Our Christian Calling | Lessons From The Early church

This message was shared by Sunith N at Word Of Grace via zoom on July 5th 2020. to listen to the audio please click here.

Acts 5:17-42

 Our Christian Calling

This passage reminds us of our Christian calling and of the following:

·        Commission to preach the gospel of  repentance and forgiveness

·     

   Dealing with Worldly characteristics like jealousy, fear, outrage.

·        Putting on Christ-like characteristics like boldness, obedience and zeal for God resulting in joy experiences.

Jealousy and fear gripped Sadducees and the Pharisees (v17-18):

As soon as they heard about the impact the Apostles are creating across Jerusalem, where people from neighbouring cities and towns are filling the streets of Jerusalem with sick people and people tormented by evil spirits are getting healed, they (Sadducees and Pharisees) were filled with JEALOUSY & FEAR. Fear, because the Apostles are outweighing the Sadducees and Pharisees' influence through the healing power of God.

Jealousy lowers one’s self-esteem.

Fear is from the evil one. God is full of love.

Gal 5:19-21 tells us that jealous people inherit the kingdom of God.

We need to deal with our Jealousy.

 Unchecked Jealousy is not only a massive hindrance to our obedience but often lies beneath the worst kinds of injustice in the world. It often leads to sinful acts.

In the old testament, King Saul was jealous of David because the latter's fame is rising. He wanted to kill him.

Similarly, here, Sadducees & Pharisees arrested the apostles because of jealousy and fear.

(v19-28):

Commission: like in Matthew 28^th chapter, God has recommissioned the Apostles through an angel, to proclaim the full message of this new life.

God’s protection: God always is with the Church, protecting them to carry out his purpose of advancing the gospel, seeing captives free from darkness. Similarly, God rescued the Apostles from jail.

Obedience: The apostles are very quick to obey the message from God to proclaim the gospel. It is commendable.

Like in verse 28 the apostles had to choose between the just command of God or the unjust warning from the govt (Sanhedrin); we may have situations in life to choose God’s word over Govt’s. new unjust rules.

Example: Daniel had to make a choice between Praying and worshipping God over the king’s command to worship only him. It was a civil disobedience.

V29-32:

The apostles with the help of the outpouring of the holy spirit proclaimed the full gospel in condensed form. They explained each member of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and also the crucifixion, resurrection, Ascension of Jesus with the holy spirit and the Apostles as witnesses.

When the receiving of the holy spirit is accompanied by the proclaiming of the gospel, it becomes an effective means of convicting and converting sinners & building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, into salvation.

Examples: Luke 4:18-19 & 2Pet 1:21

V33-42:

The persecution: the Apostles are flogged.

Throughout the Church's history, worst things have happened to Christians. An Open Door report says that India is ranked 15^th in 2016 globally for 'Dangerous place for Christians, compared to 31^st rank 4 years before.

Examples:

Luke 6:22 NIV Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

Matthew 10:28-29 NIV 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Conclusion:

It’s every Christian’s calling to share the gospel of repentance and forgiveness.

•        Does this calling grip you?

•        Has the message of redemption so powerfully changed your life that you can’t help but share it with others?

With fresh wounds from the Sanhedrin, the apostles go directly to the temple to proclaim the gospel.

•        Are you zealous for Jesus?

•        Are you willing to serve Jesus no matter the cost?

What’s the price for your silence?

Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is a part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.