Keep Going
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1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.
3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.
6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.
7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.
remember the enemy does not want a United church
I’ve been thinking mainly because of what is taken place in the Middle East about suffering.
either it will cause distance or closeness from God
There is a bit of a debate in the church concerning the necessity of suffering.
10th-century Babylonian Jewish scholar Saadia Gaon believed that, suffering serves no divine purpose.
he states, "the main cause of irreligion is the weak and ridiculous arguments advanced in defence of it".
In a 2010 article in the Guardian Jonathan Romain says, “I do not believe in a God who uses individual lives as a blackboard for lessons about the human condition.”
There are some that reject the entire notion of suffering at all because they can not rectify the idea that a loving God or God worth serving would cause people to have to experience terrible things.
Suffering for some is a sign of God’s nonexistence.
Though there are some believers as well that think that suffering or persecution can be avoid or are entirely out of the will of God.
Especially westernized Christians
we are privileged!
i think of the verse in romans that says
Romans 8:32 (NASB95)
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
If Jesus, the only time a bad thing happen to a good person. did not escape perception you want either.
Romans 5:1–5 (NASB95)
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
WE EXULT IN tribulation.
Every human being was created to be a walking billboard, a living display of the glory of God
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
why
notice the result of tribulation
brings about perseverance;
4 and perseverance,
proven character; and proven character,
hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
you know He is with you
it strengths your character.. you know and encounter Him and the next time a storm or trouble come, you face it with hope.
You know God is going to receive some glory.
We are forming soft christian.
they run at the sight of trouble and hardship. they fear standing for something
as we have been looking the last couple of weeks the earlier church was growing because of the work of the Holy Spirit.
many were coming to the saving grace of God, but at the same time there was struggle.
In acts 4 peter and james where arrested and the church prayed without stopping
in chapter 5 they were arrested again
in chapter 7 stephan preaches the longest sermon in the New Testament
and was stone but still preaching.. he preached till Jesus gave him a standing ovation.
and we pick up here in our text
1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
the question to the church is, “what will you do when persecution comes.”
David said it like this
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.
72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Don’t be surprised when the fire come.. Rejoice.. why? God is about to use me as a billboard for His glory..
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Remember this
12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Paul was persicuting the church and look what they did.
4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
and they were seeing sign and wonders mighty miracle.
Hardship and perception can produce two things
closeness or distance from God
which one will it produce in you.
they continued…
the Holy Spirit moved so that a man names Simon wanted to buy the gift of the holy spirit.
in chapter 9 Saul, the name doing the persecution encounter God
1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
God, came save the persecuted and the persecutor.
Paul the man who was in charge of the stoning of stephan.
started preaching the gospel and watch this
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
Don’t let the hardships of life stop you!! keep going