Witness: Part 8 Church on the Move

Witness

Part 8 – Church on the Move!

Acts 8:1-25

1) The Zealous – Saul (Acts 8:1-3)

And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Acts 8:1-3 (NIV)

• When things don’t go the way you think they should in your life, don’t doubt that the Lord is still , even in what appears to be a “” situation.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28.

• The great news is that if the Lord can save and change , he can save and change you and anyone you know who may yet be far from Christ!

2) The Faithful – Phillip (Acts 8:4-8)

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:4-8

• When the Good News is proclaimed to the lost by God’s herald, a is expected.
• People listened to the Word because they saw the signs, but because they believed the Word, they were .

37 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. John 12:37.

• is an important part of your personal witness!

3) The Cunning – Simon the Sorcerer. (Acts 8:9-25)

9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. Acts 8:9-25

• Throughout Scripture, we see that where God is , the enemy is always !
• Simon used sorcery to magnify while Phillip used signs and wonders to glorify and call attention to .
• A believer should not hesitate to pray daily, especially for the of sins.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Today’s Song List

Magnificent Trinity

Living Hope

Pour My Oil

Worthy