GIST: Yes, unless it means disobeying Jesus.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:15-22
Tonight, we’re going to wrap up our discussion of the trial of Peter and John. Quick recap: As Peter and John came to the temple to pray, they were met by a man born lame. He cried out for alms, temporary relief, but was pointed to Jesus instead...and was miraculously healed. Though he had been lame for over 40 years, he was jumping up and down and praising God! This drew a crowd, so Peter took the opportunity and explained that this physical healing pointed to a deeper spiritual healing--one we all need. We are born with a terminal condition. Our sin has no other end but Hell. Yet, Jesus came and took on Hell for us. We don’t need a bandaid, but we need a life transformation. That happens when we give Jesus control of our lives.
Then, last Sunday night we saw the results. People were amazed, and many received this message and were saved. However, there was opposition, as well. In fact, Peter and John ended up being arrested by the religious ruling body and put in prison overnight to await trial. Our passage this morning looked at that trial, and we saw the boldness of Peter and John in the face of the blindness of the religious authorities. We left off with these authorities knowing they could not deny what had happened, but wanting to silence them anyway. Tonight, we’ll look at what they decided to do and how the apostles responded to that.
“15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.”
These evening services are designed to be discussion driven. These past two have been wonderful. In fact, they have been so wonderful they have ran longer than they ever did when I just “preached”☺️...which I have been reminded of this week. To help accommodate that, I am limiting our discussion points a bit this evening to one central question: Should Christians obey the law? The answer isn’t complicated, but the implications are worth our time. How does this actually play out in our lives. So our gist is: Yes, unless it means disobeying Jesus.
Let me make two quick observations and then we’ll hit some takeaway applications. First→
I. The Purpose of the World Is Self Preservation (15-18).
That is what we see exemplified in the religious elite here. They wanted their way. The apostles changed that way, so they decided to silence them. Like we addressed last Sunday evening, we should expect this. However, we should not take part in it. As Christians, our lives cannot be about “us”.
While this is easy to affirm, especially in a Sunday evening church service, it is far harder to apply. Take time to really look at your priorities in life, your dreams, your desires. How do you spend your time, talents, and moola? Because→
II. The Purpose of the Church is God’s Glorification (19-22).
Our primary purpose is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. We are to live for Him and Him alone. No authority, personal desire, family ties, community pressures, or political powers can ever override this single purpose for our lives. Nothing and no one can ever be more important that our relationship with Jesus and our sharing of Him with others. We should be willing to sacrifice everything (that time, those talents, and even that moola) for Him.
TAKEAWAY
So, what implications does this have for our title question? Do we obey the law or not?
1. Unless the law prevents us from doing what God directly commands us to do or not to do, we should obey it.
-This is part of our witness.
-What are examples of where we would have to not obey the law?
-The law requires us not to share the Gospel.
-It requires endorsing sin, or practicing sin.
-What are some specifics?
No comments:
Post a Comment