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ACTS 5:28-32

"WE MUST OBEY GOD"

Intro: How can I be more effective for God?

I. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EARLY CHURCH.
        A. Reports come from their enemies.
                1. Not the overstated report of an evangelist.
        B. "Filled Jerusalem with your doctrine."
                1. . Oh, that we might fill this area with the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
        C. Another report (Thessalonica., "These men who have turned the world  upside down
           have come..."

II. WHAT WAS THEIR DOCTRINE?
        A. Vs. 30 - God has raised up Jesus who was crucified.
                1. Jesus triumphed over death.
                2. His victory spells victory for us.
                        a. "In my Father's house....because I live..."
                3. We are entering into a season of frenzied activity.
                        "Tis the season to be nervous."
                        a. People buying frantically.
                        b. Houses being filled with gifts.
                        c. What are you preparing to celebrate?
                        d. Christmas? What is Christmas?
                                1. The birth of our Savior.
                                2. It He your Savior?
                                3. How did He save you?
                        e. If you do not believe in His resurrection, then you are the  
                           biggest hypocrite of all; celebrating His birthday.
        B. Vs. 31 God has exalted Him to be a Prince and Savior, to give repentance  and
           forgiveness of sins.
                1. His Name was to be called, "Prince of Peace."
                        a. "Joy to the world and on earth peace."
                        b. "Peace I leave with you..."
                2. "Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him."
                        a. "Father glorify Me with the glory. . ."
                3. He is our Savior.
                        a. We were lost in a world of darkness.
                        b. He saved us by taking the guilt of our sin and dying in our  place.
                        c. He saved us from the fate that we deserved.
                        d. He saved us for eternal life with Him.
                4. God is wanting and waiting to forgive your sins.
                        a. "God is not willing that any should perish..."
                        b. He has provided the way of forgiveness; all He asks you to do  is
                           believe it, accept it.
        C. God will give the Holy Spirit to those that obey Him. 
                1. The moment you open your life to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will  come
                   and dwell in you.
                2. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God.
                        a. God would not give to me a useless gift.
                        b. God would not give me a harmful gift.
                3. Weird how some people treat God's gifts.
                        a. They would accept some useless gift of man graciously. Battery
                           operated fan to blow out birthday candles.
                        b. I don't want that gift. How ill-mannered weren't you listening to
                           your mother when she tried to train you?

III. THE REASON FOR THEIR EFFECTIVENESS.
        A. We must obey God.
                1. God.
                        a. No other mastership or authority.
                2. Obey.
                        a. Not consider or hold certain views of, not defend.
                3. Must.
                        a. Not ought or should.
                        b. I listen when a man says must.
                        c. We will imprison you if... We must.
                        d. We will beat you if.... We must.
                4. We.
                        a. You may do what you choose.
        B. We are his witnesses (Martis).
                1. What is a witness? - Not one who merely talks.
                        a. I may talk and not witness --I may witness and not talk.
                        b. Confessor not with just lips but with life.
        C. So is the Holy Spirit.
                1. Acts 1: 8.
                2. Without this power we can do nothing to impress our cities.