Obeying God: The Call to Kingdom Allegiance

 

Summary

In the book of Acts, chapter 5, verses 29-32, we find a powerful declaration by Peter and the apostles: "We ought to obey God rather than men." This statement was made in response to the Sanhedrin, the earthly authority that sought to silence the apostles' preaching of the gospel. The apostles were on trial for their bold proclamation of Jesus Christ, whom God had exalted to be both Prince and Savior. This passage presents a profound contrast between two types of governance: the human and the divine. While human authorities often seek to suppress the message of Christ, the apostles remind us that our ultimate allegiance is to God, who has appointed Jesus as the ruler of the universe.

The gospel is not merely a personal message of salvation; it is a proclamation of Christ's lordship over all creation. Many people dismiss Christianity as a personal crutch for those in need, failing to see its universal significance. However, the gospel speaks to the entire cosmos, promising not only individual redemption but also the eventual restoration of all things under Christ's rule. This message is especially relevant in times of political and social upheaval, as it offers a vision of a kingdom that transcends earthly powers and promises true peace and justice.

The Bible presents two parallel histories: man's history, characterized by cycles of rise and fall, and God's history, which unfolds according to His divine purpose. While human history is marked by attempts to establish order and civilization, it is ultimately doomed to failure due to the inherent sinfulness of humanity. In contrast, God's history is one of redemption and restoration, culminating in the reign of Christ as the Prince of Peace. This divine narrative is often overlooked by the world, which remains fixated on its own achievements and struggles.

As believers, we are called to participate in God's history by aligning ourselves with His kingdom. This involves recognizing Christ as both Savior and Prince, submitting to His rule, and living in anticipation of His return. The ultimate question we must ask ourselves is not which political party we support, but which kingdom we belong to. In a world that is constantly shifting and unstable, the kingdom of God offers a firm foundation and a hope that cannot be shaken.

Key Takeaways:

- The apostles' declaration to obey God rather than men highlights the tension between earthly and divine authority. This calls us to prioritize our allegiance to God's kingdom, recognizing Jesus as the ultimate ruler of the universe. [02:27]

- The gospel is not limited to personal salvation; it encompasses a cosmic vision of Christ's lordship over all creation. This challenges us to see beyond our individual needs and embrace the broader implications of the gospel for the world. [07:25]

- Human history is marked by cycles of rise and fall, driven by humanity's sinful nature and estrangement from God. In contrast, God's history is one of redemption and restoration, offering a hopeful vision of the future under Christ's reign. [30:01]

- The Bible presents two parallel histories: man's history and God's history. While the world often ignores God's narrative, it is the true story of redemption that will ultimately prevail. This invites us to align ourselves with God's purposes. [36:14]

- The ultimate question is not about political allegiance but about kingdom allegiance. We must decide whether we belong to the kingdoms of this world or to the kingdom of God, which offers a firm foundation and eternal hope. [53:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Acts 5:29-32
- [00:29] - Jesus as Prince and Savior
- [01:05] - The Apostles on Trial
- [02:10] - Obeying God Over Men
- [03:07] - Two Types of Government
- [04:01] - The Gospel's Universal Message
- [05:16] - Misconceptions About Christianity
- [06:24] - The Limitations of Personal Salvation
- [07:25] - The Gospel's Cosmic Vision
- [08:34] - God's Purpose in Christ
- [09:48] - The Ignorance of Earthly Rulers
- [11:27] - Understanding Human History
- [13:37] - The Bible's Message for Today
- [16:35] - Two Types of History
- [21:08] - The Conflict Between Human and Divine Authority
- [30:01] - The Failure of Human Governance
- [36:14] - God's Redemptive History
- [42:32] - Christ's Kingdom and Mission
- [53:34] - The Question of Kingdom Allegiance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 5:29-32

