Acts 4:5-7 "And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole."
THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US THAT PERSECUTION BEGAN SOON AFTER THE EARLY CHURCH BEGAN.
THE APOSTLES PETER AND JOHN WERE PUT IN PRISON BY THE PRIESTS AND THE SADDUCEES, BECAUSE THEY WERE TEACHING THE PEOPLE THAT THOSE WHO DIED WOULD BE RAISED TO LIFE JUST AS THE LORD JESUS HAD BEEN RAISED TO LIFE.
NOT ONLY WERE THE MASSES IN THE PROTEST MOVEMENT BUT THE ESTABLISHMENT HAD JOINED THEM.
THE RELIGIOUS RULERS AND THE POLITICAL RULERS JOINED TOGETHER.
"THEY ARE AGAINST THE LORD AND HIS ANOINTED" (Psalm 2:2)..
THERE IS A WORLD WIDE MOVEMENT TODAY THAT IS AGAINST GOD AND AGAINST CHRIST.
WHEN PETER AND JOHN TOLD THE CHURCH WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THEM THEY WITH ONE ACCORD, SAID
Acts 4:24 " ... LORD, THOU ART GOD, WHICH HAST MADE HEAVEN, AND EARTH, AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IN THEM IS; Who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?"
THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE CHURCH DOES NOT SEEM TO BE SO SURE OF TODAY.
THE PRAYER OF THE EARLY CHURCH WAS
Acts 4:25-29 "Who, by the mouth of thy servant, David, hast said, Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. For of a truth against Thy Holy child Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together for to do whatever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word."
HERE WE SEE THAT THE PROTEST MOVEMENT STARTED WITH PILATE JOINING THE RELIGIOUS RULERS AND HEROD TO PUT THE LORD JESUS TO DEATH. THIS SAME MOVEMENT IS STILL WITH US TODAY.
IN THIS WORLD, THERE IS A MOVEMENT, THAT IS FOR CHRIST AND THERE IS ALSO A MOVEMENT THAT IS AGAINST CHRIST.
In the parable of the tares among the wheat, the Lord Jesus told us in Matthew 13:42-39, that He is the One, who Himself, is sowing the seed in the world, but that an enemy has come in during the night and sowed tares in His field. The servants wanted to go and pull up the tares, but the Lord Jesus said, "Let them grow together, until the harvest." Then He will Himself take care of the tares.
WE ARE NOT CALLED TO PULL UP THE TARES, TODAY.
WE ARE CALLED TO GO INTO THE WORLD AND SOW THE SEED. THE SEED OF THE WORD OF GOD.
GOD WILL HIMSELF, AT THE TIME OF THE HARVEST, TAKE CARE OF SEPARATING THE TARES FROM THE WHEAT. HE WILL BURN THE TARES AND HE WILL GATHER THE WHEAT INTO HIS BARN.
The apostle Paul could say that he was cast down, but that he was not destroyed. The enemy had struck him down and even had him stoned at one point, Paul could say, " I die daily." Not many of us today can say like the apostle Paul, "I die daily." Paul knew what it was to really suffer for the sake of the gospel.
Romans 8:36 "For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
THE APOSTLE PAUL ALWAYS REMAINED POSITIVE IN PERSECUTION.
HE GIVES US A LIST OF WHAT HE HAS BEEN THROUGH.
He was despised..
He was buffered.
He was hungry.
He was thirsty.
He was naked.
He had no dwelling place he could call his own.
He was reviled.
He was defamed.
He had to work with his own hands to support himself.
YET AFTER ALL THIS HE COULD SAY BOLDLY
Romans 8:37-38 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us, for I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord."
2 Corinthians 4:10 "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus , that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body."
1 Corinthians 4:9 "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men."
THE APOSTLES WERE SET FORTH AS A SPECTACLE - THEY LABOURED AND WE HAVE ENTERED INTO THEIR LABOURS. THE APOSTLE PAUL SUFFERED GREATLY IN ORDER TO GET THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST OUT.
HE EVANGELIZED ASIA MINOR.
We are told that in the province of Asia, everyone heard the Gospel. Both Jew and Gentile heard the Word of God. Paul was a missionary. He led many people to Christ. How wonderful it is to be the bearer of GOOD NEWS, to give out the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 7:25 "Wherefore He (that is, Christ) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."
Will you, even right now, come to Christ Jesus if you haven't already come to Him and asked Him to be your Saviour?
He died to save you and He is knocking at the door of your heart right now.
Will you invite Him to come into your heart? He longs to make you His very own possession - part of His body.
Please open the door of your heart and let Him come in.
HYMN. Behold me standing at the door. Sankey's Sacred Songs & Solos 378.
Verse 1.
Behold me standing at the door,
And hear me pleading evermore,
with gentle voice: Oh, heart of sin
May I come in, May I come in?
Chorus..
Behold me standing at the door,
And hear me pleading evermore:
Say, weary heart oppressed with sin,
May I come in, May I come in?
Verse 2.
I bore the cruel thorns for thee,
I waited long and patiently;
Say, weary heart oppressed with sin,
May I come in, May I come in?
Verse 3.
I would not plead with thee in vain;
Remember all my grief and pain!
I died to ransom thee from sin:
May I come in, May I come in?
Verse 4.
I bring thee joy from heaven above,
I bring thee pardon, peace and love:
Say, weary heart oppressed with sin,
May I come in, may I come in?
AMEN.
ONCE WE ARE BORN-AGAIN WE DO SUFFER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE BECAUSE THE WORLD DOES HATE US.
IF THE WORLD DOES NOT HATE US THEN WE OUGHT TO EXAMINE OURSELVES TO SEE WHETHER WE ARE IN THE FAITH OR NOT (2 Corinthians 13:5).
