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Acts 8

Acts 8. Begins a new thought in the book Acts 1-7 Gospel in Jerusalem Acts 8-12 Gospel in Judea and Samaria Gospel is spreading beyond Jerusalem A transition chapter Several key characters / players Saul (vv. 1-3) Disciples (vv. 1-3) Philip (v. 5) Samaritans (vv. 5-12)

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Acts 8

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  1. Acts 8 • Begins a new thought in the book • Acts 1-7 Gospel in Jerusalem • Acts 8-12 Gospel in Judea and Samaria • Gospel is spreading beyond Jerusalem • A transition chapter • Several key characters / players • Saul (vv. 1-3) • Disciples (vv. 1-3) • Philip (v. 5) • Samaritans (vv. 5-12) • Simon (vv. 13-25) • Peter (v. 20) • Ethiopian Eunuch (vv. 26-40) These People Stand Out For Doing Different Things

  2. ThingsSomePeopleDo Acts 8

  3. Things Some People Do Some Make Havoc of the Church

  4. Some Make Havoc of the Church • Saul made havoc of the church (v. 3) • “Havoc” – lay waste t0 ruin “This word is commonly applied to wild beasts, to lions, wolves, etc., and denotes the ‘devastations’ which they commit. Saul raged against the church like a wild beast-a strong expression, denoting the zeal and fury with which he engaged in persecution.” - Albert Barnes “The word elumaineto (NT:3075), from lumainoo, to destroy, devastate, ravage, signifies the act of ferocious animals, such as bears, wolves, and the like, in seeking and devouring their prey.” - Adam Clarke

  5. "to dishonor, defile, devastate, ruin." - A. T. Robertson

  6. Some Make Havoc of the Church • Saul made havoc of the church (v. 3) • “Havoc” – lay waste t0 ruin • Did so by what he did to the men & women of the church • Sought to destroy the faith (Gal. 1:13, 23, ASV “havoc”) • Some today make havoc of the church • Lack of respect of authority (2 John 9-11; 1 Pet. 4:11) • Lack of spirituality (Gal. 6:1) • Conforming to the world (Rom. 12:1-3) • Families not following God’s word (Eph. 5-6) • Softening & tolerant spirit (1 Cor. 5:1-6) • Complain & grumble (Phil. 2:14)

  7. Are you making havoc of the church? Some Make Havoc of the Church

  8. Things Some People Do Some Make Havoc of the Church Some Use Every Opportunity

  9. Some Use Every Opportunity • Disciples used every opportunity to teach • When scattered – went everywhere preaching (v. 4) • Peter and John – spread word on way home (v. 25) • Philip used occasion of a man reading to teach (vv. 30-35) • Philip preached in all the cities he passed (v. 40)

  10. Some Use Every Opportunity • Disciples used every opportunity to teach • We should use every opportunity • To teach the lost (Mark 16:15-16) • To restore erring (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20) • To encourage the weak (1 Thess. 5:14) • To warn the unfaithful (1 Thess. 5:14) • To teach our children (Deut. 6:7, 20-25) • To do good (Gal. 6:10)

  11. Are you using every opportunity? Some Use Every Opportunity

  12. Things Some People Do Some Make Havoc of the Church Some Use Every Opportunity Some Make Dramatic Changes

  13. Some Make Dramatic Changes • Cases of conversion – unlikely prospects • Samaritans (vv. 5-12) • Samaritans – mixed race – no dealings with Jews (John 4:9) • Polluted worship (mixed worship of one God with idol worship - 2 Kings 17:29). • When converted – dramatic change!

  14. Some Make Dramatic Changes • Cases of conversion – unlikely prospects • Samaritans (vv. 5-12) • Simon (vv. 9-11, 13) • Was a sorcerer (v. 9) • Was a religious leader (v. 10) • Been at this a long time (v. 11) • When converted – complete turn around!

  15. Some Make Dramatic Changes • Cases of conversion – unlikely prospects • Samaritans (vv. 5-12) • Simon (vv. 9-11, 13) • Ethiopian Eunuch (vv. 26-40) • Was an Ethiopian (v. 27) • Was Queen’s treasurer - man of great authority (v. 27) • Was religious – thought he was right (v. 28)

  16. Some Make Dramatic Changes • Cases of conversion – unlikely prospects • You may need to make dramatic changes to be right • To become a Christian (Acts 26:28) • In your attitude (Prov. 23:7) • In your home life (1 Pet. 3:7) • In your prayer life (Mark 1:35; 1 Thess. 5:17) • In your study habits (Acts 17:11) • In how faithful you are (Rev. 2:10) • In your priorities (Matt. 6:33)

