Living and Dying for Jesus: Lessons from the Book of Acts

Introduction

• Series: Book of Acts
• Focus: Story of the first church family and the disciples' faith in action after Jesus' resurrection and ascension
• Today's focus: How disciples lived and died for Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit

The Role of the Holy Spirit

• Previous discussions: Holy Spirit's power in the early church
• Holy Spirit as:
  • Promised leader, teacher, and guide
  • Comfort and peace
  • Source of power for preaching, enduring trials, performing miracles, and fostering fellowship
• Faith Journey: Holy Spirit seals our faith and empowers us for ministry

Key Story: Spread of the Gospel to Antioch (Acts 12:1-19)

• Context: Disciples first called Christians in Antioch (modern-day South Central Turkey)
• Text reference (Acts 12:1-4):
  • King Herod's persecution of the church
  • James' death by the sword
  • Peter's arrest during the Festival of Unleavened Bread
• Takeaway: Persecution follows faith, emphasizing the challenges of the Christian journey

The Reality of Trials

• Christian life: Not about comfort; promised trials and challenges
• Illustration: Job promotion analogy—extra responsibilities and challenges
• Reality: Comfort can lead to a sense of entitlement and eventually disappointment

Trials as Growth Catalysts

• Human nature: Comfort leads to entitlement, leading to disappointment and despair
• Importance of teaching on trials: Keeps hearts soft and in submission to God
• Growth through suffering: Suffering is a catalyst for spiritual growth (John Erber)

Spiritual Growth Through Suffering

• Illustration: Seed analogy—placed in soil to grow strong roots
• Christian faith: Requires trials to develop strong roots and bear fruit
• Jesus as the gardener: Prunes and refines us for growth

Peter's Imprisonment and Divine Intervention

• Story (Acts 12:5-19): Peter's miraculous escape from prison with the help of an angel
• Key Points:
  • Church's earnest prayer for Peter
  • Angel's intervention and Peter's escape
  • Community's astonishment and faith-building

Continuous Trials in Christian Life

• Peter's experiences: Repeated imprisonments for preaching the gospel
• Life perspective: Trials are a result of living in a broken world
• Overcoming through Jesus: Jesus has overcome the world; trials continue until his return

Essential Attitudes in Trials

• Conduct during trials: Proof of Holy Spirit's presence
• Daily need: Continuous infilling of the Holy Spirit
• Encouragement: Seek prayer if not yet received the Holy Spirit

Divine Assistance

• Angels: God's messengers and protectors
• Testimony: Friend's experience with angels during a battle with terminal cancer
• Community: Importance of church fellowship in facing trials together

Power of Prayer

• Role of prayer: More about connecting with God than just presenting requests
• Confidence in God: Prayer shows trust in God's goodness, sovereignty, and attentiveness

Importance of Testimony

• Sharing God's work: Essential to celebrate and share testimonies
• Great Commission: Called to go and tell the world about Jesus
• Practical example: Simple tool to share personal rescue stories
• Upcoming opportunity: Prayer meeting to share testimonies and invite friends

Conclusion

• Reflection: Recognize God's work in challenges and suffering
• Hope in suffering: Understanding God's continuous care
• Romans 5: Emphasizes hope and endurance through trials

"Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." - Romans 5:1-5