The Cost Of The Name
OVERARCHING THEMES IN ACTS:
1. WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER
2. WE GATHER TO SCATTER
3. WE MUST FEAR GOD OVER MAN
Acts 5:14-16 NKJV
And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
ACTS 1:8 NIV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
BYPRODUCTS OF OBEDIENCE
1. OBEDIENCE COMES W/ A COST
Acts 5:17 CSB
“Then the high priest rose up. He and all who were with him, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.”
Acts 5:18 NASB
They laid hands on {arrested} the apostles and put them in a public prison.
John 15:20–21 (CSB)
20 Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they don’t know the one who sent me.
MATTHEW 16:24 NLT
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
BYPRODUCTS OF OBEDIENCE
1. OBEDIENCE COMES W/ A COST
2. OBEDIENCE BRINGS GREAT BENEFIT
Acts 5:19- ESV
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out.
BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE:
A. OBEDIENCE BRINGS FREEDOM TO THOSE WHO ARE BOUND
Acts 5:20 CSB
“Go and stand in the temple, and tell the people all about this life.”
Acts 5:21 CSB
Hearing this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach...
ACTS 5:28-29 (CSB)
28 “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people…”
ACTS 5:33-38 ESV
33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while. 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re about to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone.
BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE:
A. OBEDIENCE BRINGS FREEDOM TO THOSE WHO ARE BOUND
B. OBEDIENCE INSPIRES OTHERS WHO ARE WATCHING YOUR LIFE
PROVERBS 16:7 ES
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
ACTS 5:38-39 CSB
I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of human origin, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.”
BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE:
A. OBEDIENCE BRINGS FREEDOM TO THOSE WHO ARE BOUND
B. OBEDIENCE INSPIRES OTHERS WHO ARE WATCHING YOUR LIFE
C. OBEDIENCE TESTIFIES OF AN UNSHAKABLE KINGDOM
ACTS 5:39-42 (CSB)
39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” They were persuaded by him. 40 After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. 41 Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name. 42 Every day in the temple, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
BYPRODUCTS OF OBEDIENCE
1. OBEDIENCE COMES W/ A COST
2. OBEDIENCE BRINGS GREAT BENEFIT
3. OBEDIENCE PRODUCES PERFECT PEACE
“HE IS NO FOOL WHO GIVES WHAT HE CAN’T KEEP, TO GAIN WHAT HE CAN’T LOSE” -Jim Elliot
Maybe you made a decision to follow Jesus today, or maybe you’re curious what life with Him is all about. Wherever you are on your journey, we invite you to share with us so we can help you discover your next step.
