Obey God, Not Man
Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 06/08/2025
Foundation Scriptures:
Acts 5:12-42
1. The Word Confirmed in Power.
a. Acts 5:12-16
b. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ was birthed in great power and signs and wonders.
c. They went out with a divine commission and a holy boldness; and great signs and wonders were wrought among the people.
d. As the Gospel was preached and demonstrated, the Church grew in influence and in converts.
f. Multitudes of people, both men and women, became believers, and multitudes were healed and delivered from unclean spirits.
g. When we walk in obedience, God confirms His Word with power.
2. Obedience Invites Opposition.
a. Acts 5:17-18
b. Faithfulness to God will provoke resistance from the world.
c. The apostles were obeying God, and the people were receiving their needs met.
d. Everyone was greatly blessed, but still, opposition came.
e. The enemy sends persecution through religious spirits and ungodly men.
f. The persecution against the early Church was not because they were doing the wrong thing, but because they were doing the right thing.
g. Persecution arises from those who fight and resist God—even those who mistakenly believe they are doing His will.
3. God Opens Doors No Man Can Shut.
a. Acts 5:19-20
b. As the Gospel spread in power, and more and more people were saved, healed, and delivered, the religious leaders were beside themselves.
c. They forcefully laid hands on the apostles and threw them in prison.
d. But that night, the angel of the Lord supernaturally opened the prison doors and brought them out.
e. The next day, when they came to fetch them out of prison, the doors were still locked shut with the guards in place.
f. The apostles received a renewed command to keep preaching.
g. We cannot allow circumstances to dictate whether we obey God or not.
h. The angel instructed the apostles to go, and stand, and speak in the temple to the people “all the words of this life.”
i. Without hesitation, they went into the temple early in the morning and taught the people, as they were instructed.
j. Persecution is not a sign to stop preaching, it is a sign that the preaching is having an effect, so keep going.
k. God will make a way for His will to be done, regardless of man’s attempts to stop it.
4. Man Cannot Stop God.
a. Acts 5:21-24
b. When the council heard that they were gone from out of the locked and guarded cell, they began to wonder if this “movement” would grow beyond their ability to control it.
c. The problem with a mindset of religious tradition is that it is all about control.
d. They are motivated by pride, arrogance, jealousy, envy, greed, or a lust for power.
e. And when something happens that they can’t explain or control, they try to find a reason or excuse to shut it down—rather than humbling themselves before God to find out what He wants.
f. Their pride and hard-heartedness won’t allow them to see the Truth that is right in front of them.
g. These religious leaders were fiercely opposed to the Gospel but were unable to prevent its spread.
h. In Acts 4, when they tried to prevent Peter and John from preaching Jesus, they responded: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you and obey you rather than God, you must decide (judge). But we [ourselves] cannot help telling what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20 AMPC).
5. Boldness Before the Council.
a. Acts 5:25-33
b. Once more, the council rebuked the apostles: “Didn’t we command you to not teach in this Name!”
c. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
d. They continued: “We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
e. The Gospel could not be stopped nor stamped out, because the early Church stood strong and continued to simply obey God.
f. They had already made the consecrated decision beforehand, to listen to and obey God, rather than man.
g. Each of us must make this decision for ourselves, if we want to please God and fulfill His plan for our lives.
h. Our allegiance is to God, not man; and we must speak the truth even when it’s unpopular.
i. God will supernaturally lead, guide, protect, provide, and make a way for us, as we go and stand and speak.
6. God Works Through Gamaliel.
a. Acts 5:33-39
b. The religious leaders were cut to the heart, and convicted, by Peter’s words.
c. Instead of repenting, they conspired to kill the apostles.
d. Fortunately, Gamaliel managed to persuade them otherwise, reminding them that a move of man will come to nothing, but a move of God cannot be overthrown.
e. He told them to leave the Church alone, “lest you even be found to fight against God.”
7. Joy in Suffering for Christ.
a. Acts 5:40-42
b. The council had them beaten and commanded them, once again, to not teach and preach Jesus, and let them go.
c. They were beaten, yet joyful, and neither discouraged nor dissuaded—rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.
d. It is an honor, not a shame, to suffer for preaching Jesus and the Gospel.
e. True disciples rejoice in persecution and never stop proclaiming Christ.
f. Never let the enemy’s pressure cause you to back down or feel ashamed for preaching the Gospel and doing the works of Jesus.
g. Obeying God may lead to conflict with men, but He will empower, protect, and use those who stand for Him.
h. The apostles continued daily, preaching and teaching—fearless, faithful witnesses.
i. Like them, we are called to preach Jesus Christ, no matter the cost.