Pentecostal Power Moved God’s Church Forward

Sermon – Pentecostal Power Moved God’s Church Forward

Scripture Lessons: Acts 8:4-8 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.”

Acts 8:12-13 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”

Acts 8:18-21 “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”

Introduction: I have entitled this message " Pentecostal Power Moved God’s Church Forward". Acts Chapter 8 marks the beginning of the expansion of the Church beyond its Jewish roots. Christ in his final charge to his disciples commanded them to wait in Jerusalem until they were endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit. They were commissioned to carry the Gospel message to Jerusalem and all Judea, then to Samaria and finally, to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the entire world. Jesus gave them the mandate and a pattern for expansion: "you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." One of the greatest blessings of the church was the understanding that as the ministry expanded, the responsibilities of the church must be shared by all believers.

Several Greek speaking Jews had been selected to serve in the capacity of deacons. These men took care of the daily administration of the food supply and perform other needed ministry responsibilities. Two of the most outstanding deacons were Stephen and Philip. As persecution increased at Jerusalem, the church was forced to scatter, spreading the message of Christ everywhere they went. The Jewish leaders rejected the preaching of Stephen and proceeded to stone him to death. Stephen became the first martyr of the Christian faith. He exemplified grace at the highest level. His prayer of forgiveness for those who falsely accused him and killed him cut against the grain of every base human passion common to man. Instead of contempt, anger and vengefulness, pouring from the heart of this dying deacon was love, compassion and hope. We stand transfixed at the death place of this lowly servant with the same awe we hold when we gaze on our dying Savior. In his death Stephen manifested a supernatural endurance and meekness that could only come from our Lord himself. The persecution designed to stop the church, fueled its growth and development. The more they persecuted the Christians, the more the church grew. The fire of the Holy Spirit could not be put out. This persecution caused the Christian faith to spread to the surrounding cities, preaching the gospel wherever they went. Most of the apostles remained at Jerusalem, but believers scattered spreading the message everywhere. The church was on the move because Ministry Responsibility was Shared.

1. Ministry Responsibilities were Shared. If the Church going to take the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth, ministry responsibilities was shared.

Acts 8 presents several individuals involved in the movement of the church. There was Saul of tarsus, a zealous persecutor; Philip of the seven deacons, a faithful preacher; Simon Mangus, a clever deceiver who desired the praise of men; and an Ethiopian eunuch, a concerned seeker, who served as the minister of Finance of Ethiopia. Acts 8 is a chapter of transition as the message of Jesus Christ goes to the mongrel Jews of Samaria, and to a gentile Ethiopian eunuch. The Church's only ambition was to be obedient to God. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit to be effective in ministry. Demonstrations of the Holy Spirit’s power was present with them, confirming the word they preached. Philip led the charge to Samaria as the Church moved forward. Read the following verses.

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:4-8