Commitment To The Gospel Series

COMMITMENT TO THE GOSPEL

Acts 5:17-32

INTRODUCTION:

A. Have you ever thought about commitment?

1. We make commitments on a regular basis – some are informal and some are formal

a. Informal

1) We start school – a commitment to education

2) We go to work – a commitment to a job

3) We build relationships – commitment to friends

b. Formal

1) We buy a car or house – sign a contract to pay for it

2) We get married – We take an oath of “until death do we part”

3) We sign up of Charter internet – we sign an agreement

2. Now this is not to say that all commitment is the same – formal or informal: for either can be done with great zeal and attachment, indifference and detachment, or anywhere in between.

B. Commitment – it can be an illusive thing at times.

1. Sometimes commitment is base on perceived worth.

a. John Maxwell said if it is not worth dying for it is not worth doing.

b. What do you think?

2. Often times it is based on expectations

a. If our expectations are met , or if we know what to expect, we are more likely to stay committed

b. Conversely, if they are not we are less likely to stay committed

C. I brought this up because I want us to examine our commitment to the gospel. Where does our – your – commitment lie?

1. In our Scripture passage we see some men who had a great commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ

2. We know they were committed because they stayed true in the toughest of times

3. So, if we are to stay committed to the gospel of Christ, as they did what can we expect to find in our lives?

4. There are probably many things but I want to bring four to our attention this morning:

a. Opposition

b. Provision

c. Confrontation

d. Proclamation

D. May the knowledge of these things strengthen our commitment to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!

PRAY

Those who are committed to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ can expect

I. OPPOSITION: Acts 5:17-18 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, [18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

A. What a Pain!

1. What were they doing that brought such indignation and wrath? Shooting people, raping, pillaging, plundering?

2. Well, look at Acts 5:12-16: And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch…[14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) [15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. [16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

3. What? That doesn’t sound so bad! That is until you mix in the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

B. The Disciples Knew What To Expect

1. If you will remember the disciples had, once before, been preaching in the temple when the priests, temple guard, and Sadducees had gotten mad.

2. They had the disciples hauled in, put in prison, questioned and then sent away with a stern warning not to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus.

3. I have no doubt that the disciples knew that when they started preaching again more opposition would raise it ugly head.

4. But they had made a commitment to Jesus Christ and His Gospel and they had determined that opposition, in any form, was not going to detour them.

C. What about us?

1. Do we realize that we can do all kinds of great things, things that would seem to be wonderfully kind, but when you add the name of Jesus and His gospel to it we are more than likely going to face opposition?

2. If you watch the news you will have heard stories of how some people don’t want Christian Organizations going into places like Iraq, or Indonesia with humanitarian aid because they are afraid they might preach Jesus!

a. They think that is impure motivation?

b. I ask you, what would Jesus think?

3. But we don’t have to go around the world to find it, its right here at home; Federal funding of “Faith Based Organizations” is apposed on similar grounds.

4. We can even see it in our own lives when God starts to do a marvelous work in peoples lives who hear the gospel and begin new lives; people don’t like it.