Scripture Reading: Acts 5:12-16
You Cannot Overthrow What is of God
(Acts 5)
Intro.
1. The gospel continued to spread throughout Jerusalem and many were saved (4:4).
2.
Acts
5:
But, the opponents of Christ and truth never sleep. Opposition to truth and
godliness came from within and without -- as it still does today, cf.
2
Cor. 11:24-28
(2
Jno. 7; Jude 4).
3.
Acts
5:
The gospel spread in spite of internal and external problems. (Why and how)
I. UNITY OF FAITH AND ACTION, Acts 4:32-37.
A. Traits of the Jerusalem Church:
1. Faith and unity, 4:32 (Jno. 17:21).
2. Commonality of purpose and values, 4:32 (love).
3. God’s power and grace, 4:33.
4. Sacrificial giving met ongoing needs, 4:34-37.
II. INTERNAL PROBLEM: SIN IN THE CHURCH,
Acts
5:1-16.
A. It is a Problem Whenever Christians Sin,
Rom.
6:1-2, 11-14.
1. Sin is not to reign over us any longer; that is our choice!
2. Different types of sins: Ignorance, willful, out of weakness,
occasional, ongoing.
3. All sin, not repented of, brings spiritual death,
Acts
8:20-22; 1 Jno. 2:1-2.
B. We Cannot Hide our Sin from God,
Acts
5:1-9.
1. God sees and punishes sin (5:2:
Pride, deception, greed).
2. We must confess and repent, not cover up sin,
Psa.
32:1-5.
C. Christians can Lose their Souls due to Sin,
2 Pet. 2:20.
1. Ananias and Sapphira were Christians who were liars.
2. But, all liars are eternally lost,
Rev.
21:8.
3. Therefore, Christians who lie and do not repent will be lost.
D. The Church Benefits when God’s Discipline is Applied,
5:11-14.
1. Sinner benefits because it is an effort to save him,
1
Cor. 5:5.
2. Reverence for God and truth is taught,
5:5,
11;
1
Tim. 5:19-20.
3. The dangerous influence of sin is removed,
5:13;
1
Cor. 5:6-7.
4. Good soil for godly growth is preserved,
Acts
5:14-16
(Lk.
8:15).
III. EXTERNAL PROBLEM: OPPOSITION AND PERSECUTION,
Acts
5:17-42.
A. Rest Assured, Opposition to Truth will Happen.
1. Evil, ungodly men will be jealous of the truth and those who follow it,
Acts
5:17-18, 33;
cf.
Jno.
3:19-21.
2. Apostles kept preaching when threatened,
4:18, 20-21, 31, 33.
3. Envy and contentious rivalry drives persecution,
Matt. 27:18.
B. We must Obey God rather than Men,
Acts
5:19-32.
1. When men impose laws that violate divine truth the Christian is not
obligated to obey them; we must first obey God.
2. Render unto Caesar, but not if it dishonors God,
Matt. 22:21.
-Does
not mean a Christian is forbidden from using legal, ethical and moral means afforded by the
government to protect himself from harm,
Acts
25:11.
C. Remain Faithful and You will be Blessed (Rev.
2:10).
1. Freed from prison and taken without violence,
5:19-20, 25-26.
2. They were beaten–how was this a blessing?
5:40-41; 2 Cor. 4:16-18.
3. Kept on rejoicing and preaching, 5:42
(Matt. 5:10-12).
IV. DON’T FIGHT AGAINST GOD,
Acts
5:33-42.
A. People will not Defeat the Purposes of God,
Acts
4:24-28; Isa.
55:11.
1. Your objection to the gospel will not change the gospel.
2. Futile to fight against God in your life,
5:39
(Acts
26:14).
B. The Gospel of Christ is “of God” – Obey it Now,
Acts
5:39.
1. Just as Gamaliel said: The gospel continued, undefeated by the threats
and fighting of man,
5:41-42.
2. Your persistent refusal to obey the gospel will not change what God
expects of you – or what He will judge you by,
Jno.
12:48.
3. Yield your stubborn will to God.
Conclusion
1.
The choice is yours: Do you want to be on the winning or the losing side in the
struggle between good and evil?
2. You cannot overthrow God; Obey His gospel now.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: June 4, 2013