You Cannot Overthrow What is of God

The Gospel Continued to Spread Many being saved in Jerusalem, 4:4 Many being saved in Jerusalem, 4:4 Opponents never sleep, Acts 5 Opponents never sleep, Acts 5 – Opposition to truth and godliness – From within and without (Acts 20:29-30) – Still true today, 2 Cor. 11:24-28; 2 Jno. 7; Jude 4 – The gospel is not bound, 2 Tim. 2:9 2 Acts 5

Unity of Faith and Action (Acts 4:32-37) Faith and unity, 4:32; Jno. 17:21 Faith and unity, 4:32; Jno. 17:21 Common purpose and values, 4:32 Common purpose and values, 4:32 God’s power and grace, 4:33 God’s power and grace, 4:33 Sacrificial giving to meet ongoing needs, 4:34-37 Sacrificial giving to meet ongoing needs, 4: Acts 5

Internal Problem: S IN IN THE C HURCH (Acts 5:1-16) It is always a problem when a Christian sins, Rom. 6:1-2, It is always a problem when a Christian sins, Rom. 6:1-2, – Unrepented – Death! Acts 8:20-22; 1 Jno. 2:1-2 Cannot hide sin from God, Acts 5:1-9 (Psa. 32:3-5) Cannot hide sin from God, Acts 5:1-9 (Psa. 32:3-5) 4 Acts 5

Internal Problem: S IN IN THE C HURCH (Acts 5:1-16) Christians can lose their souls, 2 Pet. 2:20 Christians can lose their souls, 2 Pet. 2:20 – Ananias and Sapphira were Christians who were liars – But, all liars are eternally lost, Rev. 21:8 – Therefore, Christians who lie and do not repent will be lost! 5 Acts 5

Internal Problem: D ISCIPLINE A PPLIED (Acts 5:1-16) The church benefited, 5:11-14 The church benefited, 5:11-14 – Sinner benefits from effort to save him, 1 Cor. 5:5 – Teaches fear of God, Acts 5:5, 11 – Dangerous influence of sin removed, 5:13; 1 Cor. 5:6-7 – Good soil for growth is preserved, Acts 5: Acts 5

External Problem: O PPOSITION AND P ERSECUTION (Acts 5:17-42) Opposition to truth will happen, 5:17-18, 33; Jno. 3:19-21 Opposition to truth will happen, 5:17-18, 33; Jno. 3:19-21 – Apostles kept preaching, 4:18, 20-21, 31, 33 We must obey God rather than men, 5:19-32 (Matt. 22:21; Acts 25:10-11) We must obey God rather than men, 5:19-32 (Matt. 22:21; Acts 25:10-11) Remain faithful and you will be blessed, 5:19-20, Remain faithful and you will be blessed, 5:19-20, – Where’s the blessing? 5:40-42; 2 Cor. 4: Acts 5

Do Not Fight Against God (Acts 5:33-42) People will not defeat the purposes of God, Acts 4:24-28; Isa. 55:11 People will not defeat the purposes of God, Acts 4:24-28; Isa. 55:11 The gospel is “of God” – Obey it now! Acts 5:39 The gospel is “of God” – Obey it now! Acts 5:39 – Gospel continued undefeated, 5:41-42 – Persistent rejection will not change what God expects of you – brings judgment, Jno. 12:48 – Yield your stubborn will, Acts 26:14 8 Acts 5