Acts 5: 17-42

The Pattern

let’s go back and see how we got to verse 17 of chapter 5

Success (God’s purpose type of success) - Day of Pentecost, Peter and John heal a lame man and begin to preach, many saved (God’s purpose type of success)

Trouble - Peter and John arrested, spend the night in jail, threatened

The Right Response - prayer meeting asking for boldness and miracles

Success - further proof of the power of the Holy Spirit working among the church: death of Ananias and Sapphira, many signs and wonders including Peter’s shadow healing people, many saved

what’s next? . . . according to the pattern . . . . Trouble

after that? . . . the right response

See the pattern?

Success is often followed by trouble

I don’t want to scare you, but do want to give you a heads up

God’s blessing often gets satan’s attenton

Examples

10 plagues rescue . . . trapped at red sea

Elijah calls down fire from heaven . . . a hit gets put on him, running for his life

Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem . . . . crucifixion

right response to trouble is followed by success - God’s purpose type of success

Jesus triumphant entry . . . crucifixion . . . humbly accepted it . . . . resurrection (all power)

our challenge is that when that trouble rises (at church, in your family, in your personal life), that we respond correctly, so that success can follow

today’s lesson is an encouragement to do so

Today’s story

like we said, time for trouble . . .

get arrested (all 12)

Side notes - Sadducees (resurrection thing)

but angel releases them and told them to keep preaching

the next morning they go back to preaching

the council convenes to put them on trial

go to jail to get them, but they are not in jail!

in fact they are preaching again!

so they brought them back without violence

Council says, we told you all not to preach

apostles say we must obey God, rather than men

didn’t pull back any punches - we will keep preaching about God’s son, whom you killed

so council decided to kill them

but a respected leader, Gamaliel (a Pharasiee), said if they are fake . . . . this won’t last

but if they are real, we don’t won’t to be fighting against God

a nod to the miracles - lame man, other healings, rescue from jail

they threatened them, and they flogged them

beat, flesh ripped from their bodies . . . serious punishment

type of punishment Jesus took before he was crucified

Funny note: I bet Joseph was glad that Matthias was chosen, lol

their reaction (speaking of right reactions and responses)

rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer shame for His name

remained obedient to God, and kept teaching in the temple and from house

Key verses

freed for purpose, miracles for mission

Acts 5:19 NASB95

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

we usually only think of miracles for personal use/comfort

note: this time they were freed, other times God will have them suffer or die

· Matthew was beheaded with a sword.

· Mark died in Alexandria after being dragged through the streets of the city.

· Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.

· John died a natural death, but they unsuccessfully tried to boil him in oil.

· Peter was crucified upside-down in Rome.

· James was beheaded in Jerusalem.

· James the Less was thrown from a height then beaten with clubs.

· Philip was hanged.

· Bartholomew was whipped and beaten until death.

· Andrew was crucified and preached at the top of his voice to his persecutors until he died.

· Thomas was run through with a spear.

· Jude was killed with the arrows of an executioner.

· Matthias was stoned and then beheaded – as was Barnabas.

· Paul was beheaded in Rome.

For his own purposes - God can rescue or let you go through something

funny moment

Acts 5:23–25 NASB95

23 saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

verse that will fit many situations

Acts 5:29 NASB95

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

we should obey those over us, but not when they contradict God

unfortunately, this can happen with

children obey God rather than parents - lie/steal/cheat

husband to wife or wife to husband - steal, lie, cheat

job to employee - lie to government, lie to customers, lie to other businesses

government to people - stop preaching Jesus

This is not a “I know my rights” moment (American)

this is a, “I am willing to suffer for the cause of Christ”

note: Peter always seems to be the one speaking . . . . best speaker, sign of leadership?

leadership will seem to change

Right response

Acts 5:41 NASB95

41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

arrested and flogged

and they rejoiced . . . and

Acts 5:42 NASB95

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

and they were obedient to God and kept teaching and preaching

the right response needs the right perspective, and that helps with obedience

there perspective was that, “Wow what a privilege to be used by God”

that helps them to be obedient despite threats of the council

Jesus had the right perspective

not my will, but thy will (it’s not about me)

don’t weep for me (thinking of others)

right perspective is usually not “poor old me!”

that led to obedience, Jesus was obedient . . . even to the cross

Let’s talk about suffering for Jesus name

not many of us have suffered a lot for Jesus’ Name

gossipped about, lied on, mistreated, people look at you funny

other Christians in the world are being jailed, and killed today

but we should be ready for big or small

Philippians 1:29 NASB95

29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

it’s a good thing - not to you, doesn’t feel good . . . . but for you

perspective

this is also a matter of faith

reminder - “for his sake”

helps us to know Christ better

1 Peter 4:13 NLT

13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

perspective: be glad, be very glad

when you suffer for Christ, now you are in there with Christ

stronger bond, better connection

you will see that it was worth it, in the end

Philippians 3:10 NASB95

10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

you will know Him better, understand him better

cant just know the Jesus who was praised by many, but also the Jesus who suffered, bled, and died

as a teacher, I understood parents better, once I became a parent with children in school

I knew their suffering

I offered more grace on homework

once I dropped my kids off at a brand new school, I got it (and they were older)

I offered more grace than before

Romans 8:17–18 NLT

17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

there are eternal reward attached

every reward is not on this earth (be glad of that, for earthly rewards are temporary)

Announcements

continued prayers for Sis. Camell

Bro. Westbrook to hospital

pray him and niece can make it

Ladies breakfast this Saturday at 9

New Music Listening party, next Friday at 7 - listen to music, sharing vision God has given me, snacks, real relaxed