Kingdoms Collide Part 7: Conflict Arises

3/19/2023

INTRO

Societal Shift to ignore good vs. evil and to embrace a better vs. worse mentality

Our culture ignores evil and redefines what is good, therefore we are constantly being called to rethink our moral perspectives.

Our society is where it is and the Church is in the shape its in because we have embraced better vs. worse instead of good vs. evil mentality.

When we finally stand for what is good and reject evil we will clearly defined what is right and what is wrong…and conflict will arise.

How we respond to that conflict will show if we are true to our convictions and fear God or if we will fear and be silenced by people and culture.

Acts 4:1–22 ESV

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

1) Culture is in Conflict with Jesus (v. 1-4)

A dark and dying world will always be “greatly annoyed” with people who teach and proclaim Jesus publicly.

John 3:19-20 “19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.”

John 15:18-20 “18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

In our society, you have a right to believe in Jesus and you have a right to proclaim and share Jesus publicly, but the world will be annoyed by it.

For far too long Christians have been convinced that they are restricted in how and where they can share their faith in culture, but these are worldly ideas that come from a better vs. worse mentality. When we start thinking in terms of good vs. evil…it is evil to silence the gospel of Jesus in any arena.

There are many who will say that the disciples were doing the wrong thing and sending the wrong message when they got arrested for putting Jesus on display, but who cares what people think… did you notice that from that occurence, where the disciples were arrested, that many heard the word and believed and that around 2,000 people came to faith in Jesus! (3,000 when Peter preached previously and the number came to about 5,000)

Being arrested for preaching Jesus and proclaiming the Gospel may be worse…but it’s not evil! It would have been evil to let the pressures of the arbiters of cultural acceptance silence the name of Jesus.

2) Jesus is Our Only Hope (v. 5-13)

The Disciples proclaimed Jesus, even before the authorities who crucified Jesus!

There were the men responsible for the kangaroo court and for inciting the crowd to seek freedom for Barrabas to see through the crucifixion of Jesus.

The disciples declared that there is no salvation outside of Jesus.

Jesus had been accused of blasphemy for declaring that sins were forgiven (Mark 2:5-6).

It was recognized that they were bold regular folks who had been with Jesus.

We need more bold regular fold who walk with Jesus to stand up and proclaim that Jesus is our only hope!

We need to boldly speak of Jesus, proclaim salvation in Jesus alone, and be a people who walk with Jesus and let our lives and our words put Him on display.

If we are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, then we need to let our lights shine by how we live and how we speak!

It is the only hope this world has. Jesus is our only hope!

3) Proclaim Jesus No Matter What (v. 14-22)

The authorities had nothing to say in opposition…only threats...

Strange how they crucified Jesus for blasphemy, but didn’t accuse the disciples of the same...

They demanded that Jesus’ followers keep Jesus to themselves and keep their message away from the public.

Disciples response.... “Yeah....we can’t do that. We have to do what is right by God, not man.”

The authorities gave them greater threats and then released them....but that wasn’t end of it. Worse persecution would come, but greater good and righteousness would result, including the spread of the Gospel globally!

God will use your life in profound ways if you will keep your eyes on what is good and right and reject what is evil and wrong…no matter if it is better or worse for your situation.

We do not hold situational allegiance to Jesus…we are called to complete abandonment of self to the point that we take up our cross daily and follow Him…no matter what!

CALL TO RESPOND

Will you devote yourself to proclaiming hope in no one else but Jesus no matter what?

Will you seek to have Holy Spirit help you maintain a good vs. evil perspective and abandon a better vs. worse mentality?

Will you resolve to fear God more than fearing man?