Acts 8:1-8

Question last week:

“For what do you want to be known?”

Question for today:

“For what is that our church family wants to be known?”

I hope that as a church family, we want to be a dynamic movement.

I hope we want to be known for the impact we are making locally and around the world.

“And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.” (Acts 8:1–8, ESV)

Two Sections:

1. What it means to be a movement (vv. 1-4)

2. How to live out the gospel in our daily lives (vv. 5-8)

“And Saul approved of his execution.” (Acts 8:1a, ESV)

The persecution was intended to destroy the church, but it actually strengthened the church and spread the gospel to surrounding areas.

“While suffering may be inevitable, God’s mission is unstoppable.” -Tony Merida

The word used for “preach” actually means “to tell others about Jesus; to evangelize.”

The persecution that occurred, pushed out the followers of Jesus out of their church. So they took what they had learned and went out and shared the gospel.

God used the persecution to turn the church into an entire community of people using what He had equipped them with, so that every follower of Jesus was part of the mission.

Do you want to see our church go from being an institution or gathering into a movement?

Watch what happens when more and more followers of Jesus, who belong to this church, see it as their responsibility to be on mission for Christ instead of acting like they are paying their dues for professionals to go out there and do it.

“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2, ESV)

God never calls you, blesses you, or fills your heart with love, except to make you a blessing to send you to others.

What is the cause for the expansion of Christianity?

Ordinary believers taking the opportunity to share the message wherever they went.

2. How to live out the gospel in our daily lives (vv. 5-8)

A. The Word is proclaimed

“Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.” (Acts 8:5, ESV)

B. Actions

“For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.” (Acts 8:7, ESV)

People will listen to our words if they first see our deeds.

C. Racial Reconciliation

The gospel comes in and works on both your feelings of superiority and your inferiority.

If you are a follower of Christ and you understand what He has done for you, how can you feel superior to any group of people?

Saul is attempting to scatter the church (vv. 1-4)

The result is uniting them in heart and mission (vv. 5-8)

Saul’s goal was to kill the church (vv. 1-4)

The result actually gives the church more life (vv. 5-8)

“And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60, ESV)

The greater the persecution, the greater the trampling of Christians, it does not lead to violence in return. Instead, it leads to greater love and joy.

“And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60, ESV)

This week, instead of praying, “God, make it better,”

Try praying, “God, make it count.”

This week, let’s pray, “God, in the midst of these ‘light and momentary afflictions’ that don’t feel so ‘light and momentary,’ don’t just make it better, make these days count so that I look more like Jesus day by day.”