Church Scattered: God's Instrument for His Mission

Introduction

The Lord’s parting instruction to the disciples were to remain in Jerusalem till they receive the power of the Holy Spirit and then be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the end of the earth. After they received the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the church grew exponentially gaining a unique potential to take the Gospel to Judea, Samaria and the rest of world.

However, by Acts 6, (we see in 6:7) the spread of the Gospel was largely confined to Jerusalem. In God’s sovereign orchestration, He allowed the Church in Jerusalem to go through terrible persecution that scattered many believers with only a dim possibility for them to re-gather in Jerusalem for daily fellowship.

Many in the church at Jerusalem was then faced with a challenge. How will they respond to this new situation? Will they go into hiding and wait till normalcy is restored? Or will they follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and be God’s powerful instrument for the spread of the Gospel?

As we will see, the scattered church in Jerusalem does become a powerful instrument for the accomplishment of God’s Mission.

We will be looking at Acts 8:26-40 this morning. But before we get to our main text, let’s read Acts 8:1 and Acts 8:4 and see what the Lord accomplishes through the church scattered.

Also, look at Acts 11:19 - The Gospel spread farther - all this accomplished by the Lord through the church scattered.

We are faced with a similar challenge but at a much lesser degree. We are scattered to some extent not being able to return back to Jerusalem, so to speak, for our daily fellowship. What will be our response? Are we going to idly wait for the return of normality or are we going to follow the leading of the Spirit to join Him in the accomplishment of His mission?

How does God do this? As we will see from this incredible story in Acts 8:26-40, God does this

Through ordinary believers, who are strategically placed, and empowered by the Spirit, to preach the Gospel.

I hope and pray that this story in Acts 8:26-40 will challenge us to consider the privilege of being called by God to become a powerful instrument in His hands for the accomplishment of His mission.

READ Acts 8:26-40

I. God sovereignly uses His people

Act 8:26-29

A. Philip was a deacon of the church at Jerusalem who loved serving and the daily fellowship (Acts 6:5). But the persecution caused him to move. Interestingly, in Acts 6:5, although the criteria for selecting a deacon was “good repute”, “full of the Spirit and of wisdom”, only Stephen is explicitly described as “man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit”. Philip’s name is simply listed among the rest of the deacons. Philip was an ordinary man, saved by grace through faith in Christ, who was used in a miraculous way for the spread of the Gospel.

B. The angel of the Lord called Philip (8:26).

C. The Spirit speaks through Philip (8:29).

D. Every believer is called to be an Ambassador (2 Cor 5:20). God is all-powerful and all sufficient to accomplish His plans without human aid. However, He chooses to use inadequate people like us. What a privilege!

II. God Strategically Places His People

Acts 8:26, 29 and 39-40.

Philip was strategically taken from the bustling city of Jerusalem to villages of Samaria to a desert place - road to Gaza.

Why? So that he could have the Gospel conversation with the Eunuch

He was then moved strategically to Azotus

Why? So that he could preach the Gospel in all the towns as he made his way to Caesarea.

We are placed strategically by God in the places where we are (Acts 17:26).

Why? Acts 17:27. Look at 1 Peter 2:9

III. God Supernaturally Empowers His People

The Holy Spirit prepared the Eunuch to hear the Gospel (8:27-28 and 8:31-34).

The Holy Spirit guided Philip to have conversation with the Eunuch (8:29).

Not many are bold or equipped like Philip to share the Gospel as he did with the eunuch. However, the same Spirit

Provides boldness to those who lack / who are fearful (Acts 4:13 and 4:31). If you lack boldness, dotn worry, pray.

Provides gifted people to equip those who lack / who do not know what to do (Eph 4:11-12). If you lack the skills, don’t worry, we will equip and help you.

IV. To Preach the Gospel

Acts 8:35-39

As soon as the Gospel was preached, the Eunuch was ready to surrender His life to Christ and be baptized (8:35-38).

The Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation (Romans 1:16)

Some people surrender to Christ immediately like the eunuch, but others may come to Christ later. In Acts 8:40, no conversion is mentioned. We are called to present the Gospel and leave the results to God (1 Cor 3:6-7).

V. Application

The early church was scattered which made it conducive for the Spread of the Gospel - because the church scattered is a powerful instrument in the hands of God.

They were faced with a challenge - how will they respond? We now know how they responded - especially Philip. He was called and used by God, strategically placed, to preach the Gospel empowered by the Spirit.

We are faced with a similar situation due to Covid. We are scattered to some extent not able to get back to Jerusalem for daily fellowship. How will we respond? How will you respond?

Are we going to cuddle up on the couch of our comfort zones and idly wait for normalcy to return or are we going to consider the Privilege of being called by the living God, accept the Provision of the Holy Spirit, and intentionally and strategically reach out to those around us?

Would you consider the Privilege of being called by the almighty,all-sufficient God, seek the provision of boldness and equipping from the Holy Spirit, and intentionally reach out in your neighborhood - pray, engage, serve, share, disciple?

I am very excited to introduce to you our Neighborhood Outreach ministry for the fall. This ministry initiative, I believe, will help all of us to intentionally reach out in our neighborhoods where God has strategically placed us to pray, engage, serve, share and disciple.