Authentic Faith in a Tempting World

INTRO:

We been looking at ….. “The Book of Acts: Mission Possible”

Last week we wrapped up the first section of Acts (1:1 - 4:4)

It was broken up into 3 sub-sections:

Chapter 1 (We would title this section “The Fulfillment” section (What was told by God)

Chapter 2 (We would call this section “The Being Filled” section (What was done by God)

Chapter 3 - Chapter 4:4 (We would call this section “The Freedom” section (The reaction to the Power of God)

Last week we finished up this section by looking at The Lame Beggar and WHY HE DIDN’T ASK TO BE HEALED.

This week we are moving into the Second Section of the Book of Acts

Section 2 (4:5 - 6:7)

Lets do a quick overview …..

It is also broken up into 3 sub-section:

First Sub Section

(Acts 4:5 - 4:37)

The Rulers and Elders are frantic. 

They put Peter and John in Jail for the night

The next day they ask Peter and John “What Power and What Name do you do this?”

Teens: "Hey, who gave you permission to start that club at school?"

Adults: "Who authorized you to launch that project at work without checking with me first?"

Grandparents: "By what power or by what authority do you tell me what to do? …. You can’t tell me what to do, your not my grandkid!”

When they ask these guys this question, It was an invitation for Peter to Preach. (Sermon #2)

Leadership is astonished at Peter but they could not come up with an answer for the Beggar who was standing right next to the.

They tell Peter and John to HUSH UP.

They say “NO”

They threaten Peter and John more and then release them

Peter and John gather with everyone and ….

Praised

Prayed

Were filled with the Holy Spirit

This is sub-section One …

We would call this the “Revival Section.” (The Response to what God is doing.)

You know what Revival is right?

Revival is seen as a movement initiated by God, bringing transformation, healing, and a return to biblical principles, sometimes accompanied by widespread conversions or revitalized worship.

Get this: I’ve condense it down to this …..

…. Revival isn’t our action—it’s God’s power in Action, birthing a reaction from us.

Second Sub Section ….

(Acts 5:1-42) All of Chapter 5

Excitement filled the atmosphere

Everyone is self-sacrificing and focusing on one thing: the Kingdom.

You ever experienced something like this before …. Everyone is excited and you just sense or know something special is going to happen?

One area of life that comes to mind is when a family is getting ready to bring a new life into the world. .

The news of a pregnancy fills a family with uncontainable joy and a sense of something extraordinary unfolding—everyone’s on edge, eagerly awaiting the big moment!

The family rallying together during a pregnancy—relatives pitching in, sleepless nights forgotten, and everyone gearing up with anticipation for the baby’s arrival!

Celebrating a newborn’s birth even after labor’s trials—turning tension into triumphant anticipation and gratitude!

This is what’s happening here.

So much excitement and enthusiasm that …

A guy named Joseph (Barnabas) sells his land gives all the proceeds to the Apostles.

2 other people try to do the same thing

They had wrong motives and died

Fear gripped the church

The Apostles get back to ministering (Signs and Wonders)

They get arrested then are freed by an Angel of the Lord

Peter goes back to preaching

The spiritual leaders are enraged again

One of the religious leaders (Gamalia) settles everyone down

But they still beat them then release them

Afterwards the disciples (rejoice, deemed themselves worthy, went back to teaching and preaching)

We would call this section the “Retribution Section.” (The infliction by the Religious leaders.)

Third Sub-Section

(Acts 6:1-7)

Acts 6:1 Problem brought to their attention

What was the problem?

Acts 6:1 “Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”

Hellenist: one who uses the language and follows the customs of the Greeks; in NT a Jew by blood, but a native of a Greek-speaking country

6:2-4 summed the full number of disciples to seek 7 who were qualified for the Job.

6:5-6 gives the names of the 7

6:7 The word of God continued, their numbers increased, and many priest were becoming followers.

A priest was one who offers sacrifice and has the charge of things pertaining to the offering.

We would call this section the “The Resolution Section.” (The response to what the Disciples did.)

So to recap Section 2

the “Revival Section.” (The Response to what God is doing.)

the “Retribution Section.” (The infliction by the Religious leaders.)

the “The Resolution Section.” (The response to what the Disciples did.)

This brings us up to Chapter 6:7

Look at time …… if past 20 till the hour then read following section and close.

One key takeaway (What I want us to think about) from Section two (Acts 4:5 - 6:7) is this ….

What is demonstrated in this section is ….. The power of unwavering faith and obedience to God, even in the face of opposition.

Peter and John's bold response to the rulers' threats—choosing to praise, pray, and continue preaching despite imprisonment and beatings—demonstrates that true revival stems from trusting in God's work rather than human approval.

This lesson encourages ….

…. standing firm in faith,

…. knowing that God’s transformative power can turn challenges into opportunities for spiritual growth

…. Share it with others …… outreach.