I WANT US TO BE GUILTY AS CHARGED
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, May 9, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
I WANT US TO BE GUILTY AS CHARGED
By Michael D. O’Neal…… Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church…… Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Acts 4:15-20; 5:27-29
Text: Acts 5:28
Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
Introduction: Sometimes charges that are brought against people are not true. Occasionally we even hear of a conviction by a judge or jury that was unjust. It is sad when that happens and someone is punished unjustly. Many charges brought against God’s people are not true. For instance, fundamental Baptists are NOT what is wrong with our country, although wicked people and organizations may state otherwise.
King Ahab accused Elijah of troubling Israel, but the prophet responded by saying that AHAB was the real trouble. The king’s accusation was false.
Many charges brought against our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry were not true. Many charges made against the Lord’s disciples in the book of Acts were not true. However, the charge of our text, Acts 5:28, WAS true. The disciples were GUILTY. Actually, the charges are TWO in number. Tonight you will be happy to know that I just have two points for our message. They are the two charges made in our text tonight, and I want our church to be guilty of both of them.
First,
I. I WANT US TO BE GUILTY AS CHARGED OF BROADCASTING OUR BELIEFS TO EVERYONE IN OUR CITY
Acts 5:28 ” … behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine …”
A. By public proclamation
* Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
* Street preaching, radio, TV, newspaper, tracts, billboards, etc
.
B. By personal confrontation
* Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
* Acts 8:27-31 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
* In their homes, in their places of business, in the malls, in the restaurants, in the airports, in the bus stops, in the schools, one on one!!! Everywhere!
C. By pure demonstration
* Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
* You are the only Bible some people will ever read.
* You are the only Christian some people will ever see or know. Doesn’t that frighten you?
* Your talk walks, and your walk talks, and your walk talks more than your talk walks!
II. I WANT US TO BE GUILTY AS CHARGED OF BRINGING THE BLOOD OF CHRIST UPON EVERYONE IN OUR CITY
Acts 5:28b ” … and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
A. In responsibility
* Responsibility for someone’s death brings their blood upon you. ”
* Mankind murdered the Son of God.
* Mankind freed the murderer, Barabbas.
* If you don’t believe that, give mankind today. Give them another chance! I dare you! Given another chance, Americans would re-elect Bill Clinton and crucify the Lord Jesus Christ!
B. In redemption
+ Not only are we covered by the blood, but we in the New Testament who have trusted Christ are WASHED in the blood.
+ Sins are crimson in color, and the only thing that can remove the stain of sin is the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot.
If you and I DON’T warn the wicked, their blood will be on OUR hands!
Acts 20:26-27 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Paul wasn’t saying what made him pure from their blood was that he had preached every truth found in the Bible. He was pure from their blood because he had declared unto them ALL, all of them, the counsel of God. He witnessed to everyone he met.