May 26, 2020

All in for Their First Love

Acts 5:17–42

Tiffany Vick
Tuesday's Devo

May 26, 2020

Tuesday's Devo

May 26, 2020

Central Truth

Whoever or whatever is your first love is revealed in your words and actions. When Jesus is your first love, you won't be able to stop talking about Him!

Key Verse | Acts 5:42

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Acts 5:17–42

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

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.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

Dive Deeper | Acts 5:17–42

When I was 15 years old, I met this cute boy. One day when I had no lunch, he brought me lunch from the local Taco Villa. He made me laugh. (Did I mention he was cute?!) I soon found myself in serious puppy love. I talked. A lot. About the cute, thoughtful, funny boy. I couldn't help myself. (Spoiler: this is Scott!) 

In today's passage, we find the apostles arrested, thrown into prison, threatened with death, and beaten all because they couldn't stop talking about the One they loved—Jesus Christ.

The high priest and his cronies were jealous of the miraculous works of the apostles, so they tossed them into prison. But an angel of the Lord staged a late-night jailbreak. He charged the apostles in Acts 5:20, "Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life." And they did. They loved Jesus so much they couldn't help themselves.

They weren't afraid of the consequences of speaking out about the One who paid the penalty for their rebellion by dying on a cross. The One who was raised from the dead by God's power. The One who ascended into heaven with the promise that He will return.

The bold words of the apostles convicted and enraged the Jewish council. In Acts 5:29b, Peter and the other apostles simply laid it out: "We must obey God rather than men."

In John 14:15, Jesus says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." In Revelation 2:4-5a, He tells the Ephesian church, "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."

Jesus tells us that obedience is a primary expression of our love for Him. The apostles model one particularly telling expression of our obedience and love for Jesus—sharing the good news that through Him we can have peace with God. If Jesus is our first love, we won't be able to stop talking about Him!

Discussion Questions

1. Who was your first crush? Did you end up marrying him or her? (Just curious.)

2. If someone were to examine your words and actions, who or what would an outsider say is your first love?

3. In Revelation 2:5, Jesus tells the Ephesian church to "do the works you did at first." If Jesus is no longer your first love, what are some things you remember doing as a new believer that can draw you back into closer fellowship with Him?

4. Biblical community is a great place to get encouragement and establish accountability to get your relationship with Jesus back on track. Are you plugged in with other believers "in authentic relationships that lead to spiritual transformation"? (Watermark Community Group Resources)

4. If Jesus is not and has never been your first love, will you consider God's offer of salvation through faith? God sent Jesus to die on the cross for your rebellion against Him so that you can have peace with God and be welcomed into His family!