Sermon Manuscript

Speaking the truth often comes at a cost. This is especially true when it challenges powerful people, social norms, or widely held beliefs. In 399 B.C. there was a famous Greek Philosopher who learned this truth the hard way. His name was Socrates. He was born in Athens in 470 B.C. His father was a stonemason and his mother a midwife. And early in his career he, too, worked as a stonemason but eventually inherited his father’s estate. This money enabled him to pursue a life free of financial concerns. Growing up he had been educated like many wealthy people in Athens on the basic skills of reading and writing as well as specialized studies in gymnastics, poetry, and music. He was not an attractive man. In fact, he was considered to be “notoriously ugly” because he had a flat, turned-up nose, bulging eyes, and a large belly. His friends would joke about his appearance. He also didn’t care about material possessions or personal hygiene. He rarely bathed, walked barefoot, and owned only one ragged coat. What he was interested in, though, was educating the youth. He had a passion for educating souls. And though he never wrote books he taught regularly and became famous for what is now known as the Socratic Method. This is where you ask questions in order to stimulate thinking and challenge a person’s thought process. This forces a person to really stop and think about the “how” and “why” of what they believe. It’s used to expose gaps in a person’s thinking and is still used today legally by lawyers within a courtroom. But in 399 he was charged with corrupting the youth and impiety. His real crime was that he challenged people to question their leaders and their beliefs. Because Socrates did not believe in the Greek gods being worshiped in Athens. And because he refused to back down he was forced to drink poison. And this has been famously captured through a painting known as The Death of Socrates.

Speaking the truth often comes at a cost. The famous Italian Scientist Galileo Galilei learned this as well. He was born in Pisa, Italy, in 1564. His father was a well-known musician and his mother was from a well-known merchant family. But as Galileo grew up he began to study math and science to challenge the scientific thinking of his day. Because he believed in observation, experimentation, and mathematical explanation. And he used those techniques to challenge truths about the universe. For example, it was Galileo who discovered through the use of a telescope that there were mountains and craters on the moon. He also discovered that there were moons orbiting Jupiter. More importantly, he began to discover that the universe was much more complex than had once been imagined. And this led to his defending of the famous “heliocentric model” which had been proposed by Copernicus. This was the idea that the earth revolves around the sun. Not the other way around. A radical idea for the time. But it was this view that would get him into trouble. Because it was this belief that would put him on trial, force him to recant that belief, and put him in house arrest for the rest of his life. 2

Speaking the truth often comes at a cost. And throughout the course of history we see that over and over again. Rosa Parks in 1955 spoke out against racial segregation and because of it she was arrested, threatened, and lost employment. Daniel Ellsberg spoke out in 1971 about how the government had misled the public regarding the Vietnam War and had to face charges of espionage, years of public controversy, and the threat of over 100 years in prison.

Speaking the truth often comes at a cost. And the Bible teaches us that as well. In the Old Testament prophets like Elijah, Daniel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah were mistreated and often killed. In the New Testament John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking out as well. Over and over again what we see is that when a person speaks truth it can often come at a great cost. And this is especially true when it challenges powerful people and powerful ideas in society.

This morning we begin a three-week series of messages called Faith Under Fire in which we are going to examine three stories from the book of Acts in which people were forced to suffer for their faith. And together we’re going to learn that sometimes when we stand up and speak out for Jesus that we will have to pay a price. Witnessing for Jesus often comes at a cost. So we need to be ready and prepared to suffer. But we also need to learn some important and valuable truths about suffering itself because God will use suffering in your life and mine to help us grow spiritually. And through the next three weeks we’re going to learn how that works.

So let’s get started. If you have your Bibles, turn with me now to the book of Acts chapter 5. Today we’re going to be in verses 27-42. If you would like to follow along with us online you can do so by using our app. It’s called Church Center and we use it each week. If you’re new to The Fountain I want you to be aware that within Church Center there are many, many, helpful tools and resources for you to use each week. Beliefs about the church, resources for Sunday morning, how to take next steps, Life Group homework, how to give online, it’s all there. So I would encourage you to download it and use it each week.

