What The Angel Could Not Do

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 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 reason 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.

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.

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 as 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.

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. Note: All the words of this life are words of:

1. The Blood

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?