This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Witnessing For Jesus In The Face Of Death" 9/27/2017

 

WITNESSING FOR CHRIST IN THE FACE OF DEATH

 

Acts 7:1-4, 8-10, 17, 33-34, 45-47, 52-53, 55

 

This newly formed Church of Jesus Christ grew  a rapid rate. The first deacons were

installed to handle the needs of the congregation.  Stephen an outstanding Deacon, was

filled with Holy Spirit and preformed miracles and signs in the name of Jesus.

 

Some of the leading Jews of the Synagogue of the Freedmans, and others became

upset with Stephen when they could not win the argument concerning Jesus Christ.

They stirred up the people  producing false witness who claimed Stephen spoke

against Moses, the Law and the Temple. Stephen was bounded and brought before

the Sanhedrin council to be prosecuted.   Stephen gave his accusers a history lesson

on God's divine plan for their nation.

 

V:1. " Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?"

 A. From time to time, believers will be asked to defend their belief in Jesus Christ.

    1. The world will not understand why you believe what you believe.

    2. Sometimes the world will not accept you because you believe in Jesus.

    3. Some times you will be attacked because you stand on the Word.

 B. We have a present day case where an elected pubic official is being attacked

 

      because she will not issue marriage licenses to same sex couples.

    1. She chose to  violate man's law to keep God's law.

    2. She considered God's command to be the authority over the laws of man.

    3. As a result, her personal reputation is being attacked.

    4. It will take faith and patience to see how God handles her situation. 

 

THE START OF A NATION

V:2-4. " To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.

3 'Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.'

4 "So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living. "

A. Notice, Stephen did not try to defend the false accusations against him.

    1. He left his reputation to God.

    2. You cannot protect yourself from what someone will say about you or will

         do to you.

    3. When we are following God's commands, He will protect us in His way.

B. Stephen focused His attention on the historical development of Israel in an

     effort to show His accusers that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.

    1. God chose Abraham to be the father of His nation.

    2. God chose a man and separated him from his idolatrous past.

C. The core values of Christianity is Faith and obedience.

    1. Abraham did not hesitate to move when God gave him this command.

    2. It takes faith to move to a different place when you do not know what

        your future holds.

    3. The land that Abraham was commanded to move to would eventually

        become the home of God's New Nation.

 

 

PURPOSEFUL GENERATION

Acts 7:8-10

8 Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.

A. Having chosen Abraham as the father of a holy nation, God allowed generations to

     be born which became the twelve tribes of Jacob.

  1. The Lord's plan of redemption began to take shape with His choice of Abraham as

      the father of a Nation that would produce the earthly mother and father of Jesus.

  2. God's plan for our lives began before the foundation of the earth.

B. All the events of our lives have been preplanned by God.

   1. God knows the end from the beginning.

   2. That is good news because we knows how the story of our lives will end.

 

PURPOSEFUL EVIL.

V:9-10 "Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. "

A. God plans trouble for our lives for the benefit of the entire body of Christ.

    1. It is the trouble in our lives that causes us to seek a closer relationship with the

        Father.

    2. It was Joseph's brothers who activated God's promise to Abraham that His people

        would spend 400 years in slavery.

B. Joseph's brothers became jealous of the attention his father gave him

   1. They sold Joseph, their brother into slavery and lied to the father that he had

       been killed by an animal.

   2. God uses the evilness of others to promote his plan.

   3. God uses the evilness of others to strengthen our faith.

   4. God uses the evilness of others to promote us to higher levels.  

   5. Because of Joseph's slavery, he found favor with God and man and was promoted

       to ruler over Israel.

  6. Let's not complain about our troubles, because they may be the road to our

      success.

 

THE GROWTH OF A NATION

V:17 "As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased.

A. God uses suffering to grow us into obedient, faithful servants.

    1. Joseph suffered at the hands of his brothers.

        a. He was sold into slavery by his brothers.

        b. He was lied on by  wife of his owner and imprisoned.

        c. Because Joseph was faithful to God during his trials, God elevated him to ruler.

