Obedience to God Amid Trials and Opposition

 

Summary

Today, I shared a message centered on the theme of obedience to God, particularly in the face of trials and opposition, as exemplified by the apostles in the Book of Acts. We delved into Acts chapter 5, where the apostles faced imprisonment and threats from the Jewish council but remained steadfast in their mission to proclaim the gospel.

The sermon began by reflecting on the apostles' miraculous escape from prison, facilitated by an angel of the Lord who reminded them to continue preaching the full message of Jesus Christ. This narrative set the stage for understanding the depth of their commitment to God's commands over human authority.

We explored the confrontation between the apostles and the Jewish council. Despite being strictly charged not to teach in Jesus' name, the apostles filled Jerusalem with their teaching, emphasizing that obedience to God must always supersede obedience to men. This act of defiance was not just rebellion but a profound commitment to God's higher calling.

The core of the message focused on the apostles' response to the high priest's accusations. They proclaimed the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus, highlighting their role as witnesses to these events alongside the Holy Spirit. This testimony was not just a defense of their actions but a bold declaration of their faith and the truth of the gospel.

In discussing the implications of the apostles' experiences, I encouraged our congregation to consider what it means to live a life of obedience to God. This involves more than just adherence to rules; it's about aligning our entire being—actions, thoughts, and desires—with God's will. The challenges faced by the apostles serve as a powerful example of the cost and the blessing of such obedience.

We also touched on the personal aspect of obedience, using a personal anecdote about a family incident that taught us about forgiveness and the importance of setting godly examples for our children. This tied back to the broader message of living out our faith authentically and teaching by example.

Throughout the sermon, we were reminded of the Holy Spirit's role in empowering and guiding us in our mission to witness and proclaim the gospel. Just as the apostles were emboldened by the Spirit, we too are called to rely on this divine assistance to fulfill our calling.

The service concluded with a call to reflection and prayer, inviting everyone to consider their own trials and the areas in their lives where God is calling them to greater obedience and faithfulness.

### Key Takeaways:

1. Obedience Overcomes Opposition: The apostles' unwavering obedience to God in the face of severe opposition teaches us that divine commands should always supersede human directives. This obedience is not passive but active proclamation of the gospel. [38:22]

2. Witnessing Through Trials: The apostles used their trials as platforms for witnessing. When we face trials, we too can use these opportunities to testify to God's work in our lives, turning our challenges into testimonies of faith and perseverance. [39:46]

3. The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers to preach and live out the gospel. Just as the apostles were emboldened by the Spirit, we must also seek and rely on this divine empowerment in our daily walk with Christ. [54:13]

4. The Cost of Discipleship: Following Christ involves more than just enjoying benefits; it includes facing hardships for the sake of the gospel. The apostles' experiences remind us that true discipleship often comes at a cost, but it is always worth it because of the eternal rewards. [47:55]

5. Living the Full Gospel: The apostles preached the full life and teachings of Christ, emphasizing repentance, forgiveness, and obedience. We are called to embrace and proclaim the entire message of the gospel, not just the parts that are convenient or comfortable. [53:31]

### Chapters:
- 0:00 - Welcome
- 00:32:39 - Introduction and Updates
- 00:37:53 - Apostles' Imprisonment and Angelic Intervention
- 00:39:05 - Apostles' Defiance and Proclamation
- 00:47:22 - Peter's Boldness and Historical Context
- 00:54:56 - Role of the Holy Spirit in Proclamation
- 01:00:17 - Closing Prayer and Invitation for Support

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Acts 5:17-33
- John 16:33
- Ephesians 1:7

### Observation Questions
1. What miraculous event allowed the apostles to continue preaching in the temple despite being imprisoned? ([36:55])
2. How did the apostles respond to the high priest's accusation that they were disobeying orders not to teach in Jesus' name? ([38:22])
3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the apostles' mission according to Acts 5:32? ([53:31])
4. What personal anecdote did the pastor share to illustrate the importance of forgiveness and setting godly examples for children? ([41:22])

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the apostles chose to obey God rather than the Jewish council, even at the risk of their lives? ([38:22])
2. How does the pastor's story about his son's accident with the TV relate to the broader theme of obedience and forgiveness? ([41:22])
3. In what ways does the Holy Spirit empower believers to face trials and proclaim the gospel, as seen in Acts 5 and the pastor's sermon? ([54:13])
4. How does the pastor's reference to John 16:33 provide both a warning and encouragement for believers facing trials? ([35:12])

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition for your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of the apostles' example? ([38:22])
2. The pastor shared a personal story about forgiveness within his family. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? How can you take a step towards that this week? ([41:22])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment in your daily life? ([54:13])
4. The apostles used their trials as opportunities to witness. How can you turn a current or past trial into a testimony of God's faithfulness? ([39:46])
5. The pastor mentioned the cost of discipleship. What sacrifices might God be calling you to make in order to follow Him more closely? ([47:55])
6. How can you ensure that your obedience to God is not just about following rules but aligning your entire being with His will? ([49:20])
7. The pastor talked about the importance of living out the full gospel. What steps can you take to embrace and proclaim the entire message of the gospel in your community? ([53:31])

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Commands Surpass Human Directives
Obedience to God often requires courage to defy human authority when it conflicts with divine mandates. In Acts 5, the apostles chose to obey God rather than human authorities, boldly proclaiming the gospel despite severe opposition. This act of obedience was not merely about defiance but about prioritizing God's will above all else. As believers, we are called to uphold God's commands, even when it means facing challenges or opposition from those around us. This commitment to divine authority over human rulings is crucial for living a life that truly honors God. [38:22]

Acts 5:29-31 (ESV): "But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.'"

