ACTS 8:9-24 A Magic Act!

SERIES: #16 Acts of the Apostles - Witnesses to Judea & Samaria
TOPIC: Authenticity; Greed, Providence, Regeneration, Salvation, Simony

TITLE: A MAGIC ACT - There's nothing magical about this treasure!
TEXT: Acts 8:9-24

… when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of … hands, he offered … money, saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."

Irony #1 – John and his brother once wanted fire from heaven to rain on these same Samaritans.

Irony #2 – In John 13:6 Peter was told he had no part of Jesus if he refused to surrender to God's will.

A tale of two Simons … Simon Peter and Simon Magnus, the later is much like not a few contemporary charlatans.

This passage gives us several pictures to think on …

The heart …

• Ground of salvation
• Measure of man’s treasure
  

The “Second Blessing” …

• The nature of God … a giver

The nature of salvation … a gift …

• False conversions

[MENACE] In the movie version of Dennis the Menace, there’s a scene where Mr. Wilson (Walter Matthau) wants to stop Dennis’ cheating in a game of hide-n-seek.

Dennis had recruited his cross-eyed buddy, Gunther, to watch where people hide and then tell him after the count; Wilson calls out to Gunther, “Gunther, your daddy just called and wants to take you to the ice cream store. You better run home.”

Now Gunther won’t run to the Mitchell home nor to a neighbor’s home nor to Wilson back yard. Why not? Because his father holds the key to what he wants … he’d run home as fast as he could to get that ice cream.

Everyone has expectations; some false expectations, they’re never satisfied … “someday my ship will come in.”

Unlike Gunther, they’ll run to every port but the right one to find their ship … all the while God is blowing the horn on the Royal Yacht.

Motivational speakers will encourage you to use positive thinking to motivate your self-actualization; this places us on the horizontal … our reward is in heaven, not on this earth; this denies the role of God in the destiny of man.

“Man's steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?”

Proverbs 20:24

“The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.”

Proverbs 16:9

“The naive believes everything, But the prudent man considers his steps.”

Proverbs 14:15

This is a story about a man (and others) who did not grasp these truths; oh, he said he did but the text and history tells a different story.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What do we know about Simon?

I. HIS PAST LIFE!

"Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great."

Acts 8:9

We know it was a searching life – but he didn’t know for what!
We know it was a gifted life – but he didn’t know for what!
We know it was a successful life – but he didn’t know the source of success!

II. HIS PRESENT LIFE!

“Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.”

Acts 8:13

We know God sent him Philip – but he didn’t hear him!
We know God sent him The Word – but he didn’t understand Him!
We know God sent him the Holy Spirit – but he didn’t receive Him!

[DEAD OR ALIVE] A friend’s husband snored, till he had a heart attack; to help him sleep a doctor prescribed a muscle relaxant; his snoring stopped.

Prior to this, his snoring let her know he was at least alive; now she has to poke him to know.

I’ve seen so many people walk the aisle, pray the prayer, get baptized, then claim the name of Jesus who must be poked to see if they have the new life.

Christianity is used by some as a religious muscle relaxant … manifesting no Spirit-filled, animated, Pentecostal life.

God doesn’t relax our muscles to make us stop sinning, He makes “a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

III. HIS PROMISED LIFE!

“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,”

Acts 8:18

We know he was promised a eternal life – but he wanted a temporal life!
We know he was promised an exciting life – but he wanted a lucrative life!
We know he was promised to be a power-filled life – but he wanted an admired life!
We know he was a rich life – but he wanted his inheritance in this life!

APPLICATION: Something went wrong here …

Simon …

Believed …

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name."

John 1:12

For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

Romans 10:11

But did not receive …

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Romans 8:9

Peter’s remarks – “gall of bitterness” and “bond of iniquity” are Old Testament phrases used in cases involving “serious offenses.”

J. B. Philips says Peter’s remarks ARE tantamount to “To h__ with you and your money!”

In my opinion - Simon’s response to Peter is more of a threat than an entreaty. He had lost his following; tradition holds that he saw Philip and the others as a way to recover lost revenue. He was evidently a wealthy magician.

When the time came for Simon to bear evidence of his regeneration he showed instead that he did not have a relationship with Jesus.

Principle – if something is wrong with the heart upon believing, that something can keep one out of heaven.

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

John 2:23-25

He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."

John 13:6-11

Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus *said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."

John 20:28-29

CHALLENGE:

"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.‘”

Matthew 7:16-23

Acts, Christianity, Expository, Greed, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Regeneration, Sermons

ACTS 8:4-5 (1-8) - A Great Day!