As you turn there and get prepared I want to share with you a couple of quick announcements before we get started and then remind you of where we are within the book of Acts. First of all, later this morning after second service we’re going to ask those who are in second service to help us stack chairs so that we can clean the carpets. So if you are around at that time we would love your help. Second, immediately following the second service at about 12:30 we’re going to be teaching our Foundations 101 class. This is our Membership Class. So if you have been thinking about taking that class and can be there we’d love to have you. We also will provide lunch but we need to know you are coming so please just stop by Connection Point and let us know. Sounds good? Alright. Excellent. I look forward to seeing you then.

A couple of quick notes about where we are as we jump into our passage for this morning. Over the past four weeks we’ve been examining the book of Acts in order to learn how the early church became witnesses for Jesus. Remember. That’s our theme for this year. Jesus said to Be My Witness and so we’re learning how to do that together. And so far within the book of Acts we have seen how Jesus called His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit so that they could be His witnesses and how Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, witnessed for Jesus both on the Day of Pentecost and after the miracle of the healing of the lame man to the people gathered outside of the temple. And as the book of Acts continues we see the apostles displaying more and more boldness and actually performing more and more miracles in the name of Jesus.

But those same religious leaders, who last week brought Peter and John in to question them, continue to become upset. And so in chapter 5, verse 17, they put all of the apostles into jail. That same night, however, an angel of the Lord opens up the prison doors and in verse 20 tells the apostles, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life”. So they do and the next morning the high priest and chief priests get upset and bring them in. And here’s what happens next. Verse 27 says:

27And 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 31

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 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.

Alright. So the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious supreme court, brings all of the apostles in this time and basically says, “What are you doing? We strictly told you not to teach in this name yet you keep doing it and you have filled Jerusalem with your reaching. And why are you doing it? Because you want to blame us for His death.” Same statement made to Peter and John last week is now being made to all of the disciples. And what does Peter say this time in response? Basically the same thing as last week! Last week he had said, “Whether it’s right for us to obey you or God, you be the judge for we cannot help from testifying to what we have seen and heard. We can’t help being witnesses for Jesus.” And here he says, “Listen! We’re going to obey God and not man. Not you. Because the God of our fathers has raised up Jesus so that all might repent and receive the forgiveness of their sins. And like we said to you last week we are witnesses to these things and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him!!!” Wow. You gotta love Peter. So bold. So brash. So unapologetic.

And once again they do what they did last time. They tell them to leave the room. And they begin to talk. But this time a man by the name of Gamiliel speaks. A Pharisee who held to the strictest interpretations of the Law. And a man whom everyone respected. By the way we later learn in the book of Acts, in Acts 22:3, that the Apostle Paul studied under this man. And it is this man who basically says, “Listen. Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re about to do. There have been many other movements that have taken place before led by people like Theudas and Judas which never lasted. So you need to leave these guys alone. Because if what they’re doing is false it will fail. But if it’s true you won’t succeed because God will be with them and you will find yourself opposing the Living God!!!” And so they listened to him. They took his advice, called in the apostles, and told them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Even though it was clear they were going to do so anyway. But this time they decide to punish them. So they “beat” them according to verse 40 and let them go. But did that stop them? Not at all! In fact, verse 41 tells us that they left that day “rejoicing”. The Greek word here is XAIRONTES from the verb XAIRW. And it’s a Present Active Participle. A participle is a verbal adjective which describes the apostles here by telling us both what they were doing and how they were feeling. They were rejoicing and they were filled with joy! The Present Tense is also an ongoing tense which is why it’s translated here with “ing”. So they were rejoicing and rejoicing and rejoicing! They were filled with joy! And why was that? Because they had been counted worthy of receiving suffering for the name of Jesus. Suffering for Jesus was not punishment! It was a privilege! It was an honor! They had been given the “gold medal of faithfulness” (to use an analogy from our last series). Suffering wasn’t an indication that God had turned away from them. It was an indication that God was with them and that they had been obedient!

