Great Persecution Leads to Faithful Obedience

Host Time and Welcome || student pastor: Stephen Ellison

Worship team in place before Stephen takes the stage. 10:28am

Music begins promptly at 10:30

Good Morning Church! Covenant Members, would you join me in welcoming all of our first time and returning guests? (applause) So good to see all of you and to be here. I hope you have been made to feel welcome today. This church is about walking out this life together in the RADICAL GRACE of JESUS CHRIST. It’s our heart that here a Concord, that you are made to feel “Know, Loved, and that you Belong.” Scripture tells us:‌

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

That means you don’t have to get it all figured out before you come. You don’t have to put on a mask to be accepted here. You come and we figure it out together…no matter where you are in your spiritual journey. Whatever season you are in, we know the struggle of this sinful world…but we also know that our God is bigger than our circumstances.

covenant connection:

With that said, I hope you received a program this morning you’ll notice in that program there more info about who we are and what we offer as a church. Now the insert is promoting some awesome things coming up like: this Wednesday nights—Concord U. This is a Wednesday night group time offered in a college style atmosphere for our adults while we have gatherings for kids and students at the same time. On that insert you can sign up for some various class options.

Next Sunday, May 6th, we are having a Special Called Family Meeting immediately following worship. If you are a Covenant Member please make every effort to stay after service. Bring a snack to hold you over, whatever you need to do to make it through. We need you there!

guest connect:

(Go back to upbeat)— Also, for our Guests we want to connect with you! You’ll notice inside the program along with the insert is a connect envelope. Later on in our service we will worship through a time of offering together; both guest and member. During our offering portion of worship we will give all of you a moment to fill out the connect envelopes, that also serve as a place you can give any money or financial gift that you would offer to the Lord. During that time you will have an opportunity to be obedient and pray over your gift to the Lord as well. Simply place the Lord’s gift in the envelope; fill out the connect info and during our offering worship, you can place both, the insert and the connect envelope in the offering plate as it passes.Regardless, we desire to connect with you and help you get plugged in.

Revelation || Responsive Reading || student pastor: Stephen Ellison

Stephen leads in a responsive reading: explain congregation will only read what is in BOLD together (word for word)

Hannah: copy and paste this into Proprsenter each underlined sub-title and the reading for both Stephen and congregation will be on the same slide—only make an exception if reading by Stephen and Congregation is too large under sub-title then put on 2 slides—always have Stephen’s reading and the congregation’s response on the same slide.

CREATED

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. –  

God is our Creator. We are his creatures. He is the potter. We are the clay.

REDEEMED

While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. –

We are sinners and He is our Savior.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. –

God has done it all for us believers, not by our works but by His grace. We now stand redeemed and saved in His presence.

ADOPTED

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. –

God is our Father. We are his dear children.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” –

Confession

C: God is our Shepherd. We are his sheep. He lays down his life for us. We trust His word.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. –

C: We are weak. He is strong. We rely on His perfect strength.Confession

Intentional Prayer of Confession led by Stephen (Stephen Exits)

Expiation || worship pastor: Cole Pevey || before music begins

Call to Worship through reading of Scripture: ask everyone to stand and read it together

Romans 3:21-

Romans 3:21-26

Romans 3:21–26 ESV

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

song 1 (upbeat) || A Call to Worship || worship pastor: Cole Pevey and Team

Intentional Prayer for Worship

song 1 (upbeat) || A Call to Worship || worship pastor: Cole Pevey and Team

Cole leads in an intentional prayer for us to acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence and ask for Him to open our hearts to receive His Word…pray until Scripture reader is in place

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Scripture Reading || Nahum 1:7-8

by

Reader takes the stage as Cole is praying- then follows the script:

Good morning church, and guests welcome to Concord. My name is Wanda Pickett, and I have the privilege serving Concord as a a part of our Finance Team, in our Kids ministry, and my husband, Barry, and I serve where-ever needed. I did not grow up in church, but today I can say boldly that I am passionate about the good news of Jesus and how our vision and mission, as a church, make Him known.

Our mission is that: We exist to connect people through loving community as we introduce them to Jesus and help them follow Him. This morning I have the privilege of sharing with you the God’s holy inspired Word from the Scriptures.Would you please turn with me in your Bibles or on your device, to the book of Nahum (found in the Old Testament), chapter 1, and we will be reading starting in verse 7.

Only mention the first verse so people won’t read ahead.)

If you are joining us this morning and you do not have a Bible, you should see a White Paperback one lying around under your seats, feel free to use that one. And if you don’t own a Bible, consider that our free gift to you. We will even provide you with the page number on the screen to help you find our texts throughout our worship.

f you are joining us this morning and you do not have a Bible, you should see a White Paperback one lying around under your seats, feel free to use that one. And if you don’t own a Bible, consider that our free gift to you. We will even provide you with the page number on the screen to help you find our texts throughout our worship.

take a moment—count to 3 in your head then READ—Book, Chapter, Verse, then Scripture

Nahum 1:7–8 ESV

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

(Say:) This is the Word of the Lord. (then exit the stage)

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Sermon

Introduction

Good morning church! So glad you are here. My name is Joe and I’m the lead pastor here at Concord.

We are in Acts chapter 8…, that’s where we will be camping out for the next few weeks, as we marvel at how God takes jacked-up people who are a mess, who are in a mess, and like Jedi-mind tricks them into doing exactly what He wants. And what He wants most is to take your mess and turn it into His message. A message of undeserved rescue and unmerited favor, so people will look at your twisted heart and instead of your sad, raggedy story, the get Jesus. And through the lens of the rescuing grace of Jesus, people will see our merciful God and He will be glorified.

Even in the mess of religious thuggery that gets so out of hand, that a simple servant to the ministry of the Good News of Jesus, gets one too many rocks thrown at him and dies.

Despite our temporary status in this place, while your weighing out your options on should I waste my life on religion or the more, more, more lifestyle of excess…let me help you out. Relationship with Jesus and His bride (the church), His people, is far better than religion, or reckless fun and games. Here’s what God is trying to show you in His Word about who He is and who You are suppose to be. No matter how bad it gets, or how worn out you feel, or how many rocks get thrown at you here’s the truth God wants you to cling too:

God can use terrible trials and suffering to lead Christians into deep community by, actively and purposefully obeying His will and do His mission together.

Hear me...

God can use terrible trials and suffering to lead Christians into deep community; He will use those who actively and purposefully obey His will and do His mission, and use them mightily when they join in with His way and His people and do it together.

God can use terrible trials and suffering to lead Christians into deep community; He will use those who actively and purposefully obey His will and do His mission, and use them mightily when they do it together.

Let’s do work...

Exposition ||

Acts 8:1–8 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. 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.

Acts 8:1–3 ESV

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. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Let me give you three ideas that jump out from this text that support why I can say with confidence that God can use terrible trials and suffering to lead Christians into deep community and He does it with those who engage; actively and purposefully obeying His will and do His mission…but they do it by joining Him and His people; they do it together.

Saul Ravages the Church:

in-spite of, who we will come to know as the thug of all thugs in the religious context of the Jews, as Saul, who is ravaging the Church that Christ spilt His blood for and from how v.1 starts seems to be working to the religious bullies favor…or is it?

In-spite of, who we will come to know as the thug of all thugs in the religious context of the Jews, as Saul, who is ravaging the Church that Christ spilt His blood for and from how v.1 starts seems to be working to the religious bullies favor…or is it?

Persecution leads to Scattering

(v.1b) Persecution is so bad that the church in Jerusalem led to the ppl of the church scattering throughout Judea, and Samaria. FEAR of death led to this. But look at...

Acts 1:8 ESV

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.”

…wait that sounds familiar... the Great Commission…turn to the gospel of Matthew (first book of the new testament, last chapter…basically, Mark and back up a page. Jesus says in...

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

.

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.

By the way, in case your tuned in to the happy-and-we-know-it-say-amen, Christian radio blathering of “Jesus is my bestie” or the warm and fuzzy preaching that is being soft served across the world…listen up, don’t by into the lie. This weak shadow, being cast by a religious culture that is so thin and fragile, that it breaks when the true light hits it. What do I mean? Here’s what you (we) are being taught in the feel good about you God era, is that He (God) will NEVER EVER put more on YOU than you can bear. How many times have you heard that lie? I hope you haven’t bought in to that nonsense. No, No, No. The Scriptures are being stretch into a one size fits many when the truth is that the Bible teaches FEW can handle this radical truth of the gospel. We believe the lie…because we can get behind serving a God who won’t kill you for serving Him. He won’t allow you to hurt, or cause you discomfort, or surely not inconvenience you. Why would He do that? He’s only God.

Jesus told them this would happen. But as we’ve been learning the picture of HOW IT WILL HAPPEN is not always what we expect.

