Stand Firm

Stand Firm!

Today, I am going to use quite a bit of scripture, I do not want to confuse anyone or get you frustrated by having to turn back and forth to keep up with what is going on, but I want you to leave here today, not knowing what I have had to say, but knowing what the word of God has had to say.

Any passage of scripture must be taken in context and the Bible must be taken as a complete book.

The Bible does not contradict itself in any way. I have heard people say in the past that there are some contradictions in the Bible, well I am here to tell you today folks, that if we feel like there is a contradiction in the Bible, then we have not studied the Bible enough to understand what is being said or taught.

You know, I like to listen to preachers preach a good sermon; I even like to watch preachers on television.

Many of you may know a well-known preacher from Texas, Mr. Ron Dunn. In his book, “will God heal me, faith in the midst of suffering” Mr. Dunn stated rather humorously that he likes to check out the competition on Sunday mornings while getting ready for Church.

I assure you, that is not what I do, but I do like to hear a good sermon.

I even listen to men preach on the health and prosperity movement that is so prevalent in our society today, I really do,

I listen to them for about 30 seconds just to hear what kind of garbage they are telling folks and then I get so upset that I have got to stop listening.

People are basing their entire belief systems, even entire religious denominations on one single passage of scripture that is taken completely out of context and the original meaning has not been studied at all.

What these men are preaching does not agree with the Bible as a whole.

Now, I cannot stand here today and tell you that these men are not Christians, but I am very comfortable telling you that they are not preaching the truth from the Word of God! And the problem is that millions of people are following these men, because we have gotten to the point where we want more than God has already given us.

Now today, I am going to use scripture to back up what I have to say. I do not want you to hear a message from Gene Baird today; I want you to hear a message from God!

Take your Bibles please and lets start of by going to the book of Acts.

I would love to start reading from the beginning of the third chapter and read all the way through Chapter six…but we just do not have time to do that….

I am going to start in chapter four, but let me go ahead and give you a little bit of background information first.

Peter and John had come to the temple, you may know the story, they had come across a crippled beggar lying at the temple gate.

Peter said to the man, “ Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have, I give you, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!”

Peter reached down and lifted the man by his hand, the man stood on his healed legs. Now the temple gates were a busy place. Many people saw this miracle. This gave Peter and John the opportunity to witness to many other people.

The people marveled at the healing of the man and Peter and John said,…

Why do you marvel at us……….

You see friends……God was given the glory this day.

Now, the priests and the Sadducees did not like this very much so they had Peter and John arrested.

The Bible tells us that even while under arrest, Peter continued to preach, even to the people that were persecuting him.

Now lets pick up in Acts chapter 4, verse 18.

Read Acts 4:18-20

What boldness!

What determination!

Even while under arrest they continued to preach the Gospel and they were not deterred in any way!

Now, turn over with me just a little bit to Acts chapter 5 and verse 28.

Peter and John had been released with orders by the rulers and leaders to stop their teachings.

They had been commanded not to preach in the Name of Jesus Christ but they did not sway from their task at hand, they continued to preach the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.

So, of course, they were arrested again.

This time, an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and let the apostles out.

And what do you think the apostles did?