Obeying God: The Transformative Power of the Gospel

 

Summary

In the face of opposition and persecution, the apostles stood firm in their commitment to preach the gospel, declaring, "We ought to obey God rather than men." This bold proclamation underscores the transformative power of the gospel and the apostles' unwavering dedication to sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The apostles were not deterred by the threats of the Sanhedrin because they had experienced the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit and witnessed the miraculous works of God. Their message was not one of condemnation but of salvation, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

The gospel, as presented by the apostles, is a message of hope and deliverance. It is a call to repentance and a promise of forgiveness, emphasizing the need for a personal relationship with God. The world, however, often reacts with indignation and rejection, preferring to seek solutions in human wisdom and efforts rather than embracing the divine offer of salvation. This rejection is a tragic continuation of humanity's ancient failure to recognize and rejoice in the truth of the gospel.

The essence of the gospel is encapsulated in the term "Savior." Jesus Christ is exalted as a Prince and Savior, offering not only forgiveness but also righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. The gospel addresses the deepest needs of humanity, calling for repentance and offering a new life in Christ. It is not merely about moral reform or religious observance but about a profound transformation that begins with justification by faith and continues with sanctification and ultimately glorification.

The apostles' message is a call to embrace this complete salvation, which includes forgiveness, righteousness, new life, and the promise of eternal fellowship with God. It is a message that transcends human wisdom and offers a divine solution to the problem of sin and separation from God. The gospel is a free gift, a robe of righteousness provided by Christ, enabling believers to stand in the presence of God, not by their own merit but by the grace and righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The apostles' declaration to obey God rather than men highlights the transformative power of the gospel and the necessity of prioritizing divine commands over human authority. This commitment is rooted in their personal experience of the Holy Spirit's power and the miraculous works of God. [00:10]

- The gospel is a message of hope and deliverance, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. It calls for repentance and promises a new life, emphasizing the need for a personal relationship with God. [03:01]

- Humanity's rejection of the gospel is a tragic continuation of an ancient failure to recognize and rejoice in the truth of salvation. The world often seeks solutions in human wisdom and efforts, overlooking the divine offer of salvation. [06:20]

- Jesus Christ, as the Savior, offers a complete salvation that includes forgiveness, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. This salvation addresses the deepest needs of humanity, calling for repentance and offering a new life in Christ. [10:02]

- The gospel is a free gift, providing a robe of righteousness through Christ, enabling believers to stand in the presence of God. This righteousness is not earned by human merit but is a gracious provision of God through faith in Jesus Christ. [27:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Apostles' Bold Declaration
- [00:34] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
- [01:10] - Miracles and Persecution
- [02:13] - Indignation and Rejection
- [03:01] - Obeying God Over Men
- [04:11] - The Tragedy of Rejection
- [05:07] - Unity Against the Gospel
- [06:20] - The World's Ancient Failure
- [07:08] - Jesus as Prince and Savior
- [08:20] - The Need for Forgiveness
- [09:42] - Reconciliation with God
- [10:02] - The Necessity of Forgiveness
- [11:14] - Communion with God
- [12:45] - The Great Transaction
- [14:30] - The Complete Savior
- [16:09] - Justification Explained
- [18:36] - The Problem of Sin
- [20:29] - Christ's Righteousness
- [22:02] - The Great Exchange
- [23:55] - Justification by Faith
- [27:10] - The Free Gift of Righteousness
- [31:29] - Life in Christ
- [35:00] - New Life and New Nature
- [39:28] - The Need for a New Heart
- [42:52] - Sanctification Process
- [46:23] - Christ as Our Leader
- [50:06] - Christ's Sympathy and Help
- [53:00] - The Promise of Glorification

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 5:29-32

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the response of Peter and the apostles when they were commanded not to teach in Jesus' name? How does this reflect their priorities? [03:01]

2. According to the sermon, what miraculous events did the apostles witness that strengthened their resolve to preach the gospel? [01:42]

3. How did the Sanhedrin react to the apostles' message, and what does this reveal about the world's general response to the gospel? [04:25]

4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the apostles' testimony, according to the passage in Acts? [03:20]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why do the apostles prioritize obeying God over human authorities, and how does this decision reflect their understanding of the gospel's power? [03:01]

2. The sermon mentions that the gospel is often met with indignation and rejection. What might be some reasons for this reaction, both historically and in contemporary times? [04:25]

3. How does the concept of Jesus as both Prince and Savior expand the understanding of salvation beyond mere forgiveness? [07:08]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the gospel offers a "complete salvation"? How does this differ from other religious or philosophical systems? [10:02]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between obeying God and following human authority. How did you handle the situation, and what would you do differently now? [03:01]

2. The apostles were undeterred by persecution because of their personal experiences with the Holy Spirit. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [01:42]

3. The sermon highlights the world's tendency to reject the gospel in favor of human wisdom. Are there areas in your life where you rely more on human wisdom than on God's guidance? How can you shift your focus? [04:25]

4. Jesus is described as offering a complete salvation, including righteousness and sanctification. What steps can you take to embrace this full salvation in your personal spiritual journey? [10:02]

5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him? [09:42]

6. Consider the idea of the gospel as a free gift. How does this perspective challenge your understanding of grace and your response to God's generosity? [27:10]

7. The apostles' boldness in preaching the gospel was rooted in their experiences. How can you share your personal experiences of faith to encourage others in your community? [03:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Obeying God Over Human Authority
The apostles' declaration to obey God rather than men highlights the transformative power of the gospel and the necessity of prioritizing divine commands over human authority. This commitment is rooted in their personal experience of the Holy Spirit's power and the miraculous works of God. The apostles faced significant opposition and persecution from the Sanhedrin, yet they remained steadfast in their mission to preach the gospel. Their courage and conviction were not based on human strength but on the life-changing power they had witnessed through the Holy Spirit. This boldness serves as a reminder that true obedience to God often requires standing firm against societal pressures and human authorities that contradict divine truth. [00:10]

Acts 5:29-32 (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. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.'"

