Word for Life Says . . .

“Obey God Rather than Men!”

Acts 5:27-29, 33-42 September 20, 2015

www.WORDFORLIFESAYS.com

Uniform Series: “Witnessing to the Truth”

Please Note: All lesson verses and titles are based on International Sunday

School Lesson/Uniform Series ©2010 by the Lesson Committee, but all

content/commentary written within is original to wordforlifesays.com unless

properly quoted/cited. You are always encouraged to do your own personal

studies as well. Blessings!)

Introduction:

“Mother, May I?” Oh, how familiar we were with those games from our

childhood. Real games that were dependent upon the cooperation of everyone

to follow the rules for it to be a fun and successful time.

“Mother” stands at one end while the “children” are located at the other end.

Someone asks, “Mother, may I take 5 baby steps?” Mother would reply with a

yes or no. Then, others too would ask about the steps they wanted to take until

one finally reaches “mother” and wins.

Games have rules. If the rules are broken during any game it leads to immediate

disqualification. After all, games aren’t fun if everybody is doing their own thing

and not following the rules as instructed.

Oh, sometimes I miss those days. Most of our children don’t know the joy of

simple, outside games such as these (but that’s a whole ‘nother story ).

Full compliance and cooperation is not only essential in making games fun and

safe for everyone, but it’s also essential to a healthy spiritual walk with God.

Everything hangs on the hinges of obedience. If one fails to obey, they become

disqualified for His blessings, or worse.

Just ask old king Saul. He was rebuked by Samuel for not obeying the voice of the

LORD and lost his kingship, the blessings and the anointing God once bestowed on

him. Samuel told him, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the

fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as

iniquity and idolatry. Because thou has rejected the word of the LORD, he hath

also rejected thee from being king,” (1 Samuel 15:22b-23).

No one should want to be disqualified from where God has anointed them to be.

That’s a heavy price to pay and disobedience will lead you there. One who is

sincere in their walk with God must really toil in the press to follow Him at all cost.

Throughout the Bible there are stories that show the danger of disobedience

(such as Saul noted above), and there are stories of those who fear God more

than man, causing His people to thrive and increase (such as the midwives in

Exodus 1:17).

When one steps out in obedience to God’s call to share the Good News to this

lost and dying world, they are helping in the process of saving people for His

kingdom; a work that increases in the heavenly realm.

But, this work can’t happen by cowering in fear and refusing to go. It can only

happen from a determined march forward despite the danger and adversity that

lies up ahead.

In today’s lesson we study the response of men who marched forth in God’s call

with that same determination and put it all on the line to follow Him. They were

commissioned by Jesus in Acts 1:8, saying, “By ye shall receive power, after that

the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in

Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the

earth,” (emphasis mine).

Also, they were told by God (discussed again later in this lesson) to, “Go, stand

and speak. . . “(Acts 5:20), and they did. They were ready to risk everything; even

their own lives, to declare and submit to what thus saith the Lord.

May we learn from their example the true importance of following God over man

every single time and speaking up to share Jesus with a lost world.

Lesson Text:

Acts 5:27-29, 33-42

27. “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and

the high priest asked them,

28. Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this

name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to

bring this man’s blood upon us.

29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey

God rather than men.

33. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay

them.

34. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, name Gamliel, a doctor

of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the

apostles forth a little space;

35. And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye

intend to do as touching these men.

36. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to

whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain;

and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to nought.

37. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew

away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed

him were dispersed.

38. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if

this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to

fight against God.

40. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten

them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let

them go.

41. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they

were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and

preach Jesus Christ.”

There was a mighty move of God taking place in this first century church.

Anytime that happens, there will always be those who try to stop the progress.

Before we reach the point of today’s lesson we see there was a definite fire of

hatred that stirred in the hearts of these officials against those that were

proclaiming Jesus. Verse 17 of this same chapter tells that they were “fill with

indignation.”

This propelled them to lay their hands on the apostles and imprison them (vs. 18).

Though man was against them for preaching Jesus, God was for them. God sent

angels in the night to grant supernatural freedom to those who were working for

Him (vs. 19).

That’s why when faced against the enemy, Elisha, in 2 Kings 6:16, told the fearful

young man, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with

them.” God opened the young man’s eyes and he saw the mountain full of horses

and chariots of fire around Elisha, (2 Kings 6:17). Won’t God do it? God steps in

in a supernatural way to protect and secure the mission of His people.

When He delivered the apostles from jail He gave them the command to, “Go,

stand and speak . . .” (Acts 5:20). God sent them right back to the temple to

preach Jesus despite the looming threats. Who are we more afraid of offending,

man or God?

The Bible says when “they heard that, they entered the temple early in the

morning, and taught,” (vs. 21). THEY OBEYED GOD! There was no hesitation of

what they might face or the afflictions that could possibly come their way due to

their obedience. They just went; and, they went early.

