Acts 8:1-8 - How does the Holy Spirit do it?

As we begin today I want to look at how the Holy Spirit uses bad situations for good.

The truth is, that the Holy Spirit is meant to lead and guide us christian.

Part of tat guidance includes the hard times.

In saying that, let us remember first today, God can use evil for good.

The worst of situations can still bring glory to Christ.

Acts 8:1–8 KJV 1900

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

Just Past the stoning of Stephen chapter 8 is introduced to us by telling of Saul’s consent of the acts that had just taken place.

Notice in verse 1 the scripture says this

Acts 8:1 KJV 1900

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Notice that verse 1 tells us that great persecution was coming into the church

I would imagine this persecution was not easy

As we know with the stoning of Stephen which had just passed the Christians had a hard go about it.

Many Christians scattered while the apostles stayed

The fact the Apostles stayed proved their commitment but I want to continue on through the word and see what happens next

Acts 8:2–3 KJV 1900

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Here in checking up on our good friend Saul he was in the Midst of murdering the Christians

His number one goal, persecute and kill the followers of Jesus

Imprison as many as possible

Saul at this time had a desire to see Christianity stopped.

However today this word has been set up in a manner in which we can see how the Holy Spirit truly works

Acts 8:4–6 KJV 1900

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

So remember the Christians were scattered

Now look what happens

They scattered due to the persecution among them, However, instead of this persecution slowing the gospel it has sped it up.

The Holy Ghost continued to use these people to share the word

Philip in particular is mentioned as one who went into Samaria and preached and the People listened

Oh how wonderful it is that the Holy Ghost will work through evil

I am here today to tell you that the Holy Ghost is still working

He has been since Jesus departed from this earth and gave his followers such a precious gift

Acts 8:7–8 KJV 1900

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

Look at what the Holy Spirit had done

Church do you think the Holy Spirit can still do those same great works today?

Well according to this word He most certainly can.

So I ask you do you question in a way by saying

“where is the Holy Spirit? I do not feel him”

See often the reason you do not feel him is because you are not allowing him to work in you

Yes the Spirit will use evil and bad situations for good

In our scripture that took a man by the name of Philip

It meant he was going to be willing to share the gospel even though those around were being persecuted for it.

I often say in my prayers “Father we do not invite your Spirit because it is already here”

I say that because we are not questioning the Spirit of our father, rather we are to question our desire to listen to that command and draw

See even in our bad situations, good cannot come, without our willing hearts.

Imagine a young family in which one passes on to be with the Lord

Many of us have been that family and the ones who haven’t most certainly will one day

For the living when encountering death it is no longer about the dead but how we respond to God while living

Through many years many of us have seen this very situation “Lord why did you take them away from me”

Our response to such hard situations is the very thing we must watch so closely in our lives

While you are living the spirit still wants to work in and through you

How are you responding to such a call?

A faithful and hard worker loses the job in which they have so diligently worked for,

How would you respond?

A young christian teenager who’s faith is being tore down int he classroom of their school by their “friends”

How would you respond?

An exhausted single mother who has no clue how to make time for her Lord and his ministry.

How would you respond?

In life's most difficult trials

It is up to us to make sure that we are following the will and guidance of the Spirit of our Lord.

In response to this word today, do you know your following the call of the Spirit?

Imagine, the gospel growing through Christians who witnessed one of their own killed for that very belief

Yet they scatter, and still proclaim the gospel.

How tempting it must’ve been to simply hide

How tempting it must have been to forsake their Lord

Yet they listened to the call of the Holy Ghost.

Due to this the faith of Christianity continued to rapidly grow

Due to the faith of men such as Philip

In applying this word today, what are you doing to make sure your listening and following the Spirit?

have the hard times been so hard that you have ignored the call?

Its time to end this today.

It is time that we Christians no longer stand in the hardships and evil of this life and allow it to be evil

The Lord can use it for good but only if we let the Spirit work.

So today let us allow the spirit to work in us.