The Unstoppable Church Series
“Expansion”
Acts 8
Great persecution broke out against the church
Acts 8:1 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.
Acts 8:2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
Acts 8:3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Philip preaches the message of Jesus Christ to the Samaritans
Acts 8:4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
Acts 8:5 Philip went down to the cityof Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
Acts 8:6 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.
Acts 8:7 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.
Acts 8:8 So there was much joy in that city.
What empowered the apostles and church to continue to spread the Gospel amid persecution?
They knew Jesus! Do you know him?
The Holy Spirit filled them with power, direction and boldness!
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
They focused on Jesus and the work He called them to do, not on the persecution around them.
Simon the magician
Acts 8:10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.”
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughterand like a lamb before its shearer is silent,so he opens not his mouth.
Acts 8:33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.Who can describe his generation?For his life is taken away from the earth.”
Acts 8:34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”
Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
Philip was prepared and willing to share Christ, even with the threat of persecution and death hanging over him.
1. Are you prepared to share your faith?
2. Who might God be putting in your path this week?
How do I share my faith in Christ?
1. Begin by saying something good about Christ!
2. Invite them to church!
3.Don’t be intimidated! Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you!
4. Continue to grow in your faith with Bible study, classes and groups!
God’s Unstoppable church!
The Pure and Incredible Love of Christ