04/24/16 We Ought To Too!
Acting Like Jesus Series - Acts 5:26-42
Intro: We can all agree following orders
or (reading the Instructions) can often be a tedious affair; however, not
following can result in consequences that can become detrimental. It doesn’t
matter what stage of life you’re in, whether you’re re-tired or employed,
married or single there will always be orders or instructions to obey. Next to
the one who does not pay his bill, the doctor’s most annoying patient is the
one who refuses to follow orders. Recently it was estimated that between 16 to
90 percent of all patients leave half-empty pill bottles, cheat on diets,
continues to smoke, or never return for checkups despite careful prescriptions
and cautious advice. The New Church had specific instructions. Believers must
be loyal; they must obey God. The present passage is forceful in driving the
point home to the human heart.
In our text today we have the second persecution
of the church. The world is watching how is the Christian going to respond to
the instruction they have been given, how are they going to act. Has it changed
any for us today? Are we as bold as the first century Christian? We ought to
be! At OVBC this verse has become a chant for us: “My brethren, count it all joy
when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your
faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4
Application: The
disciple will be loyal when they follow the right orders!
Text: Acts 5:26-42
(NKJV)
“Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without
violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And
when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high
priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to
teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and
intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" 29 But Peter and the other
apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The
God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him
God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance
to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these
things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey
Him." 33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill
them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a
teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put
the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: "Men
of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36
For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men,
about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were
scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up
in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also
perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you,
keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is
of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot
overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God." 40 And
they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them,
they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them
go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they
were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the
temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as
the Christ.”
The disciples were re-arrested. They were arrested without
violence because the officers feared the reaction of the people. They had
broken the specific law that the name and resurrection of Jesus Christ was not
to be preached. Believers are sometimes forbidden to speak for their Lord by
governments, businesses, fellow workers, schools, institutions, and neighbors. This
is in direct conflict with the Lord's command. They were thought to have taught
a false doctrine, a doctrine that misled and stirred up people. They were
thought to have threatened uprising, to have falsely accused the government of
injustice and murder. The leaders feared they would lose control of the people,
their support and loyalty. They knew full well their position and livelihood
were at stake. There is good reason why we should be obedient to God’s
instructions: These early Disciples understood God’s will “We ought to too!” I
HAVE 4 REASONS WHY DISCIPLES MUST BE LOYAL.
1st reason a disciple must be
loyal:
Reason 1: God has raised up and exalted Christ: Vs. 30-31
“The God
of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him
God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance
to Israel and forgiveness of sins.”
The disciple must be loyal, we must obey
God, because God has raised up and exalted Christ. God had three purposes for
raising Christ. 1. To make Him a Prince and a Savior. 2. To give repentance. 3.
To give forgiveness of sins. Jesus is both the Giver and Savior of life. He is
the deliverer, a preserver. "For unto you is born this day in the city of
David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
2nd reason a disciple must be
loyal:
Reason 2: God has made us a Witnesses: Vs. 32
"We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."
The disciple must be loyal, must obey
God because God has made him a witness of "these things “or sayings. What things,
what sayings? The things just stated. The believer is a witness that Jesus
Christ is the Prince and Savior, the only Person who accepts repentance and can
forgive sins. The Holy Spirit is also said to be a witness to these things. The
Holy Spirit witnesses to Christ by giving supernatural power to the disciples
to live righteously and to proclaim Christ.
"But when the Helper comes,
whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from
the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 and you also will bear witness,
because you have been with Me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27
The Holy Spirit
witnesses to Christ by convicting of sin and righteousness and judgment. The
Holy Spirit witnesses to Christ by working signs, wonders, and miracles through
the believer. The Holy Spirit is given "to them that obey Him." His
wonderful presence and power, guidance and care, purpose and mission can become
anyone's—anyone who will obey Him.
