Promotion Through Persacution

Text:

Acts 8:1–3 NKJV

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Acts 8:1–13 NKJV

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

https://vimeo.com/233342428

(NKJV) Saul Persecutes the Church 8 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Saul Persecutes the Church

(NKJV) The Great Commission 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The Great Commission

sometimes it takes the shove of discomfort to move us to obedience.

8 Now Saul was consenting to his death.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

often times we don’t realize the full impact of our sin of omission until something happens to move us into obedience.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

this persecution motivated the church beyond the boundaries of Jerusalem into other parts of the world.

disobedience- can be things that I do. but it can also be things that I don't do.

often preachers call sins that i do sins of commission.

things that I don’t do are sins of commission.

the holy spirit doesn't tell me about your life. with my personal life and my ministries I have enough of my own stuff to deal with.

(NKJV) 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

the Greek words Luke uses here would mean that Hebrews who may not have been believers asked for his body to properly bury him.

this is a great testament to Stephens spirit filled character

(NKJV) Walk in See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

(NKJV) 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Walk in Wisdom

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

this is the second time Saul is mentioned. maybe part of the reason is, the grace of God is about to be played out in is life first and then his pen. Saul will become Paul and then he will write two thirds of the New Testament.

3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,