Wow. Incredible! And so from that day forward verse 42 tells us they did not cease preaching and teaching the name of Jesus! They were fired up! They were excited! So excited that next week we will discover they did not want to serve in any other ministry which would take them away from the ministry of prayer and the Word! Amazing! And this leads us to a first very important discovery. A truth about witnessing and suffering for Jesus when our “faith is under fire”. And that truth is this: Suffering identifies us with Jesus.

Suffering identifies us with Jesus. Peter and the apostles knew that when they suffered others would see they were followers of Jesus. Others would understand they were followers of Jesus. Others would recognize them as people who followed Jesus. And as a result God would be glorified through their suffering. Just as God was glorified through Jesus’ suffering. And for that reason they could celebrate. They could celebrate how God would be glorified in suffering.

So before we go any further I think we need to stop and think about how this applies into our lives. Let’s put ourselves into the apostle’s shoes and think about why we can rejoice when we suffer for Jesus. Here’s how. Here’s three truths we can remember which will help us rejoice.

First of all, remember that Jesus promises suffering to us. Jesus promises that we will suffer for Him. And the disciples knew it because Jesus had promised it to them. In John 16, Jesus is in the upper room with His disciples on the night in which He will be betrayed. Within 24 hours He will be arrested, put on trial, and crucified for a crime He never committed. And yet within that moment when He knows that He is about to suffer He pulls His disciples together and draws them close and tells them that the hour is coming when they will all abandon Him but He will still have the Father. Then He says this in verse 33. He says:

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus told His guys that in this world they will suffer. They will suffer within this world and experience pain but they can find comfort and peace in the fact that He has overcome the world. And so the apostles knew that they would suffer because Jesus told them they would. But they also had the hope of the resurrection and they knew that Jesus had overcome the world.

So in your life and mine Jesus promises us we will suffer. He doesn’t say you “probably” will suffer. He says you will suffer. You will suffer like the prophets suffered in the Old Testament and like the Church suffered in the New Testament. Suffering is a part of following Jesus. It’s what you and I signed up for when we gave our lives to Jesus. And if you’re thinking about making that decision to follow Jesus it will be what you sign up for too. There will be times when you must suffer for His name. Peter and the apostles did. And so will you and I. Witnessing for Jesus will require us to suffer. But we can rejoice in the truth that Jesus has told us this truth and that He has overcome the world. He has overcome anything that we might face.

Here’s a second truth the apostles understood in this moment: Jesus models suffering for us. He not only promises suffering to us but He models suffering for us. He is the fulfillment of the promises made by God through the prophet Isaiah of a Messiah who would come and be our Suffering Servant. Because in Isaiah 53:3, Isaiah writes that:

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

This is who Jesus is. He was despised, rejected, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. People hid their faces from Him and viewed Him as being punished by God. And yet He did this for us. Because He was crushed for us and chastised for us and it is through His wounds we are healed. But do you know what’s interesting? It’s often through our wounds that others will be healed. Because when you suffer and they watch you as you suffer they see Jesus in you and it draws them to Him. They see how you handle the brokenness and pain in your life and they can be drawn to you by the way you suffer for Him. You see Jesus modeled it for us but we model it for others. And often it is through our pain that they see Jesus. Witnessing for Jesus will cause us to suffer but through suffering others see Jesus and so we can rejoice.

A third and final reason is that Jesus uses suffering within us. Jesus uses the suffering we face and we experience in this life to enable us to become more like Him. As sad as it is and as hard as it may be to say this, it is often suffering that makes us like our Savior. We often grow to be much more like Jesus when life is falling apart and we are struggling than when life is good and everything seems to be going smoothly. I mean. Without a show of hands how many of would agree with that? Can you think of times in your life when you were really, really, struggling but in that moment God came and met you like never before? You felt and experienced God’s presence and His power and His faithfulness and goodness like never before. You see God uses suffering to help us to grow closer to Him and stronger in Him. He uses those times when our bodies fail or our plans fail or our relationships fail to cause us to draw closer to Him and to trust Him and rely upon Him like never before. And through those moments we receive rewards. And through suffering Jesus promises rewards. And the disciples knew it. Because in Matthew 5:11, Jesus said this to them:

