I Preach Because I’m Free

GETTING STARTED

My heroes are people around the world who boldly confess their faith in Jesus Christ despite persecution, and often, death. I admire and pray for Christians around the world who are being beaten and imprisoned because they preach about Jesus, but who do it again and again because of their love for God and what he has done for them. There is something about knowing Jesus sacrificed his life to save us from death that gives these heroes an allegiance to him, and this should compel us to tell others about him whenever, wherever, at all costs, too.

  • What helpless or hopeless situation has God freed you from, and how are you sharing your story of deliverance with others?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 5:17-21a (ESV)

17 But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy 18 they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Who arrested and imprisoned the apostles, and why did they arrest them?
  2. How did the apostles get out of prison?
  3. What were the instructions given to the apostles? How could this have been a dangerous thing for them to do?
  4. What has God called you to do boldly in the midst of opposition?

RESPOND TO GOD

The religious leaders were enraged with the apostles for teaching in the name of Jesus Christ and for winning the hearts and souls of the people of Israel. Without trial or conviction, the apostles were arrested and thrown in prison, but God had other plans for them. In their darkest hour, God sent an angel to free and re-commission them to share the gospel of Jesus in the temple. The apostles could have easily run away and hid for fear of being arrested and imprisoned again. But they trusted their safety in the hands of the one who had saved them and, immediately after sunrise, stood boldly in the temple to preach in his name once again.

  • Praise Jesus for saving you in your darkest hour from the bondage of sin.
  • Ask God for the boldness to do what he’s called you to do, regardless of your circumstances.