On the Road Again

On the road again

Acts 8:1-8 (ESV)

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. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 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. 7 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. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

The purpose in pain

Don’t stand still

Acts 8:1-2(ESV)

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. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

George 1pic 12 when I met George..

As believers we are not called to live a comfortable life

To find a place and just stand there..

Persecution moves us

Luke 9:57-62 (ESV)

57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Peresecution helped with dispersement of the church.. God’s plan

Persecution weeds out

How many of these folks became missionaries when they were not planning of it

Acts 8:3 (ESV)

3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

George ..Mt oak

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV)

12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Peter reminds us about how Jesus responded..

1 Peter 2:23 (ESV)

23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Its been said that Persecution spreads the Gospel which grows the church which leads to more persecution, which spreads the gospel, bring more persecution

John Piper said, “it’s a strange principle, that probably goes right to the heart of our sinfulness and Christ’s sufficiency—the principle that hard times, like persecution, often produce more personnel, more prayer, more power, more open purses than easy times.”

When Jesus was about to go to the cross he asked his friends to pray,, he prayed.. he wore himself out in prayer. ..

Persecution grows our walk

Acts 8:4 (ESV)

4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

Our response to persecution should be sharing the gospel..

Acts 8:4 (KJV)

4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went through places preaching the word.

What is it therefore.. pastor Lew

Stephen was stoned to death, therefore …

The church was brutally attacked, therefore …

Christians were dragged out of their homes, therefore …

They were put in prison, therefore …

They were scattered in many places, therefore …

Scattered ..two words through .. to sow seeds

So think.. of a farmer sewing seeds..

I got to think about this and wanted to take time to help us all share the Gospel..

Four spiritual laws

Law 1

The first of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 10:10 gives us the reason that Jesus came, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." What is blocking us from God’s love? What is preventing us from having an abundant life? Law 2 The second of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "Humanity is tainted by sin and is therefore separated from God. As a result, we cannot know God’s wonderful plan for our lives." Romans 3:23 affirms this information, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 gives us the consequences of sin, "the wages of sin is death." God created us to have fellowship with Him. However, humanity brought sin into the world, and is therefore separated from God. We have ruined the relationship with Him that God intended us to have. What is the solution? Law 3 The third of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin. Through Jesus Christ, we can have our sins forgiven and restore a right relationship with God." Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 informs us of what we need to know and believe in order to be saved, "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..." Jesus Himself declares that He is the only way of salvation in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." How can I receive this wonderful gift of salvation? Law 4 The Fourth of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "We must place our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior in order to receive the gift of salvation and know God’s wonderful plan for our lives." John 1:12 describes this for us, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." Acts 16:31 says it very clearly, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved!" We can be saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you want to trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior, say the following words to God. Saying these words will not save you, but trusting in Christ will! This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and deserve punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!"

Acts 8:5-6 (ESV)

5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 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.

Bring Joy to a lost City

Acts 8:7-8 (ESV)

7 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. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

Have you ever done something that was greater than you? Something that you know, just could not of happened without God.. and there is a great joy that abounds because of it.

1 Peter 1:7 (ESV)

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

George

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Proverbs 27:19. I see George's reflection everyday in the Macc and those around me, what a blessing!!!