Sermons

OUR TRANSFORMATION

Christ followers are intended to go through a great transformation.

1. The New Life

(Acts 5:17-19) Then the high priest took action. He and all his colleagues, those who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. So they arrested the apostles and put them in the city jail. But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, [and] brought them out…

(20) “Go and stand in the temple complex, and tell the people all about this life.”

A. Talk to people about your new life.

B. Nothing moves people like a transformed life.

2. The New Stress

(Acts 5:21-28) They entered the temple complex at daybreak and began to teach. When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin – the full Senate of the sons of Israel – and sent orders to the jail to have them brought. But when the temple police got there, they did not find them in the jail, so they returned and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” As the captain of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, as to what could come of this. Someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple complex and teaching the people.” Then the captain went with the temple police and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them. When they had brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man’s blood on us!”

A. At first, being disliked because of our commitment to Jesus causes stress.

B. In time, being disliked because of our commitment to Jesus brings strength.

3. The New Road

(Acts 1:8) “Be My witnesses in Jerusalem…”

(Acts 5:28) “We strictly order you not to teach in this name!”

A. There’s always only two roads: 1) Be witnesses. 2) Be quiet.

(29-32) But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things…”

B. Which road will you choose?