Obedience

Obedience

Last week

Contrast of disobedience and obedience

The fear of obeying God

Acts 5:12-17 (ESV)

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

First we should not skip passed the fact that people did not want to join the church because of their fear of obedience .. they held them in high esteem

There was a great respect but there was also a fear of what if I disobey..

Job..getting fired..

Marriage.. failing

Parenting.. failing

For some we might not want to give up the things of this world.

John 3:20 (ESV)

20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

Alice Cooper video

The power of an obedient shadow

Acts 5:15-16

15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

shadow

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (ESV) For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

God’s miracles are just that His miracles..he chooses to use us for them

It was the faith in God that healed not Peter..

Jealousy disguised as Justice

Acts 5:17-18 (ESV)

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

This time they arrested all the apostles not Just Peter and John and actually charged for disobeying their previous orders..

Putting ourselves first causes us to be jealous

Make. An idol of ourselves

1 Corinthians 10:7 (ESV)

7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”

Jealousy causes our disobedience.

We must be careful to not allow our jealousy to call for our Justice. God said that vengeance is mine. Yes we re called to fight for justice but it should always be a justice from God’s word.. a justice of grace truth and love

Obedience over Fear

Acts 5:19-21 (ESV)

19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Go

Matthew 28:19 (ESV)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Engage.. word work equip.. emulate and elevate..

Stand up

1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV)

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Words of Truth (this life, Jesus)

Life = zoa in the Greek, God’s own presence and life

Galatians 2:19-20 (ESV)

19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Obedience gains respect

Acts 5:22-26 (ESV)

22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

We have been blessed to live in amercia.. over time Christians have been some of the most persecuted people on earth.

The current rate is 159,000 martyrs per year

In the century in which most of us have lived Christians have been killed and are still being killed

between 1905 and 1918, a genocide which the Turkish government still denies when some two million ethnic Armenian Christians where killed for their beliefs.

In ugaunda between 1971-19709 over 300,000 christians where killed for their beliefs.

In 2014 1131 christians where killed by a group known as Isis in the middle east also 125 Christian churches where destroyed.

1999 here on American soil at Columbiine high school two boys targeted Christians and asked if they believe in God and if those young people said yes they where shot.

1 John 5:3 (ESV)

3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

They had everything in cmmon.. what if the church started to divide itself over issues../

Obedience to God’s holiness

Acts 5:27-32 (ESV)

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The Bible commands us as Christians to be subject to governing authorities Rom. 13:1 even when these authorities are evil people.

1 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV)

13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

But if the governing authorities command us to do something that would be disobedient to God, then we must obey God, even if it results in our being punished. Christians disagree over civil disobedience on the matter of abortion. While it is evil for our government to permit abortion, and we should pray and work to see these laws overturned, the government is not forcing us to abort our children which does happen in other countries. If it came to that, we then should disobey the government. If the government said that we could not meet as Christians or teach what the Bible says about moral issues, we must disobey the government.

so obedient Christians will fear the Lord’s holiness. They will know His power through the Holy Spirit. They will obey Him above all other authorities.

We have to obey Gods word rather than men ..we have God on our side!

Just be sure it is conviction of the word and not your opinion of the word.

Reverence to God’s holiness leads to trust

What limits have you put on God?

Colossians 1:11-12 (ESV)

11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Obedience leads to suffering

Acts 5:33-40

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Gamaliel we know from Acts 22:3 was who taught Paul about Scripture

Theudas (35–36): Theudas pretended to be great, and 400 people followed him. After he was killed, his followers scattered.

Judas of Galilee (37): Remember in Lk.2 when the census was taken, you had to register in your birth city, & Joseph & Mary went to Bethlehem? Well, this is when this Judas of Galilee led a revolt against this registration & taxation. He was killed, and his followers also scattered (yet developed into the Zealot party which became a major provocation leading to the destruction of Jerusalem).

There is not obedience in compromise. If Gods word says it we should follow it.

Obedience leads to suffering which leads to rejoicing

Acts 5:41-42 (ESV)

41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Obedience requires Coourage, principle and purpoose

Obedience costs you everything..

Acts 5:12-42 (ESV)

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.