The Submitted Life

Intro

The Submitted Life

KEY TAKE AWAY: When a Believer submits to the Lord, God uses them extraordinarily.

Set up

Church is growing rapidly.

Stephen is being faithful

Stephen is the first martyr

Saul witnesses the death of Stephen

Which leads us to the text this morning.

(Acts 8:1-3)

1. Submit to God’s Will

Acts 8:1–3 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. 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.

Exegetical Notes: The Anatomy of Scattering

The opening of Chapter 8 marks a violent "hinge" in the book of Acts. Up until this point, the church has been relatively localized in Jerusalem.

Greek Term

Transliteration

Contextual Meaning

Συνευδοκῶν | Syneudokōn

Saul wasn't just "okay" with it; he was actively endorsing or "heartily agreeing" with the execution.

Διωγμὸς Μέγας | Diōgmos Megas

A "Great Persecution." Not just social friction, but a systematic attempt to hunt and harass.

Διασπείρω | Diaspeirō

Scattered. Used for sowing seed. God was using Saul’s wind to blow the Gospel seeds into new soil.

Ἐλυμαίνετο | Elymaineto

Ravaging. A brutal word used to describe a wild animal (like a boar) tearing up a vineyard.

The Irony of the Apostles: Verse 1 notes everyone was scattered except the apostles. This highlights a dual submission: some were called to flee for the Gospel's expansion, while others were called to stay as a courageous anchor for the remaining community.

The "Devout Men": Burying Stephen (v. 2) was a high-risk act of submission. Under Roman and Jewish custom, lamented burials for "blasphemers" were often forbidden. By making "great lamentation," these men submitted to God’s standard of honor over the state's standard of shame.

Saul’s Systematic Destruction: Verse 3 describes a "house to house" search. This underscores that God’s will often permits high-pressure environments to force growth that wouldn't happen in comfort.

ILLUSTRATION: The "Slingshot" Maneuver (Science/Space Exploration)

In space exploration, to get a spacecraft like Voyager 2 or the Galileo probe to the outer reaches of our solar system, scientists use a technique called a "Gravity Assist" or a "Slingshot Maneuver."

On paper, the maneuver looks like a disaster. To gain the speed necessary to reach its final destination, the spacecraft is often sent in the "wrong" direction—plunging directly toward a massive planet like Jupiter. To an outside observer, it looks like the ship is about to be pulled into Jupiter's gravity and crushed. It looks like it has lost its way and is being "ravaged" by the planet’s pull.

However, the "will" of the mission controllers is precise. By "submitting" to the terrifying pull of that planet, the spacecraft actually steals a tiny bit of the planet's orbital momentum. As it swings around the back of the planet, it is flung out the other side with significantly more speed than it had before.

The Connection: In Acts 8, the church felt like it was being pulled into the "gravity" of Saul’s persecution. They were being dragged out of their homes (the "wrong" direction). But God was using the "gravity" of that crisis as a slingshot. By "submitting" to the scattering, the church gained the momentum it needed to reach the "outer reaches"—Samaria and the ends of the earth. What looked like a crash course with destruction was actually God's way of accelerating His mission.

Application: Trusting the "Scattering"

Submission to God’s will usually happens in the "dark room" of life before the "photograph" of His plan is fully developed.

Pivoting, Not Perishing: When your "Jerusalem" (your place of comfort/stability) is disrupted, don't assume God has abandoned you. He may be "sowing" you into a "Samaria" where people are waiting for what you carry.

Righteous Grief: Submission doesn't mean suppressing pain. The "devout men" lamented Stephen. You can be fully submitted to God’s plan while still being honest about the heartbreak it causes.

Pressure as a Catalyst: Just as Saul’s "ravaging" forced the church to move, God sometimes uses external pressures to move us out of stagnant seasons.

2. Submit to God’s Instruction

Acts 8:4–25 ESV

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. 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.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 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. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. 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, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 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. 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.” 25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

Exegetical Notes: The Boundary-Breaking Mission

This section records the first major "border crossing" of the Gospel. Philip, one of the seven deacons, becomes the first to take the message to the Samaritans—a people the Jews had shunned for centuries.

Greek Term | Transliteration

Contextual Meaning

Εὐαγγελιζόμενοι | Euangelizomenoi

Preaching the good news —Notice that the "scattered" believers (v. 4) were all doing this, not just the "professionals."

Ἐκήρυσσεν | Ekēryssen

Proclaimed — This carries the weight of a royal herald making an official announcement that cannot be ignored.

Προσεῖχον | Proseichon

Paid attention — It implies more than just hearing; it’s a "clinging" or "devoting oneself" to the message.

Χολὴν πικρίας | Cholēn pikrias

Gall of bitterness — Peter’s description of Simon’s heart. It refers to a poisonous, bile-like envy.

The Samaritan Barrier: Philip’s submission to God’s instruction required him to bypass centuries of racial and religious prejudice. To "submit" to God’s instruction often means submitting our cultural biases to His command.

The "Samaritan Pentecost" (v. 14–17): The Holy Spirit was delayed until Peter and John arrived. Exegetes suggest this was a divine "instruction" in church unity. It ensured the Samaritans weren't a separate "sect" but were fully integrated into the one true Church under apostolic authority.

The Simon Contrast: Simon Magus "believed" (v. 13) but failed to submit to the internal instruction of the Spirit. He wanted the power of the instruction without the Lord of the instruction. His desire to buy the Spirit ("Simony") revealed he was still a slave to his own ego.

Illustration: The "Harbor Pilot" (Maritime Science)

When a massive container ship or a luxury cruise liner approaches a major international port, the ship's Captain—who has successfully navigated thousands of miles of open ocean—does something counterintuitive: he steps aside. Despite his experience, he is not "instructed" in the specific, shifting underwater currents, hidden sandbars, and narrow channels of that specific harbor. A Harbor Pilot—a local expert—is brought out to the ship on a small boat. The Captain must "submit" to the Pilot’s instructions. For those few miles, the Captain essentially gives up control of his multi-million dollar vessel to a stranger.

The Connection: Philip’s "open ocean" was Jerusalem, but God "instructed" him into the "narrow channel" of Samaria. Philip had to trust the "Local Expert" (the Holy Spirit). Conversely, Simon Magus was like a passenger who tried to bribe the Pilot to let him steer the ship so he could look powerful to the other passengers. He didn't want to get to the destination safely; he wanted the prestige of the wheel. Submission to God’s instruction means letting the "Pilot" take the helm because He knows the "hidden reefs" of the human heart better than we do.

Application: The "Harbor Pilot" Mentality

Submitting to God’s instruction is about recognizing that He has "local knowledge" we don't possess.

Beyond Personal Comfort: Philip had to go to a place he was likely taught to avoid. God’s instructions often point toward our "Samarias"—the people or places we’ve written off.

Verification of Heart: Simon shows us that you can follow the "process" (baptism, following a leader) without submitting your "pursuit." We must ask: Is my obedience a way to get what I want, or a way to give God what He wants?

Patience in the Process: The Samaritans had to wait for Peter and John. Sometimes submission to God’s instruction means waiting for His timing rather than forcing a spiritual result.

3. Submit to God’s Calling

Acts 8:26–40 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 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.” 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. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 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?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Exegetical Notes: The Logic of the Desert

Philip was in the middle of a massive "success" in Samaria. Human logic suggests you stay where the momentum is. God’s calling, however, ignores "analytics" in favor of "individuals."

Ἔρημος | Erēmos

Desert or wilderness — It emphasizes a place of isolation and lack of resources.

Προσδραμὼν | Prosdramōn

Ran to him— This shows the eagerness of Philip’s submission. He didn't just trudge; he sprinted.

Ἀνοίξας τὸ στόμα | Anoixas to stoma

Opened his mouth — A formal idiom used for solemn, inspired speech.

Ἥρπασεν | Hērpasen

Snatched or carried away — The same word used for the Rapture. It implies a sudden, divine relocation.

The Geometry of the Desert: The road from Jerusalem to Gaza was approximately 50-60 miles. For Philip to be at the exact spot at the exact time to meet a moving chariot was a feat of "Divine GPS." Submitting to a calling often requires being at a specific "coordinate" without knowing why.

The Eunuch’s Inclusion: In the Old Testament, eunuchs were excluded from the full assembly (Deuteronomy 23:1). However, Philip finds him reading Isaiah—a book that explicitly promises a place for eunuchs in the future kingdom (Isaiah 56:4–5). Philip wasn't just explaining a text; he was announcing the fulfillment of a promise to an outcast.

The Sudden Exit: Verse 39 shows that once the specific "calling" was fulfilled, Philip was immediately reassigned. Submission to a calling means being comfortable with "temporary assignments." We are stewards of a moment, not owners of a person's journey.

Illustration: "Narrowcasting" (Technology/Communication)

In the early days of television and radio, the goal was Broadcasting. The idea was to send out a signal as wide as possible to reach the largest "average" audience. It was a "shotgun" approach—hit everything and hope something sticks. This was Samaria (Acts 8:5–8).

Today, technology has shifted toward Narrowcasting (or "Micro-targeting"). This is where a message is tailored specifically for one specific person based on their unique needs, location, and current "search history."

The Connection: Philip was involved in a "Broadcast" in Samaria. But God "Narrowcasted" him to the Gaza road. The Eunuch was effectively "searching" (reading Isaiah), and God sent a "Targeted Result" (Philip) directly to his "browser" (the chariot).

Submitting to God’s calling means being willing to be a "Laser" instead of a "Floodlight." It means being okay with the fact that God might take you away from a "viral" moment to have a "one-on-one" conversation that changes an entire continent (tradition holds the Eunuch brought the Gospel to Ethiopia).

Application: The "Precision" of the Spirit

Submitting to a calling often feels like "descending" rather than "ascending."

The Value of One: We often equate "calling" with "influence over many." Philip shows that a "calling" might be leaving a stadium full of people to sit in a dusty chariot with one person.

Preparedness for the "Desert": Philip was ready to explain Isaiah 53 because he had been immersed in the Word. You cannot submit to a calling you aren't prepared to handle.

The Speed of Obedience: When the Spirit said "Go over and join this chariot," Philip ran. Delayed obedience is often a form of sophisticated rebellion.