I’m continuing to share a few devotions I’m writing from Acts for Cross Points Church…enjoy!
The ultimate fight.
I am not a boxing fan. I remember watching Mike Tyson demolish some guy in less than a minute on ABC as a kid, but that’s about as far as my boxing knowledge goes…
…Unless of course you count Rocky I, II, III, IV!
One thing I do know about boxing (like most sports) is a lot of comparing and contrasting happens before matches. Height, weight, reach, style, past, training, and more are all measured against each other.
Let’s play compare and contrast!
Acts 5:17-42 is a fun game of compare and contrast (if you look for it). It’s like matching up two fighters in a boxing match who have completely different styles of boxing. Which is better at what that will lead to a victory…or defeat.
In Acts 5 the two boxers are the Apostles versus the high priest and his associates. These are two high powered opponents, but one is the young underdog (Rocky Balboa), and the other is the established veteran (Apollo Creed). As a veteran you must be careful to not discount your opponents strengths and overvalue your own strengths. The high priest and company made this exact mistake.
1. Jealousy vs Humility.
Acts 5:17-21 shows the high priest and his crew full of jealousy which led them to arrest the apostles and throw them in jail. Humility allowed the apostles to obey the words of God (through the angel) and return to the temple courts to preach the Gospel.
2. Fear vs Boldness
Verses 26-32 clearly shows the captain of the temple guard is afraid of the people. He calmly invites the apostles to visit the Sanhedrin. The apostles on the other hand boldly declare to the high priest and everyone around him they will only follow the word of God!
3. Anger vs Joy
In Acts 5:33-41 you find the Sanhedrin in anger beat the apostles for refusing to follow their direction. However the apostles leave (after being beat) with joy. They consider it an honor to be beat for following Jesus.
The winner is clearly the apostles. Gamaliel, unknowingly, declares it in his speech to the council.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. -Acts 5:39
2 Advantages
Why? Why are the apostles able to have such an overwhelming advantage in the face of equally seeming disadvantage? Let me suggest two reasons:
1. Redemption.
The apostles have completely bought into to their need for a savior. They recognize their own sin, and the fact that only Jesus death and resurrection can justify their incompleteness.
The high priest and company on the other hand don’t even see the need for a savior. They believe the old system has worked for thousands of years, it isn’t broken, and Jesus is a sham.
2. The Holy Spirit.
The apostles have the ultimate advantage in the form of the Holy Spirit. It is in His power they display humility, boldness and joy. We’ve seen what they can do in their own strength. The Holy Spirit gives them the edge to live completely for Christ.
What about you? How do you match up against your opponents? Do you take advantage of the Holy Spirit’s power? Do you recognize your need for a savior?
If you need help, this is where to start.
PS – Read my other Acts devotionals here
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