Acts 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth.
Ah my friends, it’s another beautiful day and the Lord’s going to send His angel to open all those prison doors that are keeping us locked up and beaten down, just like He did for the apostles. But we need to be in harmony like them, raising our voices as one in fervent prayer and praise. And I just LOVE the reaction: ‘And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.’ (Acts.4:31) Yes my people, they spoke the Word with ‘BOLDNESS!’ That should be our motto, speaking the word with boldness, without fear, not letting some little itty-bitty enemy frighten us. But that’s what happens when you work in concert. Possibly, we too need a renewal of the Spirit within us. Some person or occasion that will get our adrenalin going, make us strong, bold and unselfish. For you see what happened after? ‘And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed were his own; but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.’ (Acts 4:32-33) What a moving story my people! The apostles and the other believers rose up as one, everybody sold what they had and unselfishly contributed it to the cause. ‘And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.’ (Acts 4:35) Wow! And this was all voluntary. Can you imagine that happening amongst us today? It’s very doubtful. The lust of selfishness and personal ownership are too deeply ingrained in us. But don’t feel badly, for there were some like us back then too; Ananias and his wife Sapphira. They also sold their possessions, but lied as per how much they received and the Lord struck them down. As Peter asked Ananias; ‘why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.’ (Acts 5:4) The sad part is that he didn’t have to give all his money. Remember it was voluntary. He could easily have quoted the true amount and said he was keeping some for himself. But he chose to be deceitful, and paid the price. And some three hours after he dropped down in front of the apostles, his wife, not knowing that, came up and did the same thing, with the same result. Ah Friends, the message there is that it doesn’t pay to lie, especially to God, for He knows all and sees all, which we seem to at times forget. And with the Holy Spirit just bubbling in them, the apostles went out and joined the battle. They stirred the pot with their teaching, preaching and healing in Jesus’ name. People came from all over to Jerusalem with sick, crazy folks to be healed. ‘Then the high priest rose up, and all that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and were filled with indignation. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.’ (Acts 5:17-18) What else could be expected eh? Disobeying the council’s orders to stop preaching in Jesus’ name and undermining their authority had to bring repercussions. But Friends, like all unbelievers, who figure they have us at their mercy, the council sadly reckoned without the mighty arm of our God. ‘But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth.’ Oh, how mighty is our God! But hear the sweet part: Once they were out, the angel said to them; ‘Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught.’ (Acts 5:20-21) Oh Friends, would we be so brave and bold? We should be. Meanwhile, the council got in session and sent for them, but with no luck. This confounded them, until somebody came and said; ‘Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.’ (Acts 5:25) And all God’s people shouted: ‘Bravo! Hallelujah!’ But their freedom was soon cut short when the soldiers arrested them. Though, as the Good Book says; ‘and brought them without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.’ (Acts 5:26) All power to the people, my Friends! Then when the leaders asked if they hadn’t been forbidden to preach in Jesus’ name, the apostles told them where to get off; ‘We ought to obey God, rather than men.’ (Acts 5:29-32) Well if yuh think the leaders were mad before, now they even considered killing them. But thank the Lord that in every situation He places a voice of reason; this time a Pharisee, in fact Bruh Paul’s teacher, Gamaliel, a man of good standing in the community. He warned them about killing the apostles, reasoning that several false messiahs had risen up over the years with a big splash, then disappeared just as quickly, so it might be more prudent to just let them be, let them run their race of glory, and eventually the whole thing will peter out. ‘For if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.’ (Acts 5:38-39) The Lord’s mysterious hand moving there again mih Friends. The council agreed, flogged them, then set them free with the same warning not to preach in Jesus’ name. But note the apostles’ reaction my people. ‘And 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 ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.’ (Acts 5:41-42) Glory Hallelujah! Oh mih breddren, what an outstanding example of faith! That’s how we should be today: standing together as one, witnessing for Christ, regardless of who says us nay. But it all comes down to our level of trust, belief and faith my people. And it’s of the utmost importance that we don’t let anyone frighten or threaten us to stop preaching and teaching Christ. Remember, if you’re a true believer, He is real, and living in you. So let’s see if we can’t seriously ramp up our faith nuh, get truly motivated, and go out there on the battlefields of this evil world and win souls for Jesus. That is our job. Much LOVE!…stand up, stand up for Jesus…the trumpet call obey…