    2. They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.

    3. After being elevated in Egypt, there was a famine  in the promised land.

        a. Because Joseph was ruler in Egypt he brought his family of seventy five

 

            members    from the promise land to live in Egypt.

        b. That family of seventy five people grew into a people of 2 million.

    B. Over the course of time because of their numbers they became slaves in Egypt.

       1. When the king that made Joseph ruler of Egypt died new kings came to

           power who did not know Joseph and made slaves of God's people.

       2. This fulfilled the prophecy that God gave to Abraham hundreds of years earlier.

 

THE SELECTION OF A NATIONAL LEADER

Acts 7:33-34

33 "Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground.

34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.'

A. Moses was raise up in Egypt.

    1. He raised in Egypt not as a slave, but as a member of the King's family.

    2. Because the numbers of Hebrews were increasing, one of the Kings of Egypt

        decided to kill all new born male Hebrew babies.

    3. When Moses was born, His mother put him into a basket in the

         Nile river where he was noticed by the King's daughter.

B. Again God used the evil of the heart of the King of Egypt to promote his plan.

   1. Moses was educated as an Egyptian and trained as a leader.

   2. Moses true to his heritage rejected his Egyptian training,

       after seeing an Egyptian mistreating one of his people.

   3. Moses killed the Egyptian and ran away to the desert.

   4. Forty years later, God drew Moses to himself and made him the leader

       who brought Israel out of slavery.

   5. You never know how God will use your circumstances to be a blessing to others.

 

THE BUILDING OF GOD'S TEMPLE

Acts 7:45-47

45 Having received the tabernacle, our fathers under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them. It remained in the land until the time of David,

46 who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

47 But it was Solomon who built the house for him.

A. The body is the temple of the Lord.

    1. Under Joshua, God brought His promise people into the promise land

        under the covenant He made with Abraham some 400 plus years earlier.

    2. This is proof that God keeps His promises to us, but in His own time.

B. God gave Israel His commands for living and the procedures to worship Him

     to keep His nation holy.

   1. God designed a tabernacle for worship and sacrifice for the atonement of sins.

   2. God promise success in the promise land if Israel obeyed His commands.

  C. During the course of time, God selected David as King over Israel.

      1. David was a type of Christ, a man after God's own heart.

      2. David was king of Israel.

          a. Christ is king of kings.

  D. David desired a temple to be built to worship and honor God.

     1. Solomon, David's son built the temple.

     2. Today we worship God in Church buildings built with human hand.

     3. Every believer is the temple of God built in His spirit.

 

THE REJECTION OF THE KING OF KINGS

Acts 7:52-53

52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—

53 you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."

A. Israel the blessed people of God, rejected the greatest blessing of God, His Son.

   1. Israel rejected the commands of God and became enslaved to their own lustful

       behavior.

   2. They were blinded by their traditions which they chose as the authority over

        Gods Word.

B. When the promised Messiah was born to them, they rejected Him because He did not

     look like their evil desires.

   1. Jesus came preaching the Goodness of the Father and His kingdom.

   2. Because of His popularity among the people and His healings and miracles

       and the teaching of the Truth, the  ruling Jews killed Him.

   3. By killing Jesus, they lifted Him up for the world to worship.

 

GLORIFING THE FATHER

V:55. " But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."

A. Stephen reminded the ruling Jews of their heritage which they rejected.

   1. We have a rich History with Jesus.

   2. Not only are we witness to His grace, mercy and goodness, but we also

       have a cloud of witnesses that have gone on to glory before us.

B. To reject Christ is to reject the abundant living promised by Him.

    1. To reject Christ is to reject the eternal life provided by Him.

    2. To reject Christ is to reject His love and forgiveness.

C. Stephen was stone to death glorifying God with his life.

    1. Stephen repeated the same word Jesus spoke as He was dying on the cross, "Father   forgive them for they know not what they do.

    2. Jesus stood by the Father and received Stephen into His hands.

 

Faith in the Word require us to trust God regardless of our situation.

