April 25th 2026 Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

IF IT IS FROM GOD YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THESE MEN

Acts 5:38-40 (Read Acts 5:33-40) “’Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.’ His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” 

When your pastor delivers a sermon, if it is based upon God’s word, then the words of the sermon are not his but God’s. A Christian pastor spends much time in developing his sermon so that it clearly presents God’s word to God’s people. As a part of his preparation to speak God’s word before his congregation or teach it in a Bible class, he also engages in significant prayer time seeking the guidance and blessing of the Holy Spirit.   

The following prayer is often prayed by a pastor prior to delivering his sermon: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord . . .” The pastor’s goal in preparing and delivering his sermon is to be a servant of God being used by Him to speak to His people.   

Prophets of the Old Testament, apostles and pastors of the New Testament are God’s chosen instruments to speak His word to His people. The Church and Christian classroom are not an invention of human beings. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I among them also.” (Matthew 18:20) The writer to the Hebrews exhorted the Christians to whom he wrote, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) Jesus said, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3) In regard to silencing the preaching and teaching of God’s word remember these words from Luke 19:39-40: “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” 

Prayer: Lord, grant that Your Word freely be proclaimed throughout the world that all might know You as their heavenly Father and Your Son is their Savior. In His holy name. Amen. 

(A hymn to be sung at the beginning of a worship service) 

Blessed Jesus, at Your Word   
We are gathered all to hear You,  
Let our hearts and souls be stirred   
Now to seek and love and fear You  
By Your teachings, sweet and holy,  
Drawn from earth to love You solely. 

All our knowledge, sense, and sight  
Lie in deepest darkness shrouded  
Till Your Spirit breaks our night  
With the beams of truth unclouded.  
You alone to God can win us;  
You must work all good with us.  

Gracious Savior, good and kind,  
Light of Light, from God proceeding,  
Open now our heart and mind;  
Help us by Your Spirit’s pleading.  
Hear the cry Your Church now raises;  
Hear and bless our prayers and praises. 

Father, Son, and Spirit, Lord,  
Praise to You and adoration!  
Grant that we may trust Your Word,  
Confident of our salvation,  
While we here below must wander,  
Till we sing Your praises yonder.  

Blessed Jesus, at Your Word // LSB 904

Public Domain // Used by Permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110000198