As we dig into Acts 6, here is the first thought that comes to my mind. Sometimes the church is both an unstoppable force and an unspeakable mess. The church in Acts was an amazing movement, full of power and courage, a joy and generosity that would just knock the spiritual socks off your feet. But it wasn't pure. It wasn't perfect.

Don't forget the deceit of Ananias and Sapphira. In Acts 8, we'll see the hunger for self-serving power in Simon the Magician, the fearful retreating of John Mark in Acts 13 and so much more mess. Sometimes an unstoppable force can also be an unspeakable mess, in fact I don't know that history has ever seen a revival that wasn't messy.

But never forget as we look at the church in all her mess. Jesus is so intimately passionate about His church that He calls it His bride. Pretty hard to love Jesus, if we don't love His bride.

In Acts chapter 5, we find the early church experiencing intense persecution from the religious authorities. The apostles have been arrested, flogged, and commanded to stop speaking about Jesus. But instead of being silenced and scared, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name.

Can you imagine that mindset today? How many of us would consider it a privilege to be beaten and shamed for our faith? The apostles' response reveals just how radical a transformation the gospel had worked in their hearts and lives. Their devotion to Christ superseded even the most basic human instincts for comfort and control. So as we listen to Acts 5:40-42 today, just ask yourself - do I have that same spirit of joyful willingness to endure hard times for the sake of Jesus? Am I grateful for times when I suffered for Jesus? Not easy questions, but they may measure the heart of our passion for Jesus and how full we are of the Spirit.

In Acts 5, a religious leader by the name of Gamliel, let loose with some wisdom on the Jewish religious leaders. He warned them to leave Peter and John alone because if this movement was not of God, it would die out. But if it was of God...they would find themselves fighting against God!

The church in Acts was of God. It was filled with people who were experiencing the fire of the Holy Spirit filling their hearts and minds. A group of people who were bowing their hearts and bending their knees to give their loyalty and their love to Jesus. And God responded by filling them with his presence, empowering them with his Spirit and giving them courage and deep compassion. A compassionate courage so deep that they just could not stop talking about Jesus!

When is the last time you felt like you just couldn't stop talking about Jesus?