God Over Men
God Over Men
Acts 5:12-42
Have you ever not been happy with your friend’s announcement of a new pregnancy? Ever been upset when you hear your sister got a promotion from work? What about when you hear about your buddy’s amazing deal on a new car right after you paid full price? Or maybe you hear of a neighbor’s spouse getting surprised with a trip to Europe and your first thought is, “I wish my spouse would do something like that for me? Have you said in your heart, “Why doesn’t “that” happen to me? It doesn’t really matter what the “that” is, does it? We all have had moments when we have not celebrated the successes of our family and friends because we want to be the center of the world. We are selfish. We are full of envy, and jealousy.
The times we find it hard to rejoice in other people’s ‘wins,’ or the times we are angry and bitter towards our spouse or children is because we want something we have not been given. Whether it is respect or recognition, whatever we desire and do not obtain, we fight and quarrel even if it is only in our thoughts. In those moments, we are doubting the goodness of God. We are doubting his plan and provision for us. When our jealousy rises in our hearts, it reveals our desire to be king, and our natural resistance to submit to the King of kings, the King of Glory, the Risen King Jesus.
If you are skeptical about Christianity, maybe only half-heartedly listening to this sermon because you were invited by a friend or family member, let me humbly ask you to listen and consider why there is anger and jealousy in your heart. All I want to do is to explain this passage and apply it to our lives.
The Book of Acts is about the Risen King. Jesus Christ died on the cross and miraculously was raised from the dead. And the apostles saw Jesus die and saw him alive. They believed Jesus was raised to the right hand of God and was continuing to work and act for his good purposes in the world through the Holy Spirit. Many would refer to this book as the Acts of the Apostles, but I believe a better title is the Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus or King Jesus. When you read of miraculous signs and wonders done by the apostles, we have to understand they are performing these Acts in the name or in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 5:12–16
[12] Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. [13] None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. [14] And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, [15] so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. [16] The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
The people of Jerusalem were being healed of diseases and unclean spirits and multitudes of people, both men and women, were following Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior. And it was not only the people in Jerusalem, but people were coming from the surrounding towns to experience the power of Jesus Christ. And not everyone was happy about it.
The Rescue from Jealousy
The high priest and his family had already questioned Peter and John about the miracle done to the crippled man and they commanded them to no longer speak about the rejection of Jesus Christ. And in his passage, we begin to see why. Acts 5:17–18,
[17] But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy [18] they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.
The high priest and all who were with him arrested the apostles and put them in public prison because they were filled with jealousy. They were no longer the most important religious leaders of the day. The crowds that followed Jesus were larger than the ones who came to their Sabbath gathering. Their actions against the apostles had nothing to do with the apostles. The jealousy was in their hearts.
Friends, this is one of the most important things we have to understand about our human condition. Our struggles are primarily not about our circumstances but our problems of our hearts. Jesus said, “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” (Matthew 15:18-19) Our circumstances do not cause us to be irritable with our children or to be short with our spouse, but it is our heart’s response to our circumstances. Our response reveals what is in our hearts. Jealousy and envy are not of God. If you want to change your behavior, then you must change your heart. James 3:13–18,
[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. [15] This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. [17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. [18] And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
When jealousy and selfish ambition exist in your hearts, disorder and dysfunction will follow. Friends, we have to be honest with our jealous hearts and we have to protect our hearts from it.
The high priest and the Sadducees were not secular, wordly people. They lived for the temple and with sacred things. They were the ‘churchgoers’ of the day. And they punished the apostles because they didn’t get what they desired. As you hear this story, ask yourself are you more like the apostles or the high priest? Do you respond to circumstances like Peter or the Priest? Do you punish people in your lives with your anger or silence when things don’t go your way? Friends, our circumstances are never an excuse for our poor conduct, but reveal what is already in our hearts. And if God allows you to see the ugliness of the sin in your heart, confess your sin and repent for God is faithful to forgive you of your sin and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.
