Outer Banks Community Church

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?