WHY ARE WE HERE? pt 1
Acts 8:1-8
Introduction
Two elderly couples were enjoying conversation when one of the men asked the other, ‘Fred, how was the memory clinic you went to last month?’
‘Outstanding, they taught us all the latest psychological techniques: visualisation, association, etc. it was terrific’, replied Fred.
‘Sounds unreal, and what was the name of the clinic?’
Fred went blank. He thought and thought but couldn’t remember. Then a smile broke across his face, he’d put into practice some of the techniques he’d learned, ‘What do you call that flower with a long stem and thorns?’
‘You mean a rose?’
‘Yes that’s it!, a rose’.
He turned to His wife and said, ‘Rose, what was the name of that memory clinic?’
I’ve entitled this mornings message, ‘Why Are We Here?’ We’re going to be focussing on one of the primary reasons the church exists. A reason that I’m sure most of us are familiar with – but perhaps like Fred, have trouble remembering!
John please come forward and read to us Acts 8:1-8
(READ ACTS 8:1-8)
There are two main themes contained in that passage – what are they?
(AWAIT RESPONSE)
Yes, there appears to be the themes of persecution in verses 1-3 and evangelism in verses 4-8. But I want to suggest that this entire passage is primarily all about evangelism! Its all about the importance of sharing Christ.
Before moving on, I want to make sure that we all understand the meaning of three words – ‘Church’, ‘Persecution’ and ‘Evangelism’.
Could someone please tell us what the church is?
(AWAIT RESPONSE)
Could someone please tell us what persecution means?
(AWAIT RESPONSE)
Could someone please explain what evangelism is?
(AWAIT RESPONSE)
I want to put forward that this passage presents EVANGELISM as a major priority of the church. To this end lets turn our attention to verses 1-3 and consider -
1. The Great Persecution That Broke Out
(READ ACTS 8:1-3)
There are two people named in those verses – who are they?
(AWAIT RESPONSE)
Yes, Stephen and Saul.
Two men worlds apart. One man willing to die for his convictions – the other willing to kill for his convictions. One man dedicated to Jesus Christ – the other dedicated to the status quo. One man passionate to further Jesus’ Kingdom – the other passionate to stamp it out. One man longing to be faithful to his Master’s command to bring people to Himself – the other longing to prevent people coming to Jesus. One man committed to the health of the church – the other committed to its destruction.
Saul was obsessed with destroying the church, ‘On that day a great persecution broke out …, and … Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.’
On what day did this great persecution break out? The day Stephen was stoned! Have a look at Acts 11:19 if you are in any doubt – ‘Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen …’ So it was very much to do with Stephen.
Let’s turn back the hands of time for a moment and look at Acts 6:9b-10, ‘These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.’ You know when people don’t win the argument they can become pretty nasty – so in this case they dug up false witnesses and falsely charged Stephen. In reply to these charges, Stephen preaches the Word of God to them. And the Spirit of Truth and Wisdom convicted them! They could not bear what was being said so they executed the messenger.
Evangelism! Presenting Jesus Christ, began this great persecution of the church.
Notice we are told, ‘… persecution broke out …’ It was there wanting to break free & Stephen was the catalyst for it. God was going to use it as an evangelistic tool.
I would like to read to you a devotion from ‘Our Daily Bread’:
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC, has a guard 24 hours a day. Every hour on the hour, 365 days a year, a new soldier reports for duty. When the new guard arrives, he receives his orders from the one who is leaving. The words are always the same: ‘ORDERS REMAIN UNCHANGED’.
The same could be said of the orders that Jesus gave to His disciples.
Just before He ascended to heaven, He told His followers, ‘You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’ (Acts 1:8). He also said, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations’ (Mt 28:19).
Much has changed in the almost 2,000 years since Jesus chose His first disciples and started the church. But regarding the command to spread the good news of Christ, these words can still be said: ‘ORDERS REMAIN UNCHANGED.’ (So ends devotion from ‘Our Daily Bread’ 24th Aug 2000.)
You see Jesus said in Acts 1:8 that the church will spread from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria etc. And here beginning in Acts 8:1 we see that spread – in that exact order – Jerusalem – Judea – Samaria (later in our study of Acts we’ll see how the word did continue on beyond Samaria). This spread was fanned by this ‘great persecution’ that broke out against the church. A persecution fuelled by a man called Saul. Saul, this great persecutor of the church actually contributed, along with Stephen, to the first missionary thrust of the church! These two men – worlds apart were actually working to the same end. God in His infinite wisdom is able to frustrate that which is intended for evil and use it for good.
Remember some months ago we imagined the colour ‘blue’ to represent all that is pure, worthwhile and of eternal value. And we pictured the colour ‘yellow’ to represent all that is worthless, temporal or even anti-Christian. Well here in Saul we read of actions which I believe will be attributed to him as bright yellow – even though he thought they were blue. For Saul was a deeply religious man and he considered this Christian movement to be a threat to the true worship of God.
