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What The Angel Could Not Do
Contributed by James Roberts on Jul 26, 2016 (message contributor)
Summary: We need to be doing what the Angel could not.
WHAT THE ANGEL COULD NOT DO
Acts 5:12-20
INTRODUCTION:
The early church was certainly active at this time. Souls being saved, people being blessed, bodies being healed; and revival spirit was flowing. Note some 3 or 4 things with me by way of introduction.
Now verse 12 tells us:
And by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people.
Here are 3 reasons why such miracles were permitted.
1. It helped keep the church together: verse 12
It was not the time for them to be scattered.
2. It brought about some respect for the Apostles. verse 13
God's true men must be respected, not as lords, but as servants of the most High God.
3. It caused the Church to increase in number. verse 14.
This is God's great purpose in His work today.
In verse 17 we see the Devil at work also...
For never did any good work go on with any hope of success, but it met with opposition, Satan, the destroyer, ever was, and ever is an imposing adversary.
1. Who Satan used as his tool: verse 17.
The high priest, and religious crowd.
Satan delights in causing turmoil among religious ranks.
2. How God's Servants Were Treated: verse 18.
This was an effort to degrade God's people.
3. What Procedure the Lord Took to Release Them verse 19.
The Lord intends to keep His work moving.
NOW LET US NOTICE WHAT THE ANGEL COULD NOT DO.
Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
I. HE COULD NOT GO IN MAN'S STEAD
A. Here the angel commanded the Apostles to GO.
I'm sure this angel would have delighted to go, for the Lord, you see he had his habitation with the Lord. But Angels cannot go in man's stead.
B. In Luke 14:16-23 The Parable of the Great Supper.
Verse 21 gives us some things to do, so does verse 23.
Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and the maimed, and the halt and blind.
Streets - city streets
Lanes - small streets
The poor - poor sections
Maimed - half blind, hospitals filled with them.
v23.
Go out in to the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Highways - each leading in & out of our city
Every house, business, service station
Hedges - rural roads, country roads, rural areas.
I. HE COULD NOT GO IN MAN'S STEAD
II. HE COULD NOT STAND WHERE MAN NEEDS TO STAND
Stand in the temple (Our church)
A. The place God designed for His people to meet. (More than just a building).
B. The place where the world knows is Heaven oriented.
C. Designed and set aside, dedicated as a place to worship God.
D. The place where sinners can surely be saved.
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
I. HE COULD NOT GO IN MAN'S STEAD
II. HE COULD NOT STAND WHERE MAN NEEDS TO STAND
III. HE COULD NOT SPEAK THE MESSAGE THAT MAN MUST SPEAK
Speak to the people all the words of this life.
A. Surely this angel would have loved to speak to the people the Gospel of Redemption.
1. But man was redeemed not angels.
2. Man was lost not angels.
3. Man was held captive by sin, not angels,
So Man Must Speak.
B. All the words of this life are words of:
1. The Blood
w/o the shedding of blood there is no remission
a. Redeeming - bought us back b. Sin removing
c. Life Restoring d. Life Refreshing
2. The Bible
a. How to live (by every word from God's mouth)
b. Who to love (Everyone)
c. Where to labor (in His fields)
d. Why to look for His coming. (Purifies us)
3. Blessed Hope
a. Precious b. Promised
c. Powerful d. Profitable
e. Predetermined
CONCLUSION:
Sinner the angel cannot help you if you choose to go on without Christ.
Christians - the angel cannot speak your message for you.
This then is the unfinished task Christ left when He ascended back to Heaven. The task of telling others about Him.
Are you doing what the Angel cannot do?
Are you telling the sweet story of Jesus’ Love?
Are you living for Him every day of the week?
Or are you a Sunday Morning Christian?