Latest / The Daily Word / October 16 – Rejoicing Through the Opposition
Transcript
- Cory Barnes: Well, hello there and happy October sixteenth. It's Pastor Jenny here. And today we are reading in Acts chapter five. And man, what a passage Acts chapter five is. So much happening in this. I'm actually excited to teach on the beginning of Acts chapter five later this month in our kids ministry. And the kids, ooh, they're gonna get quite a teaching on Ananias and Sapphira. But that's not what I journaled on today. If you haven't read today's reading, I encourage you before you listen to the rest of this podcast, pause it and go read it for yourself. see what the Lord maybe will highlight to you a scripture or a passage. write down a few thoughts on an observation and what application you may grab from that, and then a prayer, and then come back and hear what highlighted and jumped out to me today. But as I'm reading through this, just to give a little context for everyone listening, so the apostles, they're going around, they're being witnesses for Jesus and sharing the good news, doing what Jesus told them to do, talking about the gospel that Jesus has come, the Savior has come, he has risen, he's come to bring freedom, he's come to forgive them of their sins. He is the high priest. but the current religion of the day, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, all of these people, they did not like this doctrine that was being spread to the point that they had told the apostles, do not spread this man's name, do not teach in his name, do not say, We'll let you walk around, we're gonna let you live. You know, they basically were like, Hey, we want to remind you, we killed this guy. And we can do the same to you, but keep your mouth shut and you'll be fine. Well, it's pretty clear in this passage, and of course we know they didn't do that because they in literally they respond to these Pharisees and Sadducees in this passage. Hey, w our obedience is not to man but to God. so we're we're gonna obey what God's inviting us to do. And that's where Our lines fall. But as they continued to preach the good news of Jesus, of course they came up against persecution and they were imprisoned. And so, just to give that just saying all that to give context, we see that in verse twenty eight of this passage in Acts chapter five, where the council says to them, because they had actually been imprisoned, an angel had actually let them out, and they find them teaching in the temple again. And they're like, what what is going on here? Not not only did we tell you to not teach, like they're thinking they didn't even acknowledge the fact that they miraculously got out. They probably just assumed some one of their followers let them out, but we read and know an angel actually let them out. And but the council says, Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? Referring to Jesus. And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine. Can we pause right here and just talk about the power of ideas? Why theology matters, why doctrine matters. So, you know, there's not just our doctrine as it relates to Christian doctrine, that's super important by what we believe and taking the scriptures, pouring over the scriptures, meditating, paying attention to what you're meditating on is super important. but any idea. why looking especially outside of Christian doctrine and why looking at the root of ideas matters, especially w when we have an enemy who's come to steal, kill, and destroy. And he you know, disguises himself as light. And so he's going to take what may seem as an appearance of goodness because Jesus is the light, right? And so remember There are doctrines of demons. and Satan's gonna disguise our sound theology. He's gonna bring in bad theology and those doctrines of demons. They're they they sneak into the church. And so it's important that we are aware and we're sober, we're vigilant to watch for what we are listening to, what we're reading what our children are allowing into their hearts and minds through the music they're listening to, through conversations that they're having. So be alert, pay attention. What are you surrounding yourself with in conversation and in coworkers with coworkers, in the neighborhood chat, and all of the things because even the subtle just cultural phrases allow wrong thinking, wrong doctrine to get in. And The the council knew the power of ideas and how that shifts entire not just cultures but mindsets and thinking. And so anyway, just a little side note there, what what was really driving some of this. But I'm gonna skip down to ver starting in verse thir thirty-three because someone who was on the council was a guy named Gamaliel, and he gives some advice because essentially this council is furio infuriated. with these guys for continuing to preach in the name of Jesus. And you know, you can almost kind of see him at a tipping point, like not not only what are we gonna do, but the scripture tells us they wanted to kill them. So Gamelel kind of steps in at this point and he says this. Or i the scripture jumps in it says this when they heard this, so the council, they were furious and plotted to kill them. Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaleel, a teacher of the law Held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. So you know it's kinda like when your kid gets in trouble and you're like, Hey, you need to go to your room, mom and dad need to talk about this. And he said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. You really need to pause and think about what we're gonna do in this situation. This requires great wisdom, essentially is what Yamaliel's saying. and then he goes on to remind them of some past situations that had come up, whether in their lifetime or the lifetime before. For some time ago Theodus rose up claiming to be somebody. A number of men about four hundred joined him, he was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing. But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest you even be found to fight against God. And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, and Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name, and daily in the temple and in every house they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. So what did I capture from these observations today? Man, I was super inspired, motivated, and challenged. By the fact that not only did these men follow, of course, what God was telling them to do and not into pleasing man, they did so to the point of suffering. Not only did they do so to the point of suffering, but after they suffered, they rejoiced in that suffering. How many times do we fall short of just being willing to put ourselves in an uncomfortable situation? To maybe mention the fact that we go to church or we follow Jesus because we're afraid that might make the other person uncomfortable, or we're not sure how they'll respond, or we're not sure if we would be able to continue being friends, or what would they think of us. And these guys were literally beaten to the point of potential like, I mean, they these people wanted to kill them. And without this man, Gamaleel stepping in, they were going to be killed. And so I believe that it was the divine providence of the Lord who stepped in, of course, protecting them through this man that kept them alive so that the name of Jesus could continue to be spread. And so I believe that as we continue to pursue the things of the kingdom, as we proc continue to proclaim the name of Christ. do what he's calling. Yes, there is difficulty in that. We're not f we're not promised that there is no suffering, that there's no difficulty when doing the work of the Lord. It's like working out. You we may want to get that super in shape body. Well, that can be painful. Lifting as you lift heavier and heavier weights, you're tearing those muscles and you're super sore if you ever If you do any sort of exercise and you miss leg day, the next time you do leg day, it's terrible going up and down the stairs or going like anytime you have to squat. Like it's all so painful. When we are following after the Lord, there is a suffering that comes when we're doing that. And so as we continue to chase after the Lord, there can be suffering. I'm totally out of time because I've so enjoyed talking about how good God is. And even as we continue to follow and trust in him, he is faithful to protect us. And we can rejoice because his name is being proclaimed and because he is our protector. So, Lord, we are so thankful for you. We're thankful for your word. We're thankful that you cover and protect us. so even when difficulties come, when we fix our eyes on you and we trust you, we know that. It's your saving grace that carries us through, and we can rejoice even in trials and in hardships and in difficulties, knowing that we are partnered with you and that we're fulfilling what you've invited us to do for your kingdom and your glory. Let your kingdom come, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, amen.