Series: #15 Acts of the Apostles - Witnesses to All Judea and Samaria
TOPIC: Sovereignty (of God); Providence, Will (of God)

TITLE: A GREAT DAY - Being Blown Around a Corner for God's Glory!
TEXT: Acts 8:4-5 (1-8)

Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How was the day of dispersion a great day?

Notice … (recall the threefold theme of the Acts of the Apostles) …

1) The preeminence of the Living Lord
2) the prominence of the Holy Spirit, and
3) the power of the Authentic Church

Add the privilege of persecution* of the Body (*severe opposition to the message) ...

The “witness” to Jerusalem is past … the maturing church now sent to Judea and Samaria (chapters 8-12, north and south) ... the “remotest part of the earth” is next (13-28) ... what is seen is God’s providential will at work.

Notice all was well with the growth of the church … but with Stephen’s death, Saul began to intensely persecute and scatter them. Yet it was God not Saul who actually set the wildfire behind the people ... but like the deer in wildfire, they had a River of Life to count on.

Go back and reread Stephen’s proclamation in Acts 6.

Isn’t this reminiscent of the Lord’s dispersion of Israel through their Babylonian captivity?

I. THE DAY HAD A GREAT PERSECUTION! [vv 1b, 3]

“God sometimes has to act through disagreeable circumstances in order to compel His saints to work in accordance with His plans ….” [H. A. Ironside p.176]

God kick-starts His outreach to the world through the fires of persecution; God only sees His plan, His mind is turned toward all men everywhere at all times!

Saul meant it for evil but God meant it for good; like Joseph’s brothers … like Joseph ...

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”

Genesis 50:20

“How often has the rage of Christ's enemies thus ‘turned out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel’.” [Jamieson]

II. THE DAY HAD A GREAT DISPERSION! [v 1b, 4, 5]

“Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.”

Acts 8:4-5

These were lay people “preaching (euaggelizō; declaring Good News) the word” and “proclaiming (kērussō; heralding) Christ.”
Not a popular message today; reading contemporary Christian literature suggests it isn’t well received among my brethren.

“Wind spreads the flame.” [Bengel]

“Their hearts were full … out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks; and they made the truth known to ‘all’” [Barnes]

[CHINA] In 1949 the communist wildfire overthrew the Chinese nationalist government … 637 China Inland Missions missionaries were expelled; they went to Japan and throughout Southeast Asia. Not only did new works start all over Asia, but the Chinese church grew geometrically and she remains a thorn in the commies’ side to this day.

Satan intended eradication; instead he got dispersion.

III. THE DAY HAD A GREAT PROCLAMATION! [vv 4, 5]

Preaching by the “laity” was begun ... Philip was one of the seven chosen to minister as deacons in the church in Jerusalem. He was the only one specifically identified as an evangelist in the New Testament; he became one of our great evangelists.

IV. THE DAY HAD A GREAT FASCINATION! [vv 6, 7]

The text says, they “with one accord were giving attention,” literally taking their minds captive [Cf. 2 Corinthians 10:5].

V. THE DAY HAD A GREAT JUBILATION! [v 8]

“And there was much rejoicing in that city.”

Jesus said, 'I am come to send fire on the earth'; Saul and his cohorts thought, if they scattered those kindled with that fire, to have put it out, but instead of they spread the fire every where in Judea and Samaria. [Henry; paraphrased]

APPLICATION: The key element for the church is the joy which resulted from its ravaging by Saul and his minions.

Often God’s enemies see nothing but scorched earth before them; but God sees the seeds of new life below the ash and destruction. The Bible tells us the church in pain and in flight finds joy in the end.

I conclude there is greater joy to be found; in reality I don’t find this to be true.

So I must admit to praying for greater persecution in order that she might have greater dispersion, greater proclamation where dispersed, that greater attention would be paid to her, and that we might all find greater cause for jubilation.

CHALLENGE:

“Whenever the church is governed from Jerusalem, or from Rome, of from anywhere … other than heaven, it is hindered and hampered and prevented from fulfilling the great functions of its life” [G. Campbell Morgan, p. 195]

“Effective evangelism is possible only when the church recovers both (1) the biblical gospel and (2) a joyful confidence in its truth, relevance and power.” [Stott, p. 144, paraphrased]

The Church is much like Israel fresh from Egyptian bondage seeking a king … not understanding she has the King of kings.

When returning home; go to church to worship, but leave to reach the lost … the flames of hell are pursuing them.

Acts, Christianity, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Providence, Sovereignty, Sermons

ACTS 7:58-60 - They Cast Stones

Series #14: Acts of the Apostles - Witnesses to Jerusalem
TOPIC: Consecration; Heritage, Matyrdom, Persecution, Sacrifice

TITLE: THEY CAST STONES - He Cast Eyes On Heaven!
TEXT: Acts 7:58-60 (54-60]

When they’d driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.