The only one who can rescue us from the jealousy in our own hearts and from the actions of the jealous people is the Lord. God allowed the apostles to be arrested so his power could be displayed. Acts 5:19-26,
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
An angel of the Lord miraculously freed the apostles and gave them the charge, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And we hear this testimony from someone who watched them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” The apostles obeyed God and taught about this Life which would have been the key details of the life of Jesus Christ. His perfect life, his atoning death, and his resurrection from the dead and the salvation that is offered in him.
All the details that Luke offers are important to fully understand the story. The prison was securely locked and the guards were standing at the doors. It did not make any logical sense. Verse 24, “Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.” They knew it was very odd, confusing, perplexing that the apostles were no longer in prison. This was particularly unusual.
Now to the skeptics, you can try to explain away the miraculous. You can say something like maybe the guards fell asleep or maybe one of the guards was sympathetic to the apostles and released them. Luke was not at the prison so he merely shared what he had heard from those who were there. There was a miraculous rescue. The chief priests and the captain of the temple could not explain it. You can try to explain it, but those who were there could not. And those who left the prison and began to preach in the name of Jesus will not have a good reason to lie as we shall see in a moment.
Now to the believers, we know this is just how God works. God makes a way when there is no way. From Sarah’s womb, to the parting of the Red Sea, to walls of Jericho, to salvation by great fish, God makes a way when there is no way. Beloved, remember whatever wall stands in front of you, if God wants to knock it down, he will. Nothing can stand against his will. Nothing. Continue to believe and stand with Jesus even when others will hate you for it.
The Rage against Jesus
It is important to remember the apostle’s prayer after their last arrest. They ask God to grant them the power to continue to speak the word with all boldness as he continues to perform signs and wonders (Acts 4:29). God performs a miraculous rescue and the apostles speak the word with boldness, Acts 5:27–28 says,
[27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, [28] saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
The first charge was that the apostles filled Jerusalem with teaching about Jesus Christ. Oh, if that were to be said of Rock Hill. Let us pray that life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ would fill Rock Hill and beyond.
The second charge was the apostles were placing the blame of Jesus on the Jews. They did not want to be responsible for killing Jesus. It was an offensive message, but it was an honest offensive message. And friends, the same could be said of us. We are responsible for killing Jesus. Our sin led him to the cross. This is the most offensive thing about the gospel. The gospel says we are sinners and deserve to be crucified. We all deserve the cross. We all deserve punishment for our sin. We are to blame.
I remember how shocking it was to my system when I first heard that I deserved to go to hell because of my sin. I was a good kid who got good grades. I was a good teammate and worked hard in sports. I listened to my parents. “I deserve to go to hell.” At the time, I denied what deep down I already knew. I was a sinner. I knew that. My conscience condemned me, but in that moment when I was confronted, I was angry. And in God’s kindness, the more I thought about my sin, I knew I was one who was responsible for the death of the Lord Jesus. He died because of me, but he also died for me.
Listen to how Peter and the apostles responded to these charges brought against them, Acts 5:29-32,
[29] But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. [30] The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. [31] God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. [32] And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
One of the most important sermons in Acts. We must obey God rather than men. Life is really that simple. We must obey God. Nine years ago, I wrote in my journal on this verse, “How many applications does this have in our culture?” Indeed, there are so many applications here beloved, but the command is very clear. God is our supreme authority. We also obey him over man, when man is the government, our family, or our boss. Our first obligation is to obey God. Always. (Just be careful to actually obey God and not use this as a reason not to do what you don’t want to do) In the coming months and years, our faith will be tested. We need the boldness to stand and speak about Jesus.
Peter does not distance himself from the high priests, but begins with their common ancestry, “The God of our fathers raised Jesus.” Jesus is the long awaited Messiah who came to save his people. The God of Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob raised Jesus. The God of Elijah and Moses, raised Jesus. The center of the apostolic message was the resurrection. They were witnesses to the resurrection. “The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.” This was a strong indictment of the Jewish leadership. If Jesus was the Messiah, then they cursed him by hanging him on a tree for “cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” Jesus was cursed so that he could give repentance and forgiveness of sins. Peter continues in Acts 5:31-32, “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance and the forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God had given to those who obey him.” God exalted Jesus to his right hand as Leader and Savior. Leader means he is pre-eminent, co-equal with God. Jesus is the head of the church and is the Savior of the church.
