“God Is In Control”
Acts 5:16-25
In uncertainty and chaotic times, it is so comforting to be reminded that God is in control.
No matter what this present world may think or do; we draw strength knowing that the LORD really is involved in our lives.
Illustration:
Jim Elliot, along with four of his missionary colleagues was killed on January 8, 1956 while trying to establish contact with the Auca Indians in Ecuador (now known as the Waodani people). Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Pete Flemming and Roger Youderian had been working to make friendly contact with the Auca tribe which they had seen from the air. Though they had only met one tribesman face to face, they had participated in trades with the Auca from a plane to ground system. When Elliot and his friends landed on a river beach on that fateful January day they were slaughtered by the waiting men.
Their deaths were not in vain though. The widows continued to try and make peaceful contact and eventually won the hearts of the tribe. God has used this missionary martyr story to inspire new generations of missionaries willing to give their lives for what they believe.
It was said by Elizabeth Elliot, that when the chief trusted Christ that he came to her and told her, with regret, that it was he who killed her husband. They became very close as others in the tribe trusted Christ as their Saviour.
God in control is demonstrated all the way back in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
As we read our Bibles we are constantly reminded that the Lord is actively involved in the lives of His children.
We call this “The providential hand of God.”
Each one, who is saved, could stand and testify how the Lord intervened is their lives and helping them make better choices.
In these next few verses we see a great testimony as the Lord intervenes in the lives of the Apostles.
I. The Work Of The Lord
Vs. 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.
We are reminded that the gift of healing was set before the people in Jerusalem and abroad because they were dealing with Jews.
1 Corinthians 1:22 “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:”
That is to say that if the Lord decides to heal a person today it is His purpose and pleasure that we are healed.
I also remind you that the greatest event is not the healing of the flesh but the saving of a soul.
Healed - cure, restore to health
Every one - all, the whole, all together,
The “faith healers” of today are for the money and praise of men and are not honoring God.
II. The Wave Of Anger
Vs. 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.”
Sadducees - a religious party at the time of Christ among the Jews,
They denied the following doctrines:
1a) resurrection of the body
1b) immortality of the soul
1c) existence of spirits and angels
1d) divine free will of man
Indignation - used of boiling anger, zeal, for what is good or bad etc.
In this case, NOT GOOD!
Common prison - where malefactors (of a bad nature, wicked) were put; these both for greater security, and for greater disgrace.
They dared not publicly judge them but they could certainly make them look bad.
Conversation? “If they are in that place, perhaps they deserve to be there.”
III. The Window Of Escape
Vs. 19-20 “But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
Angel of the Lord - This does not denote any “particular” angel, but simply an angel.
The word “angel” denotes properly a “messenger, envoy” that are sent to this world on errands of mercy.
Some would like to know, which angle was sent?
“When the Bible is silent so shall we be.”
This we do know; He was sent by the Lord and He had a mission.
Notice that the doors were opened? And when they came to retrieve the apostles in the morning they were all locked up.
Almost like “don’t forget to shut the door.”
In Vs. 20 we see the direction given.
Vs. 20 “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
“In the temple”
“Speak the words of life.”
If we just come together to feel good, then we have missed our marching orders.
“Speak the words of life.”
IV. The Way Of Obedience
Vs. 21 “And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.”
No commentary needed here.
We see that they did as they were told; and they did not wait for approval from the high muckity mucks.
The Word of God is worth repeating and we do not need permission from anyone to be obedient to the Lord!
V. The Waning Of Truth or
You Are not Going To Believe This
Vs. 22-24 “But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.”
In other words; “we went and opened the door of the prison, because it was shut properly, and no one was in the cell.”
The reply; “you’re kidding me right? This cannot happen, someone failed to do their job.”
VI. The Wayward Are Found.
Vs. 25 “Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.”
Then came one and told them - who this is of little consequences.
“The men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.”
No need to start a manhunt, we know where they are and we know what they were doing.
In the temple
Teaching the People
Conclusion:
Lessons to learn:
1. Serving the Lord will not win a popularity contest, but serving the Lord is always right.
2. Being obedient to the Lord is more important than being in subjection of the so called, wicked, leaders.
3. The message has never changed. Jesus is our only hope for heaven.
4. It should not be difficult for others to recognize who Christians are because they will be the ones busy serving our Lord and Saviour.
Do you know Jesus?
Are you serving where the Lord has made you free?
