This last Sunday we learned that Jesus is our King and we belong to Him. He is with us even now calling us to GET BACK TO IT and never give up no matter what may come! Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 5:12-42
TITLE: Go and Stand Firm
PREACHER: Guest Pastor, Tom Wilkins
BIG IDEA: The Church is commissioned in the Gospel of Jesus that will advance in power no matter what!

POINTS: 
1.  The Church’s Gospel Mission Advances In Power   
2. The Church’s Gospel Mission Advances In Opposition
3. The Church’s Gospel Mission Advances In Suffering

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
James 5:7-11 - Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

QUOTES:
Kent Hughes - “All of these died knowing that God can deliver his people anytime he wants. Scripture says that when waves of persecution or trial come, God can deliver us if he so wills. No matter how dark or oppressive the wave, he can rescue us. Believe it!”

Charles Spurgeon’s sermon “A Happy Christian” - “The worldling blesses God while he gives him plenty, but the Christian blesses him when he smites him: he believes him to be too wise to err and too good to be unkind; he trusts him where he cannot trace him, looks up to him in the darkest hour, and believes that all is well.”

John Newton: “Are not you amazed sometimes that you should have so much as a hope, that, poor and needy as you are, the Lord thinketh of you? But let not all you feel discourage you. For if our Physician is almighty, our disease cannot be desperate and if He casts none out that come to Him, why should you fear?”

APPLICATION:

1. Obey GOD rather than man! The rage, the opposition, the suffering is just waiting for us. But, we are called to obey God rather than man! There are situations in which we will be called to be Shadrach Meshach and Abednego - so moved by obedience to God that they MUST do so no matter if He delivers them or not!

2. Get Back To It! - Obedience that is met with God’s power
   Church, we are called to get back to it! Get back to the proclamation, back to the witness, back to “this life!” 

3. Never Give Up In It! - Perseverance that sustains 

   “Stand “ Firm - Hold Your Ground - Vs. 20
   “Every day” - do not stop preaching that the Christ is Jesus!!!! Vs. 42
   “Counted worthy to suffer” - Get back to it - NO MATTER what may come - opposition, suffering is worth it because Jesus is worth it.