God used the faith of Stephen while he was being stoned to encourage us

to continue in the faith in face of our storms.

 

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church.

 

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Working For Jesus", 9/20/2015

WORKING FOR JESUS

Acts 5:27-30, 33-42

OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD

V:27. " Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest."

 A.  The Apostles  taught and preached in the name of Jesus.

     1. Many Jews and non Jews were drawn to the Apostles teaching.

     2. Many people  accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 B. One of the drawing cards was the power of instant healing of the Apostles.

     1. Jesus said, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself.

     2. The Apostles healed all the sick that were brought to them in the name of Jesus.

 C. The Jewish leaders and the Chief Priests were jealous and upset that the name of

      Jesus was drawing crowds to hear the Gospel and to be healed.

     1. They beat the Apostles and put them in prison to be tried for claim against their

          beliefs.

     2. The Angel of the Lord released the Apostles by night and command them to

         continue preaching the Word.

FIGHTING WORDS

V:28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."

A. I remember when my mother would say, didn't I tell you not...., that meant a

     punishment was  to be expected.

   1. The leaders of the Jewish community were upset because their authority was

        questioned.

   2. They were upset because they could no longer control the minds of the new believers.

   3. They were upset because large crowds were drawn to Jesus.

 B. The Jewish leaders were upset because the Apostles made it known that the Jewish

      leaders and Chief Priests crucified an innocent man.

   1. The Jewish leaders were upset because their phony mask of righteousness was being

        exposed.

   2. The Jewish leaders were upset because they were being exposed as crooks.

   3. The Jewish leaders were guilty and they didn't want to admit their guilt.

   4. They were upset because the man they crucified was raised from the dead.

GOD IS THE POWER AND THE AUTHORITY      

V:29. " Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!"

 A. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that give you power to stand boldly on the Truth

      in the face of opposition.

    1. It take faith to trust God with the outcome of your circumstances.

    2. It takes faith to trust God with your life.

B. God is the authority.

   1. There is no higher authority.

   2. God is able to protect you from all the devices of man.

One thing we must remember is that job of the High Priest was not designed by God to be a political position. It was designed to be a spiritual position. It was designed to be an intercessory position between man and God.   If you can recall, Moses and Aaron the High Priest worked together for the righteousness of God and the welfare of the Nation.

They never opposed God.

THE DEVIL AT WORK IN THE MIND

Acts 5:33-42

V:33. " When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death."

 A. There will always be someone, who thinks they are bigger and more powerful

      than God.

    1. A person who makes a decision out of anger is not thinking clearly.

    2. A person who does not learn from his mistakes is a foolish person.

       a. They put Jesus to death assuming His preaching and teaching would die.

       b. The death of Jesus promoted the Gospel of Truth.

       c. A lesson unlearned will be repeated again.

 B. What the Sadducees, the Pharisees and the Chief Priest didn't understand was

       that God had more devoted disciples than they had soldiers.

    1. What the enemy does not understand is God can send one angel to destroy

         a whole army.

    2. What the enemy does not understand is that God can get you so confused

         that you will destroy yourself.   

   

A VOICE OF REASON

V:34 " But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.

35 Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. "

A. Inside the enemy camp, God placed a voice of reason that changed the plan of

     the foolish leaders.

   1. It is good to have a historian, who can look at actions taken in the past and their

       outcomes.

   2. Gamaliel was a respected teacher of the law, who knew how God worked in previous

       similar situations.

   3. Some times in the heat of an argument, you need to step back and take a different

       perspective.

 B.  Gamaliel had a cooler head.

     1. When temperaments are agitated, you need a calming voice.

     2. The Holy Spirit is our voice of reason.

     3. The Holy Spirit gives believers the insight to look beyond the present situation

         to see the desired outcome.

     4. Decisions should never be made when the spirit is agitated.

 

EXAMPLES OF FAILURE

V:36-37. "Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. "

A. The voice of reason considers the history of previous events.

    1. You can't do the same thing and expect different results.

    2. It was God who insured that Gamaliel was present when the Jewish leaders was

        making a decision to kill the Apostles.

