“We are going to change the world” those words seem like a huge task. Almost impossible. Why even try? Can we really?
We have to remember, this is not our movement. It is God’s.
We have a hard time receiving this. Why?
*Act 5:17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy Act 5:18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.*
The Public Prison
The odds are against us
The court of public opinion
Our past
Our present
*Act 5:19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, Act 5:20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” Act 5:21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.*
- No matter the prison, they had a job to do and they did it.
- No prison can stop God’s movement
*Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.*
*Act 5:22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, Act 5:23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.”*
Satan has plan but God has the power
*Act 5:24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. Act 5:25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”Act 5:26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.*
Don’t be surprised when people not of this movement become perplexed
*Act 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, Act 5:28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.”Act 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.*
*Act 5:30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.*
*Act 5:31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Act 5:32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”*
*Act 5:38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; Act 5:39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,*
*Act 5:40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Act 5:41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. Act 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.*
GO VIII "Escape Plan"
Acts 5: 17-42
October 25, 2020 • Paul Barnard
GO XIII: The Truth About Sharing Your Faith
December 13, 2020 • Paul Barnard
*Act 17:16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. Act 17:17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.* Sees something wrong and feels the need to change it *Act 17:18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. Act 17:19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? Act 17:20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” Act 17:21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.* *Act 17:22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. Act 17:23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.* Identify with people *Act 17:24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, Act 17:25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.* *Act 17:26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, Act 17:27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, Act 17:28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’* *Act 17:29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, Act 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”* *Act 17:32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” Act 17:33 So Paul went out from their midst.* *Act 17:34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.* The truth about evangelism- Relational Personal Spiritual
GO XII - "Unity for Opportunity"
November 29, 2020 • Paul Barnard
The Philippian Jailer Converted Act 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, Act 16:26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. Act 16:27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. Act 16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” Act 16:29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Act 16:30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Act 16:31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Act 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. Act 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Act 16:34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. Act 16:35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” Act 16:36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” Act 16:37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” Act 16:38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. Act 16:39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. Act 16:40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. Dealing with injustice: Flesh- Cover ourselves-how will this affect me? Emotion rules us-Anger and fear will cause us to react Cause damage to the kingdom-What will Christians be known for. Spirit- Worship-Vs 25- Learning to thank God for opportunity Watch- Look for the opportunity Work-Take the opportunity What injustice are you willing to experience for the opportunity to serve?