April 19, 2026

Acts 5:12-42

From Scattered to Steadfast: Rejoicing in Suffering

Sunday Sermons

As we continue following the apostles and the growth of the early church in Acts chapter 5, we read amazing stories of healing, angels and bold teaching in the public square. But we also encounter the jealousy of the Sanhedrin, brutal beatings, and, surprisingly, the rejoicing by the apostles in their suffering. Join Pastor Matt as we look at the arc of the apostles’ faith and consider how we hold together trust in a loving God and our response to hardship.

Speaker

Matt Pierson

Series

Acts of the Apostles

Go to Series

Scripture

Acts 5:12-42

Topics
Growth & Discipleship Worldview & Culture

Sermon Notes

Acts 5:12-42

From Scattered to Steadfast: Rejoicing in Suffering

Pastor Matt Pierson

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4

1. The Apostles’ Arc of Faith

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:29-30

“It was a ‘way of life’ in the sense that Life itself had come to life in quite a new way; a force of Life had broken through the normally absolute barrier of death, and had burst into the present world of decay and corruption as a new principle, a new possibility, a new power. And it was this Life, of course, which was carrying the apostles along with it, like a strong wind driving sailing boats out across a wild sea.”
N.T. Wright, Acts for Everyone

2. Suffering is Part of the Christian life

“Nobody persecutes a fish that swims with the stream.”
Iain M. Duguid, Turning the World Upside Down

“Suffering, then, is the badge of true discipleship.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“If you start to understand the depths of God’s love for you in the gospel, then the glory of the God who has loved you this much will take on a kind of radioactive glow that will suffuse your whole life. His glory will become the only thing that matters: not your comfort, success, riches, or even your life. Now your trials and persecutions are no longer necessary evils; they instead become opportunities to shout aloud your love for him.”
Iain M. Duguid, Turning the World Upside Down

3. We Are All Witnesses for Christ

“Being a witness to Christ is not an optional extra in the Christian life, an elective module for those entrusted with a special gift of evangelism. It is a calling, a command to every man and woman, boy and girl. If you have experienced the grace of God that comes through the power of the Spirit, you are a witness.”
Iain M. Duguid, Turning the World Upside Down

“Out of 100 men, one will read the Bible, the other 99 will read the Christian.”
D.L. Moody

“Brothers and sisters, do you want Christian joy? Do you want the fullness of Christian joy? Be bold in your Christian witness, steadfast in integrity and righteousness, honest and quick to speak the name of Jesus, gently, humbly but boldly, irrefutably, and you will face opposition (I guarantee it), and you will be filled with joy, not only now but 50 billion years from now looking back on it and thinking it a very small price to pay to follow the way of Jesus Christ to the cross.”
D.A. Carson

Discussion Questions

  • Read the passage together: Before today’s sermon, what did you already know or believe about this passage? Did anything in your understanding shift after hearing the message?
  • Challenge and Reflection: Was there a part of today’s message that was particularly challenging or surprising for you? Why?
  • Unpacking the Message: Pick a quote from today’s sermon notes. Discuss what it means to you.
  • Personal Impact: What’s one specific way you feel called to change or grow after hearing this message?
  • Practical Application: What’s one step you can take this week to put today’s message into practice?
  • Connecting Scripture: Are there other Bible passages or stories this message reminds you of? How do they expand or confirm this teaching?
  • Gratitude: What aspect of God’s character stood out to you in today’s message? How does it inspire praise or gratitude?
  • Pray the Scripture: After hearing the message, is there a specific area where you feel led to pray? How can we pray for one another in light of today’s teaching?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs:

“O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing“ by Charles Wesley
“May The Peoples Praise You“ by David Zimmer, Ed Cash, Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Stuart Townend
“Give Me Jesus“ by Fernando Ortega
“Christ Our Hope In Life and Death“ by Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker and Matt Papa
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used with permission. CCLI License no. 2003690

Looking for our Hymns of the Week or resources to worship anytime? We’ve curated a playlist of hymns TVC Worship has led on our YouTube Channel!

Call To Worship: Steady Dependence

Compose our spirits to a quiet and steady dependence on your good providence, that we may not be anxious for anything, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, still make known our requests to you, our God. Help us to pray always and not faint; in everything to give thanks, and offer up the sacrifice of praise continually; to rejoice in hope of your glory; to possess our souls in patience; and to learn in whatsoever state we are, there to be content. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!

Classic Prayer: Methodius of Olympia

You have shown us, Lord, the salvation that makes a plant of peace spring up. We will no longer wander in error. You have made known to us, Lord, that you have not overlooked us. You have not forgotten Your creation, the work of Your hands. For out of Your compassion for our lowliness, You have poured out on us Your abundant, inexhaustible goodness. You have redeemed us through Your only begotten Son, who is forever and always one with You. You judged it unworthy of Your majesty to entrust to anyone else the work of saving and lifting up Your servants. With that light, which is the same substance as You, You have given light to those who sat in darkness, in the shadow of death, so that “in Your light we see light”. Through our Lord and Creator, You have seen fit to remake us unto eternal life.

Confession of Faith: New City Catechism

Leader: How can we glorify God?
People: We glorify God by enjoying Him, loving Him, trusting Him, and by obeying His will, commands, and law.

Leader: What does the law of God require?
People: Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done.

TVC Prayer Ministry

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Praying for the Persecuted Church: North Korea

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