Stand Up For Jesus! Series

Stand Up for Jesus!

Acts 5 25-42

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - Aug. 25, 2013

*Where would we be tonight if these Christians in Acts 5 and countless other Christians had not said and done the right thing? Where would we be if they had refused to stand up for Jesus Christ?

*Church: We are headed to Heaven tonight because of these people. Now God wants us to stand up for Jesus, and this Scripture can help us take that stand.

1. Notice first that we can have the same courage.

*What courage we see in vs. 29-32:

29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.

30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.

31. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

32. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.''

[1] Christians: By God's grace, we can be like the Apostles. We can have the same courage, because we have the same gospel.

*From vs. 30, we can tell them that Jesus died on the cross, but Jesus didn't die just because the Jewish rulers rejected Him. No. Jesus died so He could take the punishment for our sins. From vs. 30, we can also tell people that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead!

*From vs. 31, we can tell them that Jesus returned to Heaven to be exalted by the Heavenly Father, and that He is the Prince and the Savior for all who will receive Him. From vs. 31, we can also tell them about God's amazing grace that touches hearts and turns them to God. We can tell them about the fullness of forgiveness that they can find in Jesus Christ.

[2] We can have the same courage as the Apostles, because we have the same good news. -- And because we have the same God by our side.

*In vs. 32 the Apostles said: "We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.'' Church: We have the same Holy Spirit who witnesses about Jesus to the lost, and encourages us to witness too.

2. We can stand up for Jesus with the Apostles' courage. -- And we need their courage, because we are in the same conflict.

*We see strong opposition to the gospel in vs. 26-28:

26. Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

27. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,

28. saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!''

*Then after the Apostles took a bold stand for the Lord, vs. 33 says: "When they heard this (i.e. when the Christ-haters on the court heard this) they were furious and took counsel to kill them."

*We must know that there are people in the world taking counsel to kill us right now. And they are doing it for the same exact reason: Because we are followers of Jesus. We are in the same conflict that has been going on for 2,000 years.

3. And we must stand up for Jesus, because we are in the same conflict. Also stand up for Jesus because the gospel must not be compromised.

*We can never be neutral about Jesus Christ! Don't try to sit on the fence. In vs. 34-40, we see someone who did try to sit on the fence:

34. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.

35. And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.

36. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.

37. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.

38. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;