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Instructions from Acts

Instructions from Acts. The Amazing Race. Last fall we began a series in the book of Acts. Acts is not simply historical information; it is a manual for living in the power of the Spirit. A Fresh Wind of God’s Spirit is Blowing.

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Instructions from Acts

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  1. Instructions from Acts

  2. The Amazing Race Last fall we began a series in the book of Acts. Acts is not simply historical information; it is a manual for living in the power of the Spirit.

  3. A Fresh Wind of God’s Spirit is Blowing • Last week you gave almost $18,000 in a special offering for Haiti … • The week before, over 80 of you experienced healing of some sort. • Throughout that week, you sent e-mails or talked with me about praying for a co-worker or someone other than family … and seeing God work.

  4. Growing churches are: • Authoritative - not Authoritarian in preaching the Bible • Examples - not an Explanation of the New Birth • Living - not Legislating the Spirit-filled life • Gracious - not Grim in their inclusion in the fellowship • Loyal - not Lax in their commitment

  5. Mountain Tops and Valleys The heights to which this church ran • Marvelous unity and joy Acts 4:32; 3:9-10 • The unstoppable nature of the church’s witness and impact … Acts 5:14-16; 5:28

  6. Mountain Tops and Valleys I don’t want you to miss the battle in the midst of the sizzle and wow • Arrested and put in jail -- Acts 5:18 • Beaten and threatened -- Acts 4:18, 21-22; Acts 5:40 • Opposed and at war with the enemy -- Acts 6:11-14

  7. What do you do in the Valley???

  8. Text: Acts 5:17-42 17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

  9. Acts 5:19-20 19 But 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.”

  10. Acts 5:21-22a 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. 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. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.

  11. Acts 5:22b-25 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.”24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this. 25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”

  12. Acts 5:26-28 26 At 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. 27 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.”

  13. Acts 5:29-32 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

  14. Acts 5:33-34, 40 33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But 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. … 40 His 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.

  15. Acts 5:41-42 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day 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.

  16. Lessons Learned in the Valley … • Know that God will take us through vv. 19-21

  17. II. Don’t let intimidation take overvs. 20, 27-29

  18. III. Keep you focus on the Mission and Message vv. 30-32

  19. V. Trust the Outcome to God vv. 33, 40-42

  20. Conclusion: Lessons learned in the valley… God specializes in getting us through the valley … trust Him. Don’t allow intimidation to wreck you … trust Him. Keep in mind the promises and commands of God … trust Him. Keep your focus on the message and your mission … trust Him. Trust God with the outcome. Rejoice through it all .

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