Whenever, Wherever, Whoever

Acts 8:1–3 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.

It had been a rough year (or three)

Jesus (down>out>up)

Holy Spirit > 3,000 salvations

Church flourishes > opposition

Stephen martyred

“Saul is ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”

It’s hard for some of us to imagine people barging into our homes simply because we are Christian. (dragging us off to prison)

Ravaging - “cause extreme harm or utter destruction”

When we talk about persecution in the US, it almost seems as if we are trying to over-sensualize the issue for dramatic effect.

We MUST talk about persecution in the biblical context

CHRISTIAN STILL FACE IT TODAY!!!!!

We my not always be spared.

What does persecution look like today?

Sheep Among Wolves (FaithLiveTV)

-Underground church in land controlled by ISIS

-My gut reaction is the I would fiercely oppose men who come to my door.

-But what about when you are outnumbered, and no hope of opposing those who come for you and your family.

- I had to ask my wife, “When they come and are taking you, what do you want me to do?”

“They can take my body but not my faith.”

The church has seen persecution from the beginning.

No reason to think that will ever change...

That’s why its all the more inspiring to see how this church responded...

Acts 8:4 ESV

4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

…”went about preaching the word.”

Let’s step through this.

They join this new body of believer (the Christian church)

They experience horrible persecution because of they are believe in Jesus

They flee the persecution because their faith in Jesus

As they come to each town/home/business...

They say .... Let me tell you about Jesus!!!

What keeps you from sharing your faith?!!!

What keeps you from even coming to church?!!!!!

The early church was fascinating to see the strength of their faith. We can learn so much about what it means to be a witness.

Today we will follow on particular witness .... Philip

In the city of Samaria

Acts 8:5–8 ESV

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.

Simon the Magician

Acts 8:9–13 ESV

9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

God had worked to mightily through Philip that the other apostles came to see it.

Prayed for the Holy Spirit to come upon these new converts.

But Simon (also described as a new believer) showed he was still thinking of the world.

Acts 8:18–19 ESV

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Peter rebukes him sharply!!!!

But think about one thing peter said

Acts 8:22 ESV

22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

As evil as Simon’s intention were

Peter rebuked him

But he also invited him to repent.

AS as witness you will run into people who simply don’t seem to get it.

Our job is to witness to them!

Acts 8:25 ESV

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

We witness of the Gospel Whenever we are called

We are also willing to be a witness wherever we are called.

Acts 8:26 ESV

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.

TOWARD JURUSALEM????

We aren’t welcome there!!

They killed Stephen

Saul is hunting Christians

And you want me to go back that way?

Have you ever been shutdown by someone or someplace where you tried to share your faith?

Did you go back?

Would you go back?

A witness is willing to go wherever they are sent.

A witness it also will to share the gospel to whomever will hear it.

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Acts 8:27 ESV

27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship

Reason for Philip to say no.

He is a gentile

He is a Eunuch = Unclean

He is coming FROM Jerusalem

Eunuch who practices Judaism

He is powerful (treasurer for Queen)

He just left Jerusalem!!! (can’t be good)

What does Philip do?

Acts 8:30 ESV

30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

He RUNS to him.

Will you ever in your life have a fraction of the reasons Philip had to sit this one out?!!!!

Philip couldn’t get there fast enough.

Philip joined the Holy Spirit already at work.

“Do you understand what you are reading?”

Philip leads him to Jesus

Acts 8:35 ESV

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

It all leads to Jesus

“But what if I don’t know enough as Philip?!!!”

Why don’t you?

What’s next...

Acts 8:40 ESV

40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Whenever God calls you

Wherever God sends you.

Whomever is willing to hear it.