God's Plan, God's Power

Hook:

Brother Andrew Bible Smuggler

Smuggling bibles in to Russia

Started with bibles hidden with clothes in suitcases

Prayed for Blindness for the guards

Ended with him not even hiding them, but in boxes in the car

God’s Plan, God’s Power

Review:

Already seen God’s Plan and God’s Power on Display

Peter and John Arrested and Released from Healing of 40 yr old Beggar

Ananias and Saphira

Read:

Acts 5:12–16 ESV

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Powerful Ministry

vs 12 - Solomon’s Portico (Picture)

Church Gathered

vs 14 - More People than ever believing

vs 15 - Gotten “Uge” (Huge) - Bigger than what we see with Jesus

People carried int the streets

Even glad with the shadow on them

Healed, sick, demon posessed

Goes with what Jesus said

John 14:12 ESV

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

Read:

Acts 5:17–26 ESV

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 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.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

Haters gon’a Hate

vs 17 - Arrested becouse of Jelousy - The Apostles (All of them!)

vs 18 - Public prison

Invictus on Youtube - Great video on ancient roman prisons

Nasty Places - Encourage you to watch the video - ill put it up in the youtube feed.

Mostly a holding place untill you could face your crimes

Sound of prisoners being tourcherd and cries break you alone

smell from prisoners - human waste mingled with food - barly endurable

vs 19 - Angel of the Lord releases the Apostles

vs 20 - Directions - God tell everyone about Jesus! Leave nothing out!

vs 21 - Trust, Submit, engage

vs 22 - Where did they go

High Priest - Council - ready to deal with them after their night in horrid conditions

Could not find them - Saducees dont belive in the miraculas

vs 23 - Did they escape?

Doors locked - Guards posted outside - no one inside

Inconceivable!

vs 24 - Perplexed

vs 25 - Found them!

vs 26 - Asked them to come

Read:

Acts 5:27–32 ESV

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Battle for Narrative

vs 27-28 - Questioned

didnt we say no - Stop it!

You are blaming us!

You are going to get us killed or kicked out!

vs 29-30 - Reply

We have to obey God

aka - We know what you dont know

we are more connected to God than you

We know what really to obey

We have directly connected to God

God of our Fathers - Claiming the same God

raised Jesus

You killed violently

God ekaulted Him at His Right hand (right hand man)

Leader

Savior - from what

To give repentance (repentance - Change of Heart/180 change)

Forgiveness of sins (the cost of sin adsorbed by Jesus)

We are witnesses - Tell others what we see, hear, experiance (given mission directly from Jesus: Matt 28:16-20; Acts 1:8)

The Holy Spirit is a witness - He shares what He has seen, heard, experianced

How do you think they took it?

Read

Acts 5:33–40 ESV

When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Sadducees Assemble!

vs 33 - Enraged to Kill

vs 34 - Gamaliel - Held in honor

why?, why would we?

Wise, Kind probably, knowledgeable

Wisdom - This is not new!

vs 36 - Theudas

Cult leader/ Savior of Isreal

400 folowers

Killed - Revolution over - Followers Scattered

vs 37 - Judas the Galilean

Cult leader/ savior of isreal

During the Census - During when Jesus was born!

Luke 2:1–6 ESV

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

Large following

Killed - Revolution over - Followers Scattered

vs 38-40 So… stay away from them

Why?

If this is from man - It will fail

If it is of God - 1) you will not succeed; 1) you might even be fighting God

We know the truth… was it from God? Yes it was!

Took his advice

vs 40 - Beat them (How is this taking his advice?)/ Didnt kill them (would have gotten them in trouble with Rome

Let them go

Did they stop being witnesses? Did they cower in fear?

Acts 5:41–42 ESV

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Mission Resumed

vs 41 - Left rejoicing

Rejoicing definition - To be Glad, To take Delight; with outward expression

Why?

vs 41 - Counted worthy to suffer dishonor

Did they just love to be dishonored? No

Dishonor for the Name - Whose Name? - Jesus

Dishonored for the Mission - The good news of Jesus

What was the mission?

Matt 22:37-40: Love God; Love others (greatest commandments)

Matt 28:16-20: Make Disciples; Baptizing them & Teaching them to Obey (Mission)

Acts 1:8: To be Witnesses - telling others what they have seen, heard, experienced (Method)

vs 42 Everyday

Back at the Temple (where told to stop)

From house to house (salesmen)

Meeting in homes (House Churches)

Literally going house to house with the good news

What were they sharing?

Acts 5:30–31 ESV

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Jesus came to earth, was killed on the cross, and was raised from the dead that we can have repentance and forgiveness (restored relationship with God)

Paul says it this way

1 Corinthians 15:3–5 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

Jesus died for our wrong doing, thinking and attitudes of our hearts; was killed and burred; then after 3 days Jesus rose again from the dead just as the bible says.

It is the Fathers’ plan that the world would be saved through Jesus

It is the Father’s plan that the would would be told through His US, His Discipleso

It is through the Power of the Holy Spirit, Sent By Jesus, Sent by the Father that accomplishes this.

Because it is God’s Plan, and God’s Power...

BL:

Never ever, ever, ever, ever , give up, ever

Bulletin outline

1) P_______________ M_______________

2) H_______________ gona’ H_______________

3) B_______________ for N_______________

4) S_______________ A_______________!

5) M_______________ R_______________

Small Group/ Personal Study Questions

We grow best in the community. When we gather and discuss God’s word in a safe environment we grow more like Him. If you are here at Crossroads we encourage you to join a Small Group and talk over the Questions below. The Questions in Bold, are great places for your group to start. The other questions are for further study. May God Bless you in your pursuit of Him - Pastor Neil

1) Do you have more of a “give up and quit” or "never give up, never surrender” mentality? How can we have an outlook that never quits when it comes to living out the faith?

2) Read 2 Thessalonians 2:11-15

3) What is going on in this passage? How do they relate? What is the problem with being idol? if a car never got out of idol would we accept that? What would we do with it? Why? How does that relate to us? Does it get tiring doing what is right? Why or why not? At times does there seem to be no benefit? Why? Why would Paul tell us not to tire of doing good? How does that relate with never giving up?

4) Read Revelation 22:11-13

5) What is going on in this passage? How does it relate to the 2 Thessalonians passage? Who is talking here? What is He coming to do? How do you know? Based on your understanding of the bible, what repayment is He bringing? Is it the same for everyone? why or why not? How would you back what you think up with passages found elsewhere in the Bible? Does this encourage us to never give up ever? Why or why not?

6) Who around you needs to hear this? Can you talk to them about it this week? What if you get rejected, will you quit? Why or why not? Need help? Ask us, we want to help :)

Message Links for Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOaRrTxj5q4