Sermon Guide
The Fifth Act
Week 6 | We Are Witnesses
Teaching Text
ACTS 5:17-42
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported,“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 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. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 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. 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. 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. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
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.
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 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.
Sermon Recap
This Sunday, Pastor Suzy Silk continued our sermon series through the Book of Acts, The Fifth Act, with a teaching on the early believers living primarily as witnesses of the Gospel. Acts 5 reveals that the disciples had an internal operating system that enabled them to be witnesses of Christ no matter the circumstances they faced. In considering the decision-making framework of our own lives, Pastor Suzy urged us to evaluate what is driving our instinctive decisions: the pursuit of comfort and a good life, or being witnesses for Jesus.
Throughout Jesus' ministry, He told the disciples they would become His witnesses through the power of the Holy Spirit, instilling in them both a vocational mission and a framework for their identity. They were able to live as witnesses by verbally testifying about Jesus being the Messiah in every situation they found themselves in. In sharing about God the Creator of all things and Israel, the promises He made to His people concerning their Savior, Jesus’ prophesied death, resurrection, and ascension, the subsequent call repentance and forgiveness of sins, and the new life brought about by the Holy Spirit, the disciples masterfully connected the historical relevance and theological significance of the Gospel. The disciples also did this everywhere they went. In both public and private spaces, and open and hostile environments, the early believers witnessed about the Good News unceasingly.
Pastor Suzy pointed out that they lived in this way out of a deep love for Jesus and obedience to the mandate given to them by Him to the point that they were even able to rejoice in their suffering and disgrace for His Name. As a result, the passage says that all of Jerusalem was filled with their teaching about Jesus, and the Lord added to their numbers daily.
In the same way, Jesus has also called us to be witnesses for the Gospel. We have been given the exact same mandate as the apostles, but in order to live as witnesses as they did, we must overhaul our decision-making frameworks with the help of the Holy Spirit. We must reorient our internal operating systems towards choosing daily to live for more than a good and easy life here on earth, and receive the invitation to live out a priceless faith in a beautiful Savior and the eternal life to come.
LEAN IN
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GROUP DISCUSSION:
Who invested in you to help you become the disciple you are today? Share about a person or a few people who really poured into your spiritual life. What did they do that was impactful? (This can inspire how we go and do likewise for others.)
Do you currently have someone you are intentionally discipling or mentoring in the faith? If so, describe that relationship and its challenges/joys. If not, what do you think is the biggest obstacle for you in engaging in disciple-making? (e.g., “I don’t feel qualified,” “I’m too busy,” “I’ve never been discipled myself,” etc.) Let’s discuss those barriers openly.
Reflect on Robert Coleman’s quote. He stresses personal attention and staying close to those we lead. How does this challenge the way modern church culture sometimes approaches discipleship (perhaps relying on classes or events)? What are one or two practical implications for us?
Brainstorm as a group some creative ideas for disciple-making. For instance: starting a CORE group at work, doing a book study with a newer believer, hosting non-believers for dinner and meaningful conversation, etc. Sometimes thinking outside the box helps us see opportunities right under our noses.
Jesus said “go and make disciples of all nations.” How does global mission factor into your disciple-making vision? Are we also praying about making disciples of all peoples (perhaps through supporting missionaries, discipling international students, or short-term trips)? Discuss how local disciple-making and global mission can integrate.
Practice it. Each member, share one person (by first name) you feel led to disciple or reach out to. Take a moment to pray for each of those names together, asking God for open doors and boldness this coming week.
WEEKLY PRACTICE:
Identify Your “Few”: Jesus invested deeply in 12, and even more so in 3. Who are the one, two, or few people God is highlighting for you to disciple? Prayerfully make a list: perhaps a younger believer at church, a coworker curious about faith, a neighbor kid who looks up to you, or someone who recently got baptized. They might not even have asked for it, but you can initiate. Then, take initiative: invite them to meet regularly (weekly or biweekly) for breakfast, prayer, Bible study, or just to hang out with spiritual intentionality. Don’t worry about having a curriculum; the relationship and consistency matter most. Think in terms of friendship on mission.
Integrate Disciple-Making into Life: You don’t need to add a dozen new activities to make disciples; often it’s done by inviting people into what you’re already doing. For example, if you’re running errands or doing a hobby, take along someone you’re investing in and use the time to talk about life and God. If you already attend Sunday service, invite your not-yet-Christian friend and then grab lunch after to discuss. Turn ordinary life moments into opportunities for discipleship. “As you go, make disciples…” (Matt 28:19) can be read as making disciples in the everyday rhythm.
Be Teachable as You Teach: Adopt the posture of a learner even as you lead others. Perhaps ask a mature Christian to mentor you or give input on your disciple-making. Read books or listen to podcasts on disciple-making (like Coleman’s Master Plan of Evangelism or topics like evangelism, disciple-making, etc.). Share with your CORE group what you’re learning and any challenges you face in discipling others. When those you disciple ask tough questions you can’t answer, use it as a chance to learn together. This humility models to them that disciple-making isn’t about being a know-it-all, but about growing in Christ together.
Multiply Your CORE: One practical goal – as fruit of this distinctive – is that over time, our CORE groups themselves multiply. As each member makes new disciples, eventually there should be new people to form new CORE groups. Consider setting a vision: “In a year, by God’s grace, may each of us have at least one person we’ve led to Christ or significantly helped grow, who could be part of a new CORE community.” Pray about this vision as a group. When one of you is meeting with a person who shows interest, maybe occasionally invite them as a guest to taste the CORE group dynamic. Keep an open chair for emerging disciples. Multiplication mindset keeps us outward-focused.