May 17th & 21st
Acts Pt. 2: Ignite
Peter’s Crazy Day - Acts 5
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
—Acts 5:3-5
The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
—Acts 5:6
Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
—Acts 5:7
And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.
—Acts 5:11
Peter’s Faith Tested
At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them.Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
—Acts 5:12-16
Peter’s Faith Tested Again
But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail.
—Acts 5:17-18
God Enters Peter’s Difficulty
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, 20 “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.
—Acts 5:19-21
But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.”
—Acts 5:22
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a bPrince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. “And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
—Acts 5:29-32
Enemies Advocate for You
But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. “For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. “After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.
—Acts 5:34-37
“So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
—Acts 5:38-39
So they went on their way from the presence of the aCouncil, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
—Acts 5:41-42
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Next Steps:
1. Choose! For the first time I am choosing to invite Jesus into my life as my Savior.
2. Pray! I will pray about my part in fulfilling God’s Mission to reconcile the World to Himself.
3. Give! I have been withholding from God’s money. Today I decide to give to His missions.
4. Go! God is calling me to something new (leadership position, attendance to small group) and I’m ready to say yes.
5. Invite! 85% of people come if you invite. I will work toward the dare to invite 100 people.