Acts 8

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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

ThingsSomePeopleDo

Acts 8

Things Some People Do

I. Some Make Havoc of the Church

I. Some Make Havoc of the ChurchA. Saul made havoc of the church (v. 3)

1. “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

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

I. Some Make Havoc of the ChurchA. Saul made havoc of the church (v. 3)

1. “Havoc” – lay waste t0 ruin2. Did so by what he did to the men & women of

the church3. Sought to destroy the faith (Gal. 1:13, 23, ASV

“havoc”)

B. Some today make havoc of the church1. Lack of respect of authority (2 John 9-11; 1

Pet. 4:11)2. Lack of spirituality (Gal. 6:1)3. Conforming to the world (Rom. 12:1-3)4. Families not following God’s word (Eph. 5-6)5. Softening & tolerant spirit (1 Cor. 5:1-6)6. Complain & grumble (Phil. 2:14)

I. Some Make Havoc of the Church

Are you making havoc of the

church?

I. Some Make Havoc of the ChurchII. Some Use Every Opportunity

II. Some Use Every OpportunityA. Disciples used every opportunity to teach

1. When scattered – went everywhere preaching (v. 4)

2. Peter and John – spread word on way home (v. 25)

3. Philip used occasion of a man reading to teach (vv. 30-35)

4. Philip preached in all the cities he passed (v. 40)

II. Some Use Every OpportunityA. Disciples used every opportunity to teachB. We should use every opportunity

1. To teach the lost (Mark 16:15-16)2. To restore erring (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19-20)3. To encourage the weak (1 Thess. 5:14)4. To warn the unfaithful (1 Thess. 5:14)5. To teach our children (Deut. 6:7, 20-25)6. To do good (Gal. 6:10)

II. Some Use Every Opportunity

Are you using every

opportunity?

I. Some Make Havoc of the ChurchII. Some Use Every OpportunityIII.Some Make Dramatic Changes

III. Some Make Dramatic ChangesA. Cases of conversion – unlikely prospects

1. Samaritans (vv. 5-12)a. Samaritans – mixed race – no dealings with

Jews (John 4:9)b. Polluted worship (mixed worship of one

God with idol worship - 2 Kings 17:29).c. When converted – dramatic change!

1. Samaritans (vv. 5-12)2. Simon (vv. 9-11, 13)

a. Was a sorcerer (v. 9)b. Was a religious leader (v. 10)c. Been at this a long time (v. 11)d. When converted – complete turn around!

1. Samaritans (vv. 5-12)2. Simon (vv. 9-11, 13)3. Ethiopian Eunuch (vv. 26-40)

a. Was an Ethiopian (v. 27)b. Was Queen’s treasurer - man of great

authority (v. 27)c. Was religious – thought he was right (v. 28)

III. Some Make Dramatic ChangesA. Cases of conversion – unlikely prospectsB. You may need to make dramatic changes to

be right1. To become a Christian (Acts 26:28)2. In your attitude (Prov. 23:7)3. In your home life (1 Pet. 3:7)4. In your prayer life (Mark 1:35; 1 Thess. 5:17)5. In your study habits (Acts 17:11)6. In how faithful you are (Rev. 2:10)7. In your priorities (Matt. 6:33)

Do you need to make dramatic

changes?

III. Some Make Dramatic Changes

I. Some Make Havoc of the ChurchII. Some Use Every OpportunityIII.Some Make Dramatic ChangesIV.Some Try to Get Right Things the

Wrong Way

IV. Some Try to Get Right Things the Wrong Way

A. Simon tried to get the Holy Spirit with money1. Witnessed the power of the apostles (vv. 13,

17)2. Wanted the same (v. 18)3. Offered them money to get it (vv. 18-19)4. Wrong way to get it (v. 20)5. Wanted what was only for the apostles (v.21)

A. Simon tried to get the Holy Spirit with money

B. Often we try to get right things the wrong way1. Live Christian life without obeying gospel 2. Knowledge with shallow study3. Spirituality without effort4. Influence a sinner with compromise5. Godly children without emphasis on spiritual

A. Simon tried to get the Holy Spirit with money

B. Often we try to get right things the wrong way

C. Times we want what we can’t have1. Marriage – is unscriptural (Matt. 19:9)2. Leading roles – are limited (1 Tim. 2:11-12)3. Head of family – for husband (Eph. 5:25)4. Covet – another’s mate (Prov. 5:15-18)5. Seek revenge – belongs to God (Rom. 12:17-

Are you tying to get right things –

wrong way?Are you seeking to have what is not

yours?

Wrong WayV. Some Fall Away

V. Some Fall AwayA. After becoming a Christian, Simon sinned

and endangered his soul1. Actions were wicked (v. 22)2. Bound up in iniquity (v. 23)3. Thoughts were wrong (v. 22)4. Would perish if didn’t repent (v. 20)

V. Some Fall AwayA. After becoming a Christian, Simon sinned

and endangered his soulB. Some fall away today

1. Because of fleshly desires (1 John 2:12-15)2. Because of cares & pleasures of life (Luke

8:14)3. Because of being misled (Gal. 5:7)4. Because friends lead them astray (Prov. 1:10-

15)5. Because not growing (Heb. 5:12)

V. Some Fall Away

Are you beginning to

Wrong WayV. Some Fall AwayVI.Some Are Restored

VI.Some Are RestoredA. Simon was soon restored

1. He was made to realize his sin & lost condition (vv. 20-23)

2. He was told to repent & pray (v. 22)3. Asked Peter to pray for him (v. 24)

VI.Some Are RestoredA. Simon was soon restoredB. You can be restored

1. By doing the same thing (repent and pray)2. By confessing (Jas. 5:16)3. So - free of the guilt of all sin (1 John 1:7)4. Starting over – as if never sinned!

VI.Some Are Restored

Do you need to be restored?

Wrong WayV. Some Fall AwayVI.Some Are RestoredVII.Some Seek Help Understanding

VII.Some Seek Help UnderstandingA. The eunuch sought help in understanding

the text1. Asked, “How can I unless someone guides

me?” (v.31)2. Raised questions about what text meant (v.

34)3. Attitude / heart was willing to learn (v. 36)

VII.Some Seek Help UnderstandingA. The eunuch sought help in understanding

the textB. Love for the word – means seek to

understand1. Love the word (Psa. 119:97, 127)2. Will read it often & thoroughly (cf. Acts 8:28)3. Will raised questions about the meaning (v.

34)4. Seek help from any who can help (vv. 31, 35)5. Desire to see application to self (vv. 35-38)6. Imagine the Eunuch saying, “No…I don’t guess

I really need your study today.”?

VII.Some Seek Help Understanding

Do you seek all the help you can

get in understanding the

Wrong WayV. Some Fall AwayVI.Some Are RestoredVII.Some Seek Help UnderstandingVIII.Some Act Immediately

VIII.Some Act ImmediatelyA. Each of the cases of conversion – acted

immediately1. Samaritans – when they believed (v. 12)2. Simon – believed and was baptized (v. 13)3. Eunuch – asked what hinders me? (v. 36)

VIII.Some Act ImmediatelyA. Each of the cases of conversion – acted

immediatelyB. There is a need to act immediately

1. Christ could return (1 Thess. 5:2; Matt. 24:36)2. You could die (Jas. 4:13-14)3. Your heart could become hardened (Heb. 3:7)

Are you ready to act today?

What hinders you?

VIII.Some Act Immediately

Wrong WayV. Some Fall AwayVI.Some Are RestoredVII.Some Seek Help UnderstandingVIII.Some Act Immediately

Acts 8

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