Ah my friends, it’s another beautiful day and the Lord’s going to send His angel to open all those prison doors that are keeping us locked up and beaten down, just like He did for the apostles. But we need to be in harmony like them, raising our voices as one in fervent prayer and praise. And I just LOVE the reaction: ‘And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.’ (Acts.4:31) Yes my people, they spoke the Word with ‘BOLDNESS!’ That should be our motto, speaking the word with boldness, without fear, not letting some little itty-bitty enemy frighten us. But that’s what happens when you work in concert. Possibly, we too need a renewal of the Spirit within us. Some person or occasion that will get our adrenalin going, make us strong, bold and unselfish. For you see what happened after? ‘And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed were his own; but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.’ (Acts 4:32-33) What a moving story my people! The apostles and the other believers rose up as one, everybody sold what they had and unselfishly contributed it to the cause. ‘And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.’ (Acts 4:35) Wow! And this was all voluntary. Can you imagine that happening amongst us today? It’s very doubtful. The lust of selfishness and personal ownership are too deeply ingrained in us. But don’t feel badly, for there were some like us back then too; Ananias and his wife Sapphira. They also sold their possessions, but lied as per how much they received and the Lord struck them down. As Peter asked Ananias; ‘why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.’ (Acts 5:4) The sad part is that he didn’t have to give all his money. Remember it was voluntary. He could easily have quoted the true amount and said he was keeping some for himself. But he chose to be deceitful, and paid the price. And some three hours after he dropped down in front of the apostles, his wife, not knowing that, came up and did the same thing, with the same result. Ah Friends, the message there is that it doesn’t pay to lie, especially to God, for He knows all and sees all, which we seem to at times forget. And with the Holy Spirit just bubbling in them, the apostles went out and joined the battle. They stirred the pot with their teaching, preaching and healing in Jesus’ name. People came from all over to Jerusalem with sick, crazy folks to be healed. ‘Then the high priest rose up, and all that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and were filled with indignation. And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.’ (Acts 5:17-18) What else could be expected eh? Disobeying the council’s orders to stop preaching in Jesus’ name and undermining their authority had to bring repercussions. But Friends, like all unbelievers, who figure they have us at their mercy, the council sadly reckoned without the mighty arm of our God. ‘But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth.’ Oh, how mighty is our God! But hear the sweet part: Once they were out, the angel said to them; ‘Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught.’ (Acts 5:20-21) Oh Friends, would we be so brave and bold? We should be. Meanwhile, the council got in session and sent for them, but with no luck. This confounded them, until somebody came and said; ‘Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.’ (Acts 5:25) And all God’s people shouted: ‘Bravo! Hallelujah!’ But their freedom was soon cut short when the soldiers arrested them. Though, as the Good Book says; ‘and brought them without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.’ (Acts 5:26) All power to the people, my Friends! Then when the leaders asked if they hadn’t been forbidden to preach in Jesus’ name, the apostles told them where to get off; ‘We ought to obey God, rather than men.’ (Acts 5:29-32) Well if yuh think the leaders were mad before, now they even considered killing them. But thank the Lord that in every situation He places a voice of reason; this time a Pharisee, in fact Bruh Paul’s teacher, Gamaliel, a man of good standing in the community. He warned them about killing the apostles, reasoning that several false messiahs had risen up over the years with a big splash, then disappeared just as quickly, so it might be more prudent to just let them be, let them run their race of glory, and eventually the whole thing will peter out. ‘For if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.’ (Acts 5:38-39) The Lord’s mysterious hand moving there again mih Friends. The council agreed, flogged them, then set them free with the same warning not to preach in Jesus’ name. But note the apostles’ reaction my people. ‘And 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 ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.’ (Acts 5:41-42) Glory Hallelujah! Oh mih breddren, what an outstanding example of faith! That’s how we should be today: standing together as one, witnessing for Christ, regardless of who says us nay. But it all comes down to our level of trust, belief and faith my people. And it’s of the utmost importance that we don’t let anyone frighten or threaten us to stop preaching and teaching Christ. Remember, if you’re a true believer, He is real, and living in you. So let’s see if we can’t seriously ramp up our faith nuh, get truly motivated, and go out there on the battlefields of this evil world and win souls for Jesus. That is our job. Much LOVE!…stand up, stand up for Jesus…the trumpet call obey…
SCRIP-BITS 