Bold Witnesses: The Power of the Resurrection

 

Summary

In the book of Acts, chapter 5, verses 29-32, we find the apostles standing before the Sanhedrin, defying the highest authority in the land by proclaiming, "We are his Witnesses of these things." This bold declaration is rooted in their unwavering conviction of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The apostles, once ordinary fishermen and artisans, now stand transformed, filled with a courage and joy that no earthly power can quench. Their message is not a philosophical idea or a new theory; it is a testimony of witnessed events, particularly the resurrection of Jesus, which they had seen with their own eyes.

The resurrection is the cornerstone of their faith, proving Jesus to be the Son of God and validating His teachings and prophecies. It is the ultimate evidence of His divine nature and the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation. The apostles' transformation from fear to boldness is a testament to the power of the resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which empowers them to preach despite threats of persecution and death.

The resurrection also signifies God's satisfaction with the work of Christ. It is a divine declaration that the penalty for sin has been paid, the law has been fulfilled, and believers are justified. This truth liberates humanity from the bondage of sin and death, offering hope and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. The apostles' message is urgent and vital, for it is the only hope for a world lost in sin and confusion.

The resurrection not only assures us of our salvation but also empowers us to live victoriously over sin, the world, and the devil. It is a promise of Christ's ultimate victory over all enemies, including death, and His eventual return to judge the world in righteousness. This message compels the apostles to preach with urgency and passion, for the stakes are eternal.

Key Takeaways:

- The apostles' boldness in proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus is rooted in their personal witness of His life, death, and resurrection. This transformation from fear to courage is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the resurrection. [06:39]

- The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof of His divine nature and the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation. It validates His teachings and prophecies, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe. [19:40]

- The resurrection signifies God's satisfaction with the work of Christ, declaring that the penalty for sin has been paid and believers are justified. This truth liberates humanity from the bondage of sin and death. [26:49]

- The resurrection empowers believers to live victoriously over sin, the world, and the devil. It assures us of Christ's ultimate victory over all enemies, including death, and His eventual return to judge the world in righteousness. [39:25]

- The urgency of the apostles' message is driven by the eternal stakes of salvation. The resurrection is the only hope for a world lost in sin, and it compels believers to preach with passion and conviction. [53:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Acts 5:29-32
- [01:22] - The Apostles on Trial
- [02:50] - Healing of the Lame Man
- [04:21] - Apostles' Defiance
- [06:09] - The Power of the Message
- [07:32] - Witnesses of the Resurrection
- [09:40] - Transformation of the Apostles
- [12:14] - The Impact of the Resurrection
- [15:13] - Commissioned to Witness
- [17:16] - Jesus as Prince and Savior
- [19:07] - The Proof of the Resurrection
- [24:02] - God's Declaration of Satisfaction
- [31:20] - Victory Over Sin and Death
- [39:41] - Conquering the Last Enemy
- [46:54] - Christ's Authority and Return

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 5:29-32
- Romans 4:25
- 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the response of the apostles when they were commanded by the Sanhedrin to stop preaching in the name of Jesus? ([05:23])

2. How did the apostles describe their role in relation to the events they witnessed concerning Jesus? ([07:32])

3. What specific event transformed the apostles from fear to boldness, according to the sermon? ([12:14])

4. What does the resurrection of Jesus signify about God's satisfaction with His work, as mentioned in the sermon? ([25:27])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the resurrection of Jesus serve as the ultimate proof of His divine nature and the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation? ([19:07])

2. In what ways did the apostles' personal witness of Jesus' resurrection empower them to defy earthly authorities? ([06:39])

3. How does the resurrection assure believers of victory over sin, the world, and the devil, according to the sermon? ([39:41])

4. What is the significance of the apostles' urgency in preaching the resurrection message, as discussed in the sermon? ([53:01])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt compelled to speak about your faith despite opposition. How did you handle it, and what can you learn from the apostles' example? ([05:23])

2. The apostles were transformed by witnessing the resurrection. How has your faith been transformed by your understanding of the resurrection? ([12:14])

3. The sermon emphasizes the resurrection as proof of Jesus' divine nature. How does this understanding impact your daily walk with Christ? ([19:07])

4. Consider the idea that the resurrection empowers believers to live victoriously. What specific area of your life do you need to claim victory over, and how can you rely on the power of the resurrection to do so? ([39:41])

5. The apostles preached with urgency because of the eternal stakes of salvation. How can you incorporate a sense of urgency in sharing your faith with others? ([53:01])

6. The resurrection signifies God's satisfaction with Christ's work. How does this assurance of justification affect your view of your own salvation? ([25:27])

7. Identify one person in your life who is struggling with doubt or disbelief. How can you share the hope of the resurrection with them this week in a meaningful way? ([53:01])

Devotional

Day 1: Witnessing with Boldness
The apostles' boldness in proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus is rooted in their personal witness of His life, death, and resurrection. This transformation from fear to courage is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the resurrection. The apostles, once ordinary individuals, were transformed by their encounter with the risen Christ. Their courage was not self-derived but was a result of the Holy Spirit's empowerment, enabling them to stand firm in the face of persecution. This boldness is a call for believers today to rely on the Holy Spirit to witness with courage and conviction, knowing that the message of the resurrection is life-changing and powerful. [06:39]

Acts 4:13 (ESV): "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you have felt hesitant to share your faith. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to give you the courage to speak boldly about Jesus today?


