Living in the Power of the Spirit Part 23

Living in the Power of the Spirit, Part 23

“Long Odds and Lost Causes”
Acts 5:17-32 & I Corinthians 1:26-29

God loves long odds and lost causes! He prefers to use impossible tasks and human underdogs to display His power. He always chooses weak and lowly people over the strong and powerful. And He sometimes allows our Enemy to stack the deck in his demonic favor so God can win the whole hand to His great glory.

Case in point for lost causes: Peter is an uneducated fisherman, and not that great at fishing to boot. He blurts out absurd declarations to the embarrassment of his friends, receiving the rebukes of Jesus. And at the most critical juncture in the life of Christ, Peter even denied knowing his Friend (three times!) to a young Hebrew girl. Just a few days earlier having sworn that he would fight all comers to protect Him.

But God chose this loud, blurt-prone fisherman to lead His church in Jerusalem. In the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter preached sermons that would turn the whole city upside-down. The validation of Jesus’ true identity through signs and wonders would accompany all his work for the gospel. Peter’s consecration to his Lord and Master would take him to Rome and a cross of his own. Church tradition says that, due to his shame at his denials, Peter would choose to be crucified upside down. He didn’t feel worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.

Just an ordinary, uneducated fisherman serving an extraordinary God. Fearful at first, but compelled by love to fiery boldness. God’s full power and resources are dedicated to Jesus’ mission of redeeming all the “whosoevers!” (Revelation 22:17)

Since God always uses the “weak and despised,” we are all left without excuse. How does God want to use you in fulfilling His redemptive mission? What weakness has kept you from fully follow and obeying the call of God on your life?

He still opens prison doors to set the captives free!

See you on Sunday!
Pastor Steve

Growth Group Discussion Guide
Week of October 16th

Q: What has been your experience on either side of jail? What sights, sounds, and feelings do you associate with jail?

Q: When you leave your home or car unattended do you always lock it? Why or why not?

READ FIRST: Acts 5:17-32

Q: When has your faith put you in “hot water?”

Q: How do you account for the jealousy of the Sadducees?

Q: Of what do they accuse the apostles in 5:28? How is this different from what bothered them in 4:2?

Q: What assertions in Peter’s response (see 4:1-12; 5:19, 20) would arouse their fury? Why is Peter being so direct?

Q: Read Peter’s statement in 5:29. What is Peter’s motivation and attitude in speaking these words? Can you anticipate a situation where you would need to respond in the same way? With family? At work? With civil authorities?

Pray for the lost and for one another!