Week #15 — God Helps with Hard Things
Each state’s Rules of Professional Responsibility govern the ethical behavior of lawyers. Yes, you’re reading the right blog, and no, I’m not interested in hearing your lawyer jokes. I am a pastor and a lawyer, and done rightly, there is no conflict there … Anyway, in 1983, or as my kids would say, “Way back in the 1900s,” the American Bar Association revised those ethical Rules. One significant change involved the use of the word ‘zealous.’ The old version required lawyers to represent their clients “zealously within the bounds of the law.” As revised, the Rules removed the term and moved it to the comments as just one way to think about legal representation. The change sent a message to attorneys: Represent your client well, but perhaps not zealously. Apparently, the ABA thought zealous representation might go too far and become problematic.
In Acts 5:17-32, the High Priest and the authorities are “filled with jealousy” at the success of the Christian movement. From this Greek word ζηλος (ZAY-loss), we get our modern word ‘zealous.’ While the authorities were zealous to retain power and stop the teachings about Jesus, the apostles were zealous to proclaim the Gospel far and wide. From that difference, we can learn an important lesson: Zeal itself is not the problem; it’s being zealous for the wrong things.
Read the passage together and then go through the discussion questions below. As you do, consider where God might be calling you to redirect your zeal toward him, his Word, and the spread of the message that brings life.
In Christ,
Pastor Ken
Week #15 — Questions
- Why were the high priest and the Sadducees “filled with jealousy” (v17)? What does this reveal about the spiritual dynamics behind opposition to the Gospel message?
- The word translated as “jealousy” in v17 is where we get the word ‘zeal.’ How can we grow in ourselves the proper zeal for God, and protect ourselves against the wrong zeal for ungodly things?
- What does the miraculous release from prison (v19-20) teach us about God’s sovereignty over human attempts to silence the truth? Why doesn’t he save or preserve his messengers every time?
- In v20, the first thing the angel commands them to do is to go and proclaim the Gospel. How does this highlight the priority and urgency of Gospel proclamation?
- The apostles immediately obey the command, even after being arrested. What does their readiness to preach again teach us about the nature of Christian obedience and courage? What should be your next step of Christian courage in your own life?
- Read Romans 13:1-2. Does Peter’s statement, “We must obey God rather than men” (v29), challenge or confirm our understanding of civil authority? Where do you draw the lines for this in public life?
- How does Peter’s summary of the gospel (v30-32) reveal love toward their enemies—the very people who condemned Jesus—and how does that shape our understanding of Christian witness toward those who oppose us?
- The apostles respond to hostility with boldness, clarity, and compassion. These are hard things to do. What hard things might God be calling you to do right now?