ACTS 8:4-5 (1-8) - A Great Day!

Series: #15 Acts of the Apostles - Witnesses to All Judea and Samaria
TOPIC: Sovereignty (of God); Providence, Will (of God)

TITLE: A GREAT DAY - Being Blown Around a Corner for God's Glory!
TEXT: Acts 8:4-5 (1-8)

Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How was the day of dispersion a great day?

Notice … (recall the threefold theme of the Acts of the Apostles) …

1) The preeminence of the Living Lord
2) the prominence of the Holy Spirit, and
3) the power of the Authentic Church

Add the privilege of persecution* of the Body (*severe opposition to the message) ...

The “witness” to Jerusalem is past … the maturing church now sent to Judea and Samaria (chapters 8-12, north and south) ... the “remotest part of the earth” is next (13-28) ... what is seen is God’s providential will at work.

Notice all was well with the growth of the church … but with Stephen’s death, Saul began to intensely persecute and scatter them. Yet it was God not Saul who actually set the wildfire behind the people ... but like the deer in wildfire, they had a River of Life to count on.

Go back and reread Stephen’s proclamation in Acts 6.

Isn’t this reminiscent of the Lord’s dispersion of Israel through their Babylonian captivity?

I. THE DAY HAD A GREAT PERSECUTION! [vv 1b, 3]

“God sometimes has to act through disagreeable circumstances in order to compel His saints to work in accordance with His plans ….” [H. A. Ironside p.176]

God kick-starts His outreach to the world through the fires of persecution; God only sees His plan, His mind is turned toward all men everywhere at all times!

Saul meant it for evil but God meant it for good; like Joseph’s brothers … like Joseph ...

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”

Genesis 50:20

“How often has the rage of Christ's enemies thus ‘turned out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel’.” [Jamieson]

II. THE DAY HAD A GREAT DISPERSION! [v 1b, 4, 5]

“Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.”

Acts 8:4-5

These were lay people “preaching (euaggelizō; declaring Good News) the word” and “proclaiming (kērussō; heralding) Christ.”
Not a popular message today; reading contemporary Christian literature suggests it isn’t well received among my brethren.

“Wind spreads the flame.” [Bengel]

“Their hearts were full … out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks; and they made the truth known to ‘all’” [Barnes]

[CHINA] In 1949 the communist wildfire overthrew the Chinese nationalist government … 637 China Inland Missions missionaries were expelled; they went to Japan and throughout Southeast Asia. Not only did new works start all over Asia, but the Chinese church grew geometrically and she remains a thorn in the commies’ side to this day.

Satan intended eradication; instead he got dispersion.

III. THE DAY HAD A GREAT PROCLAMATION! [vv 4, 5]

Preaching by the “laity” was begun ... Philip was one of the seven chosen to minister as deacons in the church in Jerusalem. He was the only one specifically identified as an evangelist in the New Testament; he became one of our great evangelists.

IV. THE DAY HAD A GREAT FASCINATION! [vv 6, 7]

The text says, they “with one accord were giving attention,” literally taking their minds captive [Cf. 2 Corinthians 10:5].

V. THE DAY HAD A GREAT JUBILATION! [v 8]

“And there was much rejoicing in that city.”

Jesus said, 'I am come to send fire on the earth'; Saul and his cohorts thought, if they scattered those kindled with that fire, to have put it out, but instead of they spread the fire every where in Judea and Samaria. [Henry; paraphrased]

APPLICATION: The key element for the church is the joy which resulted from its ravaging by Saul and his minions.

Often God’s enemies see nothing but scorched earth before them; but God sees the seeds of new life below the ash and destruction. The Bible tells us the church in pain and in flight finds joy in the end.

I conclude there is greater joy to be found; in reality I don’t find this to be true.

So I must admit to praying for greater persecution in order that she might have greater dispersion, greater proclamation where dispersed, that greater attention would be paid to her, and that we might all find greater cause for jubilation.

CHALLENGE:

“Whenever the church is governed from Jerusalem, or from Rome, of from anywhere … other than heaven, it is hindered and hampered and prevented from fulfilling the great functions of its life” [G. Campbell Morgan, p. 195]

“Effective evangelism is possible only when the church recovers both (1) the biblical gospel and (2) a joyful confidence in its truth, relevance and power.” [Stott, p. 144, paraphrased]

The Church is much like Israel fresh from Egyptian bondage seeking a king … not understanding she has the King of kings.

When returning home; go to church to worship, but leave to reach the lost … the flames of hell are pursuing them.

Acts, Christianity, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Providence, Sovereignty, Sermons

JONAH 4:1-11 Taking Our Medicine - Avoiding the Jonah Syndrome!

TOPIC: Lost; Evangelism, Witness
TITLE: TAKING OUR MEDICINE
TEXT: JONAH 4:1-11

Then the LORD said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?"

[WITNESS] I was told of a couple who attended a neighborhood wedding reception and had a great time talking with a young man. After a while they were joined by another couple they were friendly with. Shortly, the young man excused himself and went to join a younger group. The couple apologized for not introducing him or knowing his name. "That's all right," they said. "We already know him, he's our son."

This illustrates the problem we have in our modern society; these folks were courteous but never got to know their guest well enough to introduce him to others by name.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How may we avoid the Jonah Syndrome?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. BY FOCUSING MORE ON GOD’S NATURE!
II. BY FOCUSING MORE ON COMPASSION!
III. BY FOCUSING MORE ON THINGS ABOVE!

TRUTH CLAIM: When we're frustrated with the sad state of affairs in our world, we are often close to calling God's character and even his nature into question.

For God has clearly told us to "love your neighbors as we love yourselves." He has also given us the parable of the "good Samaritan" for the same reason.

Only when we are sincerely seeking the redemption of our fallen neighbors, rather than their destruction, will we truly understand how God was "slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness" [4:2] toward all men!

Only when we serve God unconditionally will we ever understand how God is "a gracious and compassionate God" [4:2] toward all men!

CONTEXT: Jonah was a normal everyday human being from a normal station in life; but he was RUNNING FROM GOD.

God was just not doing things Jonah's way. Jonah lived his life pretty much like God asked him to! But, oh these Ninevites? UGHHHH!!!!!!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How may we avoid the Jonah Syndrome?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. BY FOCUSING MORE ON GOD'S NATURE!

God is not willing that any perish:

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

This is characteristic of Him and consistent with His nature.

When we disobey and stay home, after He has clearly said "GO," we stand in the way of the salvation of others.

We should not be surprised when the heathen behave the way they do.

Their only hope is to hear and to accept the Good News ... to be born-again.

Are we nothing more than contemporary Jonahs?

II. BY FOCUSING MORE ON COMPASSION!

Jonah actually wanted these Ninevites to suffer and die. Yet, he knew who God was:

So he prayed to the LORD, and said, "Ah, LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my country? Therefore, in order to forgo this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that Thou art a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and One who relents from concerning calamity.

Jonah 4:2

Judgment he preached, judgment he wanted!

Are we guilty of the Jonah Syndrome? Do we seek their judgment or their salvation?

III. BY FOCUSING MORE ON THINGS ABOVE!
Jonah eventually obeyed, but without his heart in it.

God no more wants "grim obedience" than a parent does from a child, an boss from an employee, nor a teacher from a student.

Remember, Jonah was sent because the Ninevites' "wickedness has come up before Me!" (1:2)

What is our part in warning the lost? We fear what we would loose something (respect, friends, jobs, neighbors, family) if we became more zealous for the lost, yet they are not ours in the first place.

In fact, that which we have we will lose if we don't obey!

"... what profit is it to a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then recompense every man according to his deeds."

Matthew 16:26,27

APPLICATION: Are we not a great deal like Jonah with respect to this evil and adulterous generation? Are they not our Ninevites?

Are we not complaining because of their effect on our cozy little lives? Are we not more concerned about our shelter and shade than the souls of those who are not like us?

We must become more concerned for others than for ourselves!

The plant that withered is thought to have been a castor oil plant; perhaps the significance is truly profound? Perhaps God has some foul medicine we need to swallow!

Chastisement, Christianity,
Expository, Homiletics, Jonah,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

RUTH: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

4:14-15

Link - RUTH - David's Great Grandmother!

Christianity, Easter, Expository,
Homiletics, Judges, Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

RUTH 4:14-15: David's Great Grandmother!

TOPIC: Kinsman Redeemer; Commitment, Loyalty, Promises (of God), Providence, Redemption, Trust

TITLE: RUTH - David's Great Grandmother!
TEXT: Matthew 1:5b & Ruth 4:14-15

“and to Boaz was born Obed by Ruth”

“Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may His name become famous in Israel. May He also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.’”

Ruth is a tender story of loyalty and trust; of purity and providence; with a prophetic purpose.

The importance of Ruth is found in the whole of the book … not the verses - very few verses are memory verses.

Possibly during a time of idolatry and immorality; during the period of the Judges … probably just before Gideon was a judge; during a time of intense famine.

Ruth demonstrates selfless character in her loyalty to Naomi and Naomi’s God ...

“Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God”

1:16

Naomi, a widow of the tribe of Judah dutifully followed husband and sons to Moab to survive, leaving all behind.

In Moab, each of her men dies in turn, leaving her a widow and caretaker of two Moabite daughters-in-law … without a redeemer. And Naomi is selfless in her concern for her daughter-in-law.

It’s About God’s Redemptive Plan!

A picture of the grafting in [Romans 11] of the Church ...

Chapter one has Naomi (Israel) and Ruth (Church) in the Land of Moab (world).
Chapter two has Ruth, without a people, gleaning in Boaz’ field (pasture or harvest field of God).
Chapter three has Ruth counseled by Naomi (Law); then on Boaz’ threshing floor (place of offering/sacrifice; winnowing and grace); by law Boaz becomes Ruth’s kinsman redeemer.
And Chapter four has Ruth and Naomi in the home of Boaz (redeemer of both); thus continues the royal line of David.

Tragedy and hardship end in joy and restoration.

Ruth provides no obvious commandments or manifested miracles, no wars or rebellions, no achievements or victories … only Naomi’s redemption from affliction ... an unusual book in the canon (i.e., without a kinsman redeemer). Highlights the providential and permissive aspects of God’s will.

Reveals mortar binding “living” stones to Chief Corner Stone; Ruth is a story central to the Good News.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Where Does the Book of Ruth Lead a Faithful Believer?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. It Leads Us to Trust the Power of God!
II. It Leads Us to Trust the Providence of God!
III. It Leads Us to Trust the Protection of God!
IV. It Leads Us to Trust the Promises of God!
V. It leads us to …

Who is this woman Ruth? A Moabitess, foreigner, stranger; daughter-in-law of Naomi; a childless widow. Moabites were out of Lot’s oldest daughter, through incest with her father; thus, Ruth is not only a woman and a foreigner but the off-spring of immorality and incest.

Soon to be wife of Boaz, her kinsman redeemer; a son of Rahab and David’s grandfather; one of five ladies in the genealogy of Jesus [Matthew 1:1-14]:

• Tamar, the Canaanite mother of Perez and Zerah, through her unlawful relationship with her father-in-law Judah
• Rahab, the harlot, non-Israelite, protector of Joshua’s spies; mother of Boaz, the father of Obed, the son of Ruth
• Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, taken in adultery by David, wife rooted in murder, the great-grandson of Ruth
• and Mary the wife of Joseph and the virgin-mother of Jesus, conceived and born out of wedlock

Ruth: the great-greatx10 grandmother of Jesus, along with Esther, she becomes one of Israel’s most blessed and beloved women.

Ruth is the female counterpart of Job; feeling hopeless, Naomi returned to Israel … not knowing what the future held. Then one of her two daughters-in-law professed allegiance to Naomi and her God, the Living God, the God of the living!

In spite of circumstances, Ruth was faithful to Naomi’s God; so God was faithful to redeem the family.

INQUIRY: Where Does the Book of Ruth Lead a Faithful Believer?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. It Leads Us To Trust The Power of God!

God is mentioned 20 times; 3 names – Jehovah (LORD) 15x, Elohim (God) 2x, the other is Shaddai (Almighty) 2x … both times in this passage

She said to them,

"Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted (Heb = mara) me?"

Ruth 1:20-21

Though her faith waned, it was strong enough to recall that God is Almighty and a doer of great things

II. It Leads Us To Trust The Providence of God!

God has two wills – the one with which He permits us our will; the other is fixed in relation to decreed providence.

This wonderful but brief volume reveals an unforgettable example of God’s providential concern for those who put their trust in Him.

It teaches us not to lose faith, no matter the circumstance or hardship … for His providential will includes those who love Him and are called according to Hid purpose [Romans 8:28].

Twenty times the verb “redeem” is used; and this in a book with only four chapters.

This book makes a special contribution to the truth that God alone chooses whom He will redeem; He is under no obligation to redeem any He chooses not to! (E.g., Orhah)

“He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children.”

Psalms 113:9a

The bible tells us ...

“the LORD enabled her to conceive [lit. gave her con-ception] and she gave birth to a son.”

Ruth 4:13

III. It Leads Us To Trust The Protection of God!

She believed deeply God’s eye was on the sparrow and she knew His eye was on them … she knew nothing surprises God … He is not only powerful but omniscient as well.

When all seemed lost and unfair, she turned to the teachings of her people

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, ‘My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight.’

Ruth 3:1-2

IV. It Leads Us To Trust The Promises of God!

When the OT asserts God is Israel’s redeemer, it points to His providential and covenant promises … and who is “the promised of God”?

“Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepter.”

Psalms 60:7

Thus says the Lord!

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

Genesis 49:10

So the blessing of Jacob on Judah, his son.

“… it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah … .”

Hebrews 7:14

“Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah.”

Ruth 1:1,2

Compare this with others –

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.“

Micah 5:2

“And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.’”

Revelation 5:4,5

Speaking of the Day of the Lord and judgment …

"Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments …”

Deuteronomy 7:9

APPLICATION: Naomi is a picture of Israel while Ruth is the gentile; separated from God and her destiny, without a son to carry on the family’s name.

