TROUBLE TRIUMPH: PRACTICING GOD THESIS: Let’s “Practice” God TEXT: Acts 5:12-42 OPEN: In Acts 5 let’s discover how practicing (obeying) God’s Word brings triumph over troubles. Acts 5:12-21a “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. 17Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20‘Go, stand in the temple courts,’ he said, ‘and tell the people the full message of this new life.’ 21At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.” Historical: Solomon’s Colonnade or porch was reputed to have been built by King Solomon on the east side of the temple area on an artificial embankment (Davis Dictionary of the Bible, p. 774). Scripture speaks of the church meeting in the outer court of the Jerusalem temple (Acts 2:46) as well as in houses (Acts 12:12; Rom 16:5). It’s likely the earliest building devoted to Christian use is at Dura Europos in eastern Roman Syria. It was a house that came into Christian possession and remodeled in the 240s AD. Two rooms were combined to form the assembly room, and another room became a baptistery (christianitytoday.com/history/2008). Why is it God’s will that we be an active part of a local congregation? In other words, why should we go to church? 1. To publicly acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior A. Matthew 16:18 “…on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” B. Ephesians 5:30-32 “For we are members of His body (the church)—‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” 2. To encourage fellow believers A. Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 1. Illustration: In his devotional book One Hour With God, John Maxwell writes about a man named Bruce Fleisher: “Bruce serves the people around him. When he is at church, he looks for specific people to encourage, he is aware of people that are standing or sitting alone, and he is always helping with room arrangements or materials needed. People love to be around Bruce because he is always encouraging, sensitive, warm and dependable.” B. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up…Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” 3. To learn and serve God’s will to conduct His business in the community including evangelism. A. Ephesians 3:10-11 “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…” B. Ephesians 4:11, 16 “It was Christ who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of serve, so that the body of Christ may be built up…From Him the whole body— grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” 4. To pray and to share in the Lord’s Supper together A. Acts 2:42, 46a “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts…” 5. To financially support the works of Christ through the church in the community and worldwide. A. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2a “About the collection for God’s people: On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up…” B. 1 Timothy 5:16 “If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.” Let’s “practice” (obey) God by committing to His church so we and others may encourage triumph over trouble. Acts 5:21b-26 “When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23‘We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.’ 24On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. 25Then someone came and said, ‘Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.’ 26At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.” Historical: The Sanhedrin was the recognized headship of the Jewish people in the days of Christ. It is thought to have originated in the 3rd century B.C. It was composed of 70 members, mostly priests and Sadducean nobles, some Pharisees, teachers of the law, and elders (tribal or family heads), presided over by the high priest (Halley’s Bible Handbook, p. 410). The Sanhedrin functioned as the supreme Jewish court. For example, a high priest or a false prophet could be tried only by the Sanhedrin. Even during the era of direct Roman rule, the Sanhedrin retained a significant degree of judicial authority (Archaeological Study Bible, p. 1821). Acts 5:27-29 “Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,’ he said. ‘Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.’ 29Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than men!’” How may we discern having a “We must obey God rather than men” moment? Study Scripture and pray to know it. 1. The apostles were specifically commanded by the Lord to preach the good news to all nations: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’” (Matthew 28:18-20a). 2. God announced the Ten Commandments through Moses. One of them is: “You shall have no other gods before Me…You shall not bow down to them or worship them” (Exodus 20:3, 5). You may recall that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to fall and worship a golden image so King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon threw them into a fiery furnace. The Lord protected and rescued them (Daniel 3). 3. Scripture teaches that we are not to commit sexual immorality (Exodus 20:14; Romans 13:13). There is the example of Joseph who was a slave for a time in the Egyptian army captain’s house. Potiphar’s wife persistently tried to take Joseph for herself but Joseph refused declaring, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” He finally fled that home and was falsely accused and imprisoned. The Lord delivered Joseph from that and eventually made him second-in-command of all Egypt (Genesis 39-41). 4. The Bible teaches us to be submissive to authority as long as it does not contradict God’s Word. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience” (Romans 13:1, 5). “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21). “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men…Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh” (1 Peter 2:13-15, 18). A. Quote from William Barclay: “It is an intolerable paradox to defend the gospel of the love of God by using the violence of man.” 5. Regarding debatable matters (questionable or of opinion)—let’s follow the example of the Apostle Paul: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters…Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification…So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves” (Rom 14:1, 19, 22). Acts 5:30-32 “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree. 31God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Historical: In Biblical days, to be seated at the right hand of a king was an exclusive place reserved for the king’s firstborn son. Thus, the prince was a “manifestation” and extension of the king—his equal in honor, power, and authority. Jesus is the Prince of God and worthy of our worship and obedience because He is God the Son. Acts 5:33-40 “When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed them: ‘Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.’ 40His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” What are we to do when persecuted or cursed because of our faith in Jesus Christ and the gospel? We should act like victors not victims. Here’s how: Romans 12:14, 17-21 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Historical: The expression may reflect a Middle East apology ritual, in which a guilty person, as a sign of their repentance, carried a basin of glowing coals on his or her head. The meaning would be that in returning evil with good you may cause them to repent or change (NIV Notes, p. 945, 995). In Biblical times, when someone needed to start a fire, it was customary to receive a few embers from neighbors. For an enemy, believers were to go way beyond the customary few and heap burning coals upon them as an act of grace perhaps “winning them over.” Insight from William Barclay: “Today I must lecture; tomorrow I must attend a committee meeting; on Sunday I must preach; someday I must die. Well then, let us do as well as we can each thing as it comes to us.” The thought that Christ will someday come and life as we know it will end, is not reason for stopping work; it’s reason for working better & more faithfully. When we show that Christianity makes us better workmen, truer friends, kinder people, then we’re really preaching. The outside world may not always come into the worship service to hear a sermon, but it sees us every day outside the church; and it is our lives which must be the sermons to win people for Christ” (Daily Bible Study Series, Thess. p 201ff). Acts 5:41-42 “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” CLOSE: That is the way to overcome evil with good—triumph trouble by obeying the gospel— practicing God.