Strength Under Fire; Acts 5:12-42

Introduction

Recap of Acts - Next week Roger Alford - Then a break from Acts

Jesus has shown many proofs that he was alive and taught them using the OT that the messiah had to suffer and die

His followers would receive power to be his witnesses from the Holy Spirit

On the day of pentecost the Holy Spirit comes, Peter proclaims the gospel and thousands come to believe in Jesus as the messiah

Peter and John heal a man who was lame from birth and thousands more come to know christ

this gets the attention of the religious leaders, they arrest Peter and John and command they do not teach in the name of Jesus anymore.

they do not comply, when they are released they continue to pray for boldness to proclaim the gospel even in opposition

The church continued to grow, and taking care of each other

everyone had everything in common

selling things to help those who needed

Though some wanted to put on a show and keep what they had

This week - Strength Under Fire

We will see the church tested once again

they will stand strong and confront

but with the gospel on their lips and confidence from the Holy Spirit in their hearts

Acts 5:12–42 (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.

40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.

41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.

42 Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Pray!

By His authority and calling, we are empowered to live lives devoted to the gospel.

The Strength to Obey

It seems to be human nature that we do not like to obey

there are some… who live by the rules as much as possible

they are called the oldest child

the people of God in the OT were called stiff necked, stubborn people who were always disobedient

we are not any different and if not for the Holy Spirit we would not obey his commands

Acts 5:12–25 (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.”

Retell what has happened

the apostles are arrested… Why

was it the teaching, not necessarily

was it the healings, no

the religious leaders were jealous of the attention

this is why they hated Jesus

his following had grown, people loved the miracles

they would listen to him rather than the religious leaders and they see the same thing happening again

overnight, an angel came and freed them from jail with instruction

not instruction of where to go to stay away from those who arrested them and to reach more people safely

instructed them to go and teach about the life they were now living at the temple

a life of grace and devotion to Jesus

the next morning they went right back to the temple and did the very thing that got them arrested

the leaders who had them arrested, had the entire sanhedrin assembled now

they were ready to prosecute this group, they had already been warned once not to do this

but when they went to the jail, they found out they were not there

it had been locked still, as it was when they were put in, but the men were gone

they did not have to look hard for them, as they were right where they were told not to be, doing what they were told not to do by these religious leaders

this is insanity if you are not following the direction of the Lord

we like to say, I feel the lord leading me or us to do…

we like to say it because it is hard to argue

but if we are going to do something that puts us or others in danger, you better make sure that you are supposed to do that

they had an angel come and free them and give them instruction

that would make it pretty clear

Know what you are called to do

we want something as clear as an angel telling us what that is…

we have the instruction of God’s word!

They were to teach about this life… what is a a gospel life

living in his grace

this is not something to be taken advantage of

as in we believe we can do whatever we want because we will just be forgiven

Paul talks about this in Romans… Romans 6:1–2

Romans 6:1–2 (CSB)

1 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?

2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

we live in repentance, receiving his grace

repentance of the sin we continue to commit

speaking in his grace

reminding ourselves of it

I continually need reminding that God loves me and offers me grace

God knows I am going to fall short, God knows I am going to mess this up

yet he continually offers me grace and I have to remind myself of that or I can live with a defeated attitude

our family of it

can you imagine the closeness our families would be with Jesus if we continued to talk about grace

I am not talking about a let them get away with everything because there is grace

I am talking about constantly telling them about how much Jesus loves them

nonbelievers of it

that there is no sin that too great for the cross

we must believe it for ourselves and offer it to others

Be obedient to the calling

His Spirit gives us strength

I am the most tired when I do things on my own

When I begin to get really tired I can look back and see that there was a time that I began to try and do everything myself

I normally do not know that I am exhausted, but Heather will let me know… You’re tired and you need to stop

I want to control the method and outcome

when I do not trust him, rest in him and think that it is my job to accomplish my righteousness

when I do not trust him to bring judgment on the wicked and think that I need to condemn them as well

