A Porch, A Prision, & A People

Learning to stand in the Spirit for the sake of the gospel

introduction

The disciples in the first church were hitting on all cylinders. They were experiencing some amazing unity through one heart, one soul, and one Spirit. They had not become generous toward the mission of Christ but fully invested selling lands and possessions to take care of one another.

God was pouring out his great power and great grace on the people and many people were believing in Jesus.

Acts 4:33 (ESV)

33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

At the beginning of Chapter 5 we see the war come in Satan vs. the Holy Spirit. Both trying to fill the hearts of the believers. Ananias and Sapphira were motivated to lie to the Church.

Acts 5:3 ESV

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?

God was so determined to keep the unity and power flowing in the church that both Ananias and Sapphira died that day causing great fear to fall on all the disciples.

Acts 5:11 ESV

11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

What would happen if we would have a health dose of fear this morning and got serious about our sharing the gospel with our community.

Unity gives us the power to stand again spiritual darkness and share the light of the gospel of Christ.

The battle is real. The forces of darkness are destroying the lives of people every day. but we are told to stand in the power of God’s truth and in the power of His Spirit.

If we are going to see the transforming power of the gospel, we must learn to stand in the Power of the Spirit.

This morning, we will look at 3 ways to both stand in the power of the Spirit and against the forces of darkness.

Stand in the Power of the Gospel

Stand against the Prejudice of the Gospel

Stand amidst Persecution for the Gospel

Stand in the Power of the Gospel (Acts 5:12-16)

The gospel was public on Solomon’s Porch.

Acts 5:12–13 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.

The gospel is salvation to the community.

Acts 5:14 ESV

14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

The gospel brings hope and healing.

Acts 5:15–16 ESV

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.

The word of the gospel was spreading because of the healing of the people.

Physical healing of sickness.

Emotional healing of unclean spirits

Spiritual healing in Christ.

Stand against the Prejudice of the Gospel (Acts 5:17-33)

They were filled with Jealousy

Acts 5:17 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

The people weren’t coming to the them for healing

They did have the power to heal.

This is a lesson the disciples had already learned.

Luke 9:49–50 ESV

49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

A kingdom minded person does care who God uses to heal, only that the Kingdom has come.

Jealousy is one of the biggest hindrances to the gospel today. We are more worried about the credit than we are the healing.

James 3:14–15 ESV

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

The enemy wants to hide the gospel.

They had no consideration for those being healed.

The enemy has no power when the Spirit is on the move.

Acts 5:18–21 ESV

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.

They were perplexed.

In the morning they were nowhere to be found.

They couldn’t stop the Gospel from being preached.

Acts 5:24 ESV

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.

You can always tell the spiritual temperature of an area when a new church is being planted. If the gospel is dead the existing churches don’t want another church because they are afraid you will take their current members. If the gospel is alive the churches will take all the help they can get to share the good news of Jesus.

They were afraid.

Acts 5;25-26

Acts 5:25–26 ESV

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.

They lived in fear of the reaction of the people.

The Apostles lived in fear of God.

Acts 5:29 ESV

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

They were afraid of the truth.

Acts 5:30–32 ESV

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.”

They were enraged.

Acts 5:33 ESV

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.

The voice of reason

Acts 5:34 ESV

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.

Stand amidst Persecution for the Gospel (Acts 5:34-42)

Persecution is a promise from Jesus.

John 15:20 ESV

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. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

The persecution is against God.

Acts 5:38–39 ESV

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,

Persecution is a badge of honor.

Acts 5:40–41 ESV

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.

R-Group Questions:

Have you ever been persecuted for the name of Christ?

What is your “line of persecution”? How far are you willing to go for the cause of Christ?

How are you making the gospel an open source of healing for those around you?