Empowered by the Spirit: The Gospel for All

Devotional

Day 1: Persecution as a Catalyst for Growth

Description: Persecution, often perceived as a tool of the enemy to hinder the church, is used by God to expand it. In Acts chapter 8, the scattering of believers due to persecution led to the spread of the gospel to new regions, demonstrating God's sovereignty in turning adversity into an opportunity for growth. Philip's missionary journey to Samaria is a prime example of how God uses difficult circumstances to fulfill His purposes. Despite the challenges, Philip, filled with the Holy Spirit, performed miracles and preached the good news, leading many to believe and be baptized. This narrative encourages believers to trust in God's plan, even in the face of trials, knowing that He can use any situation for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. [46:17]

Bible Passage: "Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did." (Acts 8:4-6, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge or trial you have faced. How might God be using this situation to grow your faith or expand His kingdom? Can you see any opportunities for sharing the gospel that have arisen from this adversity?

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Day 2: Inclusivity of the Gospel

Description: The gospel transcends cultural, racial, and social boundaries. The acceptance of the Samaritans into the early church, despite historical animosities, underscores that God's salvation is for all people. This inclusivity is a core message of the New Testament, as seen in Paul's writings and Jesus' interactions with the Samaritans. The apostles initially hesitated to accept the Samaritans' faith, but the Holy Spirit confirmed their salvation, demonstrating that God's love and salvation are universal. This theme is reinforced by Paul's declaration in Galatians that in Christ, there is no division between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female. [54:32]

Bible Passage: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on any biases or prejudices you may hold, consciously or unconsciously. How can you actively work to break down these barriers and demonstrate the inclusivity of the gospel in your interactions with others?

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Day 3: Evidence of the Holy Spirit

Description: The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life is evidenced by faith, a desire to flee from sin, and the manifestation of the Spirit's gifts and fruits. These include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live out their faith authentically, transforming their character and actions to reflect Christ. This transformation is not just for personal edification but also serves as a testimony to others of God's power and grace. Believers are encouraged to assess their lives for these evidences and seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. [01:05:34]

Bible Passage: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: Examine your life for the fruits of the Spirit. Which areas do you see the Holy Spirit working in you, and which areas need more growth? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to cultivate these fruits more fully in your life?

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Day 4: God's Will Over Personal Will

Description: Believers are called to actively seek and live according to God's will rather than their own. This involves surrendering all aspects of life to God and being open to His guidance in every area, including marriage, parenting, service, and finances. True discipleship requires a wholehearted