Observation Questions:
1. What was the response of Peter and the apostles when confronted by the Sanhedrin, and why was this significant? [02:27]
2. How do the apostles describe Jesus in their defense before the Sanhedrin? What titles do they use for Him? [00:29]
3. What contrast is presented between human and divine governance in the sermon? [03:07]
4. How does the sermon describe the apostles' view of the gospel's scope beyond personal salvation? [07:25]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the statement "We ought to obey God rather than men" imply about the apostles' priorities and values? How might this apply to modern believers? [02:27]
2. How does the sermon explain the significance of recognizing Jesus as both Prince and Savior? What implications does this have for understanding the gospel? [04:01]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that human history and God's history are different? How does this distinction affect a believer's worldview? [16:35]
4. How does the sermon challenge the common perception of Christianity as merely a personal crutch? What broader vision does it offer? [05:28]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a conflict between obeying God and following human authority. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now? [02:27]
2. The sermon emphasizes the cosmic scope of the gospel. How can you expand your understanding of the gospel beyond personal salvation to include its implications for the world? [07:25]
3. Consider the two types of history presented in the sermon: human and divine. How can you align your life more closely with God's history and purposes? [16:35]
4. The sermon suggests that the ultimate question is about kingdom allegiance. What steps can you take to ensure your primary allegiance is to God's kingdom rather than earthly powers? [53:34]
5. How can you actively participate in God's history by recognizing Christ as both Savior and Prince in your daily life? What changes might this require in your priorities or actions? [04:01]
6. The sermon challenges the notion of Christianity as a personal crutch. How can you demonstrate the broader significance of the gospel in your community or workplace? [05:28]
7. Reflect on the idea of the kingdom of God as a firm foundation. In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on this foundation, and how can you do so practically? [53:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Allegiance to Divine Authority
In Acts 5:29-32, Peter and the apostles boldly declare, "We ought to obey God rather than men," highlighting the tension between earthly and divine authority. This statement was made in response to the Sanhedrin, who sought to silence their preaching of the gospel. The apostles remind us that our ultimate allegiance is to God, who has appointed Jesus as the ruler of the universe. In a world where human authorities often seek to suppress the message of Christ, we are called to prioritize our allegiance to God's kingdom, recognizing Jesus as the ultimate ruler. This call to obedience is not just about defying human authority but about aligning ourselves with the divine purpose and mission of God. [02:27]

Hebrews 13:14-15 (ESV): "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you tempted to prioritize human authority over God's authority? How can you realign your actions to reflect your allegiance to God's kingdom today?


Day 2: The Cosmic Vision of the Gospel
The gospel is not limited to personal salvation; it encompasses a cosmic vision of Christ's lordship over all creation. Many people dismiss Christianity as a personal crutch, failing to see its universal significance. However, the gospel speaks to the entire cosmos, promising not only individual redemption but also the eventual restoration of all things under Christ's rule. This challenges us to see beyond our individual needs and embrace the broader implications of the gospel for the world. In times of political and social upheaval, this message offers a vision of a kingdom that transcends earthly powers and promises true peace and justice. [07:25]

Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Reflection: How does understanding the gospel as a cosmic vision change the way you view your role in the world? What steps can you take to live out this broader vision in your daily life?


Day 3: The Cycles of Human and Divine History
Human history is marked by cycles of rise and fall, driven by humanity's sinful nature and estrangement from God. In contrast, God's history is one of redemption and restoration, offering a hopeful vision of the future under Christ's reign. While human history is characterized by attempts to establish order and civilization, it is ultimately doomed to failure. God's narrative, however, unfolds according to His divine purpose, culminating in the reign of Christ as the Prince of Peace. This divine narrative is often overlooked by the world, which remains fixated on its own achievements and struggles. [30:01]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you witnessed the rise and fall of human endeavors. How can you focus more on God's redemptive history in your life and less on the transient nature of human achievements?


Day 4: Aligning with God's Redemptive History
The Bible presents two parallel histories: man's history and God's history. While the world often ignores God's narrative, it is the true story of redemption that will ultimately prevail. As believers, we are called to participate in God's history by aligning ourselves with His kingdom. This involves recognizing Christ as both Savior and Prince, submitting to His rule, and living in anticipation of His return. By aligning with God's purposes, we find a firm foundation and a hope that cannot be shaken, even in a world that is constantly shifting and unstable. [36:14]

Ephesians 1:9-10 (ESV): "Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take to align your daily life with God's redemptive history? How can you actively participate in His kingdom work today?


