OPPOSITION DOESN’T STOP MISSION-MINDED PEOPLE!

TODAY’S PASSAGE: 

Acts 5:21-32 (NLT) – 21 So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching. When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial. 22 But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the men were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, 23 “The jail was securely locked, with the guards standing outside, but when we opened the gates, no one was there!” 24 When the captain of the Temple guard and the leading priests heard this, they were perplexed, wondering where it would all end. 25 Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!” 26 The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. 27 Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. 28 “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!” 29 But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. 31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”

• When the disciples were arrested for the second time, an angel of the Lord opened the gates of jail and told them to go to the temple to keep preaching the Gospel. They immediately followed these instructions!
• How quick is your response time when God gives you instructions?
• Jesus told His disciples to, “follow Him,” and they did so immediately!

Mathew 4:20 (NKJV) – “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”

• DEFINITION – Immediately: without hesitation or procrastination, at once, right away
• When we hesitate or procrastinate, we allow fear, worry, anxiety and other negative emotions to settle in. These negative emotions can stop us from following God’s instructions.

• This was the second time the disciples were told not to teach about Jesus by the religious authorities.
• Yet, the disciples continued to spread the message because they were commissioned by the highest authority, Jesus Himself!

Matthew 28:18 (NLT) – Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.”

• It was with all authority that Jesus commissioned the disciples to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15).
• Knowing the power and authority that were operating in, the disciples were undeterred by the opposition of these religious authorities.
• DEFINITION – Opposition: resistance; expressed in action or argument; disagreement with something often by speaking or fighting against
• God’s power and authority is given to all his disciples when we accept His mission. This should give us boldness and confidence, no matter what type of opposition we face!

• Some of us have been arrested for doing something wrong but can you imagine being arrested for doing something right?

• The disciples were focused on the mission that God had given them, even if that meant disobeying governing authorities.

• In verse 29, Peter and the apostles boldly state, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

• Peter once said that he would never leave Jesus and would even die for him (Matthew 26:34-35), but when pressure came and the opportunity presented itself, he deserted Him (Matthew 26:74).
• This same Peter now speaks with boldness, power and authority because He was filled with power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:40.)
• Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would give them the right words to say when faced with persecution.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ (‭NLT)‬‬ – “When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”

• We can rely on this promise for our lives as well! The Holy Spirit will speak for us and through us if we allow Him to!