Extraordinarily Ordinary Witnesses

—stories--

Aunt Irene...

Ross Skaggs...

Josh...

Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 8:1. Acts 8:1.

Last week, we covered over 60 verses as we read about Stephen, the first Christian martyr, killed for his faith. Today, we are focusing on really 8 verses.

Let me read (please stand)

Acts 8:1–8 NIV

1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

looking at verse 4…we see the main theme.

Verse 4

Acts 8:4 NIV

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

that word “preached” it’s a little misleading---because we think of what I am doing now in a local church setting to a congregation. (and this is important)

The Greek word is euangelizomai—I know that means nothing to you—but it’s where we get our word the “evangel” -

that we use in evangelism or evangelicalism. the evangel is the gospel - like Romans 1:16 says I am not ashamed of the gospel—

same root word is used in that as here to preach.

it’s the idea of declaring, sharing, speaking the good news of Jesus Christ—what God has done through Christ—through his perfect life, death in our place on the cross for our sins, and victorious resurrection—to forgive us, save us, to bring the kingdom of God. that’s what they are declaring...

and it’s not the only place in Acts.

Acts 8 is filled with this same word used here to preach the Word.

look at Acts 8:12

Acts 8:12 (NIV)

12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:25 (NIV)

25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Acts 8:35 (NIV)

35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Acts 8:40 (NIV)

40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

euangelizomai—simply means

“to announce good news...”

“to proclaim the gospel...”

and it had an incredible effect.

you see Jesus had promised in Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NIV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

you will be my witnesses…and it wasn’t just the apostles — although we see Peter and John...

it was Philip—he along with Stephen were one of the 7 men chosen in Acts 6 to help distribute food daily to widows in need

and now in Acts 8:4

Acts 8:4 NIV

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

it was those scattered.

it was everyday ordinary people—

Some Reminders for sharing the Gospel

God’s plan A to share the Gospel…is you. yes…you and me. everyday, average, ordinary people. (Acts 8:4, 11:19-21)

If you look at the book of Acts, yes God used some of our heroes of the faith—guys like the apostle Peter, guys like the Apostle Paul, even Stephen....but Acts 8:4 shows us the primary way the Gospel spread in the book of Acts…through everyday average ordinary people—as they were scattered, preaching the word, sharing the Gospel wherever they went.

Acts 11:19-21 gives us some more clues. Acts 11:19-21

Acts 11:19–21 NIV

19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

(look at the map—map #2)

the Gospel spread—to all those areas—because normal, everyday people were sharing it.

these are the unsung heroes.

the extraordinarily ordinary people that their names are not recorded in Scripture…but were God’s primary way to share the Gospel. (and as well as plant churches—communities of faith)

and I believe the same is true today—that God’s primary plan to spread his glory and kingdom is through you and you (even balcony people, even those watching in the coffee area or at home)

it’s interesting that God chooses to use us…why not send an angel, or dream or vision—those things God does use in the book of Acts—angels show up at key points to connect people and communicate—but even when angels and dreams or visions happen it still is to point to the need for a human messenger to share the Gospel.

Romans 10:13–15 NIV

13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

so we must go...

preach/declare the good news of Jesus

so people can hear

and believe

and call on the name of the Lord...

you are god’s plan A—to spread His glory...

God’s plan sometimes is to use our suffering to spread the Gospel (vs.1-3)

not all the time...

sometimes...

look back at the text

Acts 8:1–3 (NIV)

1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.

