Sweden Church
  • Home
  • Listen
    • Sunday Services
    • Real Time >
      • Incompatible With Life
      • Heroes of Faith
      • Matthew 9 Series
      • Where We Find Jesus Series
      • Temptations of Christ Series
      • Sermon on the Mount Series
      • Prodigal Son Series
    • Revival 2022
    • Sweden Celebration 2020
    • Revival 2019
  • Sermon Series
    • Revelation Series
    • One Thing Series
    • Deuteronomy Series
    • 1 & 2 Kings Series
    • Titus Series
    • Jonah Series
    • What Kind of Man Series
    • Advent 2019
    • Ten Commandments Series
    • "No More" Sermon Series
  • Pictures
  • Our Blogs
    • The Pastor's Pen
    • The Layman's Pen
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact Us

Obey God Rather Than Men

8/6/2020

0 Comments

 
The book of Acts is a history book.  In it, Luke gives a factual account of the progression of the Christian faith after Christ’s ascension.  From these early beginnings a small group of scared believers committed themselves to spreading the gospel of Christ to an empire.  What a story! 
History is a continual struggle between God and man and this present day is no exception.  For example, just recently (July 24) our supreme court voted to uphold a Nevada ruling that put a cap of 50 persons to attend church but allowed 50% capacity of casinos, gyms, restaurants, and other businesses.  The gaming industry of Nevada obviously has a lot of power.  So much so, that it reaches all the way to the supreme court of the land.  The devil is alive and well. 
Let’s go back, though, to Acts 5:17-32.  It’s another story of a small group before a high court.  This time it’s the apostles.  They’ve been thrown into prison.  An angel of the Lord releases them and tells them to go back to the temple and preach.  In the meantime, the high priest sees them and notifies the high court. 
The high court notifies the prison and wants to know what has happened.  The officers of the prison report that the place is locked up tight but that there were no men inside.  The court immediately rounds up the apostles and tells them they’ve already been warned not to preach in the name of Christ and spread their doctrine that the blood of this man is on the court’s heads. (Acts 5:28) 
Peter steps forward and makes a simple statement, “We ought to obey God rather than man.”  He also says that God raised up Jesus and the court hanged him.  The court was angry and got ready to kill them.  There’s more to the story but it wasn’t part of the sermon.  Those interested can find the outcome in Acts 5:33-42. 
“Be for Jesus and against sin.  Today we’re protesting sin.  Don’t let man tell you what to do in matters of religion.” said Pastor Josh early in the sermon.  “Be careful if you get filled with indignation.  There is righteous indignation but this (Acts 5:18, 33) is plain old hatred—that won’t get your feet off the ground.” 
“If we say ‘obey God’ then go do it.  They (the apostles) obeyed God.  They didn’t wait, they went right now.  Our days are appointed, serve God now.” continued our pastor.  We are reminded that we will all stand in judgment someday.  “When push comes to shove, you obey God.” 
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Linda Johnson

    Linda Johnson moved to Douglas County with her husband Tom 12 years ago after retiring from teaching. Following Tom's death in 2016, Linda began facilitating a grief support group called GriefShare through Sweden Church.​ She serves as the Sunday School teacher for our High School class. Her "Layman's Pen" articles are also published in the local paper, The Douglas County Herald. 

    Andrea Strong

    Andrea is Pastor Joshua Strong's wife. She also serves Sweden Church as Church Secretary, website administrator, and Sunday School teacher to the Intermediate Class.

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    February 2015
    November 2013
    October 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012