God or Government?

Vs. 13-14

Quick recap

Q: There’s some key verbs in this verse, can you point them out for me? (Saw, perceived, marvelled, took knowledge) (Work through each one; look at what each verb points to)

Q: In vs. 13-14, what are some things that would lead us to think that this is an amazing miracle? (Peter & John uneducated, lame man standing, council as speechless)

Don’t need Bible college to be a theologian, you need a deep walk with Jesus.

Illustration: Having such a good defense that the whole supreme court of Canada is silenced, even Carney!

Vs. 15

Acts 4:15 NKJV

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

Totally normal practice for counsels…

Vs. 16

Q: Can someone explain to me what the counsel is trying to figure out in vs. 16? (Punish or set free?)

Q: What do you think the public will say if the council frees the apostles? (You guys are weak, the apostles are what’s up!)

Q: How do you think the public is going to react if the council punishes the apostles? (Revolts, anger)

Q: What do they think of the miracle? (Can’t deny its from God)

Q: Is evidence of God’s existence enough? For your friends?…

Vs. 17-18

Acts 4:17 NKJV

But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

Q: What’s your thoughts on that? (Outrageous, sad. If you can’t deny it, why not receive it?!)

Sin has a blinding effect

Q: Someone explain to me what their plan was in vs. 17-18? (Silence the apostles, don’t speak or teach in Jesus’ name)

1st bit of our dilemma here… Gov. crack down on the Christians and commands them to do something that’s against God’s Word...

Q: Turn to these passages… Bible says obey gov. (Romans 13:1-14), Bible also says preach the Gospel (Matt. 28:18-20). These two are in conflict with each other.. What are you picking if you were Peter or John?

Government forcing unscriptural laws on believers...

Illustration: Canadian government enforces a no Bible law starting Nov. 1st

- Anyone found with a Bible fined 1000$ and Bible is burned

- Police officers given right to search each and every home for Bibles, confiscate any they find and burn them

- Police force at the door every Sunday morning waiting for Bibles

What do you do? Obey? or disobey?

Explain what the government is supposed to do… (Enforce GOD’s righteous laws on the public, not figure out morality on its own)

Vs. 19-20

Q: Tell me, what do Peter and John chose to do in vs. 19-20? (Disobey, keep preaching the Gospel)

People who chose God over Government...

Illustration: (Have people read these)

God > Government: Egyptian Midwives (Exodus 1:17), Moses’ Parents (Hebrews 11:23), Daniel & friends (1:5,8; 3:15-18), Apostles (Acts 5:29)

God < Government:

Q: What is on the line for us if, like the apostles, we chose not to obey the government? (Fines, rejection, jail time, death)

Weigh these things out in your heart, “would I be ready to stand up for what is right?”

(PPTX SLIDE)

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

By the way, before we disobey the Gov. we better be aboslutely sure that the law is against a clear command of the Bible.

Vs. 21-22

Q: What in vs. 21-22 might make you think their decision to disobey the government paid off in the end? (The counsel didn’t even punish them)

Q: Who gets the honor when we make the right decision? (God does)

Not only that, but God blessed them for their right choice

Application

We need to be bold for our faith

Obey God first and foremost