16. Joyful Suffering

vs. 33

Talk context

People

The apostles were detained and imprisoned until their trial before the Sanhedrin. An angel of the Lord freed them at night, and the council arrested them again and faced them in court. The council made two accusations against the apostles, the apostles resist, fearing God over man.

vs. 33 tells us that when they heard what the apostles told them, they were what? (Cut to the heart)

What did the apostles tell them (vs. 30)? (You KILLED Jesus)

What do you think it means to be cut to the heart?

- Who has ever done something you know is wrong, and your sibling knew all about it?

- How does it feel when they expose you in front of the whole family?

It’s always the youngest sibling, “He did it!!”

The anger that boils up in your blood when someone calls you out is hard to describe. Your face gets all red, maybe smoke comes out some of your guys’ ears

The Sanhedrin were crazy angry that the apostles would blame them for killing Christ.

Where does their anger lead them (end of vs. 33)? (“and took counsel to slay them”)

No wonder Jesus tells us to beware of anger. You might think that angry thought, that vengeful move, or that harsh word is not a big deal, but the Bible gives plenty of warning against anger.

James 1:20 NKJV

20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Did the Sanhedrin’s anger lead them to a righteous choice here? (Absolutely not!)

vs. 34

Seeing the potential of evil coming up in the council, someone rises up in vs. 34, can you spot him? (Gamaliel)

What does vs. 34 tell us about Gamaliel?

Teacher/doctor of the Law: This man knew the Scriptures better than all of us combined! Famously, he was known as Paul’s Rabbi.

Good reputation: In the Jewish realm, Gamaliel was one of the most respected men you could find. “When Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, the glory of the Law ceased and purity and abstinence died.”

John F. Kennedy - One of the most respected presidents of all time

What does he command the council to do? (Put the apostles away just for a little bit)

The fact he only needs a bit of time tells us, this dude was confident people would listen! “Let me handle this guys...”

vs. 35

What advice did Gamaliel have for the council in vs. 35? (Take heed)

What’s your thoughts on that advice? Good? Bad? Why? (GOOD!)

Some of us could really use this advice once in a while… “Pipe down!” “Hold on, think for a minute” We all have this kind of person in our lives. “Hey did you ever think about the risks before you sled on that massive ramp?” “No man, It’s going to be fun!”

Time for closer consideration is never a bad thing.

vs. 36

Who are we introduced to in vs. 36? (Theudas)

What did Theudas do according to Gamaliel?

Start a religious movement, he was the guru

rallied 400 people

He died, the people scattered

vs. 37

How about in vs. 37? Who does Gamaliel bring up here? (Judas of Galilee)

What are we told about him?

Another religious guru

Drew people to himself

He died and people were scattered

Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of extra taxes in 6 AD. He protested and rebelled in light of these taxes. His movement was quickly squashed by Rome, but he’s the one who actually started the zealot movement for the Jews (Simon the zealot).

Lots of historical debate over these characters, people say the history doesn’t line up with what the Bible presents here.

Josephus tells of a Theudas in 44 AD, which is AFTER this event

Gamaliel says Judas of Galilee came after Theudas, but we know Judas came in 6 AD.

Either...

1) The Bible is in error (Impossible)

2) Josephus is wrong (Unlikely)

3) There’s another Theudas

This makes the most sense because there was plenty of political chaos after the death of King Herod the Great. So, Theudas was probably in 4 AD, and Judas in 6 AD

Unbelievers will try to pick away at the Scriptures, unravel its truth, and draw biased conclusions to say, “Here! The Bible is wrong, I’m right!” But of all the historical books in the world, none have been backed up more than the Bible.

vs. 38

What is Gamaliel’s advice in vs. 38? (Leave them alone)

He says, “if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing.”

Is this true? Do movements fail just because God doesn’t bless them?

Why is this kind of mindset a dangerous one to have? (Popularity = God’s blessing, you end up in bad places)

Be careful, we can’t be swept away into something just because it’s the popular thing. Just because there’s a lot of momentum going its way does not mean God is blessing it.

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world right now, should I become a muslim?

Why not?

When someone tells you, “Man, you’ve got to try this, everybody is doing this!” What should be your first reflex?

Your spidey senses should be tingling

vs. 39

“But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Gamaliel’s point: Let God work out His will, if He doesn’t bless it, it will fail. But if He does bless it, it would grow, and why should we fight against God?

Can you spot the irony in that statement?

Was there enough evidence that Christianity was from God? (YES! Miracles, healings, crowds...)

And what were the Jews doing? (Fighting against it!)

This advice can apply to us believers though...

Are we always unified in the church? Always singing kumbaya around the campfire? (No!)

We get into sharp disagreements with other believers, and often times it wil get fiesty.

What are some things we might argue about in the church? (Let them answer)

There are plenty of issues that are not explicitly stated or even clearly referred to in the Bible. Be careful that you aren’t fighting against God. I’ve heard someone say before (Not from FBC), “I think the Devil uses cushion pews to keep us from hearing the Word of God.” So instead of stubbornly standing your ground, be humble, be willing to hear other perspectives and grow.

vs. 40

“And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and” What? (Beaten them)

Was this like a little baby slap on the wrist? “Don’t do that again.” (No, it was flogging, 39 stripes)

People were known to have died from this...

What command did the council give to the apostles in the end of vs. 40? (Don’t speak in the name of Jesus)

vs. 41

What’s the apostle’s reaction to their punishment in vs. 41? (Rejoicing)

Why in the world would they rejoice after this? “YEAH!!! I’ve been waiting for this moment to come. I always wanted to have a proper Jewish whoopin’!” Why did they rejoice? (Suffered for Jesus’ sake)

In our natural eyes, suffering is a pretty low place to be.

Why would suffering shame for Jesus be worth it?

You followed His example

His promises are true (John 15:18-25)

Jesus says you are blessed (Matthew 5:11-12)

People say it’s an honour to serve their country, you hear soldiers say they find it an honour to even suffer for their country, why is that the case? (Because what you REPRESENT)

Suffering is useless and pitiful if it’s pointless. But when you suffer for someone, then the honour comes. These apostles had the greatest honour in the universe, they suffered for the Creator of all, the Savior Jesus Christ.

God empowers us to serve Him with Joy even through suffering.

vs. 42

How good are the apostles at obeying the Sanhedrin’s commands? Look at vs. 42

The Sanhedrin told them not to speak in Jesus’ name, but the apostles go speaking AND teaching in Jesus’ name. They never stopped.

Application

How can we apply this passage to our lives?

Think before you do

Be humble, we can be wrong, and if we are, don’t fight against God!

God will give you joy as you serve Him, even through suffering