In this sermon It’s Not an Easy Road, Acts began with a walk of obedience. About 120 people walked a Sabbath day’s journey to the upper room in Jerusalem. They waited seven to ten long days for the Holy Ghost, promised to those who obey God. Acts is a story of obedience. Jesus commanded, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). That is exactly what they did. They spread the gospel throughout the known world. Most of this took place after persecution hit the church and forced them to be scattered abroad. “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:3-4). The believers in the New Testament church suffered because of their obedience to God. They did it joyfully—both the obeying and the suffering for the name. In Acts 5, Peter and John were in jail. What was the charge? Healing a lame man in the name of Jesus. During the night, an angel opened the doors of the jail and released them. "Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life" (Acts 5:20, NIV). This command, when obeyed, led to a cruel beating. Many think that obedience to God’s commandments immediately brings blessings. At times, obeying God results in hardship and suffering. These men determined to obey God regardless of the cost and rejoiced at the opportunity to suffer for Jesus’ name.