So we should learn from the Scriptures and “remember” not to limit God to our ideas. Because we like the easy way…Scripture teaches differently…Jesus told us in the greatest sermon of all time...

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

“Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.” -John Milton / Paradise Lost

Because we like the easy way…Scripture teaches differently…. 

How does this continually catch us off guard…even today; 2000 years later, when Scripture is constantly cautioning us of this. It’s perplexing, I was so curious I had to ask Google…surely the inter-web knows, right? Here’s what Google spit back at me when I had it search what the Bible teaches about longsuffering…per Bible-knowledge.com. I quote...

“Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.” -John Milton “Paradise Lost"

"For Christians, this poses a major dilemma. One of the ways of our God is that He is a very patient and longsuffering God. His ways are not our ways...You will really have to work with the Holy Spirit on this particular quality to get it properly worked up into your personality...The reason for this is that your own impatience will start to act up and try to override the patience and longsuffering that the Holy Spirit will try and transmit to you. At times, it may become a battle of wills – your will against His will...But once the Holy Spirit starts to try and manifest this quality up into your personality, then you have to try and move with it and allow it to get worked into your mind and [into your inner-most-being]. If you do, then His patience will start to override your impatience, and before you know it, your [short] fuses will start to lengthen and you will not lose your patience like you used to do.”

- Source citation:"Long Suffering - What The Bible Teaches About This." Bible Knowledge. June 05, 2017. Accessed April 25, 2018. https://www.bible-knowledge.com/longsuffering/.

That makes too much sense. It says it plain. Not as plain as the Bible says it, but “bible-knowledge.com” gets it. Why can’t the rest of us? Wake up and look right at me…that’s why we must understand that...

God can use terrible trials and suffering to lead Christians into deep community by, actively and purposefully obeying His will and doing His mission together.

In (v.1c) we see the Apostles, who were once cowards, stay behind amidst the persecution. (v.2) The inspired Word of the Holy Spirit redeems their cowardess by calling them “Devout men…” as they buried a brother and servant of the ministry of Jesus, mourning his lose greatly.

But it doesn’t say they condemned those who left…why? Because they got it. They too had hid in an upper room where not long ago was warmed by a meal, some wine, and some amazing fellowship with another friend who they had seen brutally murdered. They had literally been there. Who were they to judge? Granted, they were also filled with the Holy Spirit and were operating in His power, so they were no longer relying on there finite and short-sighted vision. God had a plan a they believed in it…through both word and deed.

That leads us to the second reason we should believe God can use tragic suffering to lead us into deeper community with each other if we obey His will…The text teaches us that...

Persecution leads to Brokenness

Acts 8:3 ESV

3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

(v.3)

How can this thuggery and brokeness lead us to HOPE? How can God use this mess? This death? This fear? How can this brokenness lead to obedience to His will for our lives? How does it lead us to trust in his people? Because all I see is hurt people and a church on the run…scattering.

But how did put it?

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.

We did read earlier where Jesus told his disciples in , to GO make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT… and in

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.”

and again it’s hard to believe Jesus said this and here we see it happening in , but we never would have expected this...

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.

How can persecution lead to a scattering then to a brokenness of God’s people, His church and somehow He lead His people to do the very thing He said they would do, in a way they never would have imagined…

That’s why this third idea of God’s use of suffering to lead His church in obedience of His will, to come together to get His mission accomplished, on the back of His crucified son and through a bunch of cowards running for the hills. Who would have thought that...

Persecution leads to Freedom

Acts 8:4–8 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.

Acts 8:

God can use terrible trials and suffering to lead Christians into deep community by, actively and purposefully obeying His will and doing His mission together.

Conclusion: 

Conclusion

So how does God use trials and affliction to lead us to Himself, to obey His will, serve in His mission, and get us to do that as a bunch of sin-stained, selfish individuals?

Through the selfless, sacrificial teachings and life of Jesus Christ. The hope we find in the suffering of Jesus on the cross. The hope of Him taking our sins and giving us His eternal crown of glory. The hope that death isn’t the end. That by grace through faith at work in our hearts God breathes the life of Jesus raised from the dead into our lungs. We see hope in suffering because of the cross. Because of what Christ suffered, we have hope to live. But we must live as He has called us to live. Christ died for His bride the local church. Only when we are obedient to following and belonging to the very thing He died for can we experience what it truly means to be KNOWN, LOVED, and to BELONG to each and other, and most importantly to Jesus.