3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

a great persecution…Saul, who would be Paul is on a persecution frenzy—most likely going to house churches, house gatherings to drag them into prison. he will not stop.

and so that persecution scattered them — the Greek word is diaspora - dispersed. The Jews were dispersed and scattered in the OT, and now the early church in the NT is being scattered.

and it’s amazing--that as they were fleeing for their lives—these are refugees trying to find sanctuary and refuge, food, housing and clothing—while they are fleeing for their lives—they share the Word—they preach and proclaim the good news about Jesus.

i was struck recently by Aliyah Feaster who shared at Your Story Matters—if you missed it and want to see it, let us know. she talked about refugee ministry—and imagine if you are a refugee reading this passage, how encouraging is it that the Bible gets it—it can relate to refugees.

these refugees become missionaries everywhere they go...

one of my mentors said they couldn’t help but share the gospel. he called it gossiping the gospel. we think of gossip as negative and it usually is…but in this case—it just flowed out of them

and God used what was an awfully hard time—let’s face it—people are mourning…God used it in his weird plans to spread the Gospel.

John Stott — an instructive modern parallel is what happened in 1949 in China when the National Government was defeated by the Communists. 637 China Inland Mission missionaries were obliged to leave. It seemed a total disaster. yet within 4 years, 286 of them had been redeployed in SE Asia and Japan, while the national Christians in China, even under severe persecution, began to multiply and now total 30 or 40 times the number they were when the missionaries left.

don’t underestimate how God can use suffering in your life, in our church’s life to spread the Gospel. it doesn’t mean it’s not hard or if you have to grin and bear it—no. We can cry out to God in pain; we can lament, we can lean on each other big time…and yet God often works in spite of the pain and suffering.

I was thinking about this in regards to a mentor — Ross Skaggs...

I was thinking about this in regards to a mentor — Ross Skaggs...from my last church I was at in Lima.

We had the privilege of helping to plant a church in Lima in 2011 and 2012. And Ross was one of the founding people as well. In his early 60’s when it began.

As I got to know Ross, I discovered he loved blue grass music and folksy music, played guitar, had lots of wisdom, and was a prayer warrior.

I learned that he had had a literal, physical heart transplant. In fact, while he was waiting for a transplant, he got the call one day; his family was out, so he drove himself a few hours from Lima, Ohio to Cleveland Clinic. And it was a successful transplant.

However, he was on anti-rejection medication for his heart—and it suppressed his immune system, so he was often sick.

And yet, he was one of our most faithful prayer warrior. Every Tuesday morning we would pray together with a small group for the church, for the community, for others.

He was one of our most faithful worship leaders…

He would do music gigs, sharing about being a organ donor—and how he had a new heart both physically and spiritually—using it as an opportunity.

They called him the tinman--

God using an extraordinary ordinary individual to preach the Gospel wherever he went.

3. God’s plan for us is to both show and tell the good news.

both are needed...

we see God provides both...

look at verses 5-8

Acts 8:5–8 NIV

5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

now, I know sometimes when we talk about miracles it can get interesting---even uncomfortable.

but you can’t deny that one of the primary ways that God spread His good news through Jesus and the apostles—and now Stephen and Philip was through a ministry of deeds.

in this case—miracles—showing the power of God. evil spirits/demons coming out of many.

the paralyzed or lame could walk.

and God can still do those things today to show his kingdom power, that the Good news we are declaring comes from a powerful God.

sometimes that can be shown through a miracle…sometimes it’s through you or the body of Christ in action, loving and providing and being caring and generous.

this matters in our display of the Gospel.

but even if you are called to show the Gospel—you and I are still called to speak it.

Philip doesn’t do miracles in all the settings in Acts 8....

but he does no matter what tell the gospel.

He does it here.

he does it later on in when he confronts Simon the sorcerer.

he will explain who Jesus is to the Ethiopian Eunuch at the end of Acts from the OT book of Isaiah.

he is declaring.

I don’t know what temptation you have more. Do you share the gospel more than you show it? that seems unbalanced.

Do you try to show it but never share it? that is also unbalanced.

We need both.

i could say more but those are 2 from this passage...

let me talk about some obstacles that keep us from sharing the Word...

Obstacles — What keeps us from sharing the Word...

Fear — how will others react? what will people think of me? will it change the relationship?

Proverbs 29:25 NIV

25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

the Apostles earlier in Acts prayed for boldness to overcome that fear...

Acts 4:29 NIV

29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

if you are afraid, realize you are in good company. the early church, the amazing apostles needed to pray for boldness.

pray for boldness to overcome fear.

negative examples — bullhorn guy

when we think of evangelism or sharing our faith—we think of the person on the street corner with a megaphone shouting out “you are all going to hell?” or “this is horrible.” Our student ministries pastor Logan mentioned that when they have taken college age young adults to the Passion Conference in Atlanta—there is usually a person outside with a megaphone who claims to be more Christian than anyone else doing just that.

but we don’t see bullhorn guy in Acts.

we see a style of evangelism that is showing the gospel, sharing the Gospel, we see later churches being planted—sharing the gospel in community. doing life together.

it’s not like that.

spending time with non-believers...

maybe you don’t know many non-believers or don’t know any. maybe it is out of coincidence. maybe it’s because we want to be insulated from society.

i think if we slow down and think of all our contacts…we can think of someone who doesn’t know Christ.

and if you can’t, what is a way that you can create some intentionality in your life to spend with unbelievers—maybe it’s through a hobby, a sport, a class, a group. maybe it is volunteering in an organization in our community.

I don’t know the gospel

or maybe there is fear you will be asked a question you can’t answer.

one of the most freeing things I try to say if someone asks me something I don’t know—is “I don’t know…but I will try and find an answer.”

when it comes to sharing the Gospel…I try to think of ways we could share in 30 seconds or less…or maybe one minute. vs. maybe having an extended conversation.

when I have tried to share the Gospel—I think of 4 parts...

God

man

christ

response

God—there is a God who made us, loves us, designed us to live under his authority in a loving relationship

man—but unfortunately we have turned our backs on God and said we know best—the bible calls this sin. and we deserve God’s judgment because of it. we deserve death both physically and spiritually

but Christ—thankfully—God provided a way for us to be restored to God’s kingdom and not face his judgment. through what Jesus did—his life, death on the cross, and resurrection—we can be included in God’s kingdom again.

but it’s not automatic—we must respond.

we must repent and believe

we must believe (not work for this) trusting Jesus alone

and repent, turn from our ways to Jesus. Jesus is my king. not me

so God, man, Christ, response...

i could share more objections—like maybe we assume people are Christians when they are not (don’t assume....) maybe we are arrogant and filled with pride…maybe some of the people we reach say there are hypocrites in the church.

I want to go back to extraordinarily ordinary...

one of my friends recently shared this story

when we think about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, even through suffering…my friend shared this story about a young man named Josh out of the FW area.

Josh is on a mission to pass out 1,000,000 Red Diamonds.

Born with Sickle Cell Anemia, Josh was adopted at 6 months, had a stroke at 5, received an Asperger's diagnosis at 10, needed 400 blood transfusions, developed a rare liver disease (called Hepatopulmonary Syndrome), and landed in Hospice Care at 19.

Whenever Josh meets a new person he asks "Can I give you a Red Diamond?" As he places a diamond in their hand he says:

It's Red because love matters. Love makes a difference. It's a Diamond because God does amazing things under heat and pressure. Can I give you some more? I bet you know people who could use some encouragement.

For the last eight years, 27 year old Joshua Jank has spent each day living like it is his last, all while sharing a message of hope and love to people all across the world through red diamonds.

Josh was born with sickle cell anemia, a disease that breaks down red blood cells. He was put up for adoption and the Jank family welcomed him into their home when he was six months old. Like many boys, Josh grew up enjoying a few passions which included planes and farming. At five years old, he started experiencing strokes which began his journey receiving blood transfusions. When Josh was ten, he received an Asperger’s diagnosis and developed a disease called hepatopulmonary syndrome.

“My liver is creating toxins that are destroying my lungs. It’s an incurable diagnosis, the one way to cure it would be a liver transplant but the sickle cell would destroy the new liver,” Josh says.

(see rest of story)

pray...

for open doors

for a specific person

how can God use your hard time for his glory to testify to him—b/c when God remains your treasure even in suffering—the world takes notice and says “I want that.”