Building the Church (9)

Spreading the Seed

Good morning.

I hope everyone had a good week.

How did you see God move this past week?

We are continuing our journey through Acts.

Up until now we have seen the beginning of the Church and the growth of the Church.

We are entering the time of the spread of the Church.

We are also seeing a transition from the Jews, to today the Samaritans, and then to the Gentiles.

That is what Jesus said:

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Spreading the Seed

This was the plan and continues to be today.

We are still called to spread the seed as we are going

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.” —Charles Spurgeon

Spreading the Seed

Today I want to look at two spreaders of the Church and two responses to its message.

Let’s pray.

Saul

Acts 8:1 ESV

1 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.

Saul

Saul not only approved of the stoning of Stephen he was passionate about snuffing out this new movement.

Acts 8:2–3 ESV

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.

Saul

Persecution progressed the Gospel

Acts 8:4 ESV

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

Saul

I also want to point out to no be to quick to make judgement or give up on someone.

This Saul was transformed in the next chapter to become Paul.

Phillip

Acts 8:5 ESV

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

Phillip

Here is another of the 8 chose to serve in chapter 6.

The Apostles stayed in Jerusalem to support and encourage the other believers being persecuted.

Someone had to go - Phillip did.

Obedience progresses the Church

Acts 8:6 ESV

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.

Phillip

As we go and obey we carry the message of hope.

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.

Receiving the Seed

Through both the persecution of the religious leaders and Saul and the obedience and boldness of Phillip we see the Church growing and following its mission.

But what of those who respond.

I believe there are 3 responses

The first is of course to refuse, but there are 2 more responses in this chapter i want to look at.

Simon the Magician

Acts 8:9–10 ESV

9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.”

Acts 8:11 ESV

11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.

Acts 8:12 ESV

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

Simon the Magician

Here is a guy who got all the attention.

Notice he is the one who said he was great

But it says he believed:

Acts 8:13 ESV

13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

Simon the Magician

But we are about to see one type of response

Rewards without Repenting

Acts 8:14–15 ESV

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,

Acts 8:18 ESV

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

Simon the Magician

His motivation and heart were wrong.

Acts 8:19 ESV

19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 8:20–21 ESV

20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

Simon the Magician

Even when showed his error, he still was only worried about his well being.

Acts 8:22–24 ESV

22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

Receiving the Seed

Then there are the ones eager and ready

Ethiopian Eunuch

Acts 8:26–27 ESV

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship

Ethiopian Eunuch

Notice Phillip’s obedience led to opportunity.

Acts 8:28–29 ESV

28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”

Ethiopian Eunuch

Find the open door.

Acts 8:30–31 ESV

30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

He was reading a passage “like sheep he was led to slaughter.......”

A ready heart leads to redemption.

God had prepared the heart.

All Phillip had to do was tell the story

Acts 8:36 ESV

36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

Spreading the Seed

“The Christian is not obedient unless he is doing all in his power to send the Gospel to the heathen world.” —A.B. Simpson

Spreading the Seed

The call is still the same today.

The Church will continue to move forward either through persecution or obedience.

What part will you play?

Next week Acts 9

Let’s pray.