The Will of God in the Midst of Opposition

Introduction

Acts Chapter 5

We will begin in Acts chapter 5 verse 17 and we will read through the first part of verse 21.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is athe sect of bthe Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.

18 They laid hands on the apostles and aput them in a public jail.

19 But during the night aan angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,

20 “Go, stand and 1speak to the people in the temple 2athe whole message of this Life.”

21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple aabout daybreak and began to teach.

The very Words of God.

Trying to do the right thing

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

1At the hands of the apostles many asigns and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in bSolomon’s portico.

13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, athe people held them in high esteem.

14 And all the more abelievers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly badded to their number,

15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by aat least his shadow might fall on any one of them.

16 Also the 1people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick 2or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

This raises a good question! Have you ever found yourself in a tough situation because you were trying to do the right thing?

TS: Well what I want to share with you today is three things that we can learn about following the Will of God from the situation in which the apostles found themselves in Acts chapter 5. This passage will teach us these three things: First, Do not be surprised when you face opposition, Second, Know that God is faithful when you face opposition, and Lastly, Always keep the faith when you face opposition.

Body

1. While seeking the will of God, do not be surprised when you face opposition (5:17-18)

As Christians, God has called us all to be set apart

And some of the last instruction that Christ gave the apostles was this, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…” “and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Matt. 28 // Acts 1).

But when God is stirring his people to do a good work, Satan continues to work in the lives of the lost.

Acts 5:17–18 NASB95

But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.

Obedience of God’s people and the effect that has on those who are lost.

some of the lost were saved

some of the lost became jealous and were turned against the apostles

But why?

I heard a quote the other day, that displays the attitude of the Sadducees perfectly, it said, “when you have success, do not worry about the people who are not happy for you… They are likely not happy for themselves either.”

You see, the Sadducees wanted what the apostles were receiving.

Look at verse 12 where it says,

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

1At the hands of the apostles many asigns and wonders were taking place among the people

and then verse 13 says

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, athe people held them in high esteem.

THAT is what the Sadducees were longing for.

THEY wanted to be doing the signs and miracles, THEY wanted to be loved by the people, THEY wanted the multitudes to be coming to them!

So what do they do? They throw the apostles in a PUBLIC prison so they can humiliate them in front of the people.

Application: In the last several years we have seen movements pop up all across America there are

March for our lives,

Black lives Matter/White lives matter/All lives matter

LGBTQ movements

women’s rights movements

I could go on and on. What all of these movements are seeking is exactly what Christianity provides. They seek justice but the true and perfect justice is found right here in Scripture, because God is a true and perfect judge.

They seek equality, but true equality is found in the Christian life because Scripture teaches that we are all equal at the foot of the cross. Romans 10:12 says “For there is no distinction in Jew and Greek for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.”

What the lost truly desire is Christianity, they just want it apart from Christ, what they need is a Savior, but they are trying to be that for themselves. They want equality apart from the Cross and they want justice apart from the perfect Judge. And Christians, let me tell you today, if you will go into this world and be the Christians that God has called you to be and proclaim Christ before this lost world, people will be saved by the power of the Gospel, but there will be those who oppose you because they are jealous of what you have!

TS: In seeking the will of God, we should never be surprised when we face opposition.

We should expect opposition but also, we should know that God is faithful. So to my second point…

2. In seeking the will of God, know that God is faithful when you face opposition (5:19-20)

Explanation: Know that He remains faithful, look with me at verses 19 and 20,

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

But during the night aan angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,

20 “Go, stand and 1speak to the people in the temple 2athe whole message of this Life.”

Things sure did look hopeless for the apostles.

God remained faithful to His children and delivered them from prison.

Application: Now let me tell you what I am not saying, I am not saying that God will always deliver you from every seemingly bad situation that you will be placed in. That is NOT what I mean by saying He will be faithful. What I am saying is that He will be faithful and never leave you or forsake you. And He will provide for you everything you need, exactly when you need it.

George Muller’s wife’s funeral

“The last portion of Scripture which I read to my precious wife was this: “The Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Now, if we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have received grace, and to all such He will give glory also. I said to myself, with regard to the latter part, “no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly”— I am in myself a poor worthless sinner, but I have been saved by the blood of Christ; and I do not live in sin, I walk uprightly before God. Therefore, if it is really good for me, my darling wife will be raised up again; sick as she is. God will restore her again. But if she is not restored again, then it would not be a good thing for me. And so, my heart was at rest. I was satisfied with God.”

The old hymn sums it up best by saying

“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with thee, Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not, As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. Great is thy Faithfulness! Great is thy Faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided- Great is Thy faithfulness Lord, unto me!

TS: In seeking the will of God we learn three things, : (1) Do not be surprised when you face opposition, (2) Know that God is faithful when you face opposition, (3) Always keep the faith when you face opposition.

3. While seeking the will of God, always keep the faith when you face opposition (5:21a)

Explanation: Look with me at verses 20 and 21 and we will conclude shortly.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 5

Go, stand and 1speak to the people in the temple 2athe whole message of this Life.”

21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple aabout daybreak and began to teach.

What were the apostles doing before they were thrown in prison?

So an angel of the Lord comes along, sets them free and tells them to do what?

And what do they do?

They immediately got up and went and preached the Gospel! While seeking the will of God, we need to always be obedient to what He has told us to do.

Elijah being fed by the brook

Application: You see, we have to do what God commands us to, because not only will it bring Him glory, it is also what is best for us!

Vance Havner wrote this, “God is faithful, and he expects his people to be faithful. God’s Word speaks of faithful servants, faithful in a few things, faithful in the least, faithful in the Lord, faithful ministers. And all of this points to that day when He will say, ‘Well done, My good and faithful servant.”

You see, the only service that counts is faithful service. True faith shows up in faithfulness. Not everyone can sing or stand behind a podium and preach, but all can be faithful.

Old Faithful is not the largest geyser in Yellowstone National Park, nor does it reach the highest height but it is by far the most popular. Why? It is regular and dependable and thus its name, Old Faithful.

Application: The question at hand is, will you commit to being faithful? Some will answer yes to that question, others, will walk away discouraged like the young rich ruler. Others might say, “I just don’t know what I can do to be faithful…” Well let me tell you how. If you want to be faithful to what God has called you to do, then wake up a little earlier every morning and commit to spending time with Him, at least 20-30 minutes every day. Read Scripture, at least one chapter and spend time talking with the Lord. I do not mean to do this when it is convenient, or when it is easy… do it every day. THAT is when true faithfulness is lived out. If you want to go further than that, begin meeting with someone else in the church once a week to discuss life and Scripture. But if you want to get radical… Do what the apostles were commanded to do and take the message of the Gospel to the lost and dying world around you. Be faithful to the type of person God has called you to be, following after Christ’s example and making disciples.

TS: This passage teaches us three things: (1) Do not be surprised when you face opposition, (2) Know that God is faithful when you face opposition, (3) Always keep the faith when you face opposition.

I cannot emphasize to you enough the importance of faithfulness and what it will do for you

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