who is in charge around here anyway? 17 aug 2014 by charles pang 1 acts 5.17- 6.7 lesson 7
TRANSCRIPT
Who Is In Charge Around Here Anyway?
17 Aug 2014 by Charles Pang 1
ACTS 5.17- 6.7 Lesson 7
Key Message : “ All the believers were one in heart and mind”
• Having the same heart and mind.A unique unity
• The danger of hypocrisy.An insidious mischief
• The growth of the church threatened.
What is at stake?
2
Key Message : “ All the believers were one in heart and mind”
• The danger of hypocrisy.
An insidious mischief
3
• The Devil schemes from within the church.
Understanding the enemy, he continues to test us.
Understanding his tactics, he searches our hearts, like God does.o He is a sifter. o See Amos 9.9 and Lk
22.31
• What was the real sin of Ananias and Sapphira?
Let’s discus
s
• The hearts of Ananias and Sapphire were clouded. (Acts 5.1-10)
The glory of giving become a stumbling block, exploited by the Devil .
Ananias and Sapphire desire was pure, but could not follow through.o Clouded by glory.o Devised to hide and
lie.o Became hypocrites.
Key Message : “ All the believers were one in heart and mind”
• The growth of the church threatened.
What is at stake?
4
• Why was this such a big deal? What was at stake?
Let’s discus
s
• Ananias and Sapphire died for their lie and “great fear siezed the whole church”
Did the punishment fit the crime?o Nadab and Abihu (Lev
10)o Man who was
gathering wood on Sabbath day (Num 15)
o Uzzah who touched the ark of God (2 Sam 6)
What was the effect on the church?
• No ordinary situation.
Young church with young faith.
• A sense of Godly Fear, a right
perspective.
Heb 12.28 Act 9.31 Rm 11.20
• Need to have a low tolerance of hypocrisy.
Memory Text - Acts 5:39
“But if it is from God, you will not be able to
stop these men; you will only
find yourselves fighting against
God”
5
Reading Text –
Acts 5.17 – 6.7
Who Is In Charge Around Here Anyway?
17 Aug 2014 by Charles Pang
Key Message : “ Surrender to God or Fight God”
• The struggle for control over God’s people.
A Clash of Power
• Servant leadership.A Real Leader Serves
• Recognizing His sovereignty. A Case for God
6
7
Key Questions
Who Is In Charge Around Here Anyway?10 Aug 2014 by Charles
Pang
1. In Acts 5.34 – 39, Gamalial addressed the Sanhedrin, why did he refer to various rebels and their consequences?
2. From Acts 6.1-7, how can we tell whether our leaders today are servant leaders or power hoarders?
Key Message : “ Surrender to God or Fight God”
• The struggle for control over God’s people.
A Clash of Power
8
Who were the genuine leaders of the early church?
Official rulers vs Jesus’ apostleso 1st persecution, they were
greatly disturbed. (4.2)
o 2nd persecution, they were filled with jealousy. (5.17) and later, were so furious with murderous intent (5.33)
o Capturing apostles showed a desire for control.
o Yet a spirit of timidity prevailed, always feared what the people thought or could do to them. (5.26)
1st persecution, Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit
and spoke boldly. (4.8, 4.13)
2nd persecution, the apostles continue to heal the sick in health and in spirits (5.16) and preached
a new life.(5.20)
Captured apostles showed power in speech. (5.29)
The apostles displayed dogged resilience, whatever was done to
them (5.41)
Key Message : “ Surrender to God or Fight God”• The struggle for
control over God’s people.
A Clash of Power
9
o Gamaliel Most respected Rabbi,
tutored Saul. Chose “middle of the road”
solution, wanted to buy time, adopted “wait and see” tactic.
Did not heed the gospel call, did not obey, did not have the Holy Spirit (5.32)
Who were the genuine leaders of the early church?
Official rulers vs Jesus’ apostles
Key Question1. In Acts 5.34 – 39, Gamaliel addressed the Sanhedrin, why did he refer to various rebels
and their consequences?
o Peter and the apostles Clear about who is in
charge “We must obey God rather than men!” (5.29)
Focused on message “and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”(5.32)
Key Message : “ Surrender to God or Fight God”
• Servant leadership. A Real Leader Serves
10
In those days, when the number of disciples were increasing. (Acts 6.1)
“The number of disciples increased rapidly, and a large number of priests become obedient to the faith” Acts 6:7
120 apostles and believers at the beginning.
3,000 on 1st day of Pentecost, Acts 2:41.
5,000 by Acts 4:4
“More and more men and women” Acts 5:14
“In those days, when the number of disciples were increasing…”
Key Message : “ Surrender to God or Fight God”
• Servant leadership.
A Real Leader Serves
11
o Grecian Jews and Hebriac Jews did not get along.
o Cultural and social problems developed.
o How did the leaders respond?
“In those days, when the number of disciples were increasing… so did the needs of the community.”
They heard.
They responded.
They chose wisely
They remained focus on the mission.
Key QuestionFrom Acts 6.1-7, how can we tell whether our leaders today are servant leaders or power hoarders?
Key Message : “ Surrender to God or Fight God”
• Recognizing His sovereignty. A Case for God
12
• With so much going on, the real question is “Who is really in charge around here anyway?”
The priestly council ?
The apostles?
The Holy Spirit?
All 3 seems to exert a measureable of influence the early church.
Key Message : “ Surrender to God or Fight God”
• Recognizing His sovereignty. A Case for God
13
• We need to see what God is doing and respond to it.
• First temptation of the serpent is to have man “be like God”.
• We need to cede control to God, else we look as silly as the rulers.
• Only God is in control.
• Hence prayer is more important the planning of ministry.
• Apostles and believers do not forsake prayer. (4.24, 6.4 and 6.6)
Key Message : “ Surrender to God or Fight God”
• The struggle for control over God’s people.
A Clash of Power
• Servant leadership.A Real Leader Serves
• Recognizing His sovereignty. A Case for God
14
Learning to Retell Our Story?24 Aug 2014 by Charles
Pang 15
ACTS 6.8 to 8.3Lesson 8
Key Message : “ Surrender to God or Fight God”
• The struggle for control over God’s people.
A Clash of Power
• Servant leadership.A Real Leader Serves
• Recognizing His sovereignty. A Case for God
16
Memory Text – Acts 6.10
“But they could not stand up
against his wisdom or
the Spirit by whom he spoke”
17
Reading Text –
Acts 6.8 – 8.3
Learning to Retell Our Story24 Aug 2014 by Charles
Pang
18
Key Questions
Learning to Retell Our Story24 Aug 2014 by Charles
Pang
Stephan did not say anything new that his audience did not already know, yet the priests could not accept their own history, why is this so?