[HERITAGE] This passage reminded me of a dear friend B. T. Austin (95) and he reminds me of Veterans Day; this is Veterans Day in the US.

B. T. was of the Texas Austins, the thirteenth of sixteen kids; he wrote an Austin family history and let me read it, he mentions Armistice Day; aka Veterans Day. Prior to 1954 we celebrated Armistice Day instead of Veterans Day …

Being reminded of this caused me to consider how easy it is to forget our heritage … the armistice ending WWI was signed in 1918. He said they had a saying to remind them: “the 11th month, the 11th day, and the 11th hour.” He remembered it well … he was eleven.

He and his mother were sleeping on blankets in the town square in Portales, NM; people ran into the street firing guns and setting off fire crackers. They hung an effigy of Kaiser Wilhelm in the square and shot it up while it burned.

Veterans Day is to remind us of those who served in the American armed forces in wartime (now peace time too). We’ve another day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice … Memorial Day.

Luke, the author of Acts, records Stephen’s martyrdom as an example of giving our lives for the cause of Christ … and, on lesser scale, how to die with dignity and grace.

Let’s move to our text …

(54) “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.”

Anger wells up in the heart of those who live by the flesh … righteousness wells up in the heart of the one who lives by the Spirit ...

(55) “But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; (56) and he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’”

Stephen’s eyes turned upward, on the things of God; their eyes turned outward, looking for rocks ...

(57) “But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears, and they rushed upon him with one impulse. (58) And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.”

Those who gave testimony were required by law to cast the first stones at the condemned.

“The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”

Deuteronomy 17:7

The first was to hit him in the chest with a small boulder to knock him to his “loins”; the second was to hit him on the head ...

(59) “And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’”

If he survived the first two …the other witnesses were to follow; then, if still alive, the congregation would follow ...

(60) “And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ And having said this, he fell asleep.”

The Law kills, but the Spirit gives life.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What great teachings of our faith may be gleaned from our text?

I. CONFIRMATION OF CHRIST'S READINESS TO INTERCEDE!

(56) “... he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’”

Irony: Stephen stood condemned, without justice or mercy … yet he’ll soon intercede with heaven for them ... while Christ stood before the Judge Most High, in Court of courts, interceding for him.

And He is ready to intercede for us …

“Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”

Romans 8:34

[Albert Barnes] “... seeing that there was no safety in the Great Council of the nation, and no prospect of justice at their hands, he cast his eyes to heaven and sought protection there. When dangers threaten us, our hope of safety lies in heaven. When people threaten our persons, reputation, or lives, it becomes us to fix our eyes on the heavenly world; and we shall not look in vain.”

II. CONFIRMATION OF CHRIST'S DEITY!

(59) “And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’”

The word “God” (i.e., theos) is not in the record to support its inclusion here; thus we can say a godly man, in his dying moments, would turn to his god … Stephen turned to his “Lord Jesus”.

Only God forgives sin, only God is prayed to; Jesus the Christ is God, Stephen addressed Him as God!

III. CONFIRMATION OF ETERNALITY & IMMATERIALITY OF SPIRIT!

Again verse 59 ...

If we accept Stephen is a man “full of the Spirit and wisdom,” yet facing certain death then we must accept such a man would not err in his theology or offer up his spirit to God in the event he didn’t believe in its immaterial and eternal nature.

So, we must accept Stephen believed in the immateriality and eternality of his spirit; and as Christ gave His spirit to God the Father, Stephen gave his spirit to God the Son.

IV. CONFIRMATION OF SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST'S VICTORY OVER DEATH!

Again verse 59 ...

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

Romans 8:2

For the same reasons as our last point Stephen’s actions and words confirm this reality.

V. CONFIRMATION OF NEED TO SETTLE ACCOUNTS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE!

(60) “And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ And having said this, he fell asleep.”

We must not continue our debt of forgiveness of others at the moment of our death.

Stephen follows Christ’s example; we ought to follow the examples of both.

Though there is no remission of sin in the forgiveness of others by fallen men, there is settling of accounts and cleansing of sorts.

APPLICATION: If man honors the sacrifice of others how much more should the church remember those who’ve sacrificed for her?

Stephen’s example reminds us of what others have done to preserve that freedom; as in the days after Joshua’s judging Israel, people arise in every era who know not Joshua.

Where there’s no sense of investment, there’s no motivation for preservation.

Our Lord and His martyrs are His legacy and that legacy is in His church; that legacy is wrapped up in His deity, the sufficiency of His victory over sin and death, and the immateriality and eternality of man’s spirit. Ain’t that great?