Naomi has this on her mind:

“Why has this happened to me? What have I done to be without an heir to my husband’s name? Why have I been cut off?”

Was it not the God of Israel, the God of promise that she trusted? Had not blessings been promised and now withheld from this child of YHWH?

For her day, Ruth was an exception to the rule: not a member of “the chosen people of God,” faithful and loyal, and unselfish; she was moral, self-controlled, and spiritual; as well as civil and mature.

CHALLENGE: Are you an exception to the rule for your day? Have you considered what you will be remembered for? Has your faith carved a testimony out of your life? Have you turned from trusting your faith in God to trusting your works?

The Bible says some things about you and me providentially … and has some promises for those who love the Lord and called according to His purpose [Romans 8:28]!

Those who have been redeemed by Almighty God, who were “not a people but are now the people of God” [1 Peter 2:10] should be transformed by their experience, and show this quality of God’s love to others!

1. It was God’s faithfulness to Israel that attracted Naomi to Him; and
2. it was her faithfulness to Him that attracted Ruth to her
3. It was Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law and her God that attracted Boaz to her; and
   
4. It should be that our faithful and public testimony would attract others as well!

The lost should be attracted to us as the moth is to the light bulb, not to death but to life, life everlasting!

Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Ruth, Sermons

MARK - Seed Archive

Mark 2:1-12

TOPIC: Evangelism [Outreach, Witness]

TITLE: Bringing In the Sheaves - How to demonstrate that you have faith in Jesus!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How do we show that we believe their is no one besides Christ Jesus?

I. By Bringing Others to Him! [1-5]
II. By Preparing for Criticism! [6-7]
III. By Beholding His Power and Authority! [8-12]

Mark 5:24-34

TOPIC: Faith [Forgiveness, Healing]

TITLE: Are You Aware of What Is Happening To You?
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does Christ's healing power mean to us?

I. Christ's Healing is Powerful! [30,34]

A. It overcomes human bondage. ["12 years," 25]
B. It overcomes human charlatans. ["endured much," 26]
C. It overcomes human economics. ["spent much," 26]

II. Christ's Healing is Available! [28,33]
III. Christ's Healing is Free! [28,34]
IV. Christ's Healing is Permanent! [34]

Mark 14:22-26

TOPIC: Lord's Supper [New Covenant]

TITLE: THE NEW COVENANT - PROMISE & FULFILLMENT - Broken Body, Spilled Blood!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What dimensions of God's will are at work in the Lord's Supper?

I. The determinative dimension of His will!

God has determined the best road for us to travel, He has also determined that we should be free to choose to travel that road.

II. The declarative dimension of His will!

Jeremiah 31:31 says that God declared His intentions, He did hide His intentions.

III. The discretionary dimension of His will!

The Lord has said and the Bible has recorded that God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy ... and perfectly as well. We too should be merciful!

Mark 16:20a [A message by Mike Miller, Pastor FBC Boulder Creek, Ca. (22 October 1989)]

"they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them."

TOPIC: Work [Evangelism; Good News; Harvest field; Labor]

TITLE: HOLY SWEAT - or Meet my partner, the Lord Jesus Christ!
TRUTH CLAIM: Many workers secretly wish they could pick those they work with; but can any complain when their co-worker is the Lord Himself?

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does Jesus labor with His disciples?

I. Jesus labors as a working partner!
II. Jesus labors with a working program!
III. Jesus labors through a working power!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Let's recall "we are laborers together with God" and "workers together with Christ." We are to labor where we are ... with what we know ... with what we have ... if we're to be a working partner.

Gospel, Homiletics, Mark,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

HABAKKUK - Seed Archive

Habakkuk 2:4, 8, 20

TOPIC: God's Will

TITLE: Three Elements of God’s Sovereign Will to Know.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three elements of God's will should we know?

I. God will spare His own (4)
II. God will judge His enemies (8)
III. God will rule in His-story (20)

Habakkuk 3:1

TOPIC: God's nature

TITLE: Three Critical Aspects of God’s Nature!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three aspects of God's nature are undeniable?

I. God is Capable of Intense Wrath!
II. God is Capable of Remembering!
III. God is Capable of Compassion!

Habakkuk 3:16-19

TOPIC: Prophecy

TITLE: The Effects of Prophecy on God’s People
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What should the effects of prophecy be on God's people?

I. Abject [Arena of] Fear (16)
II. Absent [Absence of] Fruit (17)
III. Abundant Future [Abundance of Future or Faith] (18-19)

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: God takes us into an arena of fear, chastening us by removing the very things which drew us away from Him, and leaving us with tested faith and the promise of an abundant future.

Hababbuk, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons