Undaunted Obedience

Introduction

When you are told to stop talking about Jesus what do you do? What should you do?

In our country we have our right to free speech in America, but what exactly is free speech? Is it freedom to use foul language in front of minors? Is it freedom to say what I want whether others find my language offensive? Is it freedom to express my beliefs and disagreements with government, religion, politics? What does the first amendment state?

Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of 1) a religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or 2) the abridging of freedom of speech, or 3) of the press, or 4) the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and 5) to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

“When America became an independent nation, the first state constitutions similarly protected the rights of religious conscience, such as that of North Carolina:

That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God, according to the dictates of their own conscience.” https://wallbuilders.com/resource/celebrating-first-amendment-rights/

In early American History and the minds of our the signers of our constitution religious freedom and freedom of conscience were synonymous. John Story in his commentary on the Constitution written in 1833 wrote.

§988. Probably at the time of the adoption of the constitution, and of the amendment to it, now under consideration, the general, if not the universal, sentiment in America was, that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state, so far as it is not incompatible with the private rights of conscience, and the freedom of religious worship. An attempt to level all religions, and to make it a matter of state policy to hold all in utter indifference, would have created universal disapprobation, if not universal indignation.

...

§ 991. The real object of the amendment was, not to countenance, much less to advance Mahometanism, or Judaism, or infidelity, by prostrating Christianity; but to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects, and to prevent any national ecclesiastical establishment, which should give to an hierarchy the exclusive patronage of the national government. It thus sought to cut off the means of religious persecution, (the vice and pest of former ages,) and the power of subverting the rights of conscience in matters of religion, which had been trampled upon almost from the days of the Apostles to the present age.

However, as a society moves away from God and authority of the Scriptures their religious and civil rights are removed. While America has enjoyed great religious liberty in the previous two centuries these liberties are being challenged today in courts all over America.

The question for us is not whether we will be able to maintain our constitutional rights, but rather if we will be obedient when governing authorities completely take away our rights to freely express our religious beliefs. Will we continue to have undaunted obedience.

The apostles are facing their second encounter with the Jewish leadership. Their first encounter they strictly forbade Peter and John to teach in the name of Jesus, so that legal precedent to persecute was justified in their mind.

When the apostles ignored their ungodly law and boldly told the leadership that they had an obligation to obey God more than men, the persecution began to intensify. As a screw slow tight on an apple cider press, so the leadership of Israel sought to pressure the apostles to quit telling people about Jesus.

Acts 5:17–32 KJV 1900

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. 25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

D. Christians are to Obey God First.

P. As Christians what ought to matter most to us is our obedience to God.

T. The apostles knew they were called to be witnesses by Jesus Christ. He had told them, Ye shall be witnesses unto me (Acts 1:8). They were committed to the calling. What about you? How committed are you.

Would threats of ungodly leaders who hate Jesus stop you from publicly speaking of Jesus?

Would being thrown into jail deter your commitment to witness?

Would an unexpected deliverance from ungodly leaders be your excuse to flee?

Would ungodly leaders putting you on trial cause you to compromise?

UNDAUNTED OBEDIENCE is undeterred by ungodly laws, unjust imprisonment, unexpected opportunity to escape, or unnerving trials pressuring you to compromise.

1. Undaunted Obedience is undeterred by ungodly laws.

Jealous Religious Leaders Stop the Apostles Witness.

Ungodly leaders hate those who preach salvation in Jesus.

Acts 5:17–18 “17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.”

Explain

“The high priest rose up and all they that were with him..”

Why: This is the battle of government versus the church starting to intensify.

The leaders of the church were popular with the common people.

Signs & Wonders

Perhaps they had been healed by an apostle

Or a friend or family member had.

Gospel witness

These miracles substantiate the message.

The forgiveness offered in Christ was both prophesied and fulfilled in Christ. It is good news for Israel.

The leaders of the church were Powerful through signs and miracles.

Is this powerful deception? No? Remember who is lying about the resurrection. This group is privy to bribery and coverup of Christ’s resurrection.

Why didn’t the religious establishment have this power? Last week remember we learned God was confirming his message and messengers as he did at the beginning of previous periods of biblical history. God was moving his hand to the church and off Israel for a time until all those from non-Jewish nations who believe have done so. (Luke 21:24; Romans 11:25)

Luke 21:24 “24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

Romans 11:25 “25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

The leaders of the church were Preaching and teaching against their commandment.

This is a gut punch to their authority as the leaders of Israel.

You know men how it is when someone disrespects you. If you are not under the control of the Holy Spirit, you might be tempted to flex your legal prerogatives or take things in your own hands and beat up the dude who disrespected you. Why, do you think duals were popular in revolutionary and into the 1800’s in America. It was often about a slight against character. They wanted respect. The apostles were committed followers of Christ, even if it meant they had to disobey their government.

The High priest and those that were with him especially cringed at the apostles witness because they taught the resurrection from the dead. It was like nails on a chalkboard. They were religious liberals who without biblical grounds denied the resurrection of the dead. Sadduccees denied the resurrection. But Jesus stated, John 11:25–26 “25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

They dealt with the apostles disobedience with indignation.

The word is used elsewhere in the context of jealously and zeal. It is essentially getting very angry because someone dared to disobey your authority. These leaders are now on the attack to humiliate and hurt those who dare defy their authority.

Public humiliation in the common prison.

The leaders were trying to put a big ugly blot on the public record of the apostles and give them a bad public image.

We don’t have any record of the apostles getting angered or plotting revenge.

They simply went back to doing what God had commanded them to do.

Persecution of the leaders to discourage the church’s witness.

When the devil wants to stop a work he goes for the head man. He wants to get the man to disobey.

What

Persistent rejection of Christ.

Persistent rejection of the evidence of God’s acceptance.

Argue

Does that mean that I can preach Christ on the job and they can’t tell me to stop?

When you are on the clock you work for your employer and give them a 100%. Your work ethic and quality of work should always be to the best of your abilities. You work for your employer’s success over just working for a paycheck.

Then when you are off the clock or if you are questioned by a worker about your hard work you can use that as an opportunity to point your coworker to Christ.

Legally when you are off the clock and not being paid by your employer they can’t say you can’t speak of your faith in conversation.

We must be sensitive to what God would have us to do.

Illustrate

I new of a young man who work a job at a retailer and he was sharing his faith on the job, but while on the clock with customers and coworkers. He thought he was being persecuted for his faith when they fired him. My friend, the young man ought to have applied himself with a good attitude and done the best job he could so that his salty testimony would have created a thirst to understand why he worked the way he did. This would then have given opportunity to share Christ. He could have also brought his Bible to read on break time.

So, my understanding is that we serve Christ when we are on the job and off the clock. We ought to always conduct ourselves as a Christian. Colossians 3:23–24 “23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Apply

Would ungodly laws that forbade you to speak of your faith on public property, distribute Gospel tracts, or teach others about Christ publicly or privately change your life.

Our faith in Christ ought to effect to infiltrate every are of our life regardless of the laws of men. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 “6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

As Christians we are responsible to obey the laws of the land for the Lord’s sake.1 Peter 2:13–15 “13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:”

There is no mention of the apostles having bash fests of their national leaders. They pointed out the sin of their leaders in crucifying Christ. They did this so that their leaders might have the opportunity to repent of their sin and receive the forgiveness of sins offered in Christ.

When there is a law that expressly commands us to disobey God’s commandment to witness. We must respectfully disobey that law like the apostles.

We must be focused not on bad-mouthing our government, but doing good to all around us, so that our Heavenly Father is exalted in what we do.

2. Undaunted obedience is undeterred by unjust imprisonment.

Jailed Church leaders are miraculously Set free to teach.

Ungodly lawfare is sometimes supernaturally stymied.

Acts 5:19–21a “19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught...”

Explain

Set free from Prison

An angel opens the door.

We don’t have the name of the angel. It isn’t Jesus.

But the angel safely escorts all 12 apostles safely out of the jail past the guards.

The guards somehow are either sleeping or unable to see the escaping apostles.

Sent to stand and Speak the Gospel in the temple again.