There will be opposition to living out his calling

people will stand in the way

the gospel is a stumbling block for those who do not believe

Satan will use every tool that he can

in this text alone,

people stayed away out of fear of the Lord

as they were teaching there were people that stayed away

religious elite had them arrested

they threw them in jail overnight as a power move to intimidate

those the were arrested

those who were listening

those in power will always attempt to make an example of those they wish to silence in attempt to prevent others from joining in

religious elite had them beaten

even at the end, when one of there own said leave them alone and this may die out, they had them flogged

flogging - they would beat them with a whip or rod 40 lashes was the limit according to OT law

out of fear of violating the law they would do 40-1 incase they miscounted

I am afraid he does not have to use such weapons against us

today, just the threat of some of these things will stop us

Do not focus on the what ifs

We look at the possibilities of what could happen

we allow them to detour us and our calling

Satan knows your fears and will always put them before you

but he also knows the power of God and that He cannot defeat him

he knows if we stand in the strength of the Lord, there is nothing Satan can do to defeat the gospel

that is where our true strength to stand comes from

The Strength to Stand

We need to learn what it means to stand

Too much t-shirt theology or meme theology

where we have one liners that sound good, might get a lot of amens when preached

but mean nothing in your walk with the Lord, or bringing people to Jesus in the long run

I am not religious, I am a Christian, or I am not a Christian I am a follower of Jesus

we must be ready with the gospel

ready to give it

ready to make a defense for it by knowing what we believe

Acts 5:26–33 (CSB)

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.

This is a very tense conversation

the elites are demanding that they stop, because they are making them appear guilty of the blood of Jesus

the truth is, they are, Jesus said so himself when he told Pilate that those who handed him over would have the greater sin

they cried out crucify him

but they did not want to believe they were guilty… remember they claimed that he was a blasphemer

his blood would be on his own head

they did not back down, instead pointed the finger at them once again and stated plainly, ‘You murdered by hanging on a tree…”

murdered - seize and kill

but then grace is offered once more to the group in v31

When we stand in the Lord, in His spirit, it gives us the strength to do things we never thought that we would be able to do

I do not imagine Peter, sitting in his boat fishing, after he denied Jesus three times every thought that he would be standing there that day

in the strength of God, proclaiming that forgiveness is available

even to those who murdered his lord

we cannot do this in our own strength, without the power of God

on his own, Peter would be there with a sword ready to kill them all

on our own, we are ready to get into a battle with so many in society that want to do away with us, and the christian way of life

we are ready to pronounce them guilty and condemn them

instead we are called to love and share with them the forgiveness of Christ

our stance will not be received well

even when we are offering grace

understand what that means… to offer grace

it means that we also are proclaiming that they are sinful

Peter did that as well, but he was ready with the offer of forgiveness knowing he had been forgiven

people will not always receive the message well

Satan hates this message because it has defeated him

Satan thought he won battle because he killed the messiah

Israel’s leaders, God’s chosen people, handed Jesus over to the Romans and demanded that he be crucified

the world will hate this message and will always attempt to stop it

The Strength to Endure

There is only one way to build endurance

the must push the limits and continue to stress it

this is not a fun process

in sports you run and run to to prepare your body for the games

in the christian life, it is the trials we face

they build the endurance

not because we grow in our faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit according to James 1:2-4.

Acts 5:34–42 (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.

40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.

41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.

42 Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Cooler heads prevail…

I cannot imagine how furious the religious leaders were at hearing Peter call them murderers again

before they can call our that these men are to be crucified, Gamaliel stands and has the apostles removed from them

has them remember the movements of the past and how they went away

if this is from God, then you will not stop this

so they call them back in, have them flogged, command that they stop and send them away

the apostles rejoice

Not that they were released… not that they were beaten…

Even the enemy knows he cannot stop the Lord

Gamaliel stands and tells them if this is from God they will not stop them

I enjoyed noticing the language he used

if this is from men, it (the movement) will die on its own

if this is from God, you cannot stop them (apostles who are doing God’s work)

you will even be fighting against God

We know that God has given us a command to make disciples and proclaim the gospel

nothing can stop us except ourselves

Rejoicing to be called His

Joy does not come in the safety of the work but the worthiness to be called his

this requires an eternal perspective

we are his disciples and will be with him for eternity

that one of the desires, the other should be to take as many as we can with us

Endurance is for a lifetime

Everyday they were in the temple, various homes

this calling, mission was not a temporary event

this is a life they now live

this is a life we are to live

Exalting Jesus in Acts Reflect and Discuss

Reflect and Discuss

1. What does it mean to come to Jesus as one “poor in spirit”?

2. How are you currently ministering to those in need?

3. What can we learn about gospel ministry from the apostles here in Acts 5?

4. Why should we expect opposition when we do faithful gospel ministry?

5. How do some people try to intimidate Christians today?

6. What does this passage teach about civil disobedience?

7. What does this text teach about being ready to present the gospel at all times?

8. Why does the act of doing gospel ministry bring joy?

9. What does this passage teach about God’s sovereignty over persecution?

10. Take a moment to pray for the persecuted church around the world.