How to Do Things That Will Last - (Acts 5:12-39) P11

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Introductory information

The Jewish leaders were the established authority over religious, social, and civil matters

They enjoyed prominence, influence, wealth, and a lot of power over the people

The movement they had tried to stamp out by having Jesus executed, had actually grown much larger

This new Church movement was popular with the people and was drawing influence away from the Jewish leaders, threatening not just their position, but their wealth

The Jewish leaders could feel their power slipping away

READ

Question to consider as we read:

How can we do things that will last?

Acts 5:12–39 CSB

12 Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them. 14 Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—multitudes of both men and women. 15 As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. 17 Then the high priest rose up. He and all who were with him, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 So they arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple, and tell the people all about this life.” 21 Hearing this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full council of the Israelites—and sent orders to the jail to have them brought. 22 But when the servants got there, they did not find them in the jail; so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 As the captain of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, wondering what would come of this. 25 Someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the commander went with the servants and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them. 27 After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, 28 “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted this man to his right hand as ruler and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of 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 named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while. 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re about to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him.

EXAMINE

What are some key points in this passage?

#1 | The Jewish leaders arrest the apostles out of jealousy

Acts 5:17–18 CSB

17 Then the high priest rose up. He and all who were with him, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 So they arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

The power and influence of the Gospel was growing quickly

The apostles were able to do things the Jewish leaders could not do (healing, deliverance, etc.)

The Jewish leaders were losing popularity and power

They couldn’t do anything like this - they were being exposed as leaders that were ineffective

#2 | God’s humiliates the power of the Jewish leaders

Acts 5:22–25 CSB

22 But when the servants got there, they did not find them in the jail; so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 As the captain of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, wondering what would come of this. 25 Someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”

God sends an angel who easily overrides the Jewish leaders authority to arrest and punish

The guards don’t even know they are gone, and neither do the Jewish leaders - this is deeply embarrassing

Within hours the apostles are out preaching like nothing has even happened

#3 | The leaders try to silence the apostles again

Acts 5:27–28 CSB

27 After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, 28 “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

The Jewish leaders don’t want the blame for Jesus’ death

This shows the influence that the POWER of the gospel was having on public opinion

The demonstrated power of the gospel made the Jewish leaders want to rewrite the history of their own actions, because of the P.R. problems it was causing them

#4 | A respected teacher recommends leaving it to God

Acts 5:34–39 CSB

34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while. 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re about to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him.

Gamaliel reminds the other leaders of God’s authority

He points out that if something isn’t from God, it doesn’t last - and if it is from God it can’t be stopped

He reminds them of the dangers of being wrong - they could be opposing God Himself

God is Sovereign (He can do what he wants and no one can stop Him)

Therefore, something only has lasting impact and eternal value if God is in it

Psalms 33:11 “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart from generation to generation.”

Isaiah 46:10 “I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will.”

1 Peter 1:24-25 “For All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like a flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.”

APPLY

[Pose the following questions for group discussion, offering the suggested answers below only if the group has nothing to say or drifts too far off topic]

What are the “big ideas” you see in this passage?

Suggested “big ideas”

We must have confidence and patience in God to judge situations (1 Samuel 24:15)

Especially when the matter is complicated or beyond our power

If we want to do something truly meaningful and lasting, we need to pursue the work He has given us - not chasing our own ambitions

How do these ideas apply in your life? and what are some Next Steps?

Suggested applications

I need to hold back judgement or anxiety for how things will work out - learning to trust God and His sovereignty in the situation

I need to spend time each day, slowing down to listen for God’s leading

REFLECT

Prayer Point

Ask the Lord to lead us in doing work that will last and build His Kingdom

Devotional Question

Are you spending your time on things that have lasting value? What changes might God be leading you to make in the use of your time?