June 15, 2014
Evening Service

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

·         This is a scripture we are all familiar with.  It often tests our faith as we do go through some very tough and challenging times in our lives.

·         The question that must be answered is “Do we really believe it?”  We have seen the apostles truly did believe.

·          In chapter 4, they were commanded to quit speaking and teaching in Jesus name.  They prayed for and received boldness to speak even more.  Good things came from persecution.

·         In chapter 5, they were not only instructed again to quit teaching in Jesus name but also beaten for it.  They left rejoicing of being counted worthy to suffer in His name.  Good things came from suffering.

·         Now in chapter 7, things step up to whole new level.  Stephen receives no warning or flogging but is stoned to death for his boldness in speaking the truth.

·         We have just been introduced to him a chapter earlier as he was appointed to fulfill the role of a deacon.  He was doing exactly what God had called him to do. 

 

Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

·         God was using Stephen in mighty ways yet, He allowed him to be stoned by the Jewish leaders.  What possible good could come of this?

 

Act 8:1-4 And Saul was consenting to his death. And in that day there was a great persecution on the church at Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.  (2)  And devout men buried Stephen and made a great mourning over him.  (3)  But Saul ravaged the church, entering into every house. And dragging men and women, he delivered them up to prison.  (4)  Then, indeed, the ones who had been scattered passed through, preaching the gospel, the Word.

·         Stephen was buried with “great mourning over him.”  It had to be really hard to understand why God had allowed this wonderful man doing God’s work to be killed so young.  There, however was no time to sit and ponder that question.

·         A “great persecution on the church” now took place and scattered the believers into surrounding areas.

·         This persecution was led by a man named Saul, who held the coats of those who stoned Stephen.  We will see more of this enemy of the church in the next chapter.  He “ravaged” the church dragging men and women of faith to prison.  It was a terrible time for the early church.

 

  Wait a minute “all things work together for good…”

 

 

·         Notice verse four (read).  The believers were spread out and scattered but, they did not quit “preaching the gospel.”  Through Stephen’s death the gospel message was spread outside of Jerusalem into the regions of Samaria and Judea.  God uses a terrible situation and turns it into His favor.  Good things did come indeed.

 

Phillip was one of the seven chosen deacons (chapter 6) and he ended up in Samaria.

 

 Act 8:5-8 And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.  (6)  And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the many miracles which he did.  (7)  For out of those having unclean spirits, many came out, crying with loud voice. And many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.  (8)  And there was great joy in that city.

·         Notice the good things that transpired.  Phillip “proclaimed Christ,” believers were in unity, miracles of many kinds were granted, which brought “great joy” to that city.  None of this happens without the martyrdom of Stephen.

 

Act 8:9-25  But a certain man called Simon had long been conjuring in the city, and amazing the nation of Samaria, claiming himself to be some great one.  (10)  All gave heed to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, This one is the great power of God.  (11)  And they were paying attention to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with conjuring.  (12)  But when they believed Philip preaching the gospel, the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  (13)  Then Simon himself believed also, and being baptized, he continued with Philip. And seeing miracles and mighty works happening, he was amazed.  (14)  And the apostles in Jerusalem hearing that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them;  (15)  who when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.  (16)  For as yet He had not fallen on any of them, they were baptized only in the name of the Lord Jesus.  (17)  Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

·         We see here a great example of the Holy Spirit coming upon a group of people as the apostles “laid hands on them.”  The authority of the church acting in God’s will as we do today when we baptized anyone.  Praying for God’s Spirit to enter them and guide them the rest of their life.

·         One thing we do not see here is the mention of the “speaking in tongues.”  This would have been a great place to build our faith IF that was a requirement for evidence of receiving the Spirit.  It is not there.

 

 

Acts 8:18-24 (18)  And when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,  (19)  saying, Give me this power also, that on whomever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.  (20)  But Peter said to him, May your silver perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  (21)  You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.  (22)  Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.  (23)  For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.  (24)  And answering Simon said, You pray to the Lord for me that none of these things which you have spoken may come on me.  (25)  Then, indeed, having earnestly testified and having spoken the Word of the Lord also having preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans, they returned to Jerusalem.

·         We now see the first act within the church to seek this “gift” for unrighteous reasons.  Simon hopefully repented and began to seek the “fruits of the Spirit” for the purpose of glorifying God, not for selfish gain.

·         A reminder for us to watch ourselves in seeking a gift.  We must desire it for the glory of God, not us.

 

Phillip’s ministry does not end there, but we now see God call him elsewhere.

 

Act 8:26-35  And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south, on the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is a deserted place.  (27)  And he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasure and had come to Jerusalem to worship, (28) was returning. And sitting in his chariot he read Isaiah the prophet.  (29)  Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and join yourself to this chariot.  (30)  And Philip ran there to him and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you indeed understand what you are reading?  (31)  And he said, How can I unless some man should guide me? And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.  (32)  And the content of the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so He opened not His mouth.  (33)  In His humiliation His judgment was taken away, and who shall declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth."  (34)  And the eunuch answered Philip and said, I beg you, of whom does the prophet speak this? Of himself or of some other man?  (35)  Then Philip opened his mouth and began at the same Scripture and preached the gospel of Jesus to him.

·         Phillip again shows great faithfulness as when God calls he acts.  He also trusts the Spirit to give him the words he needed to minister to this Ethiopian leader.  Always remember it is not our words that convince men of God, but it is the Spirit who reveals it to them.

 

 

Act 8:36-40 And as they passed along the way, they came on some water. And the eunuch said, See, here is water, what hinders me from being baptized?  (37)  Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, it is lawful. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  (38)  And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch. And he baptized him.  (39)  And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing.  (40)  But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached the gospel in all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

·         As we mentioned before what is not mentioned is important.  Here what is mentioned is important.  Verse 39 (read).  “Come up out of the water” refers to being immersed in his baptism.

·         This is a perfect example of the plan of salvation. Hear the Word, believe the Word, repent, be baptized and then live holy.

·         It is important for us to be looking for those who are seeking.  Pray for opportunities to share your testimony with them.  Your life can be a powerful witness to others that Jesus indeed saves.

 

God uses every situation for good in our lives.  Many times we cannot see it right away or ever, but still we are called upon to trust Him.  He will never fail us ever!

 

Sometimes it takes a pretty drastic event in our lives to move us to action.  Sickness, losing a loved one, and losing a job are all valleys we must cross.  They are hard difficult and often lonely times. 

 

We are often called to walk a road we would not choose, but we never walk alone and God will use every situation for His purpose.

 

 

Father please grant us the faith to follow even when we can’t see where you are leading, knowing You will work it all out for good.