The opposite of addiction

Ever had someone tell you bad news?

They have cancer.

The reality is that

Once a Sunday began with “one of your friends at church has been murdered”

Nothing about following Jesus stops horrible things from happening to us.

Once had someone come up to me and brag about a pastor who has never had a member die in his congregation.

Mourning, grief, struggle, hard work, and even failure are all part of life in a sinful world. What will we believe in it?

Its true no matter your religious belief or lack of it. Hardship occurs.

One pastor when commenting on a person’s lack of belief due to horrible things, “ok there is no God. No what? Where’s the hope?”

One comedian once noted - “I can’t believe he killed himself. Why not? Shouldn’t we be more surprised that we are all still alive.”

John 3:17 CSB

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Early followers of Jesus, the beginning of the church, knew hardship what they didn’t know before accepting Jesus as God and receiving the Holy Spirit was the hope of salvation.

No event shows that hope better than what happened after a murder.

Heartache is an opportunity for God’s great triumph.

The murder of Stephen

Stephen was an amazing man, 1 of the 7 men selected, who were of good reputation full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and wise.

He was set up

Killed with Rocks thrown at him

Saul held their coats

Acts 8:1 CSB

1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.

Acts 8:3 CSB

3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.

Persecution for Christians is to be expected.

The continuing scourge of persecution

Stephen was an amazing man, 1 of the 7 men selected, who were of good reputation full of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and wise.

He was set up

Killed with Rocks thrown at him

Saul held their coats

The continuing scourge of persecution

Luke 6:22–23 CSB

22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.

Jesus told us, and it would’ve been a surprised to the church

Will it can be expected, Christians should never seek out persecution.

Flee Jerusalem

Flee Jerusalem

I used to teach a woman from Syria, who I met before the civil war ever started. We discussed how life was a little crazy. People were still doing dance recitals when it first began.

Acts 8:1 CSB

1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.

Acts 8:3 CSB

3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.

Ending up in Samaria

Ending up in Samaria

Josephus testimony - run, hide and claim to be mistreated

Ravaging a powerful word ἐλυμαίνετο

Lu-mine-O appears to be a very powerful word of a glutton who cares nothing about anything other than taking everything. Yet it this instance Saul is with huge intent trying to eliminate the Church from existence. 

Beating and Jail were common

All except the apostles

Greek doesn’t demand that each and every person go but the overwhelming majority of the church

Its more important to say the leaders stayed, most of the rest took off

When all the world is going wrong, what do you do? Your response is the truth of your faith, perseverance and loyalty.

Picking up and my response to Lori

Acts 8:4–5 CSB

4 So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.

Preaching, they were evangelizing and they were going with no purpose other than refugee status

Phillip was one of the 7.

He was not a speaker. He was picked so the speakers could speak.

He was fleeing

He was in a unhonorable place to be

He chose to speak

The work is “you-angle-eze-oh“

In the midst of all the heartache, Phillip stayed true.

Acts 8:6–8 CSB

6 The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

Everyone listened. Miracles happened.

The greatest miracles, stories, and blessings of God have occured in the midst of heartache.

The crowds listened because he was in heartache and the Lord was working through him.

Your heartache can open doors for people to listen to you that didn’t care to hear in the first place.

Do not be ashamed of what trusting in God has delivered you from. People need to hear it.

Luke 16:10 CSB

10 Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.

Phillip lived out the principle

Phillip was faithful in the midst of crisis

God continues to bless more and more those who use their blessing for His glory.

A city was changed

Acts 8:8 CSB

8 So there was great joy in that city.

Do you want joy in your life?