Stand Fast
Notes
Transcript
We all have opportunities in our life to “STAND FAST” it may not have been as dramatic as this story but it carries with it a weight. A conviction of what is right and what is correct. I mark that day in my life not with pride but with great responsibility. I asked for and received the resignation of my friend, the Pastor from our church. There was a long history of financial misses, forgotten accountabilities and outright lies. This was the right thing to do. After a couple of years this Pastor and I are friends.
We all have opportunities in our life to “STAND FAST” it may not have been as dramatic as this story but it carries with it a weight. A conviction of what is right and what is correct. I mark that day in my life not with pride but with great responsibility. I asked for and received the resignation of my friend, the Pastor from our church. There was a long history of financial misses, forgotten accountabilities and outright lies. This was the right thing to do. After a couple of years this Pastor and I are friends.
The Apostle’s had to “STAND FAST” what they were “CALLED” to, what they gave everything up for family, work, social connections.
We all have opportunities in our life to “STAND FAST” it may not have been as dramatic as this story but it carries with it a weight. A conviction of what is right and what is correct. I mark that day in my life not with pride but with great responsibility. I asked for and received the resignation of my friend, the Pastor from our church. There was a long history of financial misses, forgotten accountabilities and outright lies. This was the right thing to do. After a couple of years this Pastor and I are friends.
They had seen and tasted the Glory of God. This is one of those circumstances that what would have made solid your faith. Listen as I tell the situation.
“An Angel Opened The Doors”
“An Angel Opened The Doors”
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.
Acts 5.
Caiaphas and other members of the leading aristocratic priestly families were Sadducees. They had theological (see note on 4:1, 2) as well as political (cf. 4:10) reasons for wanting the movement stopped. Considering the warnings given in 4:17–18, 21, they probably believe they have been quite patient, but the popularity of Jesus’ movement is growing, risking the Jerusalem elite’s dishonor. Unlike the Pharisees, Sadducees were not as popular with the people, though the people respected the office of the elite priests.
Who were these “high priests” - These were the relatives of the Levites that God had set aside for special treatment after the Exodus.
The were honored by God to be His representatives on earth. To not have a portion of the land to call their own but to serve their fellow Jews.
Their job was to be maintain the temple, lead in worship to God (Yahweh, Elohim), Bring sacrifices to God and lead Godly lives as an example.
Their job was to be maintain the temple, lead in worship to God (Yahweh, Elohim), Bring sacrifices to God and lead Godly lives as an example.
Fail, Fail, Fail, Fail
Instead the “Sadducees”allowed “sacrifices” to be purchased on the Temple grounds.
They allowed and probably took a “cut” of the “moneychangers” as they converted the travelers currency to “Temple Tax.”
They became very cozy with the Romans, bending God’s rules and guidelines to fit with their greed
They gave warnings to the “Christ group.” Not for religious purity but because their “way of life” was under attack. Really it was their way of money making.
What would we have done?… how would we have responded? Which group
But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles The Apostles Persecuted Act 5.17–42
It is interesting that throughout the book of Acts the Pharisees, who were representative of the heart of Judaism, are presented as generally favorable toward the Christian movement, whereas the Sadducees are strongly opposed to the Christian community.
Throughout the book of Acts the Pharisee’s, who represent the heart of Judaism, were generally favorable to the “Christ Followers” they looked at them as a sect of Judaism not as the enemy.
The “Christ Followers” were even worshipping in the Temple…after hours.
Back to
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.
They felt they must take action against the Apostles, the leaders of this wayward sect. So they sent them to jail.
They felt they must take action against the Apostles, the leaders of this wayward sect. So they sent them to jail.
THEY ARRESTED THEM!!!
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” So he drove them off. Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever. Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
Jails could not hold the Apostles! So, “by the hand of God’” the jail doors were opened. After the high priest scratched his head he brought them back this time to the Supreme Court
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.
Acts 5
Verse 28 is interesting
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Acts 5
“…determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
The Apostles made it very clear where there orders were coming from...
The Apostles made it very clear where there orders were coming from...
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.
Yes, Jesus was the perfect son of God
The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles The Twelve before the Sanhedrin
When Peter adduces the Holy Spirit as another witness in the relative clause, “whom God gave to those obeying him,” he intends to state that the testimony of the Spirit is mediate, he using the believers as his media. The idea is not that they are all to preach and to teach as the apostles did, but it is much broader. The apostolic office is kept distinct (1:22). The Holy Spirit is in the hearts as a gift of God to all who by faith in Jesus obey God.
Yes, Jesus was the perfect son of God
Yes, Jesus was sent to the earth to bring redemption to everyone. Jew, Gentile, Pagan
Yes, Jesus replaced the law and prophets with these two things… “Love the Lord with your Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength AND “Love your neighbor as yourself”
Yes, Jesus had a 3 year ministry that still echos to this very day.
Yes, Jesus died at the hands of the Sadducees and Caiaphas and others of the ruling class.
Yes, Yes, Yes…Jesus is coming back to restore the earth to its perfection.
Where will you be on that day… will you be surprised and realize you missed it OR will we be in His presence, enjoying fellowship with God and the Saints forever and ever?
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I’m not sure how you could have but you might have noticed the boots back here.
These are the boots of my best friend, Logan Marsh. Logan died 15 years ago was 33 years old had a wife, Lisa and two little girls Sierra and Hailey.
Logan died at our church in University Place. He was on the phone with his wife and had an anoxic brain event. We discontinued life support two weeks later.
These are his boots… they remind to always walk in another’s shows for a mile.
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I didn’t know Grant Smith
Today is another of this kind of those anniversaries… Grant Smith died a year ago tomorrow.
Grant was a husband to Dana
Grant was a father to Rachel
Grant was a follower of Christ
Grant was a member of this Church
Grant served in this church
Grant was an Elder of this church
Grant was a “best friend”
Grant was a golfing buddy
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I’m told that in time you forget and move on. I’m here to tell you never forget, you always wonder, you always wish for some different kind of result. God gradually replaces the acute pain with the chronic wonder… “I wonder what Grant would have said or did...”
How do we best honor Grant’s memory… Stand Fast in the truths of scripture, love your family and friends, be a “best friend.”
Today as an end to our service. Dana is going to play one of Grants favorites. You can listen, you can join in you can wonder why? [
How do we best honor Grant’s memory… Stand Fast in the truths of scripture, love your family and friends, be a “best friend.”