    3. Whatever God has planned for us, man cannot change.

    4. You never know how or when God will show up to take care of your problem,

         but He will be on time and in control.

    5. It was God who showed up  the previous night and released the Apostles

        from prison.

    6. It was God who showed up and changed the evil plans of the Jewish leaders.

    7. God uses our present situations to show us that He is in control.

    8. God uses our trials and tribulation to glory Himself.

 B. Gamaliel used the Jewish history to calm the minds of the Jewish leaders.

    1. We don't have to be present when God takes control of the enemy.

    2. The Apostles had been put out of the room, when God took control of the

          conversation and the decisions.

        a. God don't need our help to control our enemies.

        b. In fact, our input would get in the way of His plan.

 C. By reason, God used Gamaliel to understand that their plan was useless.

      1. If the Apostles were not acting under the direction of God, they would not be

          successful.

      2. Since God was directing the Apostles, any action by the Jewish council would

          opposed God.

REASON BY THE WORD

V:38-39. " Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.

39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

A. In the middle of a rage you will not think clearly.

    1. When you are angry, all you can think of is what you want which is revenge.

    2. When your emotions take charge, you are controlled by the desires of the flesh.

    3. Since all flesh is evil, your actions under the control of the flesh will be evil

B. There were two view points represented in the council.

    1.The ruling Jews considered the situation from the view of power, authority and

        people respect.

       a. The ruling Jews were concerned about the administration of their laws and

           traditions.

       b. The Sadducees , the Pharisees and the chief priests were not concerned about the

           welfare of their own people, but the welfare of their position.

       c. Anyone who opposed their positions or traditions needed to be punished or

           killed.

    2. Gamaliel was a teacher of the Law, therefore considered the situation from the

        commands or operation of the Law.

      a. Gamaliel understood that if the flesh of man was behind the Apostles teaching

          they would soon fade away.

      b. Gamaliel also understood that if God was directing the Apostles, then the ruling

          Jews would be fighting against God and would not win.

      c. Gamaliel advised the ruling Jews to leave the Apostles alone and let the truth

          reveal itself.

      d. When the Word of God cease to be your voice of reason, you will become

           selfish, inconsiderate and evil minded.

DARKNESS IN THE MIST OF THE LIGHT

V:40. " His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go."

A. While Gamaliel, the teacher of the Law considered the Word of God, the rest of the

      ruling council considered their power and authority and wanted revenge.

    1. After hearing the Word, their hearts were unchanged.

    2. The beat the Apostles before they let them go.

    3. They had the opportunity to be influence by the Word of God.

    4. There is no excuse for disobedience when know the truth.

    5. They opposed God with their hearts, minds and souls.

B. The ruling Jews were standing by when the Apostles used the scriptures which

     they were the keepers, to show Jesus as the Messiah.   Acts 3:12-4:4

    1. Instead of studying the scriptures, they used their traditions to oppose the Word

        of God.    Mark 7:13

    2. Instead of being guardians of the Holy Word and the people of God, they became

        enemy of God and the Nation.

    3. Instead of the Word being the authority, they became their own authority.

REJOICING UNDER PERSECUTION

V:41. " The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."

A. The Apostle James said counted all joy when you face trials and tribulations.

    1. The trying of your faith produces patience.

    2. We have to expect that being for God the world will be against us.

B. I really believe that God allow us to be troubled by the world to test and to strengthen

     our faith in Him.

   1. The ruling council of Israel was so blinded by their traditions that they could not see

       the truth in the Word.

   2. They were so blinded by their desire to be in control that they could not recognize

       the God who controls everything.

   3. They were so for themselves that couldn't have compassion for their own people.

DETERMINED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL

V:42.  " Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. "

A. You cannot let the threats of men discourage you from  proclaiming Jesus as Lord and

     Savior.

