Scripture:
Acts 5:33-39 NKJV
[33] When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. [34] Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. [35] And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. [36] For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. [37] After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. [38] And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; [39] but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
Observation:
This scripture was gone over in Bible study on Wednesday night, ever since that moment it’s been ringing in my ears, and rattling around in my mind. I’m not going to waste a lot of time with a big prelude to why this scripture was chosen, because I’m sure as it unfolds you will see how it fits into my life and yours, so let’s dive in. The first few chapters of the book of acts are truly my favorite part of the bible. It’s where the church was born, and the religious leaders were put in their place. The fact is religion has never saved anyone. Backing up to get a good picture of what’s going on here, we see Peter and John healing a man who had been lame from birth, through the mighty name of Jesus. This event caught not only the attention of the religious leaders but the entire crowd that had been in the area. There was no denying what had happened. The jealousy that came to the surface from those who had thought they were in power, basically made them insane. They couldn’t get past how two uneducated men would pull off such an amazing miracle. So they started picking on them doing their best to shut them down, even to the point of beating them, but honestly all that did was encourage Peter and John. They walked away from that beating praising the LORD to be found worthy of suffering for HIM. Now finding themselves in front of the council again, one of the wisest men in the room stood up to say something. Now let me explain who this man is, his name was Gamaliel. He was a Jewish teacher. One of the most sought after in fact. So when he stood up to speak the counsel stopped to listen. They wanted to hear what he had to say. But I’m sure that he was not prepared for what would happen later down the road due to the response he was about to give. But it honestly just proved his point. You can’t stop GOD, so to fight against HIM is ridiculous. Using some examples of men who had risen up and fell in the past. He began to do his best to paint a picture of this movement being a soon coming failure. However the one thing he didn’t necessarily take into consideration is that the one leading this movement had already beaten death, and would soon reveal HIMSELF to his best student. A young man whose name would be changed to Paul after his encounter on the road to Damascus. You just can’t stop GOD. That is the one statement that Gamaliel said that made the most sense. But it wasn’t said until he painted his picture. The warning he gave was powerful. In verse 35 we see him start, “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. His point was that you don’t want to be found fighting against what GOD is doing, no matter how you feel about it. Looking at verses 38 and 39 say so much. If it’s not of GOD it will fizzle out but if GOD is in it you will clearly be defeated and left with your jaw hanging open knowing you were wrong. The point is that if you fight against, and GOD is the motivator these men are not the ones in trouble.
Application:
To remove someone from you cult after they did something biblical, and refused to do something that was not biblical, is one thing, but to get mad and fight against what the LORD wants to do in that person’s life because you’re too ignorant to see GOD moving is insane, and that’s why Paul was so specific in 1 Timothy chapter 2 verses 8 through 15. It doesn’t matter how you interpret that scripture it says what it says, and honestly it’s timeless. When our core belief is to live like the word of GOD is true we can’t just adhere to the parts we like, and explain the rest away as if it were never written. We are in a time when you have to take the scripture for what it says, and not try to refine it to fit our life. We really need to submit to the scripture and its power to change our life. But that’s not what is happening. In a sense what we are saying is we know more than GOD, and honestly I don’t want to be the one found fighting against him. Especially when jealousy and selfish ambition are my motivation. If what is being done is not of GOD it will fizzle out, but guess what, I know what HE has told me, its my job to speak in truth and expose those who are not right, my desire is not for me it’s not my heart that I am concerned about. It’s honestly time to stop playing church. Jesus is coming back, and I don’t want to see one person in the place where the worm never dies. Your divisions and selfish-ambitions because you see Jesus in someone is only going to leave you fighting against the LORD. I don’t back up, because I know GOD is the one fighting for me, not a Jezebel. I will continue to ask HIM for boldness, and pray for those who fight against HIM, what I want you to know is that HE is undefeated. I will do my absolute best to walk in step with the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
Father, this morning our desire is to be obedient to the calling you have placed on us. We are so grateful that you have found us worthy to face the attack that has come our way. But what we know is that when we stand firm and unmoveable, the world we see in this. The willingness to push past the persecution only shows that you are the one motivating this movement. We ask that you would fill us with your Holy Spirit giving us the boldness that comes from HIS presence in our lives. We pray that you would continue to write your words on our heart, that our faith would produce obedience. That we would truly live like your word is true, not just say it and excuse away what we don’t like about it. As we place the armor over our lives this morning we pray that those who fight against you would see who is fighting for us. We have put our hand to the plow, and know there is no turning back. We are slinging one of the 5 smooth stones you have placed in our hands. We fully surrender to your call, and stand here ready for battle. Thank you for the boldness and fire you have placed inside of us. All we want is to build your kingdom not ours. Our life is not our own. This ministry is not ours, and we rejoice when others catch fire and want to do your work. It doesn’t dim anything we are doing, and we pray that your recovery ministry would grow and bring thousands to YOUR KINGDOM…..not ours. Its all about you not us, you have our full attention and obedience. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.