Month: September 2024

God Protects the Gospel Message

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If you want to be encouraged in your witness, especially when times are difficult and you are facing opposition, the story in Acts 5 will uplift your spirit and re-energized you! Acts 5:12-16 tell us that the apostles were continuing to spread the good news that Jesus is the Christ! As evidence of the power of the Holy Spirit within them through faith in Jesus, they were able to heal many and drive out evil spirits in the name of Jesus. Just as in Jesus’ day, this brought people seeking healing, peace, and wonder at the works they performed. The high priest and his associates did not like this. They were jealous of the attention the apostles were receiving and worried about their power with the people. Acts 5:17-18 “ But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.” They thought that putting them in jail would be a public humiliation and would ‘get rid’ of them for awhile until the figured out what to do.

Acts 5:19-20 was God’s response to their actions. “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.” When the council met in the morning, they sent messengers to the jail to have the prisoners brought out. To their great surprise the men were no longer in prison but in the temple speaking about Jesus. They had the apostles brought to them and said, verse 28, “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.”

Peter and the other apostles replied, verse 29, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Now the leaders were furious and wanted them put to death. However, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, reasoned with the council in private. He wisely said if these men are of man, their efforts will pass away. We have seen this happen often enough before. If these men are of God, you will not be able to stop them. The council listened to him and the apostles were flogged and released.

Why does this story encourage me so much? I see the love and devotion, the fiery spirit of witnessing for Jesus in the apostles. They believed what they were doing was commissioned by God and ordered by Jesus. They knew that God would look out for them- in life and in death. I also see the hand of God protecting the ministry of these men as they speak out in Jesus’ name. God provided Gamaliel at the right place and the right time to reason with the council and the apostles were spared. God is always working behind the scene to move His Word and ministry forward. Isaiah 55:11 promises, “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;     it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,  and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” We can be assured that God protects his Word and the message of Jesus will not be thwarted. Besides all of the above, I love that the apostles were let out of prison by angels. They did not ask for rescue but God provided!

Be encouraged by this story in Acts and let it assure you that God protects His gospel and will see that the name of Jesus is proclaimed.

Linda

Be mindful of your Heart Attitudes

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The verses at the end of Chapter 4 of Acts set the stage for the events at the beginning of Chapter 5. Acts 4:32-33 describe the living mindset of the new believers and how they worked together to care for one another. They shared what they had willingly for the sake of the spread of the gospel and their love for one another in faith. “ All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. ” 

Acts 5 begins with the entrance of a believer named Ananias and a bit later his wife Sapphira. Here is what Ananias did: 1-2 “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.” The Apostle Peter confronted Ananias when he donated the monies from the sale of his property. “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” Ananias was convicted for his attempting to lie to God. “5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.” Peter did judge him, God did.

The story continues with the wife Sapphira. “7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.”

What lessons do we learn from this about ourselves and God?

  • Ananias and Sapphira tried to pass off their donation as one where they gave all of it to God’s work. As Peter reminded them, it was theirs to give either part or whole.
  • God does not want us to lie. Deuteronomy 5:20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. Leviticus 19:11 “‘Do not steal. “‘Do not lie. “‘Do not deceive one another.”
  • Attempting to lie to God is a sin and will be judged. Galatians 6:6-8  “Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.“
  • Acting like your wholly committed and yet in your heart you are not, will bring judgement. Your contradictory actions will be revealed. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

This story has always shocked me but as I reflect upon it, I see that their sin was in pretending to be holy and righteous. They wanted to make themselves bigger and better than the actually were. They wanted the esteem of man more than God. Isaiah 66:2b “These are the ones I (God) look on with favor (esteem):
    those who are humble and contrite in spirit,  and who tremble at my word.”

Be mindful in your walk with God of Hebrews 10:30-31 “For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” God is not to be toyed with as He is righteous, omnipotent and holy and will not tolerate sin. Keep short accounts with God, confess your sins and seek to walk humbly with Him. The power of Jesus’ forgiveness covers sin, bring it to Him for forgiveness.

Linda