Acts 5:18-42

"When [the high council] heard [the apostles' testimony about Jesus' resurrection], the high council was furious and decided to kill them. But one..."

"But when the Temple guards went to the jail, the [apostles] were gone. So they returned to the council and reported, "The jail was securely locked,..."

"The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. Then they...."

"The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy [because of the crowds that came to the apostles for healing]. They....."

"[Continuing before the high council which was threatening him, Peter said,] "The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him...."

"Then [the Temple guards] brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. "We gave you strict orders never again...."

"[Peter and the apostles before the Sanhedrin:] "The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put..."

"Dear Faithful Follower, Yesterday, I asked you to read about the paralyzed man that I healed through Peter and John. I wanted you to see the..."

"The others [on the council] accepted [Gamaliel's] advice [to let the Jesus-movement run its course to see if it was really the work of God]. They..."

"Dear Precious One, I know faith is not easy, especially now living nearly two thousand years after My death, burial, and resurrection. So I want us....."

"Peter and the other apostles replied [to their religious critics among the Sadducees, priests, and Sanhedrin]: "We must obey God rather than men!""

"[Peter continued the apostles' defense for proclaiming Jesus as Messiah and Lord:] "The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead — whom you had killed by....."

"We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

"And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, [these early disciples] continued to teach and preach this message: "Jesus is the Messiah.""

"Jesus, our Lord, once crucified, dead and buried, now sits upon the throne of glory. The highest place that heaven affords is his by undisputed right...."

"[Peter said,] "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.""

Inspirational illustration of Acts 5:32 -- We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.

Inspirational illustration of Acts 5:30 -- The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead -- whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

Inspirational illustration of Acts 5:29 -- Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!"

We believe in God the Father, the resurrection of Jesus the Son, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We choose to let nothing move us from our faith! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to remind us that our faith is rock solid and built on the foundation of eyewitnesses and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

"Dear Friends, Years before Peter wrote his short letter known as 1 Peter to My disciples, he was repeatedly persecuted. He regularly encountered..."

Would Timothy make it, and if he did, would he be faithful? Phil Ware uses Timothy's release from prison to be an opportunity to look at how we are to live in a culture opposed to Christianity.

When we choose our way, when we think we must be true to what we feel rather than what Jesus said, we find ourselves opposing the work of Christ. Phil Ware reminds us that authentic ministry involves listening for the will of God in time in God's presence, genuine compassionate and personal care for those who are broken, and obedience to Jesus as our Lord.

Are we looking in the right places to find happiness for ourselves? Teresa Bell Kindred reminds us that what we define as happiness is nearly always temporary pleasure that is soon gone and leaves us unhappy; happiness is really on our own shoulders.