GOD'S INVINCIBLE PRESENCE (Acts 5:17- 42)

GOD’S INVINCIBLE PRESENCE

acts 5: 17-42

Lesson Prepared by: krisha of Solomon Wisdom FB page

MAY 27, 2018

Scheduled Teacher: Sis. Nory Pascual

 

MEMORY VERSE:

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ

(ACTS 5:42)

INTRODUCTION:

When you say “God’s invincible presence” it means in tagalog language “walang makakatalo sa presensiya ng Dios.” Have you experienced sharing the Gospel which you feel you speak in vain? It feels like God’s presence is not there with you. Let’s remember that without God we can do nothing in the ministry even we are talented and knowledgeable in that area of ministry. That’s why prayer is important in everything we do in God’s vineyard.  

We already know our mission on earth, sharing the Gospel, but most of the times we fail doing it. This is what Satan wants us to do; don’t share the Gospel. Let’s remember that the heart of God is in sharing the free gift of His salvation. This would make us closer to our Savior.  There are times God the Holy Spirit talks to us to share but we just make Him grieve. In our lesson today, some of the apostles were commanded not to teach in Jesus’ name but they were still boldly shared even this caused their lives into danger.

lesson outline:

      1)     GOD’S INVINCIBLE PRESENCE CAN OPEN DOORS (ACTS 5:19-23)

-         In our story when the high priest and religious leaders saw that apostles got more attention than them; they got jealous. They rose up and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in prison but the angel of the Lord by night open the prison doors and brought them forth, and said “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” We can see in verse 23 that the doors were shut hard and there were guards outside but they unnoticeably saw the apostles went out. This was the way higher powers and officials can’t do because only God can. No one can hinder God’s way in sharing His word.

-         Personally, we can see in this verses that if God commands you to share His salvation to specific people or someone, He’ll lead you the way. God’s ability to open doors for all of us is something of great strength. Even there are struggles, He still there and lead you; we just need to be obedient and be sensitive in His commands.

-         Are we struggling in sharing the Gospel? Most of us feel that way, maybe we just need to give time and be prayerful for His guidance.  If we struggle so hard, remember God can open doors for us!

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2     2)    GOD’S INVINCIBLE PRESENCE CAN  PROTECT YOU FROM HIGHER OFFICIALS (ACTS 5:24 – 39)

-         The high priest, councils and the guards knew that the apostles were still in prison and they were surprised when they were told that the apostles were there in the temple early morning teaching in Jesus name. The apostles were brought in the councils and asked. They were asked why they kept on preaching in Jesus name and His doctrine which was their ultimate command for them not to do but they said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” When they heard this, they were angry and took counsel to slay the apostles but God did not allow them to do that. God used Gamaliel to persuade the councils not to reach that point. In verses 38-39 he mentioned that if the apostles work in sharing the words of life in Jesus name is for people only it will come to nothing but if this is from God, it prospers therefore let them do it. If you refrain them, you found yourself fighting against God. This is one thing that gives encouragement to all of us here. If what you do is for God, it prospers. AMEN!A reminder for all of us to always do everything for our God.  We also see that no higher authorities can hinder God’s word to be shared in all people.

        3)  GOD’S INVINCIBLE PRESENCE CAN GIVE YOU JOY IN THE MIDST OF PAIN (ACTS 5:40-41)

-         In verse 40, the councils agreed to Gamaliel’s words but before they let them go, they were beaten.  And commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus. And in verse 41 says, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

-         Have we experienced beating like the apostles had? Try to personalize this verse and think of your spiritual life. Sometimes we just have simple problems but we easily stop from attending church services and if we stop from attending, of course we stop from doing God’s greatest commissions, sharing the Gospel. This is just simple thing compare to the sufferings the apostles had. Remember they were in pain but still rejoicing. They rejoiced from suffering in Jesus’ name. A good verse to remember in 1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”

      4)  GOD’S INVINCIBLE PRESENCE KEEPS YOU GOING (ACTS 5:42)

-         Have you experienced persecution? Most of us here are free in sharing God’s word but sad to say that even we’re free from doing it, we seldom doing it. After suffering from imprisonment, questioned & warned by higher authorities and beatings, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

-         Take note of the words on this verse, “daily they went to the temple and every house.” Most of us it takes weeks and months before we realize we need to share the Gospel to someone. At the end of this verse says, “Ceased not” and this verse might remind us that we need to keep on going in sharing the Gospel because this is the great commission God has given and before Jesus went to heaven, He reminded the apostles to be “witnesses” in Acts 1:8.

conclusion:

Even in the face of persecution, punishment and warnings the apostles did not stop teaching and preaching Jesus Christ; they rejoice after they were beaten. These experiences of apostles are good reminders for us about our ultimate goal in the ministry and on how to respond to our problems. Above all of these, we can see that without the Lord presence in our lives we can do nothing therefore let’s continue reading His word, praying and do the ministry.