CHALLENGE:

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:10-12

Acts, Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Persecution, Preaching,
Sermons, Stephan, Veterens Day

ACTS 7:50-53 - Are These Things So!

SERIES #13: ACTS OF THE APOSTLES - Witnesses to Jerusalem
TOPIC: Sovereignty (of God); idolatry, sin (Victimless-), will (Providential - of God)

TITLE: ARE THESE THINGS SO? An application from the Older Testament!
TEXT: Acts 7:50-53 (1-53)

Stephen closes his proclamation with a quote from Isaiah 66:2 - "WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?" … then says …

"You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?

“They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it."

TRUTH CLAIM: Stephen clearly and pointedly attacks Israel's history of idolatry and rebellion from the Hebrew scriptures ...

Idolatry: “image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object”
[Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary]

Here is seen a perfect display of our three-fold theme in the Acts of the Apostles …

The Preeminence of The Living Lord
The Prominence of The Holy Spirit
The Power of The Authentic Church

This is the only known sermon (Acts 7:1-53) of Stephen and it reveals …

• a focus on Israel missing their Meshuah
• a stress on Spirit’s repeated blessings and warnings
• a fearless (powerful) witness from the authentic church

Stephen is asked: “Are these things so?”

Remember: Stephen not a natural Jew; a Greek convert to Judaism (or perhaps raised amongst the Diaspora)

However: his grasp of Jewish history and Old Testament teaching is flawless; not to mention his grasp of the meaning of texts

So: put yourself in the council’s shoes …

• they knew the older testament better, right?
• think of their years of study under Israel’s best
• this young, Hellenist-upstart threatened their power, privilege, position, and possessions

The Charge: accusers charge he is inciting an insurrection in order to …

• destroy the temple [believed to be a sign of God’s departure from Israel; 6:14] and
• change (do away with) the Law of Moses [believed to be essential to godly living and daily blessing; 6:13]

Stephen's countercharges: his response is ...

• pointed (through the Word)
• powerful (through humility)
• patriotic (through faith)
• personal (through the Holy Spirit)

Religious Idolatry: four areas addressed (all of works, not grace) –

• Their Lineage (worship of human ability; the flesh) [2-8]
• Their Land (worship of earthly Israel and her patriarchs) [9-38]
• Their Law (worship of the law; remember the law is for the lawless) [37-43]
• Their Legacy (worship of and hope in a temporal end) [44-53]

In Detail:

• God calls and directs their fathers [2-16]
• God protects and delivers their fathers [17-41]
• God tries and tests their fathers [42-44]
• God delivers their fathers’ possession [45]
• God establishes roots for their fathers [46-47]
• God reveals His nature to their fathers [48-49]
• God reminds them who has done this [50]

Interesting is how Sthephen uses parallels and contrasts to make his point …

• For example – similarity between Hebrew children’s rejection of Moses [39] (“ruler and judge”) and their rejection of Christ Jesus [51,52]
• Another – Aaron’s calf “the works of their hands” in the wilderness [40-41] and the temple “made by human hands” [47]
• Another – Solomon (the son) builds temple with human hands [47] rather than David (the father), contrasted with the Son of God building temple not made with hands rather than the Father [48]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What aspects of Stephen’s sermon are directly applicable to our situation in our context?

I. THAT WE TOO ARE CALLED OUT!

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 'I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'”

John 8:12

"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called”

Ephesians 4:1

“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps”

1Peter 2:21

II. THAT WE TOO HAVE PROMISES!

"And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

Luke 24:49

“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

2 Peter 3:13

“This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.”

1 John 2:25

III. THAT WE TOO HAVE …

A Linage:

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’”

Romans 8:15

A Land:

"In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.”

John 14:2

A Law:

“If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. … So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty”

James 2:8, 12

A Legacy:

“to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you”

1 Peter 1:4

IV. THAT WE TOO HAVE POTENTIAL TO SIN!

The presence and glory of God cannot be confined to a specific place, no matter how holy! God’s people have consistently and constantly resisted His messengers.

Even the most hallowed religious paraphernalia and rituals can be and often are abused.

Moses’ “Righteous One” of Israel is the target of the entire Law and Prophets … this is Jesus the Son of God, who we know as Father.

The Father of “The Linage”, the Creator of “The Land,” the Giver of “The Law,” and the Lord of “The Legacy” which must be venerated!

“Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.”

Hebrews 4:1-2

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Stephen didn’t condemn his persecutors ...

• or insist the Jews had no right to possess the Promise Land, or
• or curse the desirability of a divine code to live by,
• or their having a house of worship …

Instead he condemned the veneration of these things above the Provider and Object of the things.