Just like Jesus came into the world, no one saw it playing out like that except only a few. God pulled the ultimate pop-quiz, trick question on his people to make sure that hadn’t been sleeping through the class He had been teaching them for generations. He caught most of them slipping. And the one’s he caught slipping were in the religious Beta-club. They thought they knew it all. And God caught them slipping and who did he use? The one’s sneaking a smoke out back in class, the one’s who were skipping school to go fishing and drinking, the ones who were selling drugs in the schools and in the “nice” neighborhoods. He used the outcast, the down and out, the b-team, the religious “Bad-News Bears.”

Why? To show that not only was He a big enough God to use terrible circumstances and suffering, but He could use terrible people too! That too radical, it’s counter-culture. Well yeah!

By the way, in case your tuned in to the happy-and-we-know-it-say-amen, Christian radio blathering of “Jesus is my bestie” or the warm and fuzzy preaching that is being soft served across the world…listen up, don’t by into the lie. This weak shadow, being cast by a religious culture that is so thin and fragile, that it breaks when the true light hits it. What do I mean? Here’s what you (we) are being taught in the feel good about you God era, is that He (God) will NEVER EVER put more on YOU than you can bear. How many times have you heard that lie? I hope you haven’t bought in to that nonsense. No, No, No. The Scriptures are being stretch into a one size fits many when the truth is that the Bible teaches FEW can handle this radical truth of the gospel. We believe the lie…because we can get behind serving a God who won’t kill you for serving Him. He won’t allow you to hurt, or cause you discomfort, or surely not inconvenience you. Why would He do that? He’s only God.

In case your tuned in to the happy-and-we-know-it-say-amen, Christian radio blathering of “Jesus is my bestie” or the warm and fuzzy preaching that is being soft served across the world…listen up, don’t by into the lie. This weak shadow, being cast by a religious culture that is so thin and fragile, that it breaks when the true light hits it. What do I mean? Here’s what you (we) are being taught in the feel good about you God era, is that He (God) will NEVER EVER put more on YOU than you can bear. How many times have you heard that lie? I hope you haven’t bought in to that nonsense. No, No, No. The Scriptures are being stretch into a one size fits many when the truth is that the Bible teaches FEW can handle this radical truth of the gospel. We believe the lie…because we can get behind serving a God who won’t kill you for serving Him. He won’t allow you to hurt, or cause you discomfort, or surely not inconvenience you. Why would He do that? He’s only God. Wake up! Jesus doesn’t want to be your bestie, He command and deserves to be your KING! Your Savior!

So our American culture is buying into the pretty Jesus, a happier, softer Jesus, with half the calories and much less filling. That’s not the God of the Bible and that’s not His Son, that my friends…and I say this with love…is a lie. God doesn’t promise you He won’t put more on you than you can bear, He assures you He will. As you read last week, as we closed chapter 7, these religious thugs were so enraged with this Jesus that Stephen preached that they put so many rocks on him that he died a painful and horrible death. If that’s not enough to convince you of what He has called you to, which by the way is DEATH TO SELF, like if you don’t believe that, just flip back to the gospel of Luke and read what God allowed to happen to His one and only Son.

Look right at me…you don’t need to worship a pretty Jesus, you need to worship a bloody Jesus. Because of His blood we have been bought at a price. Ransomed for glory. He took our death we got His crown. God’s not trying to convince you that this place is easy. He’s is heralding that it’s not. It’s broken. But there’s a better version. How do we get there? By waking up every day and dying to this place you are so afraid of suffering to. Look at this again...

Acts 8:4–8 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.

Acts 8:4-8

Church what is God trying to say to us?

What is He trying to say to you today?

He’s saying, you can stop running. Wherever you are at right now in your mess, stop running and know Jesus. Stop running and share Jesus. Pay attention to the good news of Jesus Christ born of a virgin, crucified for sins, and raised to life on the third day. It’s in this truth the Scriptures teach there is healing and joy for the people of God. How must you respond?

By Understanding that God can use terrible trials and suffering to lead Christians into deep community by, actively and purposefully obeying His will and doing His mission together as His church.

Let’s pray...

Pastoral Prayer || Joe

The worship team comes up during the prayer

Responsive Worship (2-3 songs) || Cole and Team

A Moment for Giving; A Call to Sacrifice || Joe

Band plays an instrumental || Cole and Team

A Time of Reflective Prayer for Giving and Guest Connection

A Time of Reflective Prayer for Giving and Guest Connection

Band plays an instrumental

Prayer for the Offering || Joe

Reflective Worship (1 song) || Cole and Team

Sending Out || Joe