In fact it has been said that the reason the glorified Jesus confronted Saul in such a ‘stunning’ way (and we’ll look at that later in this series) bringing about his conversion was because God saw Saul’s true yet misguided passion for Him.
Nevertheless, at this time in Saul’s life he was in fact as Jesus Himself said persecuting Him (Acts 9:5).
‘… On that day a great persecution broke out against the church … and all … were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.’ (Acts 8:1)
Jesus said, ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…’ - Stephen a man full of the Holy Spirit – who spoke by the Spirit, was instrumental in beginning a persecution which led to – ’…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ (Acts 1:8)
Now, lets turn our attention to the more overt section on evangelism. Verses 4-8.
(READ ACTS 8:4-8)
2. Those Who Had Been Scattered Preached
How extraordinary! We’re told that, ‘Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.’ (Acts 8:4) These people who had just faced such a great persecution for the word continued to share that same word. And these were just your ‘ordinary’ garden variety believers. Not apostles – ‘just’ regenerate people. People in whom the Spirit of God dwelt. ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you...’ People who were accompanied by their Lord. ‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Mtt 28:20) People motivated by His desires. ‘The Lord … (does not want) not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’ (2 Pet 3:9)
And Philip is highlighted. Philip who was chosen along with Stephen (Acts 6:5) to ‘wait on tables’ becomes a key player in sharing the truth of Christ. Philip became known as ‘the evangelist’ (Acts 21:8). And although Scripture says we are all to do the work of an evangelist – Philip is the only one named who held that office.
What a tremendous truth we see in Stephen & Philip – these men who were willing to use their spiritual gifts and talents for the Lord were given more and more responsibility as they proved faithful with what they had been entrusted to them!
This passage that begins with the scattered church preaching, ends with the comment, ‘So there was great joy in that city.’ The word that brought persecution also brought joy.
Philip proclaimed Jesus Christ to the Samaritans. He knew that only He as the Son of the Living God has the strength to deliver from the powers of darkness. Only He has the power heal both now and finally in the resurrection. Only He has the authority to forgive our sins and make us right with God. Only He took our death. Only He is our life.
Philip, as with these other scattered believers was convinced that, ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12)
The challenge Is This:
· Are you convinced of that truth?
· Do you know this Jesus Christ?
· Have you a living relationship with Him?
‘Many years ago I used to lead (says John Stott) a thing at St. Peter’s called The Children’s Church. There was a little girl who was a member many years ago. Jillie was 10 at the time. We’d been studying Matthew’s gospel, and in those days at the end of the year we set these poor kids an examination--a written examination. Having asked them 30-odd academic questions, I permitted myself a final personal one. This is what I said, because we’d been studying the Gospel of John, chapter 1: "Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Philip brought Nathaniel to Jesus. Whom have you brought to Jesus?"
Do you know what Jillie answered? "I have brought myself to Jesus." She was quite right. Have you? You can’t bring anybody else till you’ve brought yourself.’
(John R. W. Stott, "Keeping the Right Company," Preaching Today, Tape No. 46)
And I’d like the final word to go to James S. Hewett, ‘There is a legend that recounts the return of Jesus to glory after His time on earth. Even in heaven He bore the marks of His earthly pilgrimage with its cruel cross and shameful death. The angel Gabriel approached Him and said, "Master, you must have suffered terribly for men down there." He replied that he did. Gabriel continued: "And do they know and appreciate how much you loved them and what you did for them?" Jesus replied, "Oh, no! Not yet. Right now only a handful of people in Palestine know." But Gabriel was perplexed. He asked, "Then what have you done to let everyone know about your love for them?" Jesus said, "I’ve asked Peter, James, John, and a few more friends to tell others about me. Those who are told will tell others, in turn, about me. And my story will be spread to the farthest reaches of the globe. Ultimately, all of mankind will have heard about my life and what I have done."
Gabriel frowned and looked rather sceptical. He well knew what poor stuff men were made of. He said, "Yes, but what if Peter and James and John grow weary? What if the people who come after them forget? What if way down in the twentieth-century people just don’t tell others about you? Haven’t you made any other plans?" And Jesus answered, "I haven’t made any other plans. I’m counting on them." Twenty centuries later, He still has no other plan. He’s counting on you and me. High on God’s "To Do" list is the evangelisation of the world. His early disciples adopted His priorities and devoted themselves to reaching the world. Christ counted on them, and they delivered. Have we done as well?’
(James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) pp. 70-71.)
The church exists to point people to Jesus. Are you part of the church? Then you must be obedient in presenting your precious Lord and Saviour.
You know God really only has one treasure – you and me!
‘ORDERS REMAIN UNCHANGED”
Let’s Pray
