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.
D. Jesus forewarned us: He said the world will hate us because of His names sake.
1. Will we stand in the face of opposition?
2. Are we committed to the gospel?
Now I know this is no way to win support for a cause, but may be this next item is. For you see when opposition comes about because of our commitment to the Gospel, we find that God is committed to us and gives us
II. PROVISION: Acts 5:19-25 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. [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. 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. [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.
A. In The Case Of The Disciples
1. God set them free – he sent an angel who opened the doors by night, and with out the guards even knowing what was going on – He set them free
a. But here is a twist to the story – even behind bars, they were still free!
b. Provision had been made through the cross of Calvary, Jesus’ resurrection, His ascension and the giving of the Spirit!
c. It was Jesus who said, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 And understand this,
2. God set them free, not to escape but rather to go and preach once again in the temple.
3. Imagine the look of surprise on their would be captor’s faces when they learned that the disciples were not imprisoned!
4. And then to learn that they were right back in the temple preaching!
5. Talk about provision
a. The disciples had prayed for boldness to preach after the last incident (Acts 4:23-31)
b. I would say this was bold – boldness provided by God!
B. God’s Provision For His Own
1. There is not one person who is committed to God that does not see God’s hand in the provision of each and every day.
a. There is much to be said about true freedom – freedom from worry, fear, hatred, and guilt just to name a few.
b. Even in hard places and bad situations God provides for our needs
2. God’s provision is so great that even the unsaved will recognize it and be puzzled by it, even if they don’t like it!
C. With commitment to the Gospel God makes provision for his saints!
Often, however when you mix opposition with God’s provision it just makes the enemies of God even more angry and that is when we could see
III. CONFRONTATION: Acts 5:26-29 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. [27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, [28] Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
A. I Guess You Could Say This Was Inevitable
1. They had been warned and now it was being recalled for their hearing
2. And if this was not bad enough, read Acts 5:40 …and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
3. On one side we have healing of the sick and the preaching of the good news and on the other we have the beating of innocent men and the commandments of men – think about it.
4. This invoked a response that Peter is famous for, We ought to obey God rather than men.
5. It has been the rallying call for the church many times: it has involved everything from civil disobedience to martyrdom.
B. Our world is big on tolerance, as long as you do as your told.
1. There is no place for a “Gospel” that is narrow and single minded.
2. It all right to preach many gods and many ways to heaven but not one!
3. For those who will be committed to the gospel of Jesus confrontation is almost inevitable because it is not palatable to the world which holds an attitude that states, I am as right as you are – my way is as good as your way.
4. The problem is that it is not about me or them, it is about God and Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
5. Paul told the Galatians, But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8
C. Our commitment to the gospel of Christ will not be seen so much in the good times but rather in the times of confrontation.
1. How we present ourselves in those times is the proof
2. What does our commitment look like?
True commitment to the gospel will acknowledge opposition, provision, and confrontation with a consistent
IV. PROCLIMATION: Acts 5:30-32 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. [31] Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. [32] And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
A. The Gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1. The message never changes, but it changes everything!
2. The word Peter preached is the word Paul preached which is the word we still preach!
a. Jesus died on the cross to give his life a ransom for ours – His shed blood can cleanse us from all sin!
b. His resurrection proves Him to be the Messiah – the Savior – and guarantees our eternal life!
B. Opposition and Confrontation without the Proclamation of God ultimate Provision is of no value
1. But put the GOSPEL in the midst of it all and as John Maxwell would a test to, it is worth dying for!
2. This morning let me tell you true freedom is found in Christ.
3. On our own, we are a sinner, who are condemned and on our way to hell for eternity.
- We may be committed to many things – good things – but they cannot get eternal life for us, that is found only in the person of Jesus Christ.
4. If you will repent of your sins – that is turn from them and turn towards God, confessing with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you can and will be saved!
5. Would you make that commitment this morning?
CONCLUSION:
A. Christian I brought this to our attention this morning because I want us to think about our commitment to the Gospel of Christ?
1. If someone were to judge your commitment by the worth we attach to it, what would they say: committed or uncommitted?
2. If they were to judge it by our zeal or indifference, what would be the outcome – committed or uncommitted?
B. If you have never come to Jesus Christ for salvation, would you make a commitment of your life to Him this morning?