When the officials sent for them in the prison the doors were locked and they

found no man within (vs. 22-23). Then, one spoke up and stated, “The men

whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people,” (vs.

25). They were found doing what God told them to do.

Here’s a relevant question: When Jesus comes back, will we be found doing what

He told us to do? “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall

find so doing,” (Matthew 24:46). Only the faithful will receive the reward.

Back to our lesson, when they were found teaching and proclaiming Jesus once

again they (those sent from the council), “brought them without violence: for

they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned,” (vs. 26).

“They set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did

not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?” Make no

mistake about it, if you are living for God and doing what He commands, there

will come a time when you will have to answer for your faith.

Jesus pre-warned His disciples and told them, “Beware of men: for they will

deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues,”

(Matthew 10:17). Jesus Himself was brought before councils in illegal night trials

before His crucifixion (Mark 14:53-59).

They were accused of filling Jerusalem with their own “doctrine,” but in truth,

they were only testifying of what they witnessed through the life, death, burial

and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were telling the whole gospel message in

all its fullness and the “command” of man tried to shut them down. The enemies

will always work to try to shut down your testimony of Jesus.

They shifted the personal responsibility of any involvement with the death of

Jesus, saying, you “intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

But “Peter and other apostles” would have none of that. Despite the opposition

they currently faced they stood their ground in their faith and declared, “We

ought to obey God rather than men.” This is similar to the declaration of Peter

and John spoke in Acts 4:19-20. Despite the threats they continued forth.

Whenever we are faced with doing what is right in God’s eyes or man’s we are

always on the winning side, no matter what it may look like in the flesh, with God.

Paul warned, “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath

also given unto us his holy Spirit,” (1 Thess. 4:8). When they come against you

and against your testimony, they are coming against God. We never need to fear

taking our stand for Him because He is standing for us.

With that Peter and the apostles gave a witness that couldn’t be denied:

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a

tree.

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for

to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost,

whom God hath given to them that obey him,” (Acts 5:30-32; not in today’s

lesson text, but very important for this lesson).

They witnessed about Jesus! They reiterated those responsible for His death.

They declared His mission to be the Savior of the world and to forgive the sins of

those who come to Him. They, empowered by the indwelling Holy Ghost, do

declare and testify of the truth of it all for those that obey Him. And, here they

stand, defending their faith; defending His cause before the councils to give an

answer for why they do what they do.

The Apostle Paul taught, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;

reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine,” (2 Timothy 4:2). Be

ready no matter what it looks like to declare Jesus!

And, this the apostles did with no holds barred. They let the fullness of what God

had to say through them to the people flow. It didn’t matter if it offended. They

didn’t care if the people wanted to hear it or not. God said, “Go, stand and speak.

. .” and this is what they did.

They obeyed God!

As a result, this council was faced with a truth that hurt them to the core and

deeply angered them. Our lesson tells us, “they were cut to the heart.” Oh, that

time when the truth hits a little too close to home. . .

There are only two ways one can naturally react when this happens. They can

take to heart what was said, repent and seek reconciliation with God and man.

Or, they can deny it and seek to separate themselves from the truth. These men

chose the latter of these two “and took counsel to slay them.”

This too, Jesus foresaw and warned; but He also exhorted the blessed state of

those who stand for righteousness:

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is

the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say

all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so

persecuted they the prophets which were before you,” (Matthew 5:10-12;

see also Luke 6:22).

The opposition they were facing was nothing new. The forces that come against

those who would dare proclaim and stand for the truth today is nothing new. It

has happened and will continue to happen until Jesus comes back to judge.

It may not always look like it, but if we are declaring Him and standing for His

truth, then we are on the blessed side. God’s got our back!

At least one in the “council” present there that day recognized that great truth.

“Gamaliel” who was a “Pharisee” and a known, reputable “doctor of the law”

asked that they “put the apostles forth a little space,” meaning they put them

out of their current speaking space.

Gamaliel then cautioned, “Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye

intend to do as touching these men.” The words “take heed” speak of a warning

to beware. Think of it this way, on a precarious road or drive one may place a

“Proceed with Caution” sign to give a warning of carefulness before treading on

that ground and taking that route. Perhaps the road is winding or treacherous in

some way that compels one to approach it with extra consideration.

Basically, Gamaliel, the ever informed teacher, was counseling these “men of

Israel” on how to handle these apostles with that same kind of carefulness.

Before they sought to “slay them” and acted upon it, they really needed to

carefully consider the intents of their hearts and what they were doing, and why.

Operating or making important decisions at the peak of heightened emotions is

never a good choice. It has led to many rash mistakes that lead to regrettable

situations from whence one can find it hard or nearly impossible to recover from.

I have heard it quoted over and over again, “Speak when you are angry – and

you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret,” (Laurence J. Peter).

