Complete Sermon Notes
Obey God Rather Than Men
ACTS 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
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Jesus was “obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).
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Obedience leads to the filling of the Spirit as well as knowing God’s will.
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Apostles on Trial Again 5:22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
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“Fear” is the reason we don’t share – filled with fear vs. faith.
Wisdom is needed – they were strategic.
They were given a platform – or a relationship was built, or circumstances allowed it.
“Filled all Jerusalem”: Reminded me of Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth [unbelievers].”
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Filled Jerusalem with your Doctrine – a set of beliefs.
How my meeting with a Catholic priest came about –
MAIN POINT – We cannot believe both the Bible and Tradition.
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Papal infallibility says that the Pope is preserved from the possibility of error “when, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole Church.”[1][2]
The church is the “pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15).
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Mariology. Mary is still hailed as co-redeemer; her perpetual virginity and the immaculate conception are still upheld – Antipater of Bostra, a father of the Council of Ephesus, wrote this about Mary, “Hail, you who acceptably intercede as Mediatrix for mankind” (qtd. in Gambero, Mary and the Fathers).
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Christ is the only Head of the Church – the office of priest is null and void.
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Purging in purgatory.
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Salvation by works: Sins done after baptism, draw the grace out. Mortal sins lead to the loss of all grace. If you die in this state before confession and communion, you will go to hell. Good works keep you in a state of justification.
THIS IS HUGE – IT’S ANOTHER GOSPEL
The saddest part- when I asked about salvation – shame and guilt.
Do you listen to God or man? Who you listen to is who you obey.
BACK TO ACTS 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
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CONTEXT – GOD’S LAW SUPERSEDES MAN’S LAW
THE GIVING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – Proves that the message is true. He is a witness. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:6).
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When we OBEY God (repent & believe), we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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But the Holy Spirit is also given in fuller measure in relation to OBEDIENCE.
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Who are you going to obey? God or man…
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Obedience = Filled with the Spirit = Boldness.
Even Children are bolder than us – “this little light of mine.”
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They Invite – everyone from the dentist to the school teacher.
What is your “doctrine”? Do you truly know Him? Are you truly obeying Him?
I love my faith … BUT
I love my Church … BUT
I’m a Baptist … BUT
I’m religious … BUT
I’m spiritual … BUT
Who are you going to obey? God or man…
MORE THAT WASN’T COVERED IN SERMON:
ACTIONS: Take up your cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Wanting to do it is not “doing it”.
We demonstrate our love for God by obeying Him: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). And “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).
BUT Obedience without a changed heart is deceptive: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outside, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also appear righteous to men outwardly, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27–28).
I DON’T ADMIRE ANYONE WHO HAS THEOLOGY WITHOUT A BROKEN HEART –
BUT SHANE. “This group builds homes – this group gives to charities – this group will clean your yard and paint your house – this group will even help you move.”
BUT on the inside…
THOUGHTS – it all starts here:
ROMANS 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
PROVERBS 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
