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BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT

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  Acts 5:1-11 The story of Achan found in Joshua chapter 7, has some  similarities to this chapter that is before us.  He stole, and he deceived the camp, so God called Joshua, and the soldiers, to find the person who caused Israel to be an enemy, and God would not protect them until the matter was dealt with.  We read, “And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the cloak and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had. And they brought them up to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The LORD brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.”  ...
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THE CHURCH RESPONDS TO PERSECUTION

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  Acts 4:22-37   Giving thanks in the midst of sorrow and brokenness  is certainly not easy to do.  Peter and John were just released, but threated by the religious zealots, and powers over them.  They returned not in a state of fear and sadness, but of exhilaration .  They just preached to Sanhedrin and they were granted the privilege of suffering for their Lord.  As Paul said this, that I “…. may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Phil 3:10.  They responded correctly, and this is where the church comes in, especially when we face persecution alone, or as a group.  The church’s response to persecution , should primarily be with grace, prayer, and perseverance… rather than: retaliation, we draw from the teachings of Jesus to love our enemies and forgive our oppressors.  This posture prioritizes bold faith, spiritual endurance, and mutual support within the global body of believers, especially here, in the local...
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