One, especially when the lives of others hang in the balance, must not make

decisions in rashness, but through careful consideration.

Gamaliel then offered up two examples of men who led insurrections (Theudas

and Judas of Galilee), whom when they both passed of the scene and died, their

parties were “scattered and dispersed.” What they “established” in their human

ingenuity fell apart at the seams and came to nothing.

But the Bible tells us, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

When God sets a plan in motion for your life and you step out in obedience to

follow it, the Apostle Paul declares, “The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you,

and keep you from evil,” (2 Thess. 3:30).

Now, we do know that there are some evil forces in the world that seem to be

successful and prosper, as if they are multiplying before our eyes. That doesn’t

mean God is with them. They are being support by evil forces. Gamaliel’s

warning was not about other people, but about these apostles; about Jesus’s

workmen of the gospel. And if these men, whom they want to harm, in fact has

God working on their side, then they better look out “lest they be found even to

fight against God.” That’s a dangerous place to be in, my friends. No one should

want to enter a boxing ring against God because you will lose every single time.

Many who are taking a stand against the true work of God in this world even in

our day don’t have a clue of what a dangerous position they have placed

themselves in. Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that

gathereth not with me scattereth abroad,” (Matthew 12:30).

Either you are working as His witness to draw men closer to God, declaring the

truth of the gospel; or, you are one who opposes His work. There is no in-

between. We either walk in His ways or not. We live a life of obedience or not.

This is what it all boils down to.

God warned in Leviticus, “And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk

contrary unto me; Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury . . .” (26:27-28). I

don’t know about you, but I don’t want God walking against me in any way, shape

or form; especially in fury.

Gamaliel recognized, “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it!” Did not Jesus

turn to Peter and say, “Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell

shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18; emphasis mine)? Once God says yes

it doesn’t matter who opposes you because it will not prevail!

That’s why Gamaliel warned once again before this in verse 38 to, “Refrain from

these men, and let them alone.” Don’t do it! Leave them alone! “If this counsel

or this work be of men, it will come to nought.” Leave them alone and let God

deal with the outcome one way or the other. Why should they run the risk of

innocent blood on their hands? God alone is judge.

To this they “agreed.” They still didn’t accept the testimony and preaching of the

apostles for when they “called the apostles” they had “beaten them” and once

again “commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let

them go.”

Though they chose to listen to the advice of Gamaliel in regard to not killing the

apostles, they still tried to shut down their faith and their testimony. If the enemy

can silence you, he has won. Speak up for Jesus. Speak up for your faith. Speak

up for God and be heard!

“And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were

counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Some may wonder how can

“rejoicing” be found in beatings and suffering “shame.” Knowing that one has

submitted themselves in obedience to God so much that they too have suffered

for Jesus may make them feel as if they are a partaker of that cross.

Make no mistake, never can man go through nor do what Jesus did on the cross;

oh, but the blessedness that can be found in being a part of His heavenly work

here on earth in spite of any suffering one may face.

The old hymn reminds us:

“Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free? No, there's a cross for everyone, and there's a cross for me. How happy are the saints above, who once went sorrowing here! But now they taste unmingled love and joy without a tear. The consecrated cross I'll bear till death shall set me free; and then go home my crown to wear, for there's a crown for me. Upon the crystal pavement down, at Jesus' pierced feet,

joyful I'll cast my golden crown and His dear name repeat. O precious cross! O glorious crown! O resurrection day! When Christ the Lord from heaven comes down and bears my soul away,” (Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone/Hymnary.org: Author Thomas Shepherd).

And, that my friends, is what makes it all worth it. That day when He comes and

“bears my soul away” because we picked up the cross in obedience to the Great

Commission and share Jesus with a lost and dying world, not regarding life or self.

James once said, “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing

this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience,” (1:2-3). When you are doing

it for Him joy can be found in the midst of the hurt. In the center of your trials you

are making an impact through obedience to the call.

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and

preach Jesus Christ.” They refused to give up. They refused to stop. The threat

of further persecution would not hinder their obedience to God to go and spread

the gospel message.

This gospel message is the “word of truth” (Col. 1:5). It is the word that is able to

“save your souls,” (James 1:21). Paul, in his time, declared what he was delivering

was not some man-made doctrine; rather, a direct revelation of Jesus Christ

(Galatians 1:11-12). Therefore, he declared himself in the book of Romans, “I am

not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to

every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek,” (1:16).

Neither were the apostles ashamed to proclaim His name. “They ceased not to

teach and preach Jesus Christ” everywhere they went. Answering God’s call over

the fear of men, they went forth to fulfill His mission.

Conclusion:

Jesus obeyed God to the point of death (Philippians 2:8). At one point He said,

“My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work,” (John

4:34). And, finish His work He did.

Now that work falls on us. How far are we willing to go to obey the call of God on

our lives? We will let man stop us from proclaiming the name of Jesus?