We began a conversation two weeks ago about what gives us meaning in this life and I suggested that the question is actually a mute point for those who call themselves Christian because if we believe that Christ came, died and rose again then we must also live it. To live out this belief we are call to become a witness for Christ. An impossible role without the power of God offered through the Holy Spirit.
We then prepared our selves for this by inviting everyone present to commit or re-commit themselves to Him through the acceptance of the Holy Spirit. The hope was for a fresh anointing on our community - an anointing on the scale of what happened in Jerusalem when the gift of the Holy Spirit arrived. Last week we continued the conversation by discussing the empowerment that comes as a result of our invitation to accept the Holy Spirit and his power to accomplish the mission before us.
This week I'd like to continue the conversation by declaring the work of the Holy Spirit is always and without question to glorify our God. This week we asked everyone via email, internet site and Facebook to finish reading where we left off last week in Acts 3:11 through the Chapter 5:16. The scriptures offer the second preaching of Peter, a warning from Sanhedrin, words of defiance by the apostles, the beginning of true community and a drop dead moment that can puzzle even the greatest legalist among us.
So we are going to pick up in Acts chapter 5:17. While you turn there, let me set the stage. The word was getting around town about the disciples of Jesus. The disciples had it going on! People began to flock to them. The Spirit was so active that healings happening just by shadow of Peter crossing someone's body. Of course, this created a great amount of jealousy from the same religious leaders who orchestrated Christ's death. I'm sure they were thinking: “What do we have to do to get rid of this sect of Judaism?" They are going to ruin everything for us.
v17-21
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.
The word jealousy here is not used lightly. The leaders were getting worried they were losing influence over the people. So they did what power and authority does when confronted, they try to contain it. However, God would have none of it. He frees them but not to run away but to stand-up an be counted. They obeyed.
v.22-24
22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
The Jewish leaders were confident they had stopped the contagion. They came to work around 10, figuring a quick trial would take place and this sect would be tried and cast aside. So when they get to work only to discover that it's going to be one of those days, They wonder, "now what?"
v.25- 28
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. 27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
When power is challenged they react as they always have. They send in the muscle. The guards go and retrieve the disciples without incident. Their fears are setting the stage for a showdown. This is where it gets interesting.
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
We told you to stop the Pharisees and Sadducees said: “ Don't you know who we are? We are the ordained leaders. We have power. You are making us look bad. We didn't kill anyone. We're innocent. It wasn't us? All you have to do is look at the facts.”
The apostle’s answer provides us good insight into their thought.
1) They didn't confront the facts of the cause of Jesus death or the role of others in the process
2) They stayed in the moment. They trusted in God.
3)They knew this moment would glorify God. A whole host of fisherman, tax collectors and sinners would stand up to to the rulers.
The moment would change history. In their response, gives us our rally cry as Christians:
"We must obey God rather than human beings"
Have you ever been confronted with one of these choices? Have you ever been so sold out for a cause you stood up?
STORY - Salvation Army, A Man in Recovery,
William Booth embarked upon his ministerial career in 1852, desiring to win the lost multitudes of England to Christ. He walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.
Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message to the people. His fervor led to disagreement with church leaders in London, who preferred traditional methods.A General Conference In Liverpool had Him reassigned to a new circuit of churches o which his wife is reported to stood up in the gallery and shout: "No! Never!" It was a surreal scene . To which the two would move towards one another and then leave the assembly being called to order with a wave of his hat. He never returned to the conference and a few short months later he resigned his position to Go and work for God directly. It became a joint ministry. https://books.google.com/books?id=SvwavS5U9S0C&pg=PA288&lpg=PA288&dq=Why+did+William+Booth+resign+as+a+minister&source=bl&ots=xtEarmSUd8&sig=UqNfu4iBPkSWK3ZCw5WNnWg_50s&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBGoVChMIzOXJmIGVyAIVwgqSCh0E-gdy#v=onepage&q=Why%20did%20William%20Booth%20resign%20as%20a%20minister&f=false
He withdrew from the church and traveled throughout England, conducting evangelistic meetings. His wife, Catherine, could accurately be called a cofounder of The Salvation Army.
In 1865, William Booth was invited to hold a series of evangelistic meetings in the East End of London. He set up a tent in a Quaker graveyard, and his services became an instant success. This proved to be the end of his wanderings as an independent traveling evangelist. His renown as a religious leader spread throughout London, and he attracted followers who were dedicated to fight for the souls of men and women.
Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards were among Booth's first converts to Christianity. To congregations who were desperately poor, he preached hope and salvation. His aim was to lead people to Christ and link them to a church for further spiritual guidance. - http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/history-of-the-salvation-army
When you believe in a cause greater than yourself you will stand up for what you know as well as for what God wants over an above what you need or want. The disciples stood before the most powerful group in the land and said, we know what you did. We were there. We are telling the truth. You all have disobeyed our God and therefore, "you're not the boss of me."
v.33 - 38a
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you:
I don't know about you but This debate might be more entertaining than one with Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and/or Mr. Carson. The group is guided by a Gamaliel. A minority voice in the council but a respected one. He is also the same man who would have training Saul who would become Paul. He does his best to interject reason into the assembly. “Relax. We have been through this before. These ideas die out when the leader dies. The Roman’s have taken care of this and killed their leader. We don’t want to seem fearful.”
v.38b -39
38 Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
This verse gives us great wisdom. We have time. We have experience. Do not rush to judgment. The words should echo in our hearts every time we hear a screaming in our hearts saying, "they're not doing it right!"
v.40
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Man does what man does when trying to save face. They punish them and say, "don't do that." But knowing they won't stop.
v.41-42
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
The disciples show their commitment, trust and understanding of their purpose in life. It's to teach the truth: God became man, died on a cross, rose again healing the world from our sin and promising to return to finish the job. Our role is preparing ourselves for the power of the Holy Spirit through inviting the spirit in, accessing the power to do God's work in the world and ALWAYS give him glory.
Let's Pray!
https://communitycenter.life/rev-robert-butler-info
