God Can't Be Stopped: Joyful Perseverance Through Opposition

In Acts 5 the heat is turned up. When the light burns bright, the darkness fights back. The council was enraged and ready to kill the apostles, and into that storm God raised an unlikely voice—Gamaliel—who basically said, “If this is human, it’ll die on its own. If it’s of God, you can’t stop it.” That reminder steadied my heart. I’ve been tempted to measure our future by attendance, money, or momentum. But God’s kingdom doesn’t run on human fuel. My job—and ours—is simple faithfulness. God doesn’t need me; he invites me. He will move in Brunswick and beyond. We can join him or watch him pass by, but he will not be stopped.

Then we watched the apostles walk out of a beating rejoicing. Not because pain is good, but because Jesus is worth it, and sharing his wounds is a privilege. They didn’t just survive; they kept showing up—publicly in the temple and personally from house to house. That challenges us in a culture where the loudest threat is usually ridicule or cancellation. If we’ve gone weeks with no pushback, perhaps we’re silent—or safe inside a Christian bubble. Christ calls us to gentle courage: truth with love, conviction with tenderness.

I urged us to stop using ease as the measure of God’s favor. Faithfulness often attracts friction. And I invited us into practices that re-aim the heart: Scripture before screens, prayer without ceasing, worship in the car, family discipleship at home, refusing the gossip mill at work, forgiving quickly, and putting others before ourselves. These rhythms won’t make life easy, but they will anchor joy when the next wave hits. Finally, I called anyone still on the fence to step off it—there is no fence. Either Jesus is Lord, or we remain our own authority. The way of Jesus brings a peace the world can’t explain and a joy it can’t take.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s mission outlasts human resistance Gamaliel’s counsel reminds me that God’s work doesn’t depend on cultural approval, legal protection, or my competence. Human energy burns out; divine purpose endures. Stop reading opposition as failure and ease as blessing. Anchor your confidence in the One who cannot be overthrown. [12:59]
• 2. Rejoice when faith draws fire Joy in suffering isn’t denial; it’s recognition. When the world sees Jesus in us, it sometimes swings. Wounds become witnesses—signs we’re standing with him where he’s at work. Let joy—not bitterness—fuel your perseverance. [22:52]
• 3. Success is faithfulness, not fanfare Heaven’s scoreboard tracks discipleship, prayer, and obedience, not seating charts and budgets. People are not projects; they are image-bearers to be loved, taught, and walked with. Measure your week by presence with Jesus and people, not by outcomes you can’t control. [18:57]
• 4. Break the bubble; witness with courage If there’s no resistance, maybe there’s been no risk. Step beyond the echo chamber; find someone who disagrees and be a faithful friend. Speak truth with gentleness, and let love carry the weight of your words. [33:03]
• 5. Choose practices that aim your heart What you repeatedly do forms what you deeply love. Start your day with Scripture and prayer; fill commutes with worship and sound teaching; pray with your family; refuse the sludge that numbs your soul. These habits don’t earn grace—they position you to receive it. [47:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:47] - Light advances; darkness fights back
• [02:03] - Real demonic opposition named
• [05:19] - When prayer doesn’t end opposition
• [05:57] - Reading Acts 5:33–40
• [07:52] - God cannot be stopped
• [09:43] - Gamaliel’s cautionary wisdom
• [13:35] - Measuring success the wrong way
• [22:52] - Joy in suffering for Jesus
• [29:52] - Persevering publicly and in homes
• [31:08] - Courage amid cultural pushback
• [38:54] - Fixing our eyes on Christ’s suffering
• [45:59] - Practices that aim your heart
• [53:08] - Clear gospel invitation

Bible Reading

Acts 5:33–42 — 33 When they heard this they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 And now I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man it will fail; 39 but if it is of God you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God.” 40 And they agreed with him. And when they had called the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. 41 And they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that Jesus is the Christ.

Observation Questions

1. What three facts about the council’s reaction are stated in verses 33–34? How do those facts shape the danger the apostles faced? (look at verse 33)
2. What examples does Gamaliel use to make his point (vv. 36–37), and what is the conclusion he draws in verses 38–39?
3. Verse 41 says the apostles “left… rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” What specific actions did they take immediately after (v. 42)? [22:52]
4. In the sermon the pastor said we often measure success by attendance or ease. Which line in Acts pushes back against that measure? (compare vv. 40–42 and the pastor’s comments) [16:57]

Interpretation Questions

1. Gamaliel urges caution by pointing to failed human movements (vv. 36–37). What is the logic of his argument, and how should the church use that logic today when it faces opposition or new movements?
2. Verse 39 warns that opposing the apostles might mean opposing God. What does this say about the limits of human authority over God’s work?
3. The apostles rejoice after being beaten (vv. 41–42). How should the church understand “joy in suffering” — is this denial of pain, or something else? [22:52]
4. The pastor argued that God’s mission doesn’t depend on cultural approval. How does Acts 5 reshape a leader’s priorities between “results” (numbers, money) and faithfulness to ordinary discipleship? [16:57]

Application Questions

1. The sermon named habits that “re‑aim the heart” (Scripture before screens, prayer, worship in the car). Pick one habit from that list. What is one concrete change you will make this week to begin that habit (when, where, for how long)? [47:56]
2. The pastor challenged us to “break the bubble” by befriending someone who disagrees with us. Name one person in your life who fits that description. What step will you take in the next 7 days to build a credible friendship with them? [33:03]
3. The sermon warned against using ease or attendance as the measure of God’s favor. What one metric or practice will you use instead next month to measure your faithfulness (examples: number of gospel conversations, minutes in prayer, people discipled)? [16:57]
4. When facing ridicule or pushback, the apostles didn’t retreat but continued both public worship and house‑to‑house witness (v. 42). Where have you tended to retreat (home life, workplace, social media)? Name one specific place you will “lean in” this week and what that looks like. [22:52]
5. The sermon encouraged “gentle courage” — truth with love. Think of a conversation you need to have where truth and tenderness must meet (a family, friend, coworker). What two sentences could you say this week that are both honest and loving? Plan them out now. [33:03]
6. The pastor invited anyone on the fence to step off it and put Jesus first. If you are unsure or drifting, what would a first step toward trusting Jesus look like for you this week (read a passage, talk with a believer, pray a prayer of repentance)? [54:27]
7. The sermon warned about common idols (work ethic, political hope, social media). Choose one idol currently taking your trust or time. What is a concrete action you will take this week to reduce its power (time limit, accountability partner, delete an app, reallocate one hour to Scripture/prayer)? [46:37]