Sermon Tone Analysis

They were “greatly disturbed that they taught the people”

people still get “greatly disturbed” today when you preach the truth

that sin is still wrong

that there is only one name that can save you

that all other roads lead to destruction

Why is, that particular truth so hard to accept

We don’t mind being told that only gasoline will make our cars go

People spend millions of dollars trying to learn what is good for us to eat, and what is bad

Yet, they don’t want to be told that sin is bad for us

We don’t mind being told that only water will make plants

They “laid hands on them”

These were not merely idle threats, they had authority

things are not that much different today-

people still make threats and punish those who preach the truth

we just tend to stop when we are threatened - or adjust the message -

changing the message is actually worse, far worse than just not preaching it at all

The selfian gospel avoids conflict and pain in favor of a positive message that everyone likes

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Nevertheless, many people did hear

many of those who heard believed - about 5,000 men

When you preach the Word faithfully, God will bless it

you don’t know who is listening - just preach the Word

You may be surprised by who actually gets saved

Some will remember and get saved later - preach the Word!

It is hard, and it may cost you something, but is is worth it.

Consider the N. Korean man in the news this week

Consider the N. Korean man in the news this week

The 55-year-old managed to escape from the work camp where he was sent after being targeted and persecuted by the government for his Christian faith.

“We couldn’t raise our voice during a service, we couldn’t sing out loud during a worship … that was hard,” Choi told Fox News through a translator.

“Also, we had to hide so that other people could not see us.”

North Korean Choi Kwanghyuk is one of the lucky ones.

Despite having to hide his faith in plain sight while living in North Hamgyong province, Choi was still compelled to bring religion to others when he started an underground church.

The 55-year-old managed to escape from the work camp where he was sent after being targeted and persecuted by the government for his Christian faith.

“We couldn’t raise our voice during a service, we couldn’t sing out loud during a worship … that was hard,” Choi told Fox News through a translator.

“Also, we had to hide so that other people could not see us.”

“There were about nine people,” he said.

“I couldn’t do mission work because we had to keep it secret that we had a church.”

Despite having to hide his faith in plain sight while living in North Hamgyong province, Choi was still compelled to bring religion to others when he started an underground church.

“If that information had leaked, we could have faced the death penalty.”

“There were about nine people,” he said. . . .

“If that information had leaked, we could have faced the death penalty.”

.....

“[Choi’s] statements describing oppression, as well as his report of imprisonment for owning a Bible or practicing faith, align with everything we know about North Korea,” Open Doors President David Curry told Fox News. . . .

“[Choi’s] statements describing oppression, as well as his report of imprisonment for owning a Bible or practicing faith, align with everything we know about North Korea,” Open Doors President David Curry told Fox News.

“Rated the worst place for the persecution of Christians, North Korea treats Christians horrendously and registers them as 'enemies of the state' for their faith.”

The totalitarian state forces the estimated 300,000 Christians living there to hide their religious beliefs and fellowship among each other.

“In a nation where the ruling regime demands total control over the general public, anything that challenges the government’s power is seen as a threat, including religion,” Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, told Fox News.

“As a result, the North Korean government does everything in its power to squash the spread of Christianity."

This leads much of the religious population in North Korea to go underground with their worship, much like Choi and his church were forced to do.

“We had only one Bible,” he said.

“North Hamgyong province is very cold.

In the winter, we would dig a big hole and store kimchi there.

We sometimes had services there.

In the summer, we had services in the mountain or by the river.”

In spite of his suffering, he was still willing to start an underground church

how many people will be spending eternity in heaven because of him?

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After being imprisoned overnight, they were brought to the rulers

“by what power, or authority have you done this”?

they could not deny that something had happened

But these were not “authorized” priests.

They had no authority to preach or teach

they were not part of the establishment

their message was offensive also

What if we got our authority today from Jesus Christ directly?

Peter proclaimed- “let it be known to you all. . .

Oh how wonderful it would be if we would let it be known to all!!!

By the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified. . .

By His Name!

This man is whole

We are still made whole today by the name of Jesus - to those who believe

Notice again the boldness.

Acts

Ordinary People - like you

How can you be acting out Acts?

Take a moment to remember the purpose of this series:

How can we apply this to our lives today?

Ordinary people: They were not the full time clergy

they had not yet been given titles and robes

These were ordinary people who loved Jesus Christ and were willing to be moved by His Spirit

What if you were willing to stop right in the middle of whatever to pray for those in need?

What if you were willing to tell those who were lost the way of salvation?

What if you were not afraid of the cost of discipleship, or the threats of the enemy?

What if you didn’t think you needed to wait for the Priest to minister the gospel?

What a City of God this would be!

What is stopping us from doing just that?

Is it sin?

you have been redeemed

Is it guilt?

You have been forgiven?

Is it lack?

He shall supply all your need.

Is it fear?

If God be for you who shall be against you?

If that love is in you and cannot be taken, then you can administer it to the world

too many people are waiting until they are “good enough” and don’t realize that you will never be gooder than you are.

Your goodness is in Him

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We must also be clear on this

Some surveys show that even many Christians think that there is more than one way to heaven

false teachers and false prophets come spew lies of universalism, often hidden in clever stories