Reflection: In what area of your life are you feeling pressured to conform to human expectations over God's commands? How can you take a step today to prioritize obedience to God in that area?


Day 2: The Gospel's Offer of Hope and Deliverance
The gospel is a message of hope and deliverance, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. It calls for repentance and promises a new life, emphasizing the need for a personal relationship with God. Despite the world's tendency to reject this divine offer, the gospel remains a beacon of hope for those who choose to embrace it. The apostles' message was not one of condemnation but of salvation, inviting all to experience the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus. This message of hope is a reminder that no matter how far one may feel from God, there is always an opportunity for reconciliation and a fresh start through Christ. [03:01]

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV): "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you need to experience God's hope and deliverance? How can you open your heart to His message of reconciliation today?


Day 3: Humanity's Rejection of the Gospel
Humanity's rejection of the gospel is a tragic continuation of an ancient failure to recognize and rejoice in the truth of salvation. The world often seeks solutions in human wisdom and efforts, overlooking the divine offer of salvation. This rejection is not a new phenomenon but a recurring theme throughout history, where people have chosen to rely on their understanding rather than embracing the truth of the gospel. The apostles faced this rejection firsthand, yet they continued to proclaim the message of salvation with boldness and conviction. Their perseverance serves as an encouragement to remain faithful in sharing the gospel, even in the face of opposition. [06:20]

1 Corinthians 1:21-24 (ESV): "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

Reflection: How have you seen the world's wisdom fall short in addressing life's deepest needs? What steps can you take to rely more on God's wisdom and the truth of the gospel?


Day 4: Jesus Christ as the Complete Savior
Jesus Christ, as the Savior, offers a complete salvation that includes forgiveness, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. This salvation addresses the deepest needs of humanity, calling for repentance and offering a new life in Christ. The gospel is not merely about moral reform or religious observance but about a profound transformation that begins with justification by faith and continues with sanctification and ultimately glorification. This complete salvation is a gift that cannot be earned by human merit but is graciously provided by God through faith in Jesus Christ. [10:02]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: In what ways do you need to experience the complete salvation offered by Jesus? How can you embrace His forgiveness, righteousness, and new life today?


Day 5: The Free Gift of Righteousness
The gospel is a free gift, providing a robe of righteousness through Christ, enabling believers to stand in the presence of God. This righteousness is not earned by human merit but is a gracious provision of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The apostles' message emphasized that salvation is not about human efforts or achievements but about accepting the righteousness that comes from God. This gift of righteousness allows believers to have a personal relationship with God, free from the burden of sin and guilt. It is a reminder that God's grace is sufficient and that His love is unconditional. [27:10]

Romans 5:17 (ESV): "For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How can you live in the freedom of God's righteousness today? What steps can you take to fully accept and embrace this free gift in your daily life?

Quotes


The apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. [00:15:50]

The world still in trouble, a world looking for deliverance and for salvation, and is ready to listen to anybody. It’ll listen to anybody or anything rather than this gospel. This over agreed is to be dismissed. You see, we’ve seen already earlier in this book that this gospel combines the people in the most amazing manner. [00:27:57]

The world thinks it knows what it really needs, but what we are told here is that what it needs above everything else is forgiveness, and we all need forgiveness. Every political body needs it, and every individual belonging to every party. The great need of this country today is forgiveness. [00:08:10]

Forgiveness is an absolute necessity. We are all guilty before God, and while we are guilty, God does not bless us, and God will not bless us. Let there be no mistake about that. A mere preaching of the love of God which doesn’t include righteousness is a lie. It isn’t true. [00:10:03]

Forgiveness can never be enough for me because what I really need is to be able to stand in the presence of God, be able to approach God, be able to have communion with God, that there may be a free communion and fellowship between me and God. That is men’s greatest need. [00:11:27]

Christ is my righteousness, and that means that he has not only purchased my pardon and forgiveness by dying on the cross and Calvary’s Hill and laying down his life and bearing like punishment. Oh, he does this other thing which in a sense is yet more glorious. I am given his righteousness. [00:20:29]

The gospel is not a gospel to tell men how to change the world. That’s what politics is about, trying to change the face of Britain, they say. They never will, you know. They may put on a new painter or a bit of nami shiro there, but it’ll be the same old Britain. [00:39:28]

What man needs individually and collectively is this: a new nature, a new heart, and you start begin to live a new life of a new mind and a new understanding of everything. That’s precisely the thing that is offered in this blessed Savior. [00:40:01]

Christ as your Saviour will also lead you while you’re still left in this world, and we need his leadership, don’t we? And this is a part of his great salvation. That is why the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews puts it like this: we see Jesus, and we’re going to follow him. [00:46:23]

He promises to help us also. There are days when a man feels he is almost overwhelmed, when all hell it seems to be let loose against him, and temptation comes in all its subtlety from every quarter at the same time. And what can one do? Here’s the answer. [00:48:05]

You see this perfect Savior, he provides you with everything you need, and even when he’s given it you all, including the new nature, he knows the struggle. He’s been in the world. He’s felt the force and the power of the devil and the temptation, tempted in all points like as we are without sin. [00:50:06]

He’s defeated the last enemy, and he is going to present all believe in him to the Father absolutely perfect. The pollution will all of God will be as clean inside as we are outside. Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, glorification, a very funny changed and delivered sin entirely exterminated. [00:53:00]

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Transcript
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