THE SERVANT IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS MASTER (John 15:20).
2 Timothy 3:12 "Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
IT IS UNPOPULAR TODAY, TO BE A REAL TRUE CHRISTIAN. SOON IT MAY BECOME DANGEROUS.
IT IS GOING TO COST US SOMETHING TO STAND FOR THE LIVING AND TRUE GOD.
1 Peter 3 14 "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye" and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled."
WHEN WE SUFFER FOR DOING OR SAYING THE RIGHT THING IT WILL BRING JOY TO OUR HEARTS.
WE ARE TO REJOICE AND BE GLAD.
ALL CHRISTIANS DO SUFFER IN THIS WORLD. REAL CHRISTIANITY IS A BANQUET AND NOT A PICNIC.
John 15:18 "If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
OUR POPULARITY IS AN INDICATION OF THE WAY IN WHICH WE ARE REPRESENTING CHRIST TO THIS WORLD.
A TRUE CHRISTIAN CAN NEVER COMPROMISE WITH OTHER FAITHS IN THIS WORLD.
THE WORLD WILL NOT EVER LOVE THE TRUE CHRISTIAN.
A TRUE CHRISTIAN CANNOT BE MORE POPULAR THAN THE LORD JESUS - THE WHOLE MOB CRUCIFIED HIM.
UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE THOSE IN THE CHURCHES TODAY WHO ARE NOT BORN-AGAIN AND THEY WILL ALSO HATE YOU IF YOU ARE A BORN-AGAIN CHILD OF GOD.
THEY WILL HATE THE PREACHER IF HE IS TRUE TO THE WORD OF GOD.
BEWARE OF THE PREACHER WHO IS POPULAR TODAY.
2 Timothy 3:13 "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."
THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE LAST DAYS BEFORE THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH.
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE ONLY RESOURCE FOR THE CHILD OF GOD.
IT IS THE WORD OF GOD THAT HAS MADE US WISE UNTO SALVATION.
SALVATION OCCURS IN 3 TENSES
1) I have been saved from sin - I AM JUSTIFIED.
2) I am being saved from sin - I AM BEING SANCTIFIED.
3) I shall be saved from sin - I SHALL BE GLORIFIED.
CHRIST BORE A JUDGEMENT DEATH FOR US.
WHEN WE ARE SAVED WE PASS FROM DEATH TO LIFE AND NO LONGER ARE WE UNDER CONDEMNATION.
Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
WHEN WE ARE SAVED GOD IS WORKING OUT A SALVATION IN US.
WE CAN TRUST GOD AND REST IN THE FINISHED WORK OF REDEMPTION.
WE CANNOT, IN THIS LIFE , EVER REACH PERFECTION - we still have the flesh - SO STOP TRYING TO BE PERFECT.
CHRIST JESUS ALONE IS PERFECT.
1 John 3:2 "And it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."
A CHILD OF GOD IS SAVED IN THIS PRESENT WORLD. HE OR SHE IS ABLE TO GROW IN CHRIST JESUS BECAUSE CHRIST HAS PLACED THEM, BY THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, INTO HIS OWN BODY.
THEY ARE ABLE TO OVERCOME THE TEMPTATION IN THE WORLD BECAUSE HE HAS WON THE VICTORY.
AND BECAUSE HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD THEY HAVE DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL - SATAN.
THE WORD OF GOD NOT ONLY MAKES US WISE UNTO SALVATION IT ALSO MAKES US WISE ON HOW WE ARE TO LIVE OUR LIVES.
WE ARE TO STUDY THE WORD OF GOD SO WE CAN GROW UP IN CHRIST JESUS.
THERE IS NO NEED FOR ANY OF THE BOOKS, THAT FILL THE SHELVES IN THE BOOKSHOPS ON HOW TO LIVE.
THE HOW TO BOOKS ALL TESTIFY TO A CULTURE BASED ON ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE.
GOD HAS NOT ASKED US TO PERFORM - ACT - OR PUT ON A SHOW - IN THIS LIFE.
WE ARE TO ALLOW CHRIST JESUS THROUGH YIELDING TO HIS WORD, TO LIVE HIS LIFE IN US THROUGH THE INDWELLING SPIRIT OF GOD..
GOD'S WAY IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLDS WAY.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 "And that ye study to be quiet and do your own business, and work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."
THE WORLD TODAY HAS ALL KINDS OF SCHOOLS THAT TEACH US TO SPEAK.
EVERY SEMINARY HAS A PUBLIC SPEAKING CLASS.
GOD'S TRAINING SCHOOL, HOWEVER, TEACHES US TO STUDY TO BE QUIET.
I heard the story, of a lady who went to a tongues meeting. The leader, wanted her to speak in tongues and he asked her if she wanted to. She answered, "Sir, I would like to lose 40 feet off the one I have."
CHRISTIANS ARE TO MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS AND NOT EVERYONE ELSE'S.
THEY ARE TO WORK BY DOING SOMETHING THAT IS TANGIBLE.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
THE LORD JESUS SAID
John 6:29 "THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT."
All scripture is God breathed, and the Spirit of God will prove to us that He is working in our lives, when He brings conviction to us and He sets things right in our lives. He also disciplines us, so that what we do is in accordance with God's will. He is our Teacher and our Comforter in times of trouble. He gives us strength - IN CHRIST JESUS LIVING HIS LIFE IN US - to overcome temptation, and
HE ENABLES US TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD THE FATHER.
HE MAKES OUR PRAYERS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD THROUGH CHRIST JESUS WHO PRAYS IN US TO THE FATHER.
Romans 8:26-28 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose."