Sharing Your Faith Amid Challenges - Acts 5

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Persevering When Results Are Unseen

Today, we’re going to talk about Sharing your Faith Amid Challenges. I’d like to begin with a fascinating aspect of God’s creation, the growth of the Chinese bamboo tree. This tree is unique because after planting the seed, you see nothing but a tiny shoot for the first, wait for it, four years.

Despite seemingly nothing happening, the tree requires constant nurturing – water, fertile soil and sunlight. Then in the fifth year, something amazing happens. The bamboo tree explodes in growth, reaching up to 80 feet in six weeks.

This growth process is much like our journey in sharing our faith. We invest time, prayer and effort into witnessing to others, often without seeing immediate results. Yet, like the farmer nurturing the bamboo, our task is to keep persevering with our witness, trusting that the growth will come.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

God’s Word reminds us to not get discouraged over not seeing results in the lives we are praying for and witnessing to. At the right time, if we do not give up, if we keep believing, the harvest will come. God calls us to trust His timing even when progress feels invisible.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV) I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Sometimes, we plant seeds through our witness. At other times, we water the seeds that others have planted. Yet, we must trust God, who is the one who makes the seeds grow in his time.

James 5:7 (ESV) Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

God calls on us to be patient as we share our faith. God is the one who brings the rain of His Spirit, to ultimately cause those seeds to germinate. He is the one who comes by His Spirit to cause a person to be born again.

Let’s remember the lessons of the bamboo tree. God calls us to be patient, to persevere in sharing our faith. In God’s perfect timing, He will bring in the harvest, He will bring spiritual growth.

Seek God’s Power as Your Foundation in Witnessing

Acts 5:12 (ESV) Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.

Let’s not forget the back story to this demonstration of God’s power. Jesus, the son of God, had been teaching and performing amazing miracles for three years. He was crucified, rose from the dead and only 120 believers were following Him prior to the day of Pentecost.

Jesus had been planting and nurturing the seeds of the Gospel throughout Israel. At the day of Pentecost, there was explosive growth, bringing thousands into the church through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, the apostles were following Jesus’ example of doing signs and wonders through the Spirit’s power.

The signs and wonders were healing the sick and casting out of demons. These signs and wonders were confirming the truth of their witnessing about Jesus. God’s power validated the message they proclaimed.

Acts 5:14 (ESV) And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

The harvest was continuing to pour into the church as people heard the gospel confirmed with signs and wonders. But not everyone was pleased with what was happening. Satan wasn’t happy and neither were many of the Jewish leaders.

Acts 5:17-18 (ESV) But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

Jealousy is the sin of feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages. The leaders were jealous of the multitudes being added to the church and subtracted from their synagogue. But as we’ll see, God will protect His children as they witness for Him through His power.

Living as Spirit-Empowered Witnesses

How can we be witnesses for Jesus with God’s power? How can we fulfill our vision of Spreading God’s truth? Jesus’ ministry shows us how He spread God’s truth through the power of the Spirit.

He instructed His followers, including us, to do the same things He did. We see the apostles following Jesus’ instructions, and as we go through the book of Acts, we will see non-apostles doing the same things. There are two major keys to following Jesus as a witness.

Acts 1:8 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

First, we must experience God’s Spirit. Secondly, we must open our mouths to communicate God’s truth to others. Finally, we must pray for the people God sends us to, to receive healing.

Every believer can and should seek God’s power to be a faithful witness. God desires to work through ordinary people who are willing to obey Him. When we rely on His Spirit, our witness becomes effective.

Boldly Proclaim Your Faith Despite Opposition

Acts 5:19-20 (ESV) But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.”

The apostles had been put in prison, but the first night there was a jailbreak led by an angel. The angel opened the prison door and led them out as free men. Then the angel instructed them to go and stand publicly in the temple and speak the words of this Life, the Gospel.

This was exactly why they had been put in prison in the first place. Yet God’s command was clear, and obedience mattered more than safety. God’s mission had not been canceled by opposition.

Acts 5:21a (ESV) And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.

Despite Satan’s efforts to silence their voices, they were boldly teaching about Jesus. The leaders were confused when they found the prison secure but the apostles gone. They brought the apostles before them to question them.

The leaders reminded them that they had been ordered not to teach in Jesus’ name. They accused them of spreading the message of His resurrection. The apostles’ response revealed their unwavering allegiance to God.

Acts 5:29, 32 (ESV) But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Peter was crystal clear about whose authority he was going to follow. He and the other believers were going to continue to be witnesses for Jesus. The Holy Spirit was also bearing witness through signs and wonders.

They would continue to obey God, and God would continue to give them the power of the Spirit because they were obedient. Their boldness flowed from their obedience. They were committed to proclaiming their faith despite opposition.

Choosing Obedience Over Fear

In order to boldly be witnesses for Jesus, we must overcome our fears. Fear often keeps us silent when God calls us to speak. It may be fear of rejection, fear of damaging relationships, or fear of not having answers.

The apostles were tempted to fear the authorities and obey them. We face similar temptations in our own lives when pressure mounts. Yet we must choose to obey God rather than man.

Fear comes from Satan’s lies, but God has a plan for you to be His witness. Just as He protected the apostles, He will protect you as you overcome fear. As you step out boldly, the Holy Spirit will confirm your words and prayers.

Count Suffering for Christ as Joy

Acts 5:33 (ESV) When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.

Jealousy turned into rage and eventually into murderous intent. But God was still in control, and help arose from an unexpected source. God intervened at just the right moment.

Acts 5:34 (ESV) 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.

Gamaliel advised the council to leave the apostles alone. He reasoned that if their work was of man it would fail, but if it was of God it could not be stopped. Because of his counsel, the apostles’ lives were spared.

Acts 5:40 (ESV) 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.

Although their lives were spared, the apostles were beaten and again warned not to speak in Jesus’ name. The leaders hoped suffering would silence them. Instead, it strengthened their resolve.

Acts 5:41-42 (ESV) Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.

They rejoiced because they had suffered for being witnesses for Jesus. Their suffering was a result of obedience, and they knew God was pleased. Just as Jesus had suffered for them, now they suffered for Him.

They continued to teach publicly in the temple and privately from house to house. This pattern reflects both large gatherings and small groups. They counted suffering for Jesus as joy.

Rejoicing Even When It Costs You

Satan will oppose you when you witness for Jesus. He may oppose you internally through fear or externally through rejection and resistance. Sometimes obedience brings pain or discomfort.

One of our purposes in life is to Spread God’s Truth no matter the cost. God has prepared people for you to witness to, and He has a plan for your life. Because of that plan, He will keep you safe until your mission is complete.

There may be suffering involved, especially when people reject the message. But remember to count it joy when you suffer. Rejoice because you were faithful to share the truth, even when it was costly.

Conclusion: Trusting God for the Harvest

As we conclude, remember the journey of the bamboo tree. For years there is no visible growth, yet an unseen foundation is forming beneath the soil. Then suddenly, growth explodes at the right time.

When we witness, especially to those close to us, it may seem like nothing is happening. At times, opposition may even cause pain or strained relationships. These moments can test our perseverance.

But as you obey God, remember that He has a plan of power. Do not give up, and do not grow weary. In due season, the harvest will come.

Those friends and relatives you are praying for will be saved and brought into God’s family. Rejoice now for that future hope. May we all grow in sharing our faith despite all challenges.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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