Reasons To Be Faithful To God In Persecution Series

-- We saw this clearly in Genesis and Revelation – these are His things

- Yet, it was and is His will that has been rejected by the world

-- The religious leaders were cut to the heart and took counsel in this wisdom

-- Why? They realized that (perhaps) their approach was incorrect

-- How? Because one of their own, Gamaliel, recognized their error (v37)

- Being a thinking man, and part of this council, he offered wisdom to them

-- Simply: Leave these men to believe and do what they want (v38)

-- If it’s wrong, it will eventually go away and not be a problem anymore

-- His counsel was heard because his logic and reason was sound

- If this is not of God, it won’t last, and it will eventually go away (v38)

-- But, if it is of God, then we won’t be able to overthrow it on our own (v39)

-- Consider: Mtg today to discuss outreach, if it’s not pointing others to Jesus …

- So, they agreed to beat them (obedience does have a price, must see this)

-- And then, they were released – but look at what they took upon as they left?

-- It is our fourth reason to remain loyal …

4. Fourth reason to remain loyal …

We must rejoice in the knowledge that God is faithful

-- Get this: God will do something incredible within a persecuted soul (v41)

• How? God stirred within them that persecution was a privilege

• Being persecuted created a sense of joy and rejoicing in their heart

• And, when one was persecuted it boosted their courage and mission

- Why? Because persecution is not only going to happen, but, in Matthew 10:22 Jesus promised, “And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.”

- Promise and wisdom from Paul: Romans 8:17, “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”

- TR: Turning the corner, in order to effectively minister the Church …

Point 2 – We must have help to accomplish God’s Work

- INFO: There were many different groups in the church during this time

-- The Hellenist Jews had adopted Greek culture, spoke Greek, and wrote it

-- FYI: This original form of the bible was referred to as the “Septuagint”

- FACT: Hebrew Jews would have been taught to reject anything Hellenist

-- So, now they’ve come together, and real word problems begin to arise

- Chapter 6:1-7 could be referred to as the church’s first administrative problem

-- It is not a large problem, but it does uncover some interesting challenges

-- Truthfully: It shows that leaders cannot do everything … they (I) need help!

-- This is reason #1 why others are appointed and must be involved

- Yes, this does specifically relate to deacons (or elders) …

-- Greek: anér; a man

-- Greek: martureó; bear witness, give evidence, give a good report

- But understand this: the application is universal when it comes to serving God

-- “It takes a village …” … and the Church is no different with respect to needs

-- This could be its own message, but I feel we need to cover it here