God exalted Jesus because Jesus humbled himself. Jesus being in the very nature God took on the form of a servant being made in the likeness of man. Jesus laid down his life to die on a cross. He chose to be cursed by God knowing that God would raise him from the dead and exalt him to his right hand. The exaltation that the apostles witness in his resurrection and ascension is the reason we can be confident there is forgiveness for our sins. The resurrection is God’s declaration to the world that salvation is here. A debt was owed and had to be paid. Jesus died to pay the debt for sin. The resurrection is God’s stamp of approval. Accepted. So now through repentance and faith one can be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit.
Do not miss this: Peter is preaching repentance and forgiveness to those who put Jesus on the cross. The gospel is for sinners. They can be forgiven of their sin. You can be forgiven of your sin. If and only if, you repent. To repent is to change your mind about Jesus. It is to make him your Leader. How? By obeying his Word. We show we love Jesus by obeying Jesus. And when we repent, we receive the Holy Spirit to live with the power of God over sin. Peter is holding out salvation, but will they receive it?
Homer Simpson stopped listening to any conversation after he heard the word bacon. He couldn’t focus on anything else. The Jews, likewise, could not hear anything else after they heard they were sinners and put Jesus to death. The text says, “When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.” There are many like the Jews today. They hear about the exclusivity of the gospel and how everyone deserves death because of their sin and they can’t hear anything else. They are so put out by the message of judgment that they cannot hear the offer or salvation. Peter says, “God exalted Jesus to his right hand as Leader and Savior to give repentance and forgiveness of sins.” Jesus is the way for forgiveness. He died for them. He died to pay their debt for their sin. He offers eternal life through his resurrection. And all they hear is you are a sinner and deserve to die.
Friend, hear the full message of the gospel. Jesus had to die because you are a sinner and deserve death. And Jesus had to die to save you from that sin and take the death you deserve. If you are one who is constantly governed by jealousy and rage, your soul is in danger. You need wisdom.
The Recommendation of Age
I love being surrounded by those who have years of experience. Age is a wonderful and powerful gift to the church. I think often of how blessed I have been in this congregation to be surrounded by so many godly senior saints. I think of Rehoboam who was given counsel from the old men, but rejected their counsel to listen to his young friends and lost the kingdom because of it. I never wanted to be a Rehoboam. I wanted to heed the wise advice of godly senior saints. Wise man stands up in the council and offers wisdom from years of experience.Acts 5:34–39,
[34] But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. [35] And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. [36] For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. [37] After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. [38] So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; [39] but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,
Nothing can thwart God’s will. After God spoke to Job in the whirlwind about his creating power, Job responded, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 42:2) Gamaliel, Paul's teacher, was a wise aged man who had seen other efforts rise and fall but knew God’s plans would never fall.
How comforting is it to know God’s in control? Nothing can stop his plan. Nothing can thwart God’s will for your life. And our problem is we get jealous and enraged when we do not get what we want. Or as James writes, James 4:1–8
[1] What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? [2] You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. [3] You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. [4] You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [5] Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? [6] But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
God yearns jealously over us. He wants us to trust him and his purposes for us. And when we don’t get angry and jealous when we don’t get what we want, we are acting like the unbelieving high priests or the worldly skeptic. Beloved, do not be anxious. God is near to you. He is working his good purposes for your life.
