(This was a Discussion Sermon where questions were posed and the congregation shared their own responses -- not necessarily limited to the questions asked -- they are only conversation starters. I gave some background and context for the story told in the reading then opened the discussion. How would you respond?)
Acts 5:27-32
When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."
Scripture background:
• We are jumping ahead in the Easter story to look at the effects of this Easter event
• Pentecost has already happened at the point of this reading
• The Apostles have begun preaching from the Temple steps -- telling everyone what they have seen and experienced.
• Peter and John have been arrested and brought before the Jewish ruling Council and ordered to knock it off, but as soon as they are released, they go right on preaching and sharing
• Peter has healed a crippled beggar – and after that, the other Apostles heal folks, also.
• And they go on preaching
• Peter and John are arrested again and locked up this time, but an angel of the Lord comes and opens their prison doors and they return to the Temple steps to preach some more
• They are brought once more before the Council, and once more they are told to knock it off
• This reading is their response
• The Council wants to kill them – as it killed Jesus – but a Pharisee named Gamaliel convinces them to leave it to God to stop them or not
• After this they are flogged and released
• They go on preaching
• We are jumping ahead in the Easter story to look at the effects of this Easter event
• Pentecost has already happened at the point of this reading
• The Apostles have begun preaching from the Temple steps -- telling everyone what they have seen and experienced.
• Peter and John have been arrested and brought before the Jewish ruling Council and ordered to knock it off, but as soon as they are released, they go right on preaching and sharing
• Peter has healed a crippled beggar – and after that, the other Apostles heal folks, also.
• And they go on preaching
• Peter and John are arrested again and locked up this time, but an angel of the Lord comes and opens their prison doors and they return to the Temple steps to preach some more
• They are brought once more before the Council, and once more they are told to knock it off
• This reading is their response
• The Council wants to kill them – as it killed Jesus – but a Pharisee named Gamaliel convinces them to leave it to God to stop them or not
• After this they are flogged and released
• They go on preaching
QUESTIONS:
1. This is Peter and John’s response, back then, to Christ’s rising again. What is our response today?
2. Easter obviously made a huge difference in their lives – does it make a difference in your life? How?
3. I don’t want theology -- looking for feelings, for effects on you -- not Sunday School lessons
4. Who are you and what are you that is any different because of Easter?
5. Does Easter have any meaning outside the walls of this church?
1. This is Peter and John’s response, back then, to Christ’s rising again. What is our response today?
2. Easter obviously made a huge difference in their lives – does it make a difference in your life? How?
3. I don’t want theology -- looking for feelings, for effects on you -- not Sunday School lessons
4. Who are you and what are you that is any different because of Easter?
5. Does Easter have any meaning outside the walls of this church?
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