Day 2: The Resurrection as Proof
The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof of His divine nature and the fulfillment of God's plan for salvation. It validates His teachings and prophecies, offering hope and eternal life to all who believe. The resurrection is not just an event in history but a pivotal moment that confirms Jesus as the Son of God. It assures believers that His promises are true and that through Him, they have access to eternal life. This truth is foundational for the Christian faith, providing assurance and hope in the face of life's uncertainties. [19:40]

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV): "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

Reflection: How does the resurrection of Jesus give you hope in your current circumstances? What specific promise of Jesus can you hold onto today?


Day 3: Justification through the Resurrection
The resurrection signifies God's satisfaction with the work of Christ, declaring that the penalty for sin has been paid and believers are justified. This truth liberates humanity from the bondage of sin and death. The resurrection is God's declaration that the sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient, and it marks the beginning of a new covenant where believers are justified by faith. This justification is not earned but is a gift of grace, freeing believers from guilt and shame, and inviting them into a life of freedom and righteousness. [26:49]

Romans 4:24-25 (ESV): "It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

Reflection: In what ways do you struggle with feelings of guilt or shame? How can the truth of your justification through Christ's resurrection bring you freedom today?


Day 4: Empowered to Live Victoriously
The resurrection empowers believers to live victoriously over sin, the world, and the devil. It assures us of Christ's ultimate victory over all enemies, including death, and His eventual return to judge the world in righteousness. This empowerment is not just for personal victory but is a call to live as witnesses of Christ's transformative power. Believers are called to live in the reality of the resurrection, overcoming challenges and temptations with the assurance that Christ has already won the victory. [39:25]

1 John 5:4-5 (ESV): "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel defeated? How can the victory of Christ's resurrection empower you to overcome this challenge today?


Day 5: The Urgency of the Message
The urgency of the apostles' message is driven by the eternal stakes of salvation. The resurrection is the only hope for a world lost in sin, and it compels believers to preach with passion and conviction. The apostles understood the eternal implications of their message and were driven by a sense of urgency to share the hope of the resurrection with others. This urgency is a call for believers today to recognize the importance of sharing the gospel, knowing that it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. [53:01]

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of the resurrection? How can you share this message with urgency and love today?

Quotes



The apostles told them that they couldn't promise this. They said, "We cannot but speak of the things that we have seen and heard." And so they went on preaching, and the result of that was that they were arrested once more and thrown into the common prison. [00:04:16]

Here are these simpler apostles, fishermen, artisans, ignorant and unlearned men, and they're defying the highest authority in the land. They're refusing to keep silent. They say, "We must go on preaching. We've got to obey God rather than men." What made them say that? [00:06:06]

The apostles make it quite plain that they are witnesses. "We are his Witnesses of these things." You see, they're not standing before the world as men who have had a good idea. They're not standing before the world as great profound thinkers and philosophers who have evolved a scheme for life. [00:07:21]

They say, "We are not merely reporting facts and events to you. We are not merely telling you the significance of these facts and events. We are doing it, and nothing can stop us doing it because of the difference that these things have made to us." [00:08:53]

The resurrection that finally proves who he is. It is the resurrection that finally establishes the point that this Jesus, whom they despised, Jesus the carpenter, this fellow, this man who claims to have learning never having learned, this impostor, this blasphemer, this one who claims equality with God. [00:19:16]

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and from the grave is God's declaration of his satisfaction with the work that his son had done. Now here is a great argument that you find in so many places in the New Testament scriptures, and it is absolutely vital to this preaching. [00:25:27]

God in raising his son from the dead is telling the whole world he has done the work which I sent him to do. What is that work? Well, that work is the work of fulfilling God's law, and this is why you see none other than the Son of God could ever save us. [00:26:49]

The resurrection answers the question and solves our problem. The fact that Christ has come again from the dead, that God himself brought him from the dead, has meant this: that God's law is honored, God's law is absolutely satisfied. The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. [00:31:20]

The resurrection proves that the world has been handed to him. It is his. He sits, he reigns, he's waiting until his enemies shall be made his footstool. And finally, his resurrection and ascension and going back to heaven is at the same time an absolute proof that he'll come back again to judge the world. [00:46:54]

The apostles would not be silenced, and if I may say so humbly, it is my sole reason for standing in this pulpit and preaching this message again. I haven't preached it because it's Easter Sunday. I preached it because it is the truth of God. [00:53:01]

How can one keep silent? The gospel is so glorious. Men and women are dying in sin and in ignorance. Let them scoff at us, let them ridicule us, let them laugh at us, let them do what they will. We go on preaching. We cannot but preach. [00:54:57]

Christ is the only hope for every soul of men. He is the earth's only savior. Have you believed in him? Have you believed these facts? Have you seen their relevance and their significance to you? Have you gone to him and cast yourself upon him, asking him to receive you? [00:55:57]

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Transcript
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