1. Unlocked and Set Free So Keep Sharing the Message
Acts 5:17-32
April 15, 2007

2. God’s Word Held Captive
“The apostles were meeting regularly at the Temple in Solomon’s Hall, and they did many remarkable miracles among the people”

3. God’s Word Held Captive
“But the High Priest and his friends among the Sadducees became jealous so they arrested the apostles, and put them in the public jail.”

4. God’s Word Held Captive
What Tries To Hold God’s Word Captive?
Jealousy
Ignorance
Stubbornness
Culture
Laziness
Fear

5. God Sets His Word Free
“But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail and brought them out.”

6. God Sets His Word Free
Then he told them,  “Go over to the Temple and preach the message of this New Life!”

7. God Sets His Word Free
“They arrived at the Temple about daybreak and immediately began preaching!”

8. God Sets His Word Free How has God Set His Word Free?
Christ is risen...
Yes, risen, Indeed!
The Disciples became Apostles!
He has given power to His people – The Church

9. “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
God Sets His Word Free
The Disciples Became Apostles!:
That evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors, in fear of the Jewish leaders, when suddenly Jesus was standing there among them!...He said to them, 
“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 

10. Then Jesus breathed on them and said,
God Sets His Word Free
He has given power to His people – The Church:
Then Jesus breathed on them and said, 
“Receive the Holy Spirit.”

11. God Sets His Word Free Fear could no longer hold the apostles
Jail could not even hold the apostles
God’s Word went out to the entire Roman world
And more...
It has reached beyond time and the centuries to us here and now!

12. The High Priest demanded:
“Didn’t we tell you never again to preach about this Jesus? And instead you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching...”

13. Peter and the apostles replied:
“We must obey God rather than men.”

14. Obeying God Rather Than Human Rules
This “Word set free” is God’s message of new life
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross set us free from our mistakes and past
Jesus’ resurrection sets us free to live new and renewed lives
All this is yours when you believe to receive it

15. Obeying God Rather Than Human Rules
What Holds You Back?
Fear?
Laziness?
Ignorance?
Culture?

16. Obeying God Rather Than Human Rules
Now Jesus has set His Word – This message - free in your life
Like the apostles you too ...
Have seen and believe
Have received the power of the Holy Spirit
Are sent!

17. Jesus said: “Receive the Holy Spirit
Jesus said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”  

18. Amen