Bible Text: Acts 5:12-42
Walter Mitty Clip
Are we willing to live the life of a believer or are we going to wish we were or wish we had?
Abiding in the Holy Spirit ought to be a reality rather than a fantasy
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a Walter Mitty as an ordinary, often ineffectual person who indulges in fantastic daydreams of personal triumphs.
Are we willing to step out and live life as the Lord has called us even though there are risks, dangerous possibilities or are we going to play it safe?
Acts 5:17-21 …reacted with violent jealousy.
They arrested the apostles and put them in the jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. 
Then he told them, go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!
The RESULT of ABIDING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT is that we speak and live the Message of Life
Faith in God does not make troubles disappear;
Faith in God puts the trouble in a right perceptive!
No Life Troubles Here!
Acts 5:21-28  …Didn’t we tell you never again to teach in this man’s name?
…Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about Jesus, and you intend to blame us for his death!
Guilt is a Powerful Emotion!
Romans 3:19-20 …and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Genesis 3:6-7
We would win over temptation more often if we would follow God’s Word and RUN!
1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 10:14
Sin brings GUILT
Romans 3:21-22 …We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
Guilt can be removed through Jesus Christ
1 John 3:19-20 It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us.
For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Jesus Christ can relieve our guilty conscience.
Acts 5:29-32 …we must obey God rather than human authority…
God calls for our OBEDIENCE TO HIM TO BE ALWAYS FIRST
Romans 13:1-5 Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God.
…So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience.
1 Peter 2:13-17 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men…
… Show proper respect to everyone, love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Christ-followers should be good, involved citizens
We can disagree publicly and respectfully
We can protest and we can disobey
When government forbids something that God commands, or commands something that God forbids, Christians must obey God!
Acts 5:33-39 …my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.
Acts 5:40-42 The council accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message: The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.
Even with our best efforts to respect those in authority when we practice and live our Christian values in a world that tends to be hostile towards believers we need to be prepared for persecution:
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
Spirit filled believers who ABIDE IN THE LORD will share THE MESSAGE OF LIFE no matter what the cost!
To what extent are we willing to suffer for the sake of sharing the gospel with others?