Shared Responsibility

What is the church?

— the body of believers

Good… Now, What is the Church truly comprised of? How do you know that a church is alive and healthy?

— unity… The church is (or is supposed to be) a unified body of believers. Bible.org states: “The English word “church” comes from the Greek word “ekklesia,” which means “a gathering” or “an assembly” or literally “called-out-ones.”

We’ve seen in the book of Acts so far that unity was what made the early church so powerful… They were unified in prayer… in purpose… in suffering… and in faith!

As a result, the church grew exponentially… Persecution and hardship didn’t stop that… The Gospel spread… Jesus was proclaimed, even if it meant death for the speaker…

How do we become that effective? (especially as we look towards replanting this church)

That’s what we are going to talk about today.

Acts 8 reveals to us the work of the apostles, of the church, as it realigns the way its ministry functions.

The persecution that began with Stephen’s death forced the Apostles to have to adapt quickly. And the church was forced to become a missionary movement…

Acts 8:1–4 (NIV)

…On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria…

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

They had to Re-vision God’s mission for the expansion of the Gospel to the world.

Just like with us, the apostles and other believers did not know that the persecution — the hardship — would unlock the full potential of the church in terms of its mission.

Acts 8 marks the beginning of the expansion if the Church.

What did Jesus command them to do when He ascended to Heaven?

— “Wait” “Wait, for the Holy Spirit to come”

Why?

— He would bring power to their mission.

What was their mission?

— 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.”

Jesus commissioned them to carry the gospel message to Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and then to all the earth…

Jesus gave them both the MANDATE and the PATTERN for how the Church was supposed to grow.

Luke wants us to understand a couple of things coming into this transition of the church…

He presents us with Stephen and Phillip… Who were they?

— two of the seven chosen to take care of the widows…

Yet, they didn’t stop at just that task, did they?

Stephen was stoned to death for preaching the gospel!

The religious leaders rejected his message, and killed him… (That never happens in the Church today, does it?)

There will ALWAYS be people in the Church who reject either the Message, or the Messenger, and sometimes both! But that won’t stop the Church!

Look at Stephen’s story… The persecution that was designed to stop the message — to stop the Church — actually became the fuel for its growth and development.

Luke says: Acts 8:1

Acts 8:1 (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.

This is awesome!!!!

The more they persecuted the Church. the more it grew!

Why?

— They had a choice to make: 1. Run, Hide, and be silent. Or, 2. Boldly share the Gospel.

Persecution caused those Faithful Christians to spread to the surrounding cities, and when they went, they preached!!!

The church was on the move, it was growing and spreading rapidly, because they re-visioned God’s mission.

They realized that ministry was not solely the work of the Apostles and those chosen lay leaders… It was the responsibility of EVERY believer!

Let me tell you: This church MUST transition… We MUST re-vision the work God has for us… We MUST scatter and share the ministry responsibilities. Amen???

— Now, I don’t mean scatter literally —

I mean we must follow the example Luke is giving us here.

(Turn to Acts 8) Luke introduces us to several individuals here: Saul of Tarsus, a zealous persecutor; Phillip, a deacon and faithful preacher; Simon Mangus, a prideful deceiver; and an Ethiopian Eunuch.

ALL of these men played an important role in the expansion of the Church.

Look at Acts 8:4-8

Acts 8:4–8 NIV

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.

As the persecution in Jerusalem increased, what did Phillip do?

— went to Samaria and preached a revival!!!

Look at verse 8. “There was great joy in that city.”

When in our time have you heard of “great joy” coming to a whole city because of one man’s ministry?

— but this is exactly what happened when Phillip went to Samaria!

Why?

— because the Apostles were willing to share the responsibility of sharing the Gospel, and the people were willing to take responsibility for it!

Reaching the world with the message of Jesus can only be accomplished when believers take responsibility and do their part!

James 1:22–25 NIV

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

That’s what these men did, and look what happened…

After 700 years of conflict and hate between the Samaritans and the Jews, the Holy Spirit sent Phillip to Samaria… He wasn’t appointed, he was led!

He listened and did what God asked him to do, and look what happened! Verse 8, “There was great Joy in that city!” Revival broke out!!!

What did Phillip do that caused this?

— He preached Jesus! He didn’t promote politics, he didn’t preach social services, or civil rights, or current events, or any other “hot topics” of the day… He Preached JESUS!!!!

The Church today needs to REMEMBER that people STILL NEED JESUS!

Christ still saves, He still heals, and He still delivers us from all of our chains!

That’s the message Phillip preached, and the people of Samaria responded!

Acts 8:6 NIV

6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said.

Look at verses 12-13.

Acts 8:12–13 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. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

What did Phillip do?

— He shared his love for Jesus.

Why???

— He wanted the people in Samaria to experience the same grace he had experienced!

— He wanted them to have something more… He wanted them to be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit!

Is that what you want?

Then what are you willing to do to make it happen?

Look at what happens next (vv 14-17)… This is awesome!

Remember, the Jews and Samaritans have not gotten along to this point…

Acts 8:14–17 NIV

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Do you see what just happened?

— God bridged the gap between His people in Jerusalem and His people in Samaria! By filling them with the Holy Spirit.

The racial barriers were removed and true fellowship was nurtured.

Peter and John took on a new role in the church growth and God was exalted!

In fact, Luke tells us that when they returned to Jerusalem, they intentionally visited many Samarian towns along the way, and they were accepted!

That didn’t happen because the Apostles — the pastor did all the work… It happened because the people chose to allow their ministry gifts to work together in unity… And that allows the Holy Spirit to move!

But it only happens when we are working together for God’s purposes, and not our own…

Acts 8:18–21 NIV

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

Simon believed and was baptised… He became a follower of Jesus… He supported Phillip’s ministry… But when he saw Peter and John’s ministry, what happened?

— He desired to be used by the Holy Spirit (not a bad thing right?) but… he didn’t want to help people, he wanted the admiration of the people…

Simon’s motives were not right. His desire was to be recognized… to be important… to be the one people turned to… so he tried to buy it!

Does that happen in the church today? How?

— giving and demanding control because of it… serving and demanding recognition… etc…

Some people seek God’s power for personal benefit, or spiritual pride. They only claim to be Christian for the prestige… for what they can get out of it, and when they don’t get what they want, they either leave the church, or throw a tantrum and use their “weight” to get their way…

God does not give us spiritual gifts and talents for that purpose.

Every talent, every spiritual gift is meant to benefit God’s people and expand His kingdom.

Ephesians 4:11–15 NIV

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

The gift of the Holy Spirt is meant for personal transformation, so that we will be better witnesses of God’s healing and deliverance to others.

It’s not about us; It’s about them!!!

Simon’s request revealed the content of his heart.

He was not right with God, EVEN THOUGH HE HAD BEEN BAPTIZED!

Is your heart right with God? Are your motives pure?

When God looks at you, does He see a holy, sincere, and benevolent heart, committed to Him?

(prayer)

Now… We’re not done yet!

Acts 8:26–35 NIV

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

How precious is one lost soul to God!!!

Do you see how important you are to God?!?

NO-ONE is unloved by Him! NO-ONE is out of His reach! NO-ONE is beyond His desire for them!

In order to bring one person — not a whole town, not a whole family, ONE PERSON — to faith, God sends an angel to Phillip, and tells him to go to Gaza…

And Phillip does!

He leaves this great revival in Samaria to travel to the farthest place south he could go to find a lone Jewish convert from Egypt who was struggling to understand his faith… And He brings Him Jesus!

God wants to use each and every one of us in this same way.

The question is: Will we let Him?

When He asks us to go… to reach out… to serve that one, lonely, lost soul, will we go?

Do we desire to see others receive the gift of Grace God has given to us so much that we will do whatever it takes to see that happen?

If we are going to see this church replanted… If we are going to see it thrive… If we are going to see it change the lives of people… then we must be unified in prayer, in purpose, and in willingness to give and serve!

It means that we must become faithful in our tithes… in our prayers… in our witness… and in our commitment to Christ!

(Prayer)

Challenge: Begin praying the prayer of the disciples in Acts 4:24-31.

There are a few things I have realized this week:

1. We don’t see the Holy Spirit working powerfully in people’s lives because we do not pray for it.

2. We do not see “signs and wonders” because we do not pray for them, and

3. We do not have boldness in our proclamation of Jesus because we do not pray for it.

Acts 4:24–31 NIV

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.