Happy good day to you! Today we’re studying a passage from the New Testament that demonstrates a faith-building example for us.
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; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (Acts 5:38-42 NKJV, emphasis added)
The phrase “day after day” tells us that they didn’t get weary! They steadfastly, persistently pursued this course of action literally every day!
1.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Gal. 6:9 KJV)
2.
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. (2 Thess. 3:13 KJV)
When this speaks of “in the temple courts and from house to house,” it gives us a picture of the apostles speaking in public and in private settings. So, wherever they found themselves, they spoke of Jesus. And they never stopped!
• Teaching – To teach means to educate, instruct, or train. They were following Jesus’ example on the road to Emmaus.
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded (explained, enlightened)
to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24:27 NKJV)
• Proclaiming – To proclaim means to state publicly, announce, declare, decree, or make known.
o They were making the Truth known to everyone who would listen.
o They did this because they considered what they were sharing to be vitally important and of great magnitude!
• They were sharing the Good News that brought joy to all people. (see Luke 2:10) The gospel is genuine Good News! It brings us the fulfillment of every great and precious promise in the Bible so that we may be partakers of the divine nature. (2 Peter 2:4)
A partaker is a participant, accomplice, accessory, assistant, or contributor! We are God’s accomplices and collaborators!
Signs and wonders are to follow us!
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues. (Mark 16:17 NKJV)
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16:20 NKJV)
Jesus is the Christ—the Anointed One. He is the Savior of the world; He is the promised One that was long awaited by the Israelites. He is the fulfillment of the law (Lk. 24:44) and the door through which we enter His sheepfold (John 10:1-3; 7; 9). He is God in the flesh.
So, here's a short recap of what happened. The apostles, in spite of persecution and suffering,
rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Jesus! May we develop a heart’s desire to teach and preach continuously—with JOY—that Jesus is the Savior of the world!