Stephen’s objective was to twofold –

1. to counter charges with historical facts and
2. to confront sin with truth [Swindoll]

Everywhere the Western church venerates ancestors, engages in uppity nationalism, covets and craves property, while pursuing a personal legacy ...

Legalism (in the form of legislative entitlements) is running rampant in every public and private venue; and it encroaches on the church ...

The building of mega-church complexes and communities (which suck life out of the authentic church) is continuous ...

Boundaries established by God in ages past are being moved or destroyed at will in this age ...

My concern is for what I call victimless-sin … sins like Israel’s … so egregious to the Father ...

Yet, to Joe Christian, they are viewed as harmless and not worthy of concern (e.g., homosexuality, Internet pron, recreational drugs and drinking, gossip, tale-bearing, backbiting, the "virtual" denial of Jesus as Lord, virtual-paganism, virtual-atheism, relativism, political correctness, aberrant worldviews, etc.)

How are we giving God glory for His eternal home, His grace, and His promises?

"So if you’ve been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is …. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things of earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ …. When Christ … is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. So consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed which amount to idolatry."

Colossians 3:1-5
[my partial paraphrase]

Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Idolatry, Outlines, Preaching,
Sermons, Sin, Sovereignty, Will

ACTS 6:15 (8-15) Stephen - Owned by God!

SERIES: Acts #12
TOPIC: Consecration; Witness

TITLE: STEPHEN - Owned By God
TEXT: ACTS 6:15 (8-15)

And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

[D. L. MOODY] Said …

“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” [Desiring Life]

However, he was in error … the world has seen Enoch, Joseph, Joshua, Daniel, and John the Baptizer; all pre-Ascension.

But now Stephen, post-Ascension and sold out to God; he signed his pink slip over to God; he wanted nothing but God’s presence and pleasure.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What in this passage confirms that Stephen was wholly owned by God?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. HIS GIFTS CONFIRM IT
II. HIS ENEMIES CONFIRM IT
III. HIS HEART CONFIRMS IT
IV. HIS HONOR CONFIRMS IT

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: Much like the Church today, the people of Israel hungered to personally experience God (8 in 10 Americans admit to such a hunger).

In spite of intense persecution by both civil and religious authorities, the new church prospered at every turn.

They were growing in numbers, in knowledge, and in the fear of the Lord and they were learning how to faithfully respond to threats … externally and internally!

One man, Stephen, first deacon and first martyr (i.e., witness), caught the attention of influential religious zealots, why? Because he was “full of faith and power” and “performing great wonders and signs among the people.” [v. 8]

Stephen followed closely in the footsteps of his Master and Savior; proclaiming the coming Kingdom to all with ears to hear. But their attention wasn’t healthy … again, why?

Because the zealots felt threatened and “they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was preaching.” [v. 10] You see, God owned Stephen … lock, stock, and barrel.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What in this passage confirms that Stephen was wholly owned by God?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. HIS GIFTS CONFIRM IT

Among them were – Spirit and wisdom [3]; faith and Holy Spirit [5]; grace and power with signs and wonders [8]; and evangelical eloquence [10]

These are all (charisma) gifts and effects (energẽma) of the Holy Spirit …

“But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”

1 Corinthians 12:11 [1-11]

“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”

John 3:34

II. HIS ENEMIES CONFIRM IT

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master.

“If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”

Matthew 10:24-26

Stephen’s (and Christ’s) enemies began with argumentation [9,10]; failing, they incited a fabrication [11]; failing, they move to provocation [12]; then, to ensure the desired result they employed …

– Abduction [12]
– Falsification [13]
– Then Misrepresentation! [13-14]

Two things were operative on this day:

1. the Light of Truth walked in the shadow of Mount Moriah in Jerusalem
2. the fight to darken that Truth skulked in the shadows of evil, fearing the Light
   

“There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to [do] evil, A false witness who ut-ters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.”

Proverbs 6:16-18

Notice Stephan confounded his persecutors with wisdom and Scripture.

They failed both intellectually and spiritually … so they abused the Law to justify stoning him.

Historically, if a powerful movement’s followers appear to turn from the movement’s teachings, to adopt the teachings of another, these leaders are confronted with three choices:

– turn with them
– turn from them
– or turn upon them

III. HIS HEART CONFIRMS IT

Jesus said,

“… store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:20-21

Can there be any question about what is stored up in Stephen’s heart?

IV. HIS HONOR CONFIRMS IT

Stephen highly honored God in his last moments. [7:1-53]

God highly honor him by gifting him more abundantly than others.

This was done that his mirror of righteousness might reflect God’s Shechinah glory.

It was not Stephen’s flesh which glowed as an angel, it was the righteousness of God being reflected in him and from him.

