Homiletics 4:32- 5:42

 I decided to pick up a few verses from 4 to complete the picture I saw. Basically this is Chapter 5

Acts 4:32- 4:42

Content:

1. Believers shared possessions with one another 4:32-35
2. Barnabus sold a field giving proceeds to the apostles 4:36-37
3. Peter calls out Ananias for deceptive offering and falls dead. 5:1-6
4. Wife Sapphira also deceptive and too falls dead, causing holy fear among believers. 7-11
5. The apostles performed miracles, healing all who came and many believed. 12-16
6. Jealous Sadducees arrest apostles, angel release them and sends them to continue preaching, 17-20
7. Sanhedrin baffled when locked prison is empty of apostles. 21-24
8. captain finds them at temple, bringing them back before Sanhedrin without force so not to anger the people. 25-26
9. Sanhedrin question apostles. 27-28
10. Peter and apostles say they must obey God rather than man, declaring the gospel of Jesus. 29-32
11. furious Sanhedrin wants to kill them but respected Gamaliel removes apostles to address the Sanhedrin. 33-34
12. Gamaliel encourages them to be cautious if these apostles followed a man it will dissipate, if God then they are fighting God to no avail. 35-39
13. Convinced, Sanhedrin has apostles flogged and threatened them not to speak in Jesus name sending them on their way. 40
14. Apostles rejoicing for being counted worthy of suffering for name of Jesus and persist in proclaiming the Gospel. 41-42

Divisions:

1. Ananias and Sapphira's deception for self glorification leads to death. 4:32-5:11
2. Apostles performance of miracles and wonders draw following as well as persecution. 5:12-17
3. Sanhedrin persecute Apostles yet they continue to obey God, preaching the Gospel of Jesus. 5:18-32
4. Gamaliel convinces Sanhedrin not to kill Apostles and they continue spreading the Gospel of Jesus . 5:33-42

Subject Sentence:

    Apostles experience persecution and deliverance as they boldly declare Gospel.

Aim: TCMT focus on spreading the good news of Jesus' salvation rather than on self efforts for my own self glorification.

Alternative Aim - TCMTK (to cause me to know) that living and speaking gospel truth will bring experiences of both man's persecution and God's deliverance.

Application: (primarily focusing on first Aim)

1. What do I spend time on that is primarily is for self glorification ? What death do I experience from it?
2. How am I or do I need to be declaring simple gospel truth in my words and action? what jealousy or persecution might I experience as a result.
3. To who and perhaps how is God sending me to declare the gospel message? In what way might God be asking me to obey him over men?
4. What situation of gospel sharing is God calling me to? How might the knowledge that God can not stop his message encourage me in face of opposition?

The application consist of questions that challenge one's thinking or situation per lessons revealed in the passage.  It is a regular occurrence to find them hitting very close to where I am at the moment. Currently I have been wrestling with filling overloaded and stretch.  I repeatedly ask him what am I to be doing and what am I not.  This idea of self glorification leading to death hit a chord.  And the following verses that knowing and declaring the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ is to be the primary goal - whatever I may do or whatever situation I am in, has been helpful in helping me sift through that question.