Once out he tells them to speak all the words of this life. He is telling them to preach and teach.

They teach what Jesus who is the Life taught them. Acts 3:26 “26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”

You see Jesus came into this world because were without hope. As sinners before a Holy God who have broken his Law we are condemned to eternal damnation in a place called the Lake of Fire. However, because the second person of the Trinity, God the Son, became a man my fate can be changed. Christ lived a sinless life, died on the cross shedding his blood for the forgiveness of my sins. Now, anybody who recognizes Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, will be forgiven and given eternal life. John 3:16 “16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

This was not a dramatic new command. They were talking about Jesus every day. Acts 2:46 “46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”

They obeyed when they heard the command. They entered early in the morning into the temple.

Argue

Why are you telling me to go and speak back in the temple? They have threatened us and jailed us. These men have killed Jesus, what is going to hold them back from doing any less to us. John 15:18 “18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”

Why don’t we get a good night’s rest and have a lazy morning and we will get back in the temple about noon?

God wanted his apostles to be sharing Christ. He wanted the religious leaders to find them back doing what they had put them in prison for. God was rebuking Israel’s leaders for their jailing of the apostles. Unfortunately they refused to see the warning and persisted in their stubborn way. Matthew 13:15 “15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

Illustrate

John Bunyan was imprisoned for refusing to give up preaching. His ministry coincided with the Stuart Restoration of 1660, and unauthorized preaching was a punishable offense. He was arrested in 1660 for holding a conventicle, an illegal religious meeting, and sentenced to imprisonment in Bedford jail. The Conventicle Act of 1593, which made it an offense to attend a religious gathering other than at the parish church, led to his arrest.  “Sir, as to this matter, I am at a point with you;[1] for if I am out of prison today, I will preach the gospel again tomorrow – by the help of God!“

Apply

Do right even if it costs you freedom. Galatians 2:20 “20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Crucifixion is restrictive to your freedom.

Crucifixion to Christ means dying to yourself and your fleshly desires to be wholly consecrated and surrendered to obey God’s Word.

In our great nation we have the right to petition for our grievances. And we ought to use this right as we can.

Do you talk of Jesus to someone every day? Are you speaking of him early in the morning. When morning guilds the skies is your hearts awaking cry to praise Jesus Christ.

The apostles were faithfully teaching their sons and daughters in the faith the Word of God.

Parents are you faithfully teaching your children the Word of God.

Church members the apostles were teaching, but the people had to come to be taught. Nobody is going to force you to be in church. If you are physically able, decide you will be faithful to follow God’s plan and be in church to hear the preaching of God’s Word.

Christian are you bubbling over with the good news that Jesus saved you from sin?

The Jews had created legal precedent so the apostles jailing looked like the bad guys in reality. Are you willing to thought of as evil for the sake of Jesus as you selflessly pour out yourself.

Husbands and Dad’s are you willing to stand up for Jesus Christ and lead your family to do right even if you had to from behind prison bars.

Single men are you willing to serve God early, or have you spent yourself on timewasting activities?

Mom’s are you willing to be evil spoken of if you train your kids at home, or speak of Christ on the job.

Christian, are you daily offering yourself to God as you give yourself in service to others even if nobody notices or thanks you.

T. Undaunted obedience is not just undeterred by jail time, but will not take opportunity to escape when it is clearly against God’s will.

3. Undaunted obedience is undeterred by unexpected opportunity to escape their persecutors.

Jittery/Jingoistic Lawmen Stop the freed church leaders again.

Ungodly law-enforcement are driven by the fear of man.

Acts 5:21–26 “21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. 25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.”

Explain

A Preposterous Escape

The men have been angelically freed by the angel of the Lord. God used this to undoubtedly prove to the common people that these men are God’s men. While you saw them publicly humiliated by being put in jail for preaching Christ, here they are in the temple the next morning teaching the Gospel again. God must be pleased with them.

What a powerful rebuke to Israel’s religious leaders and powerful commendation by God for the apostles witness.

Perplexed Execs

Now the trial is about to begin. The religious leaders are regally making there way through the temple to one of the side chambers on the North side of the temple courtyard to put the apostles on trial.

