Bold Faith: Embracing Discomfort in God's Purpose

This morning, we gathered as a community, each of us bringing our imperfections and burdens, yet united in our pursuit of the heart of our perfect God. We recognized that our worship and study are not about our comfort, but about focusing on Jesus Christ and allowing His Word to shape us, even when it challenges us. We took time to pray for our teachers and school staff, acknowledging their role as lights in their mission fields, and asked God to equip them with boldness, wisdom, and favor as they serve.

Reflecting on Acts 5, we saw the early church thriving in unity, generosity, and miraculous works, yet also facing increasing persecution—not in spite of God’s work, but because of it. The apostles were imprisoned for proclaiming the good news, but God intervened, sending an angel to release them and instruct them to continue preaching, even at great personal risk. Their obedience was immediate and bold, demonstrating that following God’s call often brings discomfort and even suffering, but also the assurance of His presence and purpose.

We considered the tension between obeying earthly authorities and God’s higher authority, especially when the two are in conflict. The apostles’ unwavering commitment to obey God rather than men challenges us to examine our own responses to opposition and discomfort. We also saw the wisdom of Gamaliel, who reminded the council that if something is of God, it cannot be overthrown, and to oppose it is to fight against God Himself.

The apostles’ response to suffering was not bitterness or retreat, but rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name. Their example calls us to embrace both the cost and the privilege of following Christ, trusting that God is with us in every trial and that His purposes will prevail. As we go into this week, we are challenged to live with the same boldness, wisdom, and joy, proclaiming the good news regardless of the consequences, knowing that God is for us and His kingdom cannot be stopped.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Obedience to God Often Brings Discomfort, but Also Purpose The apostles’ willingness to obey God’s command, even when it led to imprisonment and suffering, reveals that true obedience is not measured by comfort or ease. Instead, it is in the moments of discomfort that God’s purposes are most clearly revealed, and our faith is refined. We are called to embrace the reality that following Christ may cost us, but it also aligns us with His greater plan. [45:32]
• 2. God’s Presence in Trouble Is Not Always Deliverance, but Always Assurance When the apostles were imprisoned, God did not always remove the trouble, but He was always present with them—sometimes delivering them, sometimes sustaining them through suffering. The promise is not that we will avoid hardship, but that God will be with us in it, using even our trials for His glory and our growth. Our confidence rests not in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of God. [49:14]
• 3. Boldness in Proclaiming the Gospel Requires Both Wisdom and Courage The apostles were instructed to continue preaching the good news, even when it was forbidden by authorities. Yet, their boldness was not reckless; it was rooted in obedience to God and guided by wisdom. We are called to discern when to stand firm, recognizing that suffering for righteousness’ sake is different from suffering for foolishness. True boldness is marked by both courage and discernment. [57:19]
• 4. God’s Purposes Cannot Be Overthrown by Human Opposition Gamaliel’s counsel reminds us that if something is truly of God, no amount of human effort can stop it. This truth should give us both humility and confidence: humility to recognize when we are resisting God’s work, and confidence to persevere in His calling, knowing that His plans will prevail regardless of opposition. The endurance of the church through centuries of persecution is a testament to God’s unstoppable purpose. [86:07]
• 5. Rejoicing in Suffering Is a Mark of True Discipleship The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name, seeing their trials as a privilege rather than a punishment. This perspective transforms how we face hardship—not as something to be avoided at all costs, but as an opportunity to share in Christ’s sufferings and to witness to His worth. Our response to suffering reveals the depth of our devotion and the reality of our hope.
  
  ** [89:32]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:57] - Community Announcements & Upcoming Events
• [13:53] - Call to Volunteer and Serve
• [14:45] - Prayer for Teachers and School Staff
• [42:04] - Setting Our Hearts on God’s Word
• [43:39] - The Cost of Doing the Right Thing
• [46:30] - Trouble Because of God’s Work
• [49:14] - Apostles Imprisoned and God’s Intervention
• [54:46] - Obeying God vs. Obeying Man
• [57:19] - Wisdom and Boldness in Proclaiming the Gospel
• [63:50] - Missing What God Is Doing
• [69:41] - The Accusations Against the Apostles
• [74:29] - Obeying the Highest Authority
• [80:54] - Gamaliel’s Wise Counsel
• [86:07] - God’s Purposes Cannot Be Overthrown
• [89:32] - Rejoicing in Suffering for Christ
• [93:50] - Prayer for Boldness and Closing Blessing
• [96:00] - Fellowship and Sending Out

Bible Reading

Acts 5:17–42 (ESV) — - Matthew 27:20–26 (ESV)
- Luke 8:17 (ESV)

Observation Questions

1. In Acts 5, what specific actions did the apostles take after being released from prison by the angel? How quickly did they respond to God’s instructions? ([01:00:28])
2. What was the reaction of the religious leaders when they discovered the apostles were no longer in prison, and what did they accuse the apostles of when they brought them before the council? ([01:09:41])
3. According to the sermon, what was Gamaliel’s advice to the council, and what reasoning did he use to support his counsel? ([01:20:54])
4. How did the apostles respond after being beaten and threatened by the council? What was their attitude as they left? ([01:29:32])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the angel instructed the apostles to go back to the most public place (the temple) to preach, even though it was risky? What does this say about God’s priorities for His people? ([55:48])
2. The apostles said, “We must obey God rather than men.” In what situations might this principle come into conflict with our daily lives or authorities today? ([01:14:29])
3. Gamaliel argued that if something is of God, it cannot be overthrown. How does this perspective affect the way we view opposition or setbacks in ministry or personal faith? ([01:26:07])
4. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name. What does this reveal about their understanding of suffering and discipleship? ([01:29:32])

Application Questions

1. The sermon mentioned that true obedience to God often brings discomfort and even suffering. Can you think of a time when doing the right thing for God cost you something? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([45:32])
2. The apostles didn’t wait or hesitate to obey God’s command, even after being imprisoned. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to act, but you’ve been hesitant because of possible consequences? What would it look like to respond with immediate obedience? ([01:00:28])
3. The sermon highlighted the tension between obeying earthly authorities and God’s higher authority. Are there situations in your workplace, school, or community where you feel pressured to compromise your faith? How do you discern when to stand firm and when to seek peace? ([01:14:29])
4. Gamaliel’s wisdom was to let God’s work prove itself over time. When have you been tempted to fight against something new or uncomfortable in the church or your life, only to realize later that it was God at work? How can you cultivate humility and openness to God’s leading? ([01:26:07])
5. The apostles rejoiced in suffering for Christ. How do you typically respond to hardship or opposition because of your faith? What would it look like to see suffering as a privilege rather than a punishment? ([01:29:32])
6. The sermon challenged us to live with boldness, wisdom, and joy in proclaiming the good news, regardless of the consequences. Who is one person or group you feel God is prompting you to share your faith with this week? What step can you take to do this with both courage and wisdom? ([01:34:59])
7. The early church was marked by unity, generosity, and miraculous works, even in the face of persecution. What is one practical way you can contribute to unity or generosity in our church community this week? ([47:08])