06/24/2026

Midweek Prayer Service

Acts 5:17-42

Rejoicing in the Struggle

Big Idea: Faithful obedience to Christ will often bring opposition, but God's grace enables believers to remain courageous and joyful.

Introduction

Father's Day challenge

The world needs godly men

Obedience often costs something.

Great responsibility requires great courage.

American misconception:

Faithfulness should make life easier.

Reality:

Obedience often produces opposition.

Transition:

Acts 5 shows us what grace looks like when faithful believers suffer.

I. Opposition Is Inevitable When God Is at Work

Acts 5:17-21

A. Opposition begins with jealousy

Religious leaders were jealous—not doctrinally concerned.

Jealousy reveals misplaced worship.

They protected their position instead of God's mission.

B. Celebrate Kingdom victories

We're on the same team.

Rejoice whenever the gospel advances.

C. Opposition is not always evidence you're wrong

Sometimes correction is needed.

Sometimes criticism confirms obedience.

The apostles suffered because they obeyed Christ.

Application

Don't measure faithfulness by comfort.

Measure faithfulness by obedience.

II. Courage Rooted in Christ Confuses the World

Acts 5:22-39

A. God cannot be restrained

Empty prison.

locked doors.

Guarded prison.

Missing prisoners.

God's purposes cannot be imprisoned.

Truth

Human authority is real. God's authority is ultimate.

B. Obey God rather than men

Acts 5:29

"We must obey God rather than men."

Biblical balance

Respect government.

Pray for leaders.

Submit whenever possible.

But...

When man's commands contradict God's commands, God always wins.

Courage comes from settled authority

Peter once feared people.

Now he fears God.

Courage begins long before the crisis.

Application: Settle today who has final authority.

C. God's work cannot be stopped

Gamaliel

If it's man's work— It will fail.

If it's God's— No one can overthrow it.

Cedar Bay application

We don't build our kingdom.

We build Christ's Kingdom.

Success belongs to God.

Faithfulness belongs to us.

III. Joy Is Found in Faithfulness, Not Circumstances

Acts 5:41-42

"They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer."

Their joy wasn't rooted in:

Comfort

Ease

Success

Circumstances

Their joy was rooted in:

Christ

His promises

His mission

His presence

Biblical joy isn't pretending life is easy.

It is confidence that God is still good.

They Didn't Quit

After prison...

After threats...

After beatings...

"...they did not cease teaching and preaching."

Every day.

Temple.

House to house.

Still preaching Jesus.

Cedar Bay Application

Our mission hasn't changed.

There are still:

Lost people

Broken families

Hurting marriages

Children needing the Gospel

Prodigals needing Christ

So...

We keep preaching.

We keep serving.

We keep loving.

We keep making disciples.

Because faithful churches don't stop.

Conclusion

The question is not:

Will opposition come?

It will.

The question is:

Will we remain faithful when obedience becomes costly?

Jesus is worth more than:

Comfort

Approval

Ease

Safety

Therefore...

Obey God.

Trust Him.

Keep proclaiming Christ.

Rejoice in the struggle.

Questions

When have you had to do something difficult simply because it was the right thing to do?

Why is it sometimes difficult to celebrate what God is doing in another church or another person's life?

Where do you see pressure today for Christians to compromise their convictions?

Peter said, "We must obey God rather than men." What are some modern-day situations where Christians may have to make that choice?

What does it practically look like to obey governing authorities while remaining faithful to God?

What's the difference between happiness and biblical joy?

How can each of us help Cedar Bay remain focused on the mission rather than our preferences?

If someone watched your life for one week, would they conclude that Jesus is worth more to you than comfort, convenience, or popularity?

Prayer service

Acts 5:17–42

Praying with Courage and Faithfulness

Good evening, church family.

I'm thankful you're here tonight.

One of the things I love about Wednesday nights is that they remind us the Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. We gather together around God's Word, and then we pray together because we recognize that our strength doesn't come from ourselves. It comes from the Lord.

Tonight we're going to continue walking through the book of Acts.

As we do, we're going to let this passage shape our prayers.

Acts 5 records one of the first major waves of persecution against the early church. The apostles are arrested. They're imprisoned. They're threatened. They're beaten. Yet through it all, they remain faithful because they understood something we need to remember today: God's mission cannot be stopped, and God's people are called to remain faithful no matter what they face.

As we pray tonight, we're going to pray in five directions.

Upward in worship.

Downward in confession.

Inward for transformation.

Outward for others.

Then we'll close together with thanksgiving.

Let's begin.

UPWARD — WORSHIP

Acts 5:19-20

"But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 'Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.'"

Before we ever get to the courage of the apostles, we have to recognize the greatness of God.

The religious leaders thought they had stopped the work of God.

The prison doors were locked.

The guards were standing watch.

Everything appeared to be under control.

Except God was never limited by prison walls.

He simply opened the doors.

Church, what a reminder that our God is absolutely sovereign.

Nothing catches Him by surprise.

Nothing limits His power.

Nothing frustrates His purposes.

Sometimes we spend so much time looking at our problems that we forget how big our God really is.

The early church never doubted who was in control.

Neither should we.

So before we ask God for anything tonight, let's simply worship Him.

Prayer Prompt

Take a few moments and praise God for who He is.

