We must obey God rather than man

Introduction

What do you do when your Government or your leaders ask you to do something that God forbids? Or if they forbid you to do something that God commands?

What if your boss asks you to do something you know is wrong? Do you listen to your boss or do you risk your job in order to be obedient to God?

In our reading we see the Apostles were faced with this kind of problem. Tell account.

We must obey God rather than man. Acts 5:29. Biblical principal.

Relevant to us- Conversion therapy ban- Keir Starmer’s pledge.

WHY, WHO, HOW

WHY we must obey God…

1. God has been gracious to us

The Gospel.

This is always where our motive for obedience should start.

Exodus 20:2 ““I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

Our obedience is predicated upon the fact that God has reconciled us to himself. He has been so good to us, how can we disobey him.

Eph 2:8-10.

Saved by grace. Created in Christ FOR good works.

Polycarp-

Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me any harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved Me?

2. God is more powerful

Matthew 10:27–31 ““Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

God is able to destroy v.27-28

God is able to protect v.29-31

3. God is right in all that he asks

Psalm 18:30 “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

His way is perfect

His word is flawless

Deuteronomy 32:4“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.”

If human demands conflict with God’s you can be sure it is the human demand that is wrong, unrighteous and unjust.

4. God honours obedience

Psalm 128:1 “Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways.”

Blessed because God’s favour is on them. This is by grace not by merit.

Who else has obeyed God…

1. Shadrach, Meshak and Abednego

Daniel 3:16–18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.””

2. The Apostles

Acts 4+5

James the great- beheaded

Philip- crucified

Matthew- Killed with a halberd (Cross between an axe and a spear.)

Matthias - Stoned then beheaded

Andrew- Crucified on X shaped cross

Peter- Crucified upside down

Paul- beheaded

Bartholomew- cruelly beaten then crucified

Thomas- Killed by being stabbed by a spear.

Simon the Zealot- Was crucified (apparently in Britain.)

John- He was exiled to the Isle of Patmos.

3. The Lord Jesus Christ

The greatest example of obedience to God.

He obeyed the Father in coming from heaven to earth. He obeyed in every area of his earthly life. He obeyed by going to the cross.

How can we obey God…

1. Non Christian

Are you obeying men rather than God? Do you refuse to believe in Jesus because you are afraid of how others might respond?

What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?

2. School

Perhaps you are a Christian and at school you are faced with the choice of obeying God rather than people.

Friends who encourage you to do things that are wrong.

3. Workplace

If your boss asks you to fudge the invoices what should you do?

Perhaps your manager has asked you to cut a few corners. What should you do?

4. Government

Some within the government are trying to push for the conversion therapy ban. What do we do?

Conclusion

We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 5:29.

Recap points

Perhaps you have not been doing this. 1 John 1:9.

Start now.

Keep doing it. Do it when it costs. It will be costly sooner or later.