Series: Action [#17]
BEING THE SCATTERED CHURCH
Acts 8:1-8, 26-40
Introduction:
I asked some of the children a couple of questions that I want to ask you. “If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would I get to Heaven?” “No”, the children answered. “If I cleaned the church everyday, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into Heaven?” Again, the answer was “No”! “Well,” I continued, “then how can I get into Heaven?” One of the kids said, “You gotta be dead!”
An estimation was made that it takes 1000 laypersons and 6 ministers to lead 1 person to Christ in a year. It was also estimated that 95% of the Christians today have never led a soul to Christ. This is the reversal of Jesus’ strategy of New Testament evangelism. These trends must change if our world is to be reached, and evidences are that they are changing.
What does it mean to be a Church and to really serve the Lord? Have we relegated our faith to out running sin and avoiding all contact with the “outside world?” Can we hear the call to reach out to our moms and dads, brothers and sisters, and friends and co-workers? Can we receive the call to be a scattered Church or will we just remain a Church that is scattered? As I read these verses over and over again, I came to 1 conclusion; we have become a scattered Church. Webster defines “scatter” as, “to throw loosely about.” I believe this is the problem of the Church. We are not focused; we are thrown loosely about and have lost the reality of what we have been called to do and who we have been called to be. I want to reintroduce the idea of being “The Scattered Church.” We must get out and tell somebody what Jesus has done for us and for them. Instead of huddling together, let’s scatter.
God has 1 desire for us: To go and share the Good News. So, what does it mean to be “The Scattered Church”?
Acts 8:1-8
To be the scattered Church means we must…
1. Leave our comfort zone.
Philip had become very successful in his endeavor to serve the Lord. Back in Acts 6:2, Philip had been called to “wait on tables”, and because of his faithfulness and that of the Apostles and others called to this ministry, “The word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). This would have been enough for me, but God wanted more.
Acts 8:26
About everyone here has probably seen the film Titanic. More than 1,500 of the 2,200 passengers died when it sank on April 15, 1912. Perhaps the greatest tragedy is that many of those people didn’t have to die. A lot of people climbed into the 20 lifeboats; but many were only ½ full. Hundreds of people were in the cold water with life preservers. Most of them did not die from drowning; they froze to death. The people in the lifeboats heard the cries of those dying people; but they chose not to go back for fear of capsizing. Only 1 lifeboat returned, after it was too late. Of the hundreds who were in the water, only 6 people were rescued. Those who were already saved didn’t go after those who were dying. When we pray for God to extend our territory, we must ask God to break our hearts so that those of us who are already saved will go after those who are dying.
Acts 8:27-30
To be the scattered Church means we must…
2. Be led by the Holy Spirit.
It begins with being filled with the Spirit of God. You can do nothing apart from being filled with the Spirit of God. Once you are filled with the Spirit of God, are you done? Of course not- Philip obeyed.
To be the scattered Church means we must…
3. Tell the story.
Acts 8:30-31
^ The question to ask.
We must not be afraid to approach people when the Holy Spirit leads us to them. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in what to say and to ask.
Acts 8:32-33
^ The Scripture to read.
What Scripture do you use? The Scripture that was read aloud was the perfect passage for that moment. We must not be afraid that we don’t know what to say or what Scriptures to use. Allow the Holy Spirit to choose the Scripture; it will always be the right one.
Acts 8:34-35
^ The truth to explain.
How will anyone know the truth about Jesus unless we tell them? The eunuch was seeking answers and Philip was ready to give an answer.
Conclusion:
Acts 8:36-40
Philip was sent to Azotus immediately after he had baptized the eunuch. We must be willing to minister to others wherever God may send us.