Day 5: Kingdom Allegiance Over Political Allegiance
The ultimate question is not about political allegiance but about kingdom allegiance. We must decide whether we belong to the kingdoms of this world or to the kingdom of God, which offers a firm foundation and eternal hope. In a world that is constantly shifting and unstable, the kingdom of God provides a stable and unshakeable foundation. This calls us to examine where our true loyalties lie and to live in a way that reflects our commitment to God's eternal kingdom rather than the temporary systems of this world. [53:34]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself more aligned with earthly kingdoms than with God's kingdom? What changes can you make to ensure your primary allegiance is to God's eternal kingdom?

Quotes

We ought to obey God rather than men why well the answer is because of what God has done and what God has done is to raise up this Jesus and to appoint him as Prince and savior so what we've got here in a sense is a picture you see of two different types of government two whole ideas of government of mankind and of the world the human the Divine and the Eternal. [00:27:04]

It is always right as I'm going to show you that we should start with that but it is very wrong indeed to stop with that and to think that that is the whole of the Gospel it isn't and we are reminded here that this is not the whole of the Gospel Christ is not only the savior he is a prince a governor a ruler. [00:03:43]

The gospel is concerned about the whole world whether men realize that or whether they do not realize that the gospel not only delivers us from this present evil world as individuals this gospel is eventually going to deliver the whole universe from all the ravages and the consequences of sin. [00:07:21]

The Bible has got to say to tonight and to tomorrow and every day until Thursday and after that and always you must go back you see to the beginning to Creation you've got to start with the world itself what it is where it's come from you've got to start with men the origin of men it's no use trying to decide what you're going to do for men until you know what man is. [00:13:29]

There is what you may call man's history there is God's history now here's the way to understand life and all its attendant circumstances and problems there are two types of history and you and I are in involved in two types of History whether we know it or not the business of preaching is to make us aware of that to give us instruction about that. [00:16:30]

The tragedy of the world is that it only knows about man's history the history that man makes general election possibility of change of man's history governments deciding to declare war fighting man's history and you read your secular history books it's men Great Men small men man making history and the tragedy of the world is that he thinks that that is the only type and kind of History. [00:17:11]

The world is always trying to improve itself but it can't do so it's always falling back again it's advance and retrogression Rise fullness decline fall and it goes on and on and on repeating it man's attempt to govern the world is nothing but a disaster and a failure and it is still the same tonight. [00:30:32]

The need of mankind tonight is not for better laws not better conditions it's for a new outlook a new mind a new heart man is fighting the devil and fighting evil that's outside him and inside him and that is why I say he veils but here is the message thank God for it it's not left to men there's another history history there's another purpose there's another plan it is God's. [00:35:31]

God is introducing his own kingdom into the midst of the kingdoms of men and the kingdoms of the world and this is how he does it God makes a nation for himself and he says through this nation I'm going to speak to the others so he deals with this nation in a very special manner he gives them Revelations of himself he gives them truth concerning men and his nature and being and purpose in this world which nobody else ever had. [00:36:40]

He has not come to reform the world he has not come to teach it how to reform itself and of all the men in this country tonight who are denying the gospel they are the greatest deniers who turned this gospel into a political message of human reform and were trying to persuade men and women to practice The Sermon on the Mount that is the greatest denial of all. [00:42:39]

He takes these individuals he calls them out of this present evil world he sets them in a new kingdom he translates them into his own kingdom he calls it the church and he builds them up and he adds to it and it goes on through the running centuries what's he doing he is gathering a people for himself out of this world and its kingdoms to form his own perfect Kingdom of Glory which is coming in the future. [00:46:56]

The really vital question for all of us is this not which party are you going to vote for that's all right in its relevance but the vital question is this which kingdom do you belong to do you belong to the kingdoms of this world only or do you belong to the kingdom of our God and of his Christ This is a kingdom that cannot be shaken. [00:53:34]

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Transcript
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