Fighting against God
Notes
Transcript
Handout
33 But when they heard this, they became furious and intended to kill them.
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.
35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men.
36 “For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who were following him were dispersed and came to nothing.
37 “After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all those who were following him were scattered.
38 “So in the present case, I also say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown;
39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or you may even be found fighting against God.”
40 So they followed his advice. And after calling the apostles in and beating them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.
41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name.
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Introduction:
Introduction:
The Church is growing faster than ever before. The Disciples have been arrested and stood trial multiple times.
In this current circumstance, they were let out of prison by an angel of the Lord, then sent back to the temple to preach the Gospel.
Peter boldly preached the Gospel to the Sanhedrin as he stood trial.
29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, “We must obey God rather than men.
30 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging Him on a tree.
31 “This One God exalted to His right hand as a Leader and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 “And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God gave to those who obey Him.”
In verse 33, we see that emotions are getting out of hand and we are about to reach a point of no return.
33 But when they heard this, they became furious and intended to kill them.
The word “furious” is διαπρίω (diapriō), be cut to the quick.
It is the same word used in Acts 2:34-38
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men, brothers, what should we do?”
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Sanhedrin is furious and about to kill them.
Then, at the last possible moment, we see God’s Providence work through Gamaliel.
1. The Appeal to logic and reason!
1. The Appeal to logic and reason!
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.
35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men.
Who is Gamaliel?
Possibly one of the teachers of the law that knew Jesus personally.
43 and as they were returning, after finishing the days of the Feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know.
44 But supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day’s journey, and they began searching for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem searching for Him.
46 And it happened that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
The mentor of Saul or Tarsus, who later become the Apostle Paul.
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but having been brought up in this city, having been instructed at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today,
2. The Appeal to history.
2. The Appeal to history.
36 “For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who were following him were dispersed and came to nothing.
37 “After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all those who were following him were scattered.
Both of these men were zealots who wanted to overturn Rome. They were easily dealt with and their movement failed!
3. The appeal to Religion!
3. The appeal to Religion!
38 “So in the present case, I also say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown;
39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or you may even be found fighting against God.”
Cults come and go, but true religion stands the test of time!
Time is the greatest test of a movement!
This is not an absolute law. There are many cults that have long outlasted their founders.
(A Man with a Message starts a Movement, that becomes a Monument, then a Machine.)
Regardless of some of the errors in his judgement, God used it to deliver His people!
Conclusion:
1. The Sanhedrin followed his advice
Conclusion:
1. The Sanhedrin followed his advice
40 So they followed his advice. And after calling the apostles in and beating them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.
They also followed their usual treatment of those they deemed as “heretics.”
Beat them
Command them
Release them.
2. The Disciples rejoiced to be worthy to suffer!
2. The Disciples rejoiced to be worthy to suffer!
41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the Name.
Like our Lord, the Disciples have been falsely accused, mocked, imprisoned, stood trial, been beaten, and remained true to the message.
Just as Pilot nearly released Jesus, Gamaliel was the voice of reason.
The Disciples will live another day!
3. The Disciples followed the proven plan of action!
3. The Disciples followed the proven plan of action!
42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Notice their plan of action:
Every day -Consistency!
Temple - Public
House to house- Private
Teaching and proclaiming the Gospel!
Their only plan of action was to obey the great commission!
To preach, teach, baptize, and obey!
This must be our plan of action!
42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
Final words:
Gamaliel's advice has one very important point that remains true.
39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or you may even be found fighting against God.”
We are to do the work of Christ, be faithful to His Word, preach His Gospel, and stand true in the face of adversity.
If we are working in our own power, our church will be scattered and fade away.
If this is truly Christ’s Church, then we can rest in this promise!
18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
