SERIES: #10
TOPIC: Persecution; honor, name (above all), perseverance, praise, suffering
TITLE: CONTINUING DAILY – The honor in dishonor for His Name’s sake!
TEXT: Acts 5:41-42 [21-42]
INQUIRY: How do we see Acts’ three themes in this persecution of the Apostles?
This is the second of two persecutions by the religious leaders of the day:
All too often powerful people are focused on themselves; the apostles learned from their teacher to focus on others [Philippians 2:3-4]; even to the point of rejoicing for suffering abuse for the Name and their neighbors, because they knew God had the final word.
Satan never rests but to find evil people in his kingdom willing and able to torment the righteous in God’s kingdom … this is the price and the fruit of sin.
INQUIRY: How do we see Acts’ three themes in this persecution of the Apostles?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
The disciples took advantage of every opportunity to preach about Jesus – dead, buried, raised up, exalted and the need for repentance and forgiveness.
It must be noted what happened here: God raised Jesus from the dead, exalted Him to the right hand of power on high, giving Him power to save, and gave the Holy Spirit for those whom He saved … becoming the Chief witness against accusing man.
Persecution only forced them out to Judea and Samaria, and then they filled the whole world with this teaching.
Perhaps that is what the contemporary Church needs today … persecution!
TOPIC: Persecution; honor, name (above all), perseverance, praise, suffering
TITLE: CONTINUING DAILY – The honor in dishonor for His Name’s sake!
TEXT: Acts 5:41-42 [21-42]
So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.CONCISE OUTLINE
INQUIRY: How do we see Acts’ three themes in this persecution of the Apostles?
I. NOTICE THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST JESUS!TRUTH/CONTEXT: Most people don’t think of persecution as they should. Most, if asked, would associate it with torture, often leading to death. But the truth is broader. Definition –
II. NOTICE THE PROMINENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
III. NOTICE THE POWER OF THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH!
Per-se-cute (pûr¹sî-ky¡t´) verb, transitive; 1. To oppress or harass with ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, sexual orientation, or beliefs. 2. To annoy persistently; bother.Biblical persecution is any external hindering, harassing, or oppressing treatment on account of the Name of Christ … whether direct or indirect. In our text we see how the Authentic Church ought to respond to persecution.
This is the second of two persecutions by the religious leaders of the day:
- 1st ended with prayer for power and boldness, while
- 2nd ended with praises for power and boldness.
All too often powerful people are focused on themselves; the apostles learned from their teacher to focus on others [Philippians 2:3-4]; even to the point of rejoicing for suffering abuse for the Name and their neighbors, because they knew God had the final word.
Satan never rests but to find evil people in his kingdom willing and able to torment the righteous in God’s kingdom … this is the price and the fruit of sin.
INQUIRY: How do we see Acts’ three themes in this persecution of the Apostles?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST!"about daybreak" [21] ... indicates “teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” was an important activity for them, and they got busy at it!II. THE PROMINENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
"in this name" [28a] ... whose name?
"this man's blood" [28b] ... what man?
"raised up Jesus" ... "hanging Him on a cross" ... "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" [30-31] ... it truly is all about Jesus ... that name, that man!
"they ... ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus" [40] ... do you see, it is preeminent, this name above every name, this name by which all men must be saved it they are to see the Father.
"rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name" [41] ... they are honored to suffer dishonor for it.
"And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." [42]... I dare say, this is the task of the authentic church.We all agree the ability to teach the Good News is Holy Spirit given [21, 25, 28] ... here we have the Holy Spirit in evidence through their convicting teaching.III. THE POWER OF THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH!
Christ had told them, when they suffered persecution from authorities, the Holy Spirit would give them utterance [Luke 21:14-15]. "We must obey God rather than men" [29] ... here is evidence of the Holy Spirit doing just that.
"we are witnesses ... and so is the Holy Spirit" [32] ... see 1 John 5:6-8 to see the Holy Spirit elsewhere mentioned as a "witness"
"they were cut to the quick" [33] ... see John 6:7-11 for the resume of the Holy Spirit –
"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, be-cause the ruler of this world has been judged."
"Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law" [34] ... see here the Holy Spirit move on an enemy of the Cross
"they kept right on" [42] ... under the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit"they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach" [21] ... indicates a fear of God and not man; power of faith does this
"they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this" [24] ... power of faith brings perplexity to the enemies of God.
"But someone came and reported to them, 'The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!'" [25] ... power of this kind of faith confounds the enemies of God.
"[they] intended to kill them" [30-32] ... here again is powerful unction to preach boldly the truth in the very face of death
"if it is of God, you will not be able" [39] ... this is power of the authentic kind!
"rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer ... every day ... they kept right on teaching and preaching" [41-42] ... end of the story.
APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Their suffering stimulated them to greater and more courageous and evangelistic endeavors.
The disciples took advantage of every opportunity to preach about Jesus – dead, buried, raised up, exalted and the need for repentance and forgiveness.
It must be noted what happened here: God raised Jesus from the dead, exalted Him to the right hand of power on high, giving Him power to save, and gave the Holy Spirit for those whom He saved … becoming the Chief witness against accusing man.
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”Notice how they responded to persecution:Matthew 5:10-12
“And turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say, ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.’”Luke 6:20-23
1) Suffered with dignityThey were accused of doing just what they were commanded by Jesus to do … “fill Jerusalem with their teaching.”2) Returned with diligence to teach and preach:
- honored
- joyful
- focused
- Where? Publicly and privately!
- When? Daily!
- What? Lord Jesus Christ; and Him crucified and resurrected!
Persecution only forced them out to Judea and Samaria, and then they filled the whole world with this teaching.
Perhaps that is what the contemporary Church needs today … persecution!
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