  17. Do you need to make dramatic changes? Some Make Dramatic Changes

  18. Things Some People Do Some Make Havoc of the Church Some Use Every Opportunity Some Make Dramatic Changes Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way

  19. Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way • Simon tried to get the Holy Spirit with money • Witnessed the power of the apostles (vv. 13, 17) • Wanted the same (v. 18) • Offered them money to get it (vv. 18-19) • Wrong way to get it (v. 20) • Wanted what was only for the apostles (v.21)

  20. Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way • Simon tried to get the Holy Spirit with money • Often we try to get right things the wrong way • Live Christian life without obeying gospel • Knowledge with shallow study • Spirituality without effort • Influence a sinner with compromise • Godly children without emphasis on spiritual

  21. Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way • Simon tried to get the Holy Spirit with money • Often we try to get right things the wrong way • Times we want what we can’t have • Marriage – is unscriptural (Matt. 19:9) • Leading roles – are limited (1 Tim. 2:11-12) • Head of family – for husband (Eph. 5:25) • Covet – another’s mate (Prov. 5:15-18) • Seek revenge – belongs to God (Rom. 12:17-21)

  22. Are you tying to get right things – wrong way? Are you seeking to have what is not yours? Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way

  23. Things Some People Do Some Make Havoc of the Church Some Use Every Opportunity Some Make Dramatic Changes Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way Some Fall Away

  24. Some Fall Away • After becoming a Christian, Simon sinned and endangered his soul • Actions were wicked (v. 22) • Bound up in iniquity (v. 23) • Thoughts were wrong (v. 22) • Would perish if didn’t repent (v. 20)

  25. Some Fall Away • After becoming a Christian, Simon sinned and endangered his soul • Some fall away today • Because of fleshly desires (1 John 2:12-15) • Because of cares & pleasures of life (Luke 8:14) • Because of being misled (Gal. 5:7) • Because friends lead them astray (Prov. 1:10-15) • Because not growing (Heb. 5:12)

  26. Are you beginning to fall? Some Fall Away

  27. Things Some People Do Some Make Havoc of the Church Some Use Every Opportunity Some Make Dramatic Changes Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way Some Fall Away Some Are Restored

  28. Some Are Restored • Simon was soon restored • He was made to realize his sin & lost condition (vv. 20-23) • He was told to repent & pray (v. 22) • Asked Peter to pray for him (v. 24)

  29. Some Are Restored • Simon was soon restored • You can be restored • By doing the same thing (repent and pray) • By confessing (Jas. 5:16) • So - free of the guilt of all sin (1 John 1:7) • Starting over – as if never sinned!

  30. Do you need to be restored? Some Are Restored

  31. Things Some People Do Some Make Havoc of the Church Some Use Every Opportunity Some Make Dramatic Changes Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way Some Fall Away Some Are Restored Some Seek Help Understanding

  32. Some Seek Help Understanding • The eunuch sought help in understanding the text • Asked, “How can I unless someone guides me?” (v.31) • Raised questions about what text meant (v. 34) • Attitude / heart was willing to learn (v. 36)

  33. Some Seek Help Understanding • The eunuch sought help in understanding the text • Love for the word – means seek to understand • Love the word (Psa. 119:97, 127) • Will read it often & thoroughly (cf. Acts 8:28) • Will raised questions about the meaning (v. 34) • Seek help from any who can help (vv. 31, 35) • Desire to see application to self (vv. 35-38) • Imagine the Eunuch saying, “No…I don’t guess I really need your study today.”?

  34. Do you seek all the help you can get in understanding the text? Some Seek Help Understanding

  35. Things Some People Do Some Make Havoc of the Church Some Use Every Opportunity Some Make Dramatic Changes Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way Some Fall Away Some Are Restored Some Seek Help Understanding Some Act Immediately

  36. Some Act Immediately • Each of the cases of conversion – acted immediately • Samaritans – when they believed (v. 12) • Simon – believed and was baptized (v. 13) • Eunuch – asked what hinders me? (v. 36)

  37. Some Act Immediately • Each of the cases of conversion – acted immediately • There is a need to act immediately • Christ could return (1 Thess. 5:2; Matt. 24:36) • You could die (Jas. 4:13-14) • Your heart could become hardened (Heb. 3:7)

  38. Are you ready to act today? What hinders you? Some Act Immediately

  39. Things Some People Do Some Make Havoc of the Church Some Use Every Opportunity Some Make Dramatic Changes Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way Some Fall Away Some Are Restored Some Seek Help Understanding Some Act Immediately

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