Title Preachers (Acts 8:1-13)
Contents
Preachers (Acts 8:1-13)
Although Stephen Deacon was martyred, many Christians were persecuted, and had to leave Jerusalem, this was rather a fuse for the revival of the early church.
This is because, as Jesus said, the martyrdom of Stephen Deacon and the persecution of the saints became grains of wheat that fell to the ground and bore much fruit in death (John 12:24). Along with martyrdom, you will see the field of revival that is expanding into the gospel. And we hope that we too will become evangelizers by examining their passion and the reason why they cannot stop evangelism even in a situation where they have to leave their home due to persecution.
I. Because the gospel saves people.
There are many people around us who are waiting for the gospel, those who are overcome with emptiness and anxiety, and those who are suffering indescribably from their place in life. Are we not responsible for the despair of their lives?
Jesus spoke of himself as 'the bread of life' (John 6:35, 48) and 'the light of life' (John 8:12) because he is the 'resurrection and life' (John 11:25). . Because of the persecution, those who were scattered from Jerusalem began to preach the gospel, and the scattered people became evangelists. “As the scattered people went about preaching the word of the gospel” (Acts 8:4), the spirit of life began to arose in Samaria, which was dead. New life was born in Samaria. Amazing things happened where life came to life where the gospel was preached.
All saints! preach the gospel Then you will experience the overwhelming emotion of the early church members who preached the gospel amidst the persecution they couldn't bear. Preaching the gospel saves lives. Be the people all of you convey. I hope that the moment you are scattered after worship, you will be transformed into a person who preaches the gospel.
Saints! Let us all harvest our souls and give the fruits of evangelism to God to please God.
II. Because the gospel is the love of God.
It was a remarkable change that Philip went down to Samaria to preach the gospel after the martyrdom of Stephen the Deacon (Acts 8:5). Jews and Samaritans had always had an antagonistic relationship with Rome in between. They looked at each other like enemies. But when Philip went from Jerusalem to Samaria, it was a miracle. What a wonderful grace that the gospel is spreading from the Jews to the Samaritans! It is not easy to share the gospel with people of other religions. It is even more difficult to preach the gospel to those who are enemies. It's something you don't like before a difficult thing. However, Philip went to the Samaritans who were enemies and preached the gospel alone. The preaching of the gospel to the people in Samaria was not driven by a momentary emotion. It was the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and it was because of the love of the soul.
The gospel is a love that must be preached even to those who are enemies. The problem is that this love must not be driven by human emotions, but must be the love that Jesus showed us to the point of death. Therefore, the filling of the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary. Pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit so that the person to whom the gospel should be preached can share it with love even if it is an enemy relationship. The gospel is love.
It’s not just about being filled with the Holy Spirit to heal my illness, speaking in tongues and solving my problems, and it doesn’t end there, but it’s about being filled with the Holy Spirit and overflowing with love for the soul, preaching the gospel and saving souls. Please pray for the noble work of saving souls.
Ⅲ. Because the gospel is the power of God.
To those who reject the gospel, the gospel will seem foolish, but to those who have been saved, it will approach with the power of God. Be bold. And become people who preach the gospel. Believe that the value of the gospel is not determined because of me, but the gospel itself is the power of God. Conclusion. The death of Stephen, a man who was praised for being full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, must have been a greater shock to Philip, who was one of the seven co-workers. Because he himself could be put to death like Stephen. However, the surprising thing is that neither the saints nor Philip who were scattered because of Saul's persecution were afraid of the gospel. Why?
1. Because the gospel saves people.
2. Because the gospel is the love of God.
3. Because the gospel is the power of God.
Preaching the gospel is not something that will be decided by the circumstances surrounding me. It has to be communicated whether it is timely or not. That is why the Apostle Paul commands us all to become evangelists.
“Preach the word, always exert yourself in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2) Saints! We all obey these words and give thanks to God for the fruits of evangelism, and pray for the work of increasing spiritual children.