Obey God above all things Acts 4:1–5:11
It’s no secret that not everyone is exciting about us being Christians.
How do you respond when there is a price to pay for your faith?
How should you respond to the challenges that your faith in Christ brings?
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1. The Bible teaches us that obedience to God should be our top priority, above all other things.
Here are some key verses that speak to this theme:
1. Jesus teaches us that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). This means that our ultimate loyalty must be to God, rather than to wealth or material possessions.
2. The apostles faced opposition and persecution for their obedience to God, but they remained steadfast in their commitment to Him (Acts 5:29-32). They recognized that obeying God was more important than obeying human authorities.
3. The psalmist declares that obedience to God's commands brings blessing and joy (Psalm 119:1-2). When we put God's commands above our own desires and preferences, we experience the fullness of life that He has promised to us.
4. The prophet Samuel reminds us that obedience to God is more important than outward displays of religious devotion (1 Samuel 15:22). This means that our actions and attitudes must align with God's will, rather than just going through the motions of religious practice.
5. Jesus tells us that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38). This means that our love for God should permeate every aspect of our lives, and that our obedience to Him should flow out of this love.
Overall, the Bible teaches us that obeying God above all things should be our top priority. When we put Him first, we experience the joy, blessing, and fulfillment that come from living in alignment with His will
2. When unbelievers oppose you, obey God (Acts 4:1-31).
- External opposition from the Sanhedrin led the church to obey God—not man (4:1-31).
- Peter and John defied the Sanhedrin order to stop teaching Christ’s resurrection (4:1-22).
- The church boldly preached despite the opposition of the rulers (4:23-31).
The Bible teaches us that we will face opposition and persecution as believers in Christ, especially from those who do not share our faith. In such situations, we are called to obey God rather than human beings (Acts 5:29) and to respond with love and grace.
Here are some key verses that speak to this theme:
1. Jesus warns us that the world will hate us because we follow Him (John 15:18-19). As we face opposition and persecution, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus himself faced similar hostility during his earthly ministry.
2. The apostle Paul tells us to respond to our enemies with kindness and love, rather than seeking revenge (Romans 12:17-21). This means overcoming evil with good and refusing to repay evil for evil.
3. Peter encourages us to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have, but to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). This means being ready to share our faith, but doing so in a way that shows love and understanding towards those who disagree with us.
4. The apostles faced opposition and persecution throughout the book of Acts, but they continued to proclaim the gospel boldly and faithfully (Acts 4:29-31). In doing so, they demonstrated their trust in God and their commitment to obeying Him above all else
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3. How to obey god (Acts 4:32–5:11).
Internal deception by Ananias and Sapphira caused a fear of God (4:32–5:11).
According to the Bible, obeying God involves a few key aspects:
1. Love God above all else: In Deuteronomy 6:5, it says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This means putting God first in your life and making Him the center of your thoughts, actions, and decisions.
2. Obey God's commandments: In John 14:15, Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands." The Bible contains many commandments and teachings that believers are called to follow, such as loving one another, forgiving others, and avoiding sin.
3. Trust in God: Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Trusting in God involves having faith that He will guide you and provide for you, even in difficult times.
4. Seek God's will: Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Seeking God's will involves aligning your thoughts and desires with His and striving to live according to His plan for your life.
Read more:
- Sermon About Holy Spirit: Submit to the Spirit Acts 1
- Sermon About Patience: Wait in God
- Sermon About Evangelism: Why Evangelism?
- Top Sermons to Preach The Word or Read OnLine
- +10 Top Preaching to Youth.
Conclusion
Obey God rather than people (Main Idea).
Main Points
When unbelievers oppose you, obey God—not man (Acts 4:1-31).
When believers oppose you, fear God—not man (Acts 4:32–5:11).
Say aloud, “I will ultimately account to Jesus himself for my life—not to people.”
This realization moves me to make hard decisions.
Where is God telling you to “obey God—not man”?
Prayer
