God counted them worthy to suffer.

Sunday 10-16-2016  Martínez, Argentina

Today we read: Malachi 3 – 4   Psalm 148  and  Acts 5

S.  Acts 5:38-42 "So 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." 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." NLT

O. At Peter’s powerful message the high council was furious and ready to kill him. Then Gamalial spoke up and called for a secret huddle.  I suspect that this wise man was beginning to see that it was entirely possible that they were fighting against God. His advice saved Peter’s life perhaps the others, too.  All he and his friends got was a beating until their bones were laid bear.

A. If our preaching stirs the pot, we all will need a Gamalial once in a while.  After 9 years in prison without a trial, Mehdi Dibaj finally stood before the Muslim court and gave his own defense, a powerful message of salvation. I have the full text. The Muslim authorities were furious and condemned him to death, but the word of their decision leaked to the international press and they were forced to let him go free.  Months later the government announced that his body had been found. He knew he was marked to die. He didn’t have a Gamalial.

P. Lord Jesus, you are looking on and, even so, You often allow Your faithful servants to suffer as martyrs. Simon Peter and John were spared by Gamalial’s wisdom, but deacon Stephen was stoned to death and the Apostle James was beheaded shortly thereafter.  You promise to go with us, but You made it clear that some of us will die for Your testimony. Help me be Your faithful servant even in the case of strong opposition.

Ralph