3rd reason a disciple must be loyal:
Reason 3:
God has a will that must be done: Vs. 32- 40
“And we are His witnesses to
these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who
obey Him." 33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to
kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel,
a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to
put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them:
"Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding
these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A
number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed
him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of
Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him.
He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say
to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this
work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you
cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God." 40 And
they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them,
they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them
go.
The disciple must be loyal; he must obey God because God has a will that
must be done. God has a plan and a will to be done upon earth, and His
providence and power work it out to see that it is done. The disciples had just
been witnessing to the will of God for the world. God's will was rejected and
opposed by the unthinking men of the world. Both evil and religious leaders
were guilty of not thinking, of acting upon emotion and prejudice instead of
reason. God's will is recognized by thinking men of the world.
Gamaliel was one
of the most outstanding teachers in Jewish history. His name means the reward
of God. He was a thinking man, an extremely wise man, a man with a firm belief
in God and His providence. Gamaliel knew God's will and plan can be seen in
worldly affairs. Basically he said everything that is not of God is doomed. But
Gamaliel's philosophy had one flaw. Evil ideas and works, deceivers and
self-seekers are not necessarily destroyed in the short run—eventually, yes,
but not necessarily quickly. Evil is sometimes allowed to reign in order to awaken
men to their need for God and His deliverance.
What is of God cannot be
overthrown. God's will and work cannot be overthrown, not totally or finally.
The world may try; it may achieve what appears to be temporary success. But God
causes the spark and life of His Word to catch fire in the heart of someone
else. His Word and life, the glorious message of His Son whom He has "exalted
to be a Prince and a Savior," cannot be extinguished. The gates of hell
cannot prevail against the Lord's church no matter how great a force of evil is
launched by the world against it. This was the advice of Gamaliel, the
thinking man of the world, to the others on the counsel. Leave those who
believe in Jesus alone. Let them go about doing the good they are doing. Reap
the benefits of their ministry.
If they are not of God, they will soon
disappear from the scene. If they are of God, all the forces of the world
cannot overthrow them. You will be found fighting against God Himself.
4th
reason a disciple must be loyal:
Reason 4: God is able to deliver through
hardship: Vs. 41-42
“So they departed from the
presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer
shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they
did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
The disciple
must be loyal; he must obey God because God is able to deliver the obedient
through hardship. God delivered the disciples. They had been terribly beaten,
but God's shows His marvelous deliverance. God stirred within the persecuted
heart a sense of privilege. They counted themselves privileged to suffer shame
for Christ. God stirred within the persecuted heart a sense of joy and
rejoicing. God stirred within the persecuted heart a sense of courage and mission.
They continued daily in the temple, teaching and preaching. Despite the
opposition, they were compelled to share the glorious news of the gospel: God
had sent His Son into the world to save men. “Beloved, do not think it strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's
sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with
exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
Conclusion: Engineer’s Wrong Orders: Some years
ago a passenger train was rushing into New York as another train was emerging.
There was a head-on collision. Fifty lives were lost. An engineer was pinned
under his engine, frightfully injured, and tears were running down his cheeks.
In his dying agonies he held a piece of yellow paper crushed in his hand, and
said: “Take this. This will show you that someone gave me the wrong orders.”
Earlier
I mentioned: following orders or (reading the Instructions) can often be a
tedious affair; however, not following can result in consequences that can
become detrimental. The Engineer was given the wrong orders and fifty lives
were lost. Church, Christian, disciple there are a lot of people outside these
doors that are following the wrong orders. The loyal disciple must know there
are a lot more than 50 lives involved and there are going to be a lot of tears
shed when it is too late. The engineer had a document showing the wrong orders.
When Jesus Christ came into this world and died on the cross for our sins and
rose on the third day, He gave His church orders; He commanded His loyal
disciples to Go! These men and woman of the first century church went: “We
ought to too!”
Do you know anybody that is following the wrong orders? What cha
going to do about it?
In : Sermon
Tags: "acting like jesus series" "book of acts"
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