APPLICATION: Bottom-line -

In the egocentric and humanistic courts of fallen man, with man's version of truth, the calm but confident spirit of a man owned by “this Nazarene, Jesus” [6:14] will trump a thousand tanks and a multitude of defense attorneys.

I believe, to some degree, we’ve allowed Moses’ veil to again slip down before our eyes.

I believe we are not truly owned by the Father! Have we accepted Jesus as Savior? Yes! But not Lord! He owns us but we've held back the owner's slip.

In view of our claims, unbelievers say they are unimpressed

“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ … written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. [vv. 2-4]

We are not adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter [law] kills, but the Spirit gives life. [vv. 5-6]

But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, how will the ministry of the Spirit [life] fail to be even more with glory? For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. [vv. 7-11]

Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [vv. 12-16]

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. [vv. 17-18]

2 Corinthians 3:1-18

CHALLENGE: Our job is to understand the spiritual mechanics of this martyr (i.e., “witness”) Stephen … and be inspired by him.

God owns us ...

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

1 Corinthians 6:20

And ...

“You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”

1 Corinthians 7:23

Plus ...

“... false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”

2 Peter 2:1

And for those in leadership … church leaders didn't purchase the sheep; the were paid for by the Lord's shed blood ... we don't own you.

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

Acts 20:28

God owns us all!

The church must once again find ways to let the world know our homes (i.e., “hearts”) have a new Owner.

Acts, Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons, Stephen

ACTS 6:7 The Bride's Wedding Preparations!

SERIES #11: ACTS OF THE APOSTLES - Witnesses to Jerusalem
TOPIC: Bride (of Christ); church health, church growth, faithfulness, persecution, Satan

TITLE: Bride’s Wedding Preparations - Satan’s Playpen!
TEXT: Acts 6:7 (1-7)

“The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”

[H. A. Ironside] In chapter six “we see … vividly Satan's two master methods by which … he has endeavored to hinder the progress of the work of God.

“In the first half … we see him endeavoring to hinder by inward dissension; in the other half by outward persecution (Stephan’s martyrdom) ….

“When dissension is checked within, then Satan's work is hindered without, and the work of God goes on in great power and blessing.” [Lectures on the Book of Acts, p. 151, 158]

[John R. W. Stott] “We’ve now seen … three tactics which the devil employed … to destroy the church.

“First, he tried through the Jewish authorities, to suppress it by force

Secondly through the married couple Ananias and Sapphira, to corrupt it by hypocrisy; and

Thirdly through some … widows to distract it … from prayer and preaching, and so expose it to error and evil.

“If he had succeeded in any of these attempts, the new community of Jesus [might] have been annihilated in its infancy.” [The Spirit, The Church, and The World, p. 124]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How do we see the Bride's responses to the three tactics mentioned by Stott?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. DURING THE PERIOD OF FORCE AND INTIMIDATION
II. DURING THE PERIOD OF CORRUPTION BY HYPOCRISY
III. DURING THE PERIOD OF INTERNAL DISSENSION

TRUTH CLAIMS/CONTEXT: Verses 1-6 describe a simple controversy within the bridal party. Verse 7 is the first of six supplemental postscripts proclaiming the bride’s vitality.

Before the arrival of the devil’s fiery darts there had been one other event worthy of note.

The Lord’s commission to the Bride in chapter one, verse eight …

“you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

The question, from the beginning, is the faithfulness of the Bride to the Bridegroom ...

How did she do in the time following:

“but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” [1:8a]

“These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer” [1:14]

Then Peter preached and about 3000 were added that day [2:41]

Then Scripture says …

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.…

“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Acts 2:42-43, 47b

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How do we see the Bride's responses to the three tactics of the devil mentioned by Stott?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. DURING THE PERIOD OF FORCE AND INTIMIDATION

First, the devil tried to use the Jewish authorities, to suppress her by force and intimidation (i.e., intimidation by civil and religious leaders).

Then arrives the intense persecution of Peter, John, and the lame beggar [Ch. 3, 4].

Satan looked to his bench and saw all of the religious leaders of the Temple and the City of Zion [3:5-6].

There's no question, great damage has been done to the Bride by the manhandling of religious leaders and civil authorities; but, in the end, it’s all about how the Bride responded to threats.

When I think of contemporary church leadership, it’s hard to get by those who’ve fallen this past year or two, or get beyond those preaching a perverted, powerless gospel.

A gospel without grace, shed blood, repentance, hell, and a risen Savior - this is not Good News!

It’s not just themselves who are hurt but their flocks and their families who suffer … innocents abound. Friends the Bride must be vigilant concerning her leaders …

So how did the "Authentic Church" do under this threat?

