Never Stop

Acts 5:33-42 

33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Phidippides [fahy-dip-i-deez]

In summer 490 BC, the Persian army landed in the plains of Marathon outside the city of Athens and prepared to attack.

The generals desperately saw the need for help and sent runner “Phiddipides” to Sparta.

“Phidippides” ran 140 mountainous miles [225.308 km] in about 36 hours to Sparta.

Phidippides ran another 140 miles back to report that the Spartans agreed to help but they will take the field not until the moon is full because of religious laws.

The outnumbered Athenians army [4:1] attacked the Persian in the plains of Marathon.

The Persians retreated to the sea and proceeded to attack Southern city of Athens.

The exhausted “Phidippides” was asked to bring news of victory and to warn the southern city of Athens [some 26 miles away] about the approaching Persian ships.

Despite his fatigue after his recent run to Sparta and back [280 miles] and having fought all morning in heavy armor, Phidippides pushed himself to deliver his message and then died shortly thereafter from exhaustion.

The Spartans and other Greek armies eventually came to the aid of Athens to turn back the Persian attempt to conquer Greece.

That is exactly a practical application of what Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:3-4… 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 

Phidippides faithfully obeyed his commanding general because he understood that his compliance is for the betterment of the people of Athens, friends, relatives and countrymen.

As Christians, whatever it takes, we are to obey our commander Christ Jesus.

The enemy has its own army waging war against all the followers of Christ.

1. Rage

33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 

The high priest and all his associates arrested and threw the Apostles in prison.

An angel of the Lord brought the Apostles out of prison and told them to keep on teaching.

The captain of the temple guards and his officers brought them back before the Sanhedrin.

The Sanhedrin interrogated them why they defied orders to stop teaching about Jesus. The Apostles replied that they would rather obey God than men.

The Apostles also blamed the Jewish leaders of Christ’s death. The Apostles claimed that they were witnesses of Christ’s resurrection. When the Sanhedrin heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill the Apostles.

That experience of the Apostles teaches us that no disciple is exempted from persecution. Whenever or wherever we promote about the death and resurrection of Christ, there will always be oppositions who would persecute Christ’s disciples.

Church Flyers

Last October 2013, one of our church projects was to go around the Maples community and give away flyers for the church 22nd Anniversary. A number of our dedicated members went and did their part of giving flyers.

One morning, I received a phone call of an angry man who shouted curses. He claimed that our church flyers were garbage on his backyard and mailbox.

As much as we wanted everyone to know about the good news of eternal life, the enemy is also active in trying to stop us from obeying our Lord.

Let’s not be discouraged because there are a few out there who are wise men like Gamaliel.

34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

True disciples cannot avoid persecution because the Lord Jesus declared that persecution will always be the signature of a true disciple. However, we should be rejoicing when we are persecuted because we are assured that we are doing the work Christ wanted us to do.

Rejoicing when persecuted does not mean that we do not mind about being hurt.

The anxious feeling will still be there but there is peace and joy felt inside us.

2. Rejoicing

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Rejoicing is not something that we can force ourselves to act upon. We cannot command ourselves and say, “I needed to rejoice because I am a disciple! ” No! Rejoicing is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that can be experience whatever the situation is.

This is what the Bible teaches in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-1816 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

To rejoice always does not choose between good or bad but rejoice in all circumstances. To pray continually and to thank God in all circumstances, these are included with rejoicing always as results of being filled with the Holy Spirit, consequently.

That was exactly what the Apostles experienced when they were flogged, beaten. They rejoiced because of their persecution, they were counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the name of the Lord Jesus.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, it reminds us not to put out the fire of the Spirit. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 

When that Holy Spirit fills the life of a believer, he/she cannot help but to witness whatever, whichever, good or bad circumstances. There is rejoicing in every situation, sick or healthy, as long as the believer obeys.

When a believer is frightened and chooses to play safe by not obeying, the fire of the Holy Spirit will be quenched and rejoicing will also be quenched, stopped.

Praying continually helps us be activated in our zeal to be active witness for Christ. Whenever we feel good we pray and whenever we feel frightened, all the more we pray.

Boxing Day

December 26, Boxing Day in Canada is a time of buying something for lesser prices.

Not everything that can be bought during Boxing Day is cheaper. Some stores actually raise prices of their products even with added 50% sign. Some people are misled of believing that they are buying cheaper prices.

It is not only about being cheated of prices that make a costumer feel disgusted. Store employees and clerks are not very friendly, because they are tired. Just think that, they might have been sleepless in December 24-25 and then December 26, they needed to accommodate more people than any other day.

Sleepless and tiredness cannot help sales people be friendlier than other days.

If I were to ask you, when you went out on Boxing Day, how many of the sales clerks or even waiters in restaurants gave you a sweet smile?

Not to mention racial prejudice which is a reality that may occur anywhere. Personal problems or health may affect proper conducts to be friendly or sweet to others.

The rejoicing that our passage teaches does not depend on not being healthy or problem-free kind of life because to be joyful is the outcome of being filled with the Holy Spirit. With or without problem, tired or rested, sick or strong, it does not matter because rejoicing overflows from within not from without.

It is really tough when you desire to live a Christian life. You want to be a good, husband loving your wife but your wife cannot submit to you. You want to submit to your husband but he does not show love and care for you. You want to obey your parents but your parents do not even care about your dreams. You want to lead in the ministry but you cannot get respect from members of the church. You want to be a good employee but your boss does not even give you a raise. You want to be a good student but your teacher just doesn’t like your hairstyle. You want to be a good neighbor but your neighbor does not even want to talk to you.

The Bible says1 Thessalonians 5:16-1816 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

If you cannot rejoice always, it might be that you have quenched the Holy Spirit. Pray and ask God to keep filling you with the Holy Spirit until you feel rejoicing again.

May the experience of the Apostle challenge us to keep witnessing for Christ!

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Keep praying that the Lord will help you submit fully to Christ’s lordship.

Keep praying that the Lord would let the fruit of the Spirit grow huge in your life.

When you feel the urgency of proclaiming the good news and never wanted to stop, joy from the Lord is growing bigger in your life.

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