Sacred Resistance A study of Acts 5:17 26 on the Daily Bible refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller.

Hello good people.

Welcome to Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller.

Thank you for joining me in this endeavor that we have, this odyssey to get the audible word of God into 2 million years.

That's a million people by 2028.

We do that by a daily reading of the New Testament.

We use the Revised Common Lectionary.

We're in year C of a three year cycle and we are in the season called Eastertide or the Easter season.

We make the Bible relatable by giving you some points to ponder and applicable by an action step and understandable.

And we use the message version.

It's all brought to you by voiceofgod daily.com that's our website where you can find the free resource the ABC 123 Bible Study Guide.

Let's get into our reading for the day from Acts 5:17 26 reading from the Message to obey God rather than men Provoked mightily by all this, the chief priest and those on his side, mainly the sect of Sadducees, went into action arresting the apostles and put them in the town jail.

But during the night an angel of God opened the jailhouse door and led them out and he said, go to the temple and take your stand.

Tell the people everywhere there is to say about this life.

Promptly obedient, they entered the temple at daybreak and went on with their teaching.

Meanwhile, the chief priest and his cronies convened the High Council Israel's Senate and sent to the jail to have the prisoners brought in.

When the police got there, they couldn't find them anywhere in the jail.

They went back and reported.

We found the jail locked tight as a drum and the guards posted at the doors.

But when we went inside, we didn't find a soul.

The chief of the temple police and the high priest were puzzled.

What's going on here?

Anyway, just then someone showed up and said, did you know that the men you put in jail are back in the temple preaching and teach to the people.

The chief and his police went and got them, but they handled them gently, fearful that the people would riot and turn on them.

Wow, what a really a profound verse of scripture.

It's a story of resistance, divine God's divine liberation and speaking truth to power.

Let's get into some points to ponder in this lesson for the day.

The first indeed is about divine liberation.

The story of the apostles miraculous release from prison reminds us that liberation is the heart of our faith.

Tradition While we might not experience literal angels opening prison doors, we're called to participate in God's liberating work in our world.

This includes supporting prison reform, opposing mass incarceration or unlawful incarceration, and working towards restorative justice rather than punitive systems.

A second point is about speaking the truth.

Despite opposition, the apostles were instructed to tell the people everywhere there is to say about this life.

Despite facing arrest and persecution, they continued their public witness.

Today, this challenges us to speak out against injustice, even when it's uncomfortable or risky.

Whether it's addressing climate crisis, systematic racism, or economic inequality, our faith calls us to bold truth telling.

The third point, it's about people power.

Notice how the authorities handle the apostles, gently, fearing that the people would not, fearing that the people would riot.

This reveals the power of organized communities to influence systems of authority.

When people unite for justice, even powerful institutions must take notice.

This teaches us about the importance of collective action and solidarity in working for true social change.

Let's talk about an action.

Let's talk about an action step.

Identify one justice issue in your community where truth needs to be spoken.

This might be about something of a racial nature or a local environmental concerns or housing inequality or police reform or something political.

Connect with local organizations already working on this issue.

Write a letter to the paper or to your local television station or to some other group or to your political leaders.

Attend a community meeting or join a grassroots organization.

Remember that speaking truth requires both courage and community support.

We're going to pray here in just a moment.

I always like to remind you about our resource that we have for you for your own personal daily Bible study.

It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.

And it is just that simple.

ABC 1, 2, 3.

You pick it up at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com completely free, and it will help you to do your own daily Bible study.

Let's pray.

Oh God, you are the divine liberator.

We live in times when speaking truth feels risky and the powers that be seem insurmountable.

Give us courage, like the early apostles, to stand firm at our witness for justice.

Help us remember that we're not alone in this work, that in you we are present in every act, that you are present in every act of liberation, every spoken truth, every stand against oppression.

Guide us to build communities of support and resistance.

When we feel afraid, remind us of your liberating presence.

When we feel discouraged, help us remember the power of collective action.

In hope and determination, we pray.

Amen.

Well, friends, it's always a joy to be with you here in Daily Bible Refresh.

Thank you for joining me.

We usually drop our episodes every every single day before 6:00am Eastern time, but you can get them any time.

We just invite you to come and bring a friend next time.

We have a goal of getting the audible word of God into two million ears.

That's a million people by the year 2028.

Please join me tomorrow and every day as we do just that here@voiceofgoddaily.com for the daily Bible Refresh.

Until tomorrow then, friends.

My name is Dr.

Brad Miller, reminding you that God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.