God’s Protection And Our Faithfulness Matters Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 6

God’s Protection and Faithfulness Matters

Acts 4:23-37 – Acts 5:1-11

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)

-- And we looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)

-- But, in order to get to the end, we have to be busy doing the work now (Acts)

- Last week the focus of the message was boldness – specif. on sharing our faith

-- KEY: When the Gospel is proclaimed, the results are up to God (He saves)

-- The disciples message: proclaim how good God is - we must do the same!

- Today, we’ll unpack the effects of obedience, as well as a vital example

-- It amplifies the call of being obedient: even being truthful in our finances

-- NOT a message about giving … but it certainly gives weight to its importance

-- Umbrella of our calling to obey God … so it has relevance for us today!

- Read Acts 4:23 – 5:11 / Pray

- TR: Today’s reading outlines three pivotal questions (refer to handout)

Point 1 – How must we Respond to God’s Protection?

- Even under the threat of persecution and prison, faithfulness to God is required

-- This what we see in their release, not their rejoicing of how lucky they are

-- CH: Have a prayer answered? Do you praise? Where/Who is your focus?

- Look at what happens once Peter & John return to the other disciples

-- They were not depressed, sad, or afraid about what happened (vv23-24)

-- They were also not boastful or full of pride in their abilities to evade prison

-- Rather, their response was singularly focused on leading others to pray & praise

-- Why? Because they had conviction (or proof) of God’s incredible protection!

- v24 is a great example of the edification (building up) that the church needs

-- As men who we unafraid, they blessed the church by lifting it up to God

-- They shared what had happened, what was said, and what the threat was

-- But still confirmed (or declared) the praise of what God had done for them

- IMP: Their commitment to praising God is the focus of the whole event

-- Jeremiah 29:13, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

-- Prayer is not about getting what you want, but glorifying God - even in our ask!

-- And so, Peter & John’s story moved others to praise God – to lift him up!

- Real Talk: This is a prime example of how the church should face adversity

-- Rather than the gossip vine – they activated the prayer chain!

- APP: This outcome is a tremendous lesson for us to put into practice today

-- Yes, persecution brings a challenge, but the glory of what happens is still God’s

-- Hint: Notice how this turns the focus from their situation to who God is to us!

- The church sees who they truly are and why their mission is so critical … how?

-- Because together they had conviction of man’s futility vs. God’s plans (vv25-28)

- In their prayer, they recite the history of why they are there (Psa 2:1-2 / David):

• Confessed that man opposed God’s way, which is rebellious to Him

• Summarized the continuous rebellion and failure of man’s ways over God’s

• Exclaim how nation after nation has prepared to wage war against God

• (v27) Even Herod Antipas, by Pilate’s orders, unified the opposition to God

-- We see this today: Society continues to discredit who God is – it is repulsive!

- Yet the counsel (or wisdom) of God is what ultimately determines their path

-- Re-read v28 …. God already knew what they would do and their outcomes

-- APP: God’s truth is what calls them to their mission: Q: “What must we do?”

- ANSWER: They had a deep conviction of God’s assignment! (vv29-30)

-- Their mission, in short, was to speak the word of God – to cry out to Him for:

-- Protection / for evil to be destroyed / for persecution to stop / and for boldness

-- They prayed for miracles to continue & for wonders to be done in Jesus name

-- APP: Believe that more churches need this … FACT: it’s how the church grows

-- BIG: Spiritual growth is far greater than physical (or numeric) growth

- Reality: More programs and activities are cool & great & awesome – but …

-- What good are those if the church is filled with spiritual babies?

-- Infants can’t lead – spiritual maturity is needed to bring others to Christ