Reflection: Consider a situation where you felt pressured to conform to societal norms or directives that conflicted with your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently if faced with a similar situation today?

Day 2: Witnessing Through Personal Trials
Trials and tribulations are not merely obstacles; they are opportunities to testify to the transformative power of faith. The apostles used their imprisonment and subsequent trials as platforms to witness the resurrection and lordship of Jesus Christ. Similarly, believers are encouraged to view their personal challenges as unique opportunities to demonstrate their faith and share the impact of God's work in their lives. This perspective transforms personal trials into powerful testimonies that can inspire and encourage others in their spiritual journeys. [39:46]

1 Peter 3:14-16 (ESV): "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: What is one trial you are currently facing, and how can you use it as an opportunity to witness about your faith to others?

Day 3: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays an indispensable role in empowering believers to live out and proclaim the gospel courageously. Just as the apostles were emboldened by the Spirit to speak boldly in the face of persecution, modern-day believers rely on the same Spirit for strength and guidance. This divine empowerment is essential for fulfilling our calling to be witnesses of Christ's love and truth in a world that often opposes such messages. [54:13]

Acts 4:31 (ESV): "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."

Reflection: How can you more actively seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your daily efforts to live out and share the gospel?

Day 4: The Cost of True Discipleship
Following Christ involves more than just enjoying the benefits of faith; it includes enduring hardships for the sake of the gospel. The apostles' experiences remind us that true discipleship often comes at a cost, but it is always worth it because of the eternal rewards. Believers are called to embrace this cost, understanding that sacrifices made for Christ are not in vain but are investments in our eternal future. [47:55]

Philippians 1:29 (ESV): "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake."

Reflection: What are some of the costs you have faced or might face in your discipleship journey, and how do you find strength to endure these challenges?

Day 5: Living the Full Gospel
The apostles preached the full message of Jesus Christ, emphasizing not only His resurrection but also the need for repentance, forgiveness, and obedience. As followers of Christ, we are called to embrace and proclaim the entire gospel, not just the parts that are convenient or comfortable. This comprehensive approach to Christianity challenges us to live out every aspect of the gospel in our daily lives, influencing our actions, thoughts, and interactions with others. [53:31]

James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."

Reflection: In what ways might you be neglecting to live out the full message of the gospel, and what steps can you take to align more closely with all aspects of Christ's teachings?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We've been doing this great series in the Book of Acts. And it's called Unfinished Story. And what I'm going to do is I'm going to pick up where Pastor Guy is. And Pastor Guy left off just two chapters later than he was at last week when he talked about the fact that we, just like all of the apostles, are called to be witnesses of what God has done in our lives." [34:38]( | | )

2. "It's easy to say, but difficult to do. When we're going through a time of trial. The apostles, you notice they were broken out of jail late at night, yet they started teaching at daybreak. They didn't waste any time. Like the Blues Brothers, they were on a mission from God. They were gonna be all about that mission." [46:03]( | | )

3. "If you've been kind of going through our promise cards, our scripture from this past week was a specific promise about the Holy Spirit even. It was from Luke chapter 11, verses 9 through 13, and it says, And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you." [54:56]( | | )

4. "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" [55:32]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Another thing that verse 29 reminds us is not to be people pleasers. Remember it says we must obey God rather than men. Speaking personally here, I just see in my own life a dangerous tendency and a temptation to be a people pleaser... How much better would it be if I was driven, if we were driven, like our every thought, our desire, our action was driven by, what will God think of this?" [49:20]( | | )

2. "So when we're going through times of trial in our lives, we can learn from the apostles to trust in the goodness of God, stay obedient to God, and number three, proclaim Christ above all. Notice that Peter was not interested, either then or in the earlier arrest, to give a defense or a justification for himself. But instead, he just took this more as a chance to witness to the Christ who is calling them to do this." [51:14]( | | )

3. "The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." [38:22]( | | )

4. "The gospel message that Peter gives, it begins and ends with the word obey. Obedience to God frames that gospel presentation. It also follows a thread that we've seen throughout chapter five of Acts. We started a little later into the chapter, but at the very beginning of chapter five is a story about a husband and wife called Ananias and Sapphira." [56:11]( | | )

5. "But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.' This brings us to the second lesson we can learn from the apostles. Stay obedient to God, especially in times of trouble." [45:20]( | | )

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Transcript
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