!!!

Paranoid Priests Extended Their Hands To Arrest only to find out They Had Paralyzed Power!

After Paranoid Priests Extended Their Hands Horizontally and Harassingly, we soon detect the Movement of Some Other Hands.