“But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

Acts 4:4

II. DURING THE PERIOD OF CORRUPTION BY HYPOCRISY

Secondly the devil tried to stop the Bride through Ananias and Sapphira; attempting to corrupt her by hypocrisy.

The whole world watches the Bride to see how she deals with issues and people; this was not less watched; the viper “hypocrisy” has buried not a few churches and church leaders.

How did things turn out for her?

“And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.”

“And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number …”

Acts 5:11, 14

The Bride is “in the world, but not of the world”; yet today she continues to become more and more like the world ... and in the process less and less powerful (unlike the authentic church in Acts).

Consider the two hypocrites, Ananias and Sapphira, here, holding back from the Lord; then consider the 3% to 10% reality of the Bride’s current tithing habits. Is our holding back any less condemning than theirs?

We are all deserving of a death sentence; remember, it’s all about the Bride’s response to threat.

III. DURING THE PERIOD OF INTERNAL DISSENSION

Thirdly the devil attacked through some Hellenist widows to distract her leaders … from prayer and preaching, and so expose her to error and evil.

How successful was he?

“The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”

Acts 6:7

Probably the most painful and damaging of all the devil’s devices are those “who spreads strife among brothers” [cf. Proverbs 6:16-19].

From Genesis to today we see Satan plying his trade in duplicity, backbiting, tale-bearing, guile, deceit, disbelief, dissemblance, gossiping, politics, manipulation, apostasy, and heresy.

In spite of the lessons of the history of the engagement period we see generation after generation of Christians walking in denial – NIMC ("Not In My Church"; a play on the colloquial acronym NIMB - "Not In My Backyard").

Well folks, these people belong to somebody’s church ... remember it’s all about how the Bride responds.

APPLICATION: In closing out his comments on this passage, Ironside asked his people …

“My brethren, is there not something here that ought to speak to every one of our hearts? Are you praying for a revival and blessing in the Church of God? Do you ever go into the presence of God and say, ‘Lord, revive me; is there something in me that hinders a revival; has this mouth of mine been working overtime to hinder the work of the Spirit of God?’

“If we have, we may all say, ‘God, give me grace to judge it in the presence of the Lord, that the Holy Spirit may have free course and the Word go forth with great power.”

More to the point, let’s contextualize this …

• Are there not “Hellenists” among us?
• Are there not needs here, in San Carlos, at this time, in this place with these people?
• Shouldn’t we “select from among [ourselves] men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of [these tasks]”?

Your elders and deacons will be looking for you to answer that question!

“is [it] desirable for [your leadership] to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables”?

CHALLENGE: The entire scope of today's message deals with the Bride’s preparation for the day her Bridegroom will come to take her to His Father’s house. And the question that must be answered is this: We know how she responded in the to those who would disrupt her preparations for that great day in the records of the early church - how is she responding today?

In every case, the Bride is seen growing in numbers, in strength, and in the fear of the Lord.

The record shows she had no need for revival, for every day she was living in real-time revival … ever wonder what that’s like? I do!

Acts, Bride, Christianity, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

ACTS 5:41-42 - Continuing Daily

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]

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!
II. NOTICE THE PROMINENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
III. NOTICE THE POWER OF THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH!

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 –

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:

1. 1st ended with prayer for power and boldness, while
2. 2nd ended with praises for power and boldness.

Perhaps if we encountered these men in our lives today they would be unimpressive; we might not see them as great men but their behavior tells us God did!

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!

"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.

II. THE PROMINENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

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.

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

III. THE POWER OF THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH!

"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.”

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

Notice how they responded to persecution:

1) Suffered with dignity

• honored
• joyful
• focused

2) Returned with diligence to teach and preach:

• Where? Publicly and privately!
• When? Daily!
• What? Lord Jesus Christ; and Him crucified and resurrected!

They were accused of doing just what they were commanded by Jesus to do … “fill Jerusalem with their teaching.”

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!

Acts, Christianity, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Persecution,
Preaching, Sermons

ACTS 5:20 - Taking A Stand!

SERIES #9: Acts of the Apostles – Witnesses to Jerusalem

TOPIC: Proclamation; Evangelism, Good News (Gospel), Obedience, Testimony, Witness, Word (Scripture)
TITLE: TAKING A STAND – What the Authentic Church Is Expected to Do!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does God’s command to the apostles reveal about what He wants of them [and us]?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. IT REVEALS HE DIDN’T WANT THEM IMPRISONED BY WORLD!
II. IT REVEALS HE DIDN’T WANT THEM TO WAIT FOR “THE PEOPLE” TO COME TO THEM!
III. IT REVEALS HE HAD GIVEN THEM SOMETHING WORTH STANDING FOR!
IV. IT REVEALS HE HAD GIVEN THEM SOMETHING TO SAY!