    1. The Word is the truth that everyone needs.

    2. People in the dark may not know that the are in the dark.

    3. People in the dark need a road way to the light,

    4. Jesus is the way, the truth and the light.

 B. We are ambassadors for Christ.

    1. If we quit being ambassadors  for Christ, we are good for nothing.

    2. We have to stand on the Word of Truth so others can see the glory of God.

    3. Everyday is another opportunity for us to give God glory.

    4. Everyday is another opportunity to for us to introduce someone to Christ.

STANDUP FOR CHRIST

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

This Week's Sunday School Lesson,"Let The Truth Rest In Your Heart", 9/13/2015

LET THE TRUTH REST IN YOUR HEART

Acts 4:34-5:10

BE GENEROUS

V:34-35. " There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales  and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need."

A. The early church grew at a rapid rate.

     1. The effectiveness of the Apostle's preaching of the Gospel was evidence by the

          growing numbers.

     2. People who believed in Jesus were from all financial levels.

        a. There were some rich and some poor.

        b. There were families, single men and women and widowers.

        c. There were some who had more than they needed and some who had

             less than they needed to survive.

 B. Members of the growing Church of Jesus Christ had  the spirit of generosity.

     1. They took it upon themselves to provide for their own.

     2. They considered themselves, one big family.

     3. Some sold  land and houses to provide for the needy among them.

     4. Their love for one another was shown in their generosity.

 C. They put their resources in a common pot and allowed the apostles to

      take responsibility for the distribution.

     1. They trusted the leaders of the Church to do the right thing.

 V:36-37. " Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet."

 A. The generosity of some individuals stood out more than others.

    1. Not only did Barnabas have a generous spirit, but he was a devoted missionary for

        Christ.

    2. Barnabas teamed up with the Apostle Paul in the spread of the Gospel to the

        Gentiles.

    3. According to the Easton Bible Dictionary, Paul and Barnabas were companions in

       the  school of Gamaliel.

 B. There are probably  good reasons why the Apostles changed his name from Joseph to

      Barnabas.

      1. As per the meaning of his name, Barnabas encouraged others in the spread of

          the Gospel.

      2. Barnabas used what God blessed him with to serve others.

  

YOU CANNOT LIE TO GOD

Chapter 5

V:1-2. " Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet."

A. Nothing good comes from lies and deceptions.

    1. The wages of sin is death.

    2. For some, death comes sooner than others.

B. There was no command for members of the Church to sell what they had.

    1. The selling of possessions to support the Church was voluntary.

    2. The Church was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

    3. Any desire to deceive the leaders of the Church was a sin against the Holy Spirit.

    4. Each believer is given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

C. Ananias and His wife Sapphira sold property, but lied about the amount they received.

    1. The property was theirs to give or to keep.

    2. They were free to give all or a portion of the selling price to the Church.

    3. They gave a portion of the amount they received to the Church but lied that

         it was the total amount received.

D. The Church needs good role models, but is hurt by lies and deceptions.

    1. The Church is empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the truth.

    2. We are not given the Holy Spirit to lie or to deceive others to promote

        the Gospel.

    3. Lies and deceptions are Satanic acts.

SATAN IS THE FATHER OF LIES

V:3. " Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?"

A. Any Act of sin comes from the influence of Satan.

    1. Money is dear to the heart of most people.

    2. To give up money for the unselfish reasons to help others in need is an act

         of love.

 B. Ananias was not totally devoted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    1. He wanted the appearance of Holiness by deception.

    2. We may be able to deceive man, but we can never deceive God.

    3. What is done in the dark, God can bring to the light for all to see.

    4. It was God who revealed Ananias' deception to Peter.

 V:4. " Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

 A. There was no command to sell the property.

     1. There was no command to give the proceeds to God.

     2. Giving to the Church is certainly commendable.

     3. It was the lie about the amount of the gift that made it a curse to Ananias.

     4. It was the evil in Ananias  heart that caused him to lie to God.

 B. Perhaps it was a desire to look good before others that caused him to lie.

    1. One's pride can lead to lies and deceptions.

    2. God hates the proud.

    3. Pride can easily be our down fall.

THE COSEQUENCES OF LIES AND DECEPTION

 V:5. " When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened."

 A. Public knowledge of Ananias sin was so heavy upon him that he died.

     1. God does not tell us whether Ananias had a heart attack or whether He

         struck him dead.

    2. The fact is that his deception caused the anger of God which led to his death.

    3. We can be here today and gone same day.

    4. We must remember that there is no guarantee that we will lives past the next

        moment.

    5. Life and death is always in the hands of God.

B. When the evil that we do influence other believers  to do evil, we can expect

      the vengeances of the Lord.

    1. This was a critical stage in the growth of the Church.

    2. The Church did not need evil role models.

V: 6. " Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him."

A. This is a warning from God that intentional  evil will not be tolerated in the Church

      for any long period of time.

   1. They carried the body out of the congregation.

   2. The dead should not be found in the congregation of the living.

   3. Christ came that we might have life.

B. Dead influences have no place in the Church.

   1. We need to always be truthful to our Lord and Savior.

   2. Jesus came to separate us from the evil in our lives.

This is one of those cases where I don't understand the actions of God.

My ignorance says the punish was harsh. What do you think?

God's ways are not my ways and God's thoughts are not my thoughts.

God can do what He wants to do and it will work out for our good.

C. Notice the effect on the congregation.  There was fear among them.

    1. Perhaps God was serving us notice to be careful how we treat His Word.

    2. I suspect others were careful not to lie to the Apostles

THE EVIL YOU CRAVE CAN AFFECT OTHERS

 V:7-8 "About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."

A. Ananias being the head of the household affected the faith of his wife.

    1. His wife agreed  to the deception and the lie.

    2. It is the  job of the husband to lead his wife into the righteousness of the Lord.

B. As heads of the household, men can lead their families down a path of destruction.

   1. God's first human institution was marriage.

   2. God gave Adam His first command and put him in charge of His creation.

   3. Even though Eve was deceived by Satan first,  God did not curse the first marriage

       until Adam disobeyed His command.

 C. We are all held accountable for our own sins.

    1. Sapphire,   the wife was given a chance to tell the truth about the sales price

        of the land.

    2. It was her decision to claim the lie as the truth.

YOU ARE RESPOSIBLE FOR YOUR SINS

V:9-10. " Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. "

A. Peter holding the key to the kingdom of God,  announced the judgment of the Lord

     against Sapphire.

    1. She was given the chance to confess her sin and to ask for forgiveness.

    2. She chose the lie over the truth.

   

B. Everything in Bible is given as an example for us to live by.

    1. When we reject the truth, we reject God.

    2. When we reject the truth, we chose hell.

LET THE WORD OF TRUTH BE YOUR GUIDE

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

This week's Sunday School Lesson, "Stand Up For Jesus" 9/4/2015

STAND UP AND PRAISE GOD

Acts 4:23-31

Upon the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus, the early church had it's start.

When the Apostles began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ there immediately

arose a conflict with the Jewish leaders and the chief priests.

Peter and John at the gate of the temple healed a 40 year old man, lame from birth.

The man in front of many witnesses, who had never walked before, came into the

temple walking, leaping and praising God. Peter and John took no credit, but preached

Jesus.

              TAKE NOTE,  WALKING, LEAPING AND PRAISING GOD

Peter and John preached that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior was crucified at the hands of the Jewish leaders and the Chief Priest. Many Jews believed in Jesus and this upset

the ruling Jewish leaders. They took hold of Peter and John then threaten them not to

mention the name of Jesus.    

YOU CANNOT STOP THE GOSPEL, DON'T TRY

V:23. " On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them."

A. No one can stop the spread of the Gospel, because it is powered by the Holy Spirit.

    1. The ruling Jews used their threats of persecutions to try to prevent the spread of the

        Gospel.

    2. No weapon formed against us can prosper.

B. Peter and John undisturbed by the threats, told the congregation of believers what

    the chief priest and the elders, the enemies to the cross said.

   1.You cannot let nobody discourage you from talking about your Jesus.

   2. I cannot stop taking about Jesus because it like a fire shut up in my bones.

   3. I cannot stop taking about Jesus because He has been too good to me.

   4. I cannot stop taking about Jesus because He is  the light that world needs.

   5. I cannot stop talking about Jesus because He told me to keep on talking.

GIVE GOD THE CREDIT

V:24. " When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them."

 A. When people tell you to quit talking about Jesus, get on your knees and pray.

     1. The devil is busy and the only way to rebuke Him is to stay connected with Jesus.

     2. The ruling Jews had proven that they could kill the body, but they had no power

         over the soul.

     3. We need to fear God and not man.

         a. God can kill the body and the soul.

         b. Man can do no more than what God allows him to do.

 B. To stay strong in the Lord, you need constant prayer.

    1. You need to remind yourself that we serve a God that is the creator of everything.

    2. You need to remind yourself that we only exist to give God glory.

    3. You need to remind yourself  that when you stand for God in the mist of the enemy

         that God stands with you and He gets the glory.

    4. The threats of man are God's opportunity to be glorified.

    5. You need to remind yourself that enduring trials and tribulation increase your faith

         in God.

GOD ALLOWS OPPOSTION TO GLORIFY HIMSELF

V:25. " You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? "

 A. Through out the ages God has given us His Word through His prophets.

     1. Throughout the ages God has shown us His power over creation.

     2. Throughout the ages God has shown the world that no one can stand against Him.

 B. The enemy rage and plot against God and His people continuously.

    1. Satan and His demons influence others to fight against God and His people.

    2. Why do we listen to Satan who has already been defeated?

    3. It is the lust of the flesh that influences  us to believe we can disobey God and win.

ALL AUTHORITY BELONGS TO THE LORD

V:26. " The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One."

A. Anytime we sin, it is against the Lord.

    1. It is the rulers of this world who sometimes think they are above the Lord.

    2. They fail to realize that the position and authority they have was given to them by

        the Lord.

    3. It is pride of man that God hates.

        a. It is our pride that makes us think that we are more than others.

        b. If our objective in life is to gain power and authority over others, we miss the

            point of our purpose set by the almighty God.

    4. God has set the rulers of this world to be just leaders and role models for

        righteousness.

 B. It is easy to forget that the true authority is the Lord.

    1. When our focus is our gain, then the Lord cease to be our ruler.

    2. When the Lord cease to be our authority, then Satan takes His place.

C. We are living in  a time when the law is to separate the Church from the state.

    1. In the beginning, the Church was the state.

        a. God gave us His commands to govern ourselves according to His

            righteousness.

        b. God promised the Israelites success in the promise land if they followed

            his commands,

    2. The reason we are in the miserable state we are in is because we try to operate

         without the Church.

    3. The state operates according to the flesh, and therefore is opposed to the God.

    4. The flesh is an enemy to the anointed one.

THE PLAN TO DENY JESUS BACKFIRED

V:27. " Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed."

 A. The truth should always be told.

    1. The leaders and the chief priests of Israel did not want to hear the truth about what

         they did.

    2. I can imagine the chief priests and ruling Jews being upset when their plan backfired.

        a. They killed Jesus and thought His teaching would die with Him.  Mark 3:6

        b. They killed Jesus and the 12 Apostles immediately began preaching

             Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

        c. The death and resurrection of Jesus propelled the Gospel truth.

        d. The teaching and the miracles of Jesus was powered by the Holy Spirit.

 B. The rulers of Israel could not see Jesus in the Old Testament Scriptures because

       the scriptures were second to their traditions.  Mark 7:13

  1. They used the scriptures to justify their inaccurate and sinful traditions.

      a. God said that we shall have no other gods before Him.

      b. Jesus claim to be the Son of God, opposed their traditions and not

           scripture.