The council is all present and the officers are sent to get their prisoners and there is no prisoners to be put on trial. They are GONE! It appears they have disappeared into thin air. The doors are locked and the guards standing without, but no one is in the jail. The high priest and captain are very perplexed at the news. Oh boy what are the people going to think. They are going to see us as the bad guys and the apostles as the men of God.

Suddenly someone comes running in to the council. You won’t believe it! The men who you put in prison yesterday are back tea

A Prudent Escort

They immediately went to go arrest the apostles, but not with violence. They feared man more than they did God. (Prov. 29:25) This seems to entail they usually were very rough with their prisoners.

The apostles do not resist arrest. Albeit they would have been able to cause a public outcry about their arrest and loudly point out God’s deliverance and that these wicked leaders were fighting against God. However, they didn’t. They quietly go with the officers to the council.

Argue

They could have possibly thwarted their arrest again by.

being disobedient to the angel and not going to the temple. But they knew God wanted them to witness even in face of imprisonment and the taking of their freedoms.

by causing a public uproar among the people about their arrest again and God’s deliverance of them from a locked prison last night.

They desired their leaders to accept Jesus as their Savior as they had.

They wanted to behave themselves wisely so that they could share the gospel with their leaders.

Illustrate:

Philippians 1:28–29 “28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”

Are you willing to suffer loss for Christ?

Apply

Always deal with authority honestly and respectfully. Romans 13:1–3 “1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:” Titus 3:2 “2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

Never disobey God to get yourself out of a pickle. Psalm 106:3 “3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, And he that doeth righteousness at all times.”

4. Undaunted obedience is undeterred by unnerving legal pressure to compromise.

Justified Leaders Share Christ once again.

Acts 5:27–32 “27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

Explain

Frustrated Government

Didn’t we straitly command you not to speak in this name.

Now we are looking like fools because they got out of our jail too.

The accusation:

The High priest doesn’t even have the decency to say the name Jesus, but disrespectfully refers to Jesus as “this man”. Disobedience to our command to stop witnessing about Jesus.

Acts 1:8 “8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching about Jesus’.

Matthew 28:20 “20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

You are telling the people that we, the leaders, are guilty of this man’s blood.

Matthew 27:20 “20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.”

Matthew 27:25 “25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”

These wicked men are now trying to remove themselves for their responsibility in the death of Jesus.

Fearless Commitment

Acts 5:29 “29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

We have a holy ought to obey God over your commands.

This is an assertion that Jesus is God. Because Jesus is the one who commanded them to witness.

God says it, I believe it.

Faithful Witness

Spirit - bore witness through the miracles and conviction of sin in people’s hearts.

We don’t have this today through miracles like the apostles, but the reality of a changed life from sinful to holy. This happens as we allow God to change us.

Disciples - preaching the Gospel which has the power to save and living a life full of good works.

They didn’t say, I am so sorry you have been accused of killing Jesus. Instead. Acts 5:30 “30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.”

They preached you can be forgiven anyways. Acts 5:31 “31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

They recommited themselves to the task of witnessing. Acts 5:32 “32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.”

Apply

Would people accuse our church of filling Garfield Township with teaching about Jesus.

Fill America Campaign starting in the end of June. It is a commitment to pass out tracts and fill our area with Jesus.

Speak of Jesus to all around you. Don’t be ashamed to mention his name. If people have the audacity to blaspheme Christ Jesus as a cuss word. We ought to have double the boldness to speak of Jesus unapologetically to others and condemn the sin and love the sinner. Romans 1:16 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Do you have the guts to tell people to their face their sin and name it and then tell them their is hope in Jesus Christ.

Do so boldly and respectfully like the apostles.

1 Peter 3:15 “15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

You can only have salvation as you acknowledge your part in the death of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:7 “7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Conclusion

While America was founded as a Christian nation we have seen our liberties erroding as we move away from upholding religious liberty. The Gospel will be increasingly opposed. We cannot be deterred by those who seek to stop it, because our Saviour Jesus Christ commands us straitly to go. Will you go?

Have you trusted Christ?