To you who may still be skeptical of Christianity, thank you for sitting through this sermon, but notice Luke’s point. They had already tried to stop the apostles from speaking about the resurrection. They were put in prison and God miraculously freed them. Luke is pointing out the apostles and their mission is of God. Nothing is going to stop it. Friend, this letter we are reading was written about 2000 years ago. Has Christianity fallen off the scenes? Has the message of Jesus Christ failed? No, there have been people from around the world over the last 2000 years who have repented and been forgiven of their sins. If you are not a follower of Jesus, can I ask you to consider this aged man of wisdom’s words, “if this plan is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it.” Don’t oppose God, submit to him.
The Rejoicing in Adversity
We must obey God, not men. When we obey God, we will be persecuted.The world hates Jesus and the world will hate those who follow Jesus. But following our Leader and Savior will always be worth it. Acts 5:40,
[40] and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
The apostles were beaten for their faith. Most likely it was flogging involving being whipped on the back and chest with a three stranded strap of calf hide. It could even leave those close to death from the loss of blood. The high priests hoped the increase in the punishment from just jail to a physical beating would make them cease to preach in the name of Christ. But how could they not speak of him who saved them? Acts 5:41-42
[41] Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Beloved, I pray we recover more and more of the spirit of the apostles in our own lives. Rather than bemoaning the trials the world brings to us, let us rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. I love how Paul phrases this in Philippians 1:29, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” It is a great privilege and gift to suffer for the name of Christ who died for us. The apostles were not silent. Acts 4:42,
[42] And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
As often happens with persecution it does not snuff out our faith, but strengthens it. No one desires to face persecution, but we must obey God not men. God will use our persecution for his glory. Let us trust him whatever comes our way.
Luke continues to show a transition of authority from the temple to the apostles. The temple leaders have gone from just the high priest and his family to all the Sadducees. They have gone from arresting just Peter and John to arresting the apostles as a group. And as the intensity increases against the apostles increases, the name of Jesus and the hope of the gospel continues to go forth.
Gracia and Martin Burham were missionaries in the Philippines. She was a homeschool mom responsible to care for her kids and provide meals for guests they were ministering to. She loved her family, loved her ministry and loved her life overseas. Until on May 27, 2001, they were captured and held hostage for a year by a militant Muslim group. Gracia said she learned a lot about herself physically and emotionally during in captivity, but she wrote this about what she learned of her faith,
Spiritually, my roughest lessons were learned in this area. I think the hardest thing about being held hostage was that I saw what I really was. In one swift moment of time, everything I had – except Martin – was taken away from me. And when everything is gone and you’re in an uncomfortable position you see what is really in your heart. And what I saw in mine was not pretty…. In the jungle I came face to face with a Gracia that I really didn’t want to see, a ‘me’ that I didn’t want to believe existed. I saw a hateful Gracia. There were times that I really hated those Muslim for hat they’d done to us – for the pain they were causing our family. I saw a covetous Gracia. When we were starving and I saw someone with food, I would covet what they had. I saw a despairing Gracia. “Nobody cares about us anymore. This has gone on for so long that everyone has forgotten us!” I saw a faithless Gracia.
She even scribbled one day in a journal,
This was a very hard day for me. Why does God keep me here to suffer day after day? I got almost hysterical in the afternoon. Martin tells me not to give up. I’ve tried to be a good hostage and be patient and where has it gotten me? 8 ½ months and still here. God is pleased to have me suffer and I’m tired of it!
Then something happened in her heart,
And God in his faithfulness began to change me. As the months rolled on, we began seeing our captors as the needy kids that they were. My hatred was replaced with concern and even love for them. Contentment and joy began to grow in my heart as I began acknowledging God’s goodness to me on a daily basis instead of looking at the trials. God never leaves us as he finds us and I am so glad for his work in my life during that year!
Friends, I do not know what God is doing in your lives today, but I know this, God is at work. He is working in your trials to turn your coveting to contentment, your sorrow to joy and hatred to love.
Jesus is worth the suffering. He is worth the pain. He is worth it all. Jesus is our Leader and our Savior who sits at the right hand of God. We will one day fully understand that nothing can stop the Lord’s plan and know that Christ was worth it all. Allow your circumstances out there to change your heart in here and rejoice you counted worthy to be called by his Name.