A. Who they’re to say it to – “the people”!
B. Where they’re to say it – “in the Temple”!
C. How much to say – “the whole message”!
D. What it’s about – “this life”!

TRUTH/CONTEXT: The death of Ananias and his wife Sapphira is now past; the result being great fear AND great growth.

1. great fear coming “upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things” (5:11)
2. great growth continued – that is, “all the more” were being added (5:14)

These two pretenders were used by God [Romans 8:28] to –

1. preserve church integrity,
2. develop a healthy fear of God, and
3. bring about dramatic church growth.

In our text we still see the bold, powerful witness of the “authentic church.”

TEXT: Acts 5:20 (12-21a)

“Go your way, stand and speak
to the people in the temple
the whole message of this Life.”

The apostles’ prayer continued to be answered: they asked to “speak Thy Word with all confidence” [aka: “boldness”], heal, and see signs and wonders – they received boldness to speak the Good News with signs and wonders [5:12, 14] and healings [15, 16].

Remember where we are: we’re in Jerusalem [through chapter 7]. Let’s also remember the central themes of Acts …

1. the Preeminence of the Living Christ
2. the Prominence of the Holy Spirit, and
3. the Power of the Authentic Church.

The Church was filled with Holy Spirit power, burdened to proclaim the Good News of “this Life.”

As it turns out, the apostles were not set free to save their own lives but the lives of others.

Literally, they were commanded –

1. to GO … “you go your way”
2. to TAKE/HOLD … “take your stand” or “hold your ground” or “stand firm”
3. to SPEAK … “continue to speak.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What’s God’s command to apostles reveal about what He wants?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. IT REVEALS HE DIDN’T WANT THEM IMPRISONED BY WORLD!

A. They were to “Go”… “Depart”
B. To get up and escape

1. Not to stay put
2. Not to wait for the guards
3. Not to submit to the ways of man
4. Not to be trouble free
5. Not to be sure they don’t offend
6. Not to fear man but God

II. IT REVEALS HE DIDN’T WANT THEM TO WAIT FOR “THE PEOPLE” TO COME TO THEM!

A. They were to go to “the people”

1. Not to their homes & families
2. Not to the Upper Room
3. Not to their place of employment
4. Not to flee Jerusalem
5. Not to the country to hide

B. God even told them where the people were - “in the temple”
C. The temple here is not naos (God’s)– but hieros (man’s)
D. In other words – right back to where they were arrested

III. IT REVEALS HE HAD GIVEN THEM SOMETHING WORTH STANDING FOR!

A. Standing on the Promises
B. On the Rock of Ages
C. “The whole message”

1. Not part of the word
2. Not the message of man

a) Not princes or rulers
b) Not shakers and movers
c) Not of mammon
d) Not one another

D. But the rhematos “of this life”

IV. IT REVEALS HE HAD GIVEN THEM SOMETHING TO SAY!
A. To say Publicly, Boldly, Resolutely, Truthfully
B. “All the words (rhemata) of this Life”! {“the full message of this life.” [NIV]}

1. “Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words (rhemata) of eternal life.’” [John 6:68]
2. “But what does it say? ‘THE WORD (rhema) IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART’ – that is, the word (rhema) of faith which we are preaching … ” [Romans 10:8]
3. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word (rhematos) of Christ.” [Romans 10:17]

APPLICATION:

[OVERSHADOWED] Like in that movie where the alien space ship comes over the horizon and blocks out the whole sky … God has sent His Son and His Son has filled the universe … and through all ages.

My friends, the fact that we are here today is by the grace of God alone … whether saved or lost we owe our present life to Him. And no eternal life will come except through His Son Jesus.

People must be told!

Let’s be clear and honest … under no circumstance is God about to tell these just released messengers to speak …

1. anything but the full message or the whole truth
2. anything but that which is most important and of the highest priority
3. anything but a message related to the person and works of Jesus Christ, His Son
4. to anyone but those needing to hear the message
5. or in anyway that is not filled with divine confidence

[GILL] “The Gospel is to be preached to all; the Spirit of God makes it effectual to some, and others are rendered inexcusable.”

CHALLENGE: No matter the circumstances, God still desires His people go, take their stands, and speak boldly … the whole message of this life.

When we were released (if indeed we were released), the message was the same: go your way, continue to speak, to the people, in public (boldly, confidently), the whole message of "this Life."

We must fear God and not man: if we fear man, we inherit everlasting torment; if God, eternal life.

Acts, Christianity, Evangelism,
Expository, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Proclamation, Sermons