Go, Stand, Preach, Equip

Standing Without Apology on God’s Word

FCF: We all struggle with hiding the truth that is in us when we are afraid for reprisal or persecution.

Purpose: Because God plus one is a majority, you must trust in God’s power to free you to serve without fear of reprisal.

Introduction:

The national scene is crumbling around us daily and it seems hourly. This week President Biden and Governor Ron DeSantis have been going at it over Covid-19 protocols and Border security. Our government is now trying to impose personal freedom regulations upon all Americans that are unprecedented. The Church is under attack every day in different parts of the country for allowing people to enter their facilities unvaccinated or unmasked. The Gospel is so offensive to people now because we have not been able to have personal, one on one contact with people for over a year out of fear that the government has ushered into our society. This is not unlike what the Sadducees and Sanhedrin were doing to the Apostles in Jerusalem in this passage’s context.

Essentially, the Apostles were being told they couldn’t enter the temple, or walk in the streets and even have peaceful conversations with people about Jesus Christ because it was offensive or against the message of the religious Sanhedrin. There is coming a day in our nation where this will be history repeating itself because God’s people are refusing to stand without apology with the Truth of God’s Word as their sword. So then what does this passage instruct us about standing on the truth of God’s Word?

Let’s examine our passage this morning to mine out it’s instruction for us.

I. Be ready to face Persecution for the Truth (17-18)

A. The truth will always bother those who oppose it

B. The Truth will cause some to be imprisoned physically even though they are right

II. God does not always promise a way of escape but He does promise protection when we Obey (19-32)

A. Being obedient to the truth is the only freedom we need

B. Obeying God’s command gives liberty and provides an avenue for ministry

C. God often uses the base things of this world to confound the wise

D. Obedience to God allows boldness to stand even though the outcome may be dire (29-32)

III. God’s Will , will be accomplished no matter who gets in the way (33-42)

A. God often uses the most unlikely people to accomplish His purposes

B. God’s Word will never return void nor will his Promises be thwarted or changed.

C. Christians really have nothing to fear even when persecution is immanent

Application/Conclusion:

The gospel has unlimited power because of it’s unlimited source. Christ’s power in Salvation trumps anything and everything that Satan will attempt to put int he way of the gospel’s advance. You have the same unlimited source of strength and power residing in each of you who know Christ this morning. You have the ability to call upon the name of the Lord to ask for boldness to speak the truth to your very neighbor in a disciple making relationship. You have the responsibility and privilege to carry this Gospel with you every day. You must stand without apology with Love, so that the truth will have a cyclical outcome. One life to a life for Life, will allow you great blessing, and will provide for you unending joy and peace knowing that the Gospel influence that was shared with you will have an unending, purposeful legacy, that will be propagated long after you are gone just simply because you chose to OBEY!