1. Acts 5:17-32 Maud church of Christ by Jim BradshawSunday Morning, February 3, 2013

2. Great Excuses in the Old Testament1. Adam in Genesis 3:12 The woman whom you gave...2. Cain in Genesis 4:9 Am I my brothers keeper?3. Moses in Exodus 4:10 I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.4. Aaron to Moses in Exodus 32:22, 24 you know the people5. Saul to Samuel in 1 Samuel 15:13-14, 226. Matthew 7:21-23

3. Growing by MultiplicationThe Early Church Multiplied:1. In Acts 1 only 120 disciples.2. At the beginning 3,000 added, Acts 2:413. In Acts 4:4 about 5,000 men added (not counting women)4. In Acts 5:14, multitudes of both men and women were added.5. By Acts 6:7, even a great number of priests were added.6. By Acts 7, 20,000 of the 55,000 residents of Jerusalem were Christians.

4. How to Grow by Multiplication 1. Trust in Gods Word, Hebrews 2:1-4; Read Acts 5:12, 14-16; 2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:16. 2. Be of One Accord, or One Mind, or One Purpose; Acts 4:32; Acts 2:45; Acts 4:35 3. Preach the Gospel with Boldness; Acts 4:29,31; Ephesians 6:19, 20.

5. How to Grow by Multiplication 1. Trust in Gods Word, Hebrews 2:1-4; Read Acts 5:12, 14-16; 2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:16. 2. Be of One Accord, or One Mind, or One Purpose; Acts 4:32; Acts 2:45; Acts 4:35 3. Preach the Gospel with Boldness; Acts 4:29,31; Ephesians 6:19, 20.

6. Growth Brings AdversityThe churches of Christ were thefastest growing religious bodyin the United States from the1880s to the 1960s. Act 4:17-18 NKJV But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name." (18) So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. Read Acts 5:22-28

7. Growth Requires being a Witness of the CrossAct 5:29-32 NKJV But Peter and the other apostles answered andsaid: "We ought to obey God rather than men. (30) The God of ourfathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.(31) Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince andSavior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (32)And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the HolySpirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." Ought (dei) necessary; must

8. We are Made Witnesses by the Holy SpiritAct 5:32 NKJV And we are His witnesses to these things, and so alsois the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." By Faith we see the crucified Christ; Hebrews 11:1

9. What Kind of Witness are You?1. Some are compelled by force.2. Some are not believable. (A hypocrite makes a horrible witness)3. Some are merely trying to reduce their punishment.4. Some are eyewitnesses.5. Some are expert witnesses.

10. Growth Requires a CAN DO Attitude!!!1. Some react angrily to Gods word.2. Some like those at Pentecost in Acts 2 will be convicted.3. Some people will respect us, but not believe.Act 5:38-39 NKJV And now I say to you, keep away from thesemen and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, itwill come to nothing; (39) but if it is of God, you cannotoverthrow itlest you even be found to fight against God."

11. Grow Requires a CAN DO Attitude!!!The Lords Side Always Wins:1. 1Sa 17:47 NKJV Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORDs, and He will give you into our hands."2. Gods Word is Still Powerful; Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12-13.3. You CAN DO IT; Philippians 4:13.4. The Church will STAND Forever, Daniel 2:44.