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

That word “Blessed” means “Happy”. Jesus is saying, “You should be happy when you are persecuted because of Me because great is your reward in Heaven. Just think about it. Even the prophets were persecuted and do you think they were rewarded in Heaven? Absolutely! And you will be too if you are persecuted for Me.” And so Peter and John and all of the apostles knew it. They knew that their reward in Heaven would be great. Because they had suffered for Jesus. So while witnessing for Jesus may cause us to suffer, Jesus will use that suffering to help us to grow spiritually and we will be rewarded for it. And for that reason we can rejoice.

You see suffering identifies us with Jesus. And when we remember Jesus promises suffering to us, models suffering for us, and uses suffering within us for His Kingdom and His glory we can rejoice. We can rejoice like the apostles. Because through suffering we are identified with Jesus and we become like Jesus. And our witnessing for Jesus will be rewarded by Jesus. That’s comforting and important to remember. Because as we said at the start, speaking the truth often comes at a cost.

In AD 320, there was a Roman Emperor named Licenius. Licenius had risen through the ranks of the Roman army. He loved the military and the discipline it taught. But he hated all religious people - especially Christians. So as the Emperor he declared that all people must bend their knee to him or be killed. Now at this same time there was a group of forty highly-respected and revered soldiers known as “The Thundering Legion”. They were a group of men who were so close that when a few of them became Christians they convinced the others to do the same. And now they had to make a choice. Would they bow to the Emperor or not? So together they refused and as a result the Emperor said, “Kill them all” but they were so good that some of the others said, “Let’s just do something instead to convince them.”

It was winter. So they took the soldiers to a frozen lake and stripped off all of their clothes and forced them to go into it. They placed warm baths off the side hoping to convince them and to change their minds. But they refused and instead started to sing. “Forty soldiers of Christ are we, we will not deny our God. We fight for thee, O Christ our King! And claim from Thee a crown!” Over and over they sang this song. “Forty soldiers of Christ are we, we will not deny our God. We fight for thee, O Christ our King! And claim from Thee a crown!”

During the night the temperatures plummeted. And after several hours of singing their words grew fainter and fainter. Then suddenly they stopped as they heard weeping and moaning. Despite the pleading of a few soldiers, one of the men broke down, dragged himself to the fire and bent his knee. But at that very same moment one of the guards sprang from his post and threw off his clothes. He began running for the ice! The Emperor screamed, “What are you doing? What are you doing?” And the man said, “I have just become a Christian! I saw the most beautiful crown descending from heaven and just before it was about to rest upon that man he left his post and now I have taken his crown!!!” And with that the soldiers continued and sang, “Forty soldiers of Christ are we, we will not deny our God. We fight for Thee, O Christ our King! And claim from Thee a crown!”

You see when suffering comes the temptation is to turn back and to turn away from our faith. But when we stand firm as soldiers for Christ and when we stand together as brothers and sisters in Christ we can rejoice in our suffering and claim the crown that Jesus has for us.

Speaking the truth often comes at a cost. The apostles discovered that throughout their lives. But they also knew that Jesus promised suffering, modeled suffering, and will one day reward our suffering for Him. So the question is: How will you respond to the suffering in your life? How will you respond when your faith is under fire? Will you rejoice when you suffer for Jesus? Because the bottom line is this…

Rejoice when you suffer for Jesus because others know you belong to Him. Let’s pray.

[Prayer: For God to help us to remain faithful and rejoice when we suffer for Jesus.]

Copyright 2025 by Fountaintown Christian Church. All materials presented by Joshua Hahn are copyrighted material. No material may be copied, reproduced, epublished, uploaded, posted, or distributed in any way, without the express written approval of Fountaintown Christian Church. One copy may be downloaded for your personal, noncommercial home use provided that you 1) retain all copyright, trademark, and proprietary notices, 2) you make no modifications to the materials. For any other use, written permission is required. (Fountaintown Christian Church; c/o Joshua Hahn; P.O. Box 87, Fountaintown, IN 46130).