Guided Prayer

"Father, tonight we lift our eyes to You. You are the sovereign King over heaven and earth. Nothing surprises You, nothing overwhelms You, and nothing is beyond Your power. Thank You that even when circumstances seem impossible, You are still working. Thank You for Your faithfulness throughout every generation. Thank You that You have opened the door to eternal life through Jesus Christ. Help us never lose sight of Your greatness. May our worship tonight remind us that You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus' name, Amen."

DOWNWARD — CONFESSION

Acts 5:29

"We must obey God rather than men."

This simple statement exposes every one of us.

Because if we're honest, there are times when we obey fear more than God.

Sometimes we stay quiet because we're worried about what someone might think.

Sometimes we compromise because obedience feels costly.

Sometimes we know exactly what God has called us to do, but we delay because it's uncomfortable.

Peter had once denied Jesus because he feared people.

Now he boldly proclaims Christ before the very people who could imprison him.

What changed?

God changed him.

The Holy Spirit transformed him.

Church, obedience begins with surrender.

And surrender begins with repentance.

Tonight let's ask the Lord to reveal anything in our lives that keeps us from wholehearted obedience.

Prayer Prompt

Ask the Lord:

Have I been fearing people more than God?

Is there sin I need to confess?

Have I delayed obedience?

Where have I allowed comfort to become more important than faithfulness?

Guided Prayer

"Father, forgive us for the times we've chosen comfort over obedience. Forgive us when we've allowed fear to silence our witness. Search our hearts tonight. Reveal any pride, selfishness, or disobedience that keeps us from following You completely. Help us love Your approval more than the approval of people. Thank You that Your mercy is new every morning and that through Christ we are forgiven when we repent. Amen."

Allow a few moments for quiet confession.

INWARD — TRANSFORMATION

Acts 5:41

"Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name."

This may be one of the most remarkable verses in the entire book of Acts.

The apostles had just been beaten.

Yet they walked away rejoicing.

Not because suffering was enjoyable.

But because Jesus was worth it.

Church, that's not natural.

That's supernatural.

That kind of joy only comes when Christ becomes more precious than comfort.

Every one of us is facing something.

Some are carrying burdens no one else knows about.

Some are weary.

Some are discouraged.

Some are facing difficult decisions.

The Lord may not remove every hardship immediately.

But He promises His grace is sufficient.

Tonight let's ask Him to continue transforming our hearts so our joy is rooted in Christ rather than our circumstances.

Prayer Prompt

Pray for:

Greater faith

Spiritual maturity

Joy that isn't controlled by circumstances

Endurance during trials

A deeper love for Christ

Guided Prayer

"Lord, continue Your work within us. Make us people whose joy is found in Christ alone. Strengthen those who are weary. Encourage those who are discouraged. Give endurance to those walking through difficult seasons. Shape our hearts until faithfulness becomes our greatest desire. Help us trust that You are working even when we cannot see it. Amen."

OUTWARD — INTERCESSION

Acts 5 reminds us that the church never stopped praying for one another, encouraging one another, and continuing the mission together.

Tonight let's pray for others.

Prayer Bucket #1

Our Prayer List

Let's lift up the requests shared by our church family.

Pray for those battling illness.

Those awaiting test results.

Those recovering from surgery.

Families facing difficult circumstances.

Those seeking wisdom and direction.

Take a few moments to pray specifically for the names on our prayer list.

(Pause for prayer.)

Prayer Bucket #2

Those Who Are Hurting

Tonight let's especially remember those who are grieving.

Those carrying heavy burdens.

Those battling anxiety.

Those who feel lonely.

Those walking through seasons of uncertainty.

Pray that they would experience God's peace, comfort, strength, and presence.

Ask the Lord to remind them that He has not abandoned them.

(Pause for prayer.)

Prayer Bucket #3

Cedar Bay Baptist Church

Finally, let's pray for our church.

Pray that we would remain faithful to God's Word.

Pray for unity.

Pray for wisdom for our leaders.

Pray that we would continue making strong disciples.

Pray for boldness in sharing the Gospel throughout our community.

Pray for our children's ministry.

Our students.

Our teachers.

Our volunteers.

Pray that God would continue building His church for His glory.

(Pause for prayer.)

Guided Prayer

"Father, we lift these needs before You because You care for Your people. Strengthen those who are hurting. Encourage the discouraged. Heal the sick according to Your will. Draw those who are far from You to salvation. Bless Cedar Bay Baptist Church. Help us remain faithful to Your Word. Give us courage to proclaim Christ, compassion to love people well, and unity as we pursue the mission You've given us. May everything we do point people to Jesus. Amen."

THANKSGIVING

Acts 5:42

"And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus."

I love how this chapter ends.

The apostles didn't quit.

The Gospel continued.

Jesus continued building His church.

And over two thousand years later...

We're gathered tonight because Christ is still building His church.

Lives are still being changed.

Sinners are still being saved.

The Gospel is still the power of God unto salvation.

Church, we have so much to thank Him for.

Thanksgiving Prompt

Thank God for:

His faithfulness

His grace

His salvation

His Word

His church

His Spirit

His answered prayers

His constant presence

The hope we have in Christ

Closing Prayer

"Father, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for Your faithfulness that never fails. Thank You for sending Your Son to die in our place and rise again in victory. Thank You that Your grace is greater than our sin and Your power is greater than every obstacle we face. Thank You for this church family, for the privilege of prayer, and for the work You're continuing to do in our lives. As we leave tonight, help us walk in obedience, trust You completely, and boldly proclaim the name of Jesus wherever You place us this week. We ask all of this in the powerful name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen