Untitled Sermon (2)

When people devote themselves to the gospel, the power of the Holy Spirit will accompany them. The Spirit doesn't always work in ways we understand like with Ananias and Sapphira, but He is working for those who are devoted to the work of the gospel. That is because the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to build Christ's church. I am sure that I would rather see the Spirit working in my life in miracles and healing more than I would it through supernatural death sentencing. However, the Spirit knows what he is doing and knows what is best for the growth of the church, the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira were used to bring reverence and respect of the Spirit that resulted in more and more being added to the church.

Next we come to 2 men who are changed by God and used to advance the church. Stephen and Phillip both begin thier ministry as servants, or you could even call them waiters. They start small, this is no great special ministry but its a ministry that needed to be done, and they did it. Often times we get so caught up in what is my special calling, what is the thing that only I can do? because of that we ignore the simple every day tasks like serving that God says we all must do as christians, all while hoping God will use us for something special or great! many people will never be used by God for anything great because they wont start small, they wont start with the humble service that is needed at the time. Stephen and Philip are used by God in this small area of serving the widows, and before we know it they are being used by God for bigger things. Stephen is preaching to the most religous signifcant jews in the world, and it is one fo the most powerful gospel presentations ever given! he is then stoned to death and his death is used by the Spirit to create boldness in the church and ultimaly push ther gospel even further. Phillip goes from being a waiter to an evagelist, with quite a bit of fruit too! Then God calls him to the desert? Phillip coud have been fustrated with God and said come on God I just started getting to lead people to the Lord Im seeing fruit! But no he odeys God for the need that is at hand and goes to the desert. What Philip finds there is a Etheopian man that is reading Old testament prophecy about Hesus and Phillip is able to lead this man to the lord and what we know from church histroy is that this ethiopian man takes the gospel to africa and many are saved there.

Next, we come to 2 men who are changed by God and used to advance the church. Stephen and Phillip both begin their ministry as servants, or you could even call them waiters. They start small, this is no great unique ministry but it's a ministry that needs to be done, and they did it. Often we get so caught up in what is my particular calling, what is the thing that only I can do? Because of that, we ignore the simple every day tasks like serving that God says we all must do as Christians, all while hoping God will use us for something special or great! Many people will never be employed by God for anything great because they won't start small, they won't start with the humble service that needs to be done at the time. God uses Stephen and Philip in this little area of serving the widows, and before we know it, they are being used by God for bigger things. Stephen is preaching to the most religious significant Jews in the world, and it is one for the most influential gospel presentations ever given! He is then stoned to death, and his death is used by the Spirit to create boldness in the church and ultimately push the gospel even further. Phillip goes from being a waiter to an evangelist, with quite a bit of fruit too! Then God calls him to the desert? Phillip could have been frustrated with God and said come on God I just started getting to lead people to the Lord, and I'm seeing fruit! But no he obeys God for the need that is at hand and goes to the desert. What Philip finds there is an Ethiopian man that is reading Old Testament prophecy about Jesus and Phillip is able to lead this man to the Lord and what we know from church history is that this Ethiopian man takes the gospel to Africa and many are saved there.

What I take from these chapters is that the Holy Spirit is devoted to empowering and using those who are devoted to the gospel and the call of the Lord. Not those who are in it for their own glorry or agenda.

What I take from these chapters is that the Holy Spirit is devoted to empowering and using those who are dedicated to the gospel and the call of the Lord. Not those who are in it for their glory or agenda.

What I learn from this is that I must devote myself not to my dreams but to the call of the lord and leading fo the Spirit, no matter what it is, serving, preaching, desert trips, or even to my death. When I devote myself to the gospel message the power of the Sprit will accomapny me and use me however he sees fit.

What I learn from this is that I must devote myself not to my dreams but the call of the Lord and leading fo the Spirit, no matter what it is, serving, preaching, desert trips, or even to my death. When I devote myself to the gospel message, the power of the Sprit will accompany me and use me however he sees fit.