Follow God, Not People

Psalm 150 / Acts 5:27–32

Caveats

Govt - Romans 13:3-4 “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.”

Parents - Ephesians 6:2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),”

Church - Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Examples - 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

The Big Moments

Acts 5

After Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:14 “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,”

Arrested by the Chief Priest; freed by an angel

Gamaliel: Acts 5:38-39 “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; 39 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,”

OT

Moses - Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”

Joseph - Genesis 39:9 “He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?””

Luther - 1517

“My conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me.”

Polycarp - 155

“86 years have I have served him,” Polycarp declared, “and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”

The Daily

Prayer

We ought to obey God in praying regularly, rather than people who minimize and distract from it.

Marriage

We ought to obey God in loving (the doing, more than the feeling) our spouses uniquely, exclusively, and sacrificially, rather than people who want to teach anything BUT biblical marriage as a lasting, committed, and holy union of man and wife.

Children

We ought to obey God in raising children (parents, aunts & uncles, grandparents, church parents, special loved ones, mentors) to know God’s Word and will rather than follow people who think scripture to be at best a helpful option

Work

We ought to obey God in working our jobs or volunteering efforts as a way to love our neighbor, with integrity and dedication rather than follow people who say to get what is ‘yours’ by whatever means necessary

Church

We ought to obey God who teaches us to prioritize church participation, church family, as not only an obligation, but a necessary source of ongoing help and grace rather than follow people who might fit as much church in as they can after what they truly prize and think important.

Church family, We ought to obey God rather than people. This certainly is true in the so-called big moments, but more-so in our daily lives. Thanks be to God that we have The Father who sees and knows our needs, The Son who is our confidant and high priest, and The Spirit who is always with us to aid and enable us in our godly endeavors.