Scripture Reading: Acts 5:12-16

You Cannot Overthrow What is of God

(Acts 5)

Intro.

1. The gospel continued to spread throughout Jerusalem and many were saved (4:4).

2. Acts 5: But, the opponents of Christ and truth never sleep. Opposition to truth and godliness came from within and without -- as it still does today, cf. 2 Cor. 11:24-28 (2 Jno. 7; Jude 4).
3. Acts 5: The gospel spread in spite of internal and external problems. (Why and how)

I. UNITY OF FAITH AND ACTION, Acts 4:32-37.

A. Traits of the Jerusalem Church:

1. Faith and unity, 4:32 (Jno. 17:21).

2. Commonality of purpose and values, 4:32 (love).

3. God’s power and grace, 4:33.

4. Sacrificial giving met ongoing needs, 4:34-37.

II. INTERNAL PROBLEM: SIN IN THE CHURCH, Acts 5:1-16.
A. It is a Problem Whenever Christians Sin, Rom. 6:1-2, 11-14.
1. Sin is not to reign over us any longer; that is our choice!
2. Different types of sins: Ignorance, willful, out of weakness, occasional, ongoing.
3. All sin, not repented of, brings spiritual death, Acts 8:20-22; 1 Jno. 2:1-2.
B. We Cannot Hide our Sin from God, Acts 5:1-9.
1. God sees and punishes sin (5:2: Pride, deception, greed).
2. We must confess and repent, not cover up sin, Psa. 32:1-5.
C. Christians can Lose their Souls due to Sin, 2 Pet. 2:20.
1. Ananias and Sapphira were Christians who were liars.
2. But, all liars are eternally lost, Rev. 21:8.
3. Therefore, Christians who lie and do not repent will be lost.
D. The Church Benefits when God’s Discipline is Applied, 5:11-14.

1. Sinner benefits because it is an effort to save him, 1 Cor. 5:5.
2. Reverence for God and truth is taught, 5:5, 11; 1 Tim. 5:19-20.
3. The dangerous influence of sin is removed, 5:13; 1 Cor. 5:6-7.
4. Good soil for godly growth is preserved, Acts 5:14-16 (Lk. 8:15).

III. EXTERNAL PROBLEM: OPPOSITION AND PERSECUTION, Acts 5:17-42.
A. Rest Assured, Opposition to Truth will Happen.

1. Evil, ungodly men will be jealous of the truth and those who follow it, Acts 5:17-18, 33; cf. Jno. 3:19-21.
2. Apostles kept preaching when threatened, 4:18, 20-21, 31, 33.
3. Envy and contentious rivalry drives persecution, Matt. 27:18.
B. We must Obey God rather than Men, Acts 5:19-32.
1. When men impose laws that violate divine truth the Christian is not obligated to obey them; we must first obey God.
2. Render unto Caesar, but not if it dishonors God, Matt. 22:21.

-Does not mean a Christian is forbidden from using legal, ethical and moral means afforded by the government to protect himself from harm, Acts 25:11.
C. Remain Faithful and You will be Blessed (Rev. 2:10).
1. Freed from prison and taken without violence, 5:19-20, 25-26.
2. They were beaten–how was this a blessing? 5:40-41; 2 Cor. 4:16-18.
3. Kept on rejoicing and preaching, 5:42 (Matt. 5:10-12).

IV. DON’T FIGHT AGAINST GOD, Acts 5:33-42.
A. People will not Defeat the Purposes of God, Acts 4:24-28; Isa. 55:11.
1. Your objection to the gospel will not change the gospel.
2. Futile to fight against God in your life, 5:39 (Acts 26:14).
B. The Gospel of Christ is “of God” – Obey it Now, Acts 5:39.
1. Just as Gamaliel said: The gospel continued, undefeated by the threats and fighting of man, 5:41-42.
2. Your persistent refusal to obey the gospel will not change what God expects of you – or what He will judge you by, Jno. 12:48.
3. Yield your stubborn will to God.

Conclusion
1. The choice is yours: Do you want to be on the winning or the losing side in the struggle between good and evil?
2. You cannot overthrow God; Obey His gospel now.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: June 4, 2013