Acts: The Gospel Unleashed Part 7

The greatest news the world has ever known is that Jesus came to save sinners.

Hell will do anything. Socal presser, persicution, murder.. He will do anything to Keep the people of God silent about the Good News!

In countries such as Burma, China, North Korea, Pakistan and Vietnam, Christian pastors, evangelists and other believers are in prison today because of their active Christian witness.

Of the 50 countries on the Open Doors World Watch List, 30 saw an increase in persecution during the reporting period. Our new research indicates that throughout the world, approximately 215 million Christians experience high, very high or extreme persecution for following Jesus. Nearly one of every 12 Christians in the world lives in an area, or in a culture, in which Christianity is illegal, forbidden or punished

Islamic extremism continues to increase, especially against women

Once again, North Korea claims the #1 spot–for the 16th consecutive year. With more than 50,000 Christians in prison or labor camps, the ranking comes as little surprise for the totalitarian regime that controls every aspect of life in the country and forces worship of the Kim family.

But the new report reveals an alarming trend as countries driven by Islamic extremism reach persecution levels rivaling those in North Korea. Afghanistan (#2) and North Korea nearly tied for the No. 1 spot. Never before have the top two countries been so close in persecution incidents. Both countries are extreme in intolerance and outright persecution of Christians in all six areas of life that Open Doors monitors.

So these must be an expectation on our part. If hell will stop at nothing to stop us from sharing the news that changes everything then...

When we proclaim the gospel we should expect opposition.

Acts 4:1–3 ESV

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

Acts 4:1–4 ESV

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Acts 4:1

LUKE DESCRIBES THE REACTION OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP TO PETER’S MESSAGE, “GREATLY ANNOYED”

HELL DOES NOT LIKE THE GOSPEL.

How that’s not the only thing we should expect!

When we proclaim the gospel we should expect conversion.

Acts 4:4 ESV

4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

How should we proclaim the gospel

Proclaim the gospel with conviction.

Acts 4:5–8 ESV

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,

Acts 4:5-

Proclaim the gospel with clarity.

Acts 4:5–12 ESV

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

To reject Jesus is the reject salvation.

Acts 4:9–12 ESV

9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:9-

When you hear Peter preacher there is no question about what the gospel is. He is clear - cristal clear.

Jesus is the only way!

Proclaim the gospel with courage.

Acts 4:13–22 ESV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us. Adrian Rogers

How must we respond when Hell attempts to silence the witness of the church?

Acts 4:23–31 ESV

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They didn’t pray for protection they prayed for conviction.

Spirit filled believers speak the word with boldness.

The silence of the church is deafening.