TEXT:  ACTS 5:33-42

1. THE CAUSE OF THEIR SUFFERING    ACTS 5:1-33
   1. God’s people were being faithful to God
   2. God was blessing their faithfulness in miraculous ways
   3. God’s enemies were not happy with God’s servants
   4. God’s servants honored their God over their authorities
2. THE COST OF THEIR SUFFERING    ACTS 5:18, 40
   1. They had been arrested
   2. They had been incarcerated
   3. They had been beaten
   4. They had been threatened
3. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THEIR SUFFERING    ACTS 5:41 – 6:1
   1. Rejoicing by those who suffered     John 12:32-33
   2. Returning to the same ministry for which they had suffered
      1. The cost of being a Christian often results in people taking their faith more seriously
      2. Taking faith more seriously often brings about greater faithfulness
      3. Results from being more faithful to God, God’s Word and God’s Work
   3. Revival was taking place in Jerusalem    ACTS 6:1
      1. Persecution often brings purity in the church
      2. Purification in the church results in the power of god being evident in the church
      3. Power from God in the church of God results in greater witnessing & results
      4. Production from the church because of God’s power often brings satan’s hindrance, distraction, challenges & obstacles

• Action Points:
  • Are you being faithful enough to God to cause satan to be irritated with you?
  • If you have ever suffered for righteousness, how did you respond?
  • Are you being a catalyst for revival for, apathy about or rebellion against God’s Work?