  2. Jesus was born in the flesh with them, but since His teaching attacked their traditions

      they rejected Him.

 3. Since Jesus teaching and miracles drew large crowds who believed in Him,

     they felted that their position and authority was in jeopardy.   Mark 11:18

 4. They couldn't see the truth because they were blinded by their ambitions.

     a. In fact, they couldn't see the truth because God left them blinded by

         their traditions so that the scriptures could be fulfilled.   John 12:40

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER THE FOR GOOD OF BELIEVERS  

V:28. " They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen."

 A. The Chief Priest and the Jewish leaders thought they were destroying Jesus, but

      they were playing the hand the Lord had given them to promote Jesus.  Mark 8:31

    1. Jesus said, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.

    2. If they had read and understood the scriptures they would have known that

        God set them up to crucify Jesus so His blood would atone for the sins of

        the entire world.  Isa 53:3-12

 B. If they had read and understood the scriptures, they would have known that Jesus

      was the Messiah (Dan 9:26) and that John the Baptist was His forerunner (Mal 3).

    1. If they had read and understood the scriptures, they would have known that

        what God plans He executes.

    2. If they had read and understood the scriptures, they would have known that they

        were living in the exact time frame of the coming of the long awaited Messiah.    

        Dan 9:24-25.

 C. We need to be sure that we read and understand God's Word.

     1. The Word says in all your getting, get an understanding.

     2. The Word says, study to show yourself approved, so that the man of God

         can rightly divide the Word of truth.

V:29. " Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness."

 A. This is a very necessary prayer for any believer who openly confess Jesus as Lord

      and Savior.

    1. When you stand for righteousness, folk who practice unrighteousness will attack

         you.  

    2. We need the strength of the Lord to boldly stand against the wise of  the devil.

 B. We cannot run this Christian race by ourselves.

    1. The Apostles empowered by the Holy Spirit were able to stand against the

         persecution of their Jewish counterparts.

    2. They boldly professed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior

    3. At the same time the Apostles preached the wrongful crucifixion of Jesus by the

        Chief priests and the Jewish leaders.

    4. The Apostles proclaimed Jesus knowing that they would die for their profession.

V:30. " Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

A. The death of Jesus was not the end of miracles but the promotion of miracles

     by the Apostles throughout Jerusalem and the world.

    1. Miracles at the hand of the Apostles was the drawing card that brought large

        crowds to hear the Word of God and to confess their faith in Jesus.

    2. Peter preached and 3000 were saved. He preach again and 5000 were saved.

        Acts 2:40, 4:4

B. God stretched out His hand and drew men to Himself.

   1. No one can come to Jesus unless he is drawn by the Father.

   2. I Stretch out my hand to thee, no other help I know.     

PRAYER WORKS

V:31. " After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

 A. After they prayed.....

     1. Prayer changes things.

     2. Prayer changes our behavior.

     3. Prayer is our first line of communication with the Father.

     4. Prayer keeps us connected with God.

     5. Prayer keeps us focused on the Lord.

 B. Prayer can shake up the community.

     1. They assembled together and prayed and they were empowered by the

         Holy Spirit.

     2. Prayer draws the power of God into our lives.

     3. Prayer draws the protection of God into our lives.

     4. Prayer draws the direction of God into our lives.

     5. Prayer drives fear out of our lives.

 C. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to stand boldly in the face of

      the enemy and proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior.

     1. It is a Holy Spirit filled life that produces the fruit of the harvest.

     2. The harvest is bringing folk out of the dark into the marvelous light.

     3. It is a Holy Spirit filled life that praises God and glorifies Him in all things.

     4. It is a Holy Spirit life that give God honor in mist of troubling situations.  

DON'T BE SHY, PRAISE GOD

DON'T BE AFRAID, PRAISE GOD

BE BOLD, PRAISE GOD

BE THANKFUL, PRAISE GOD

PRAISE GOD JUST BECAUSE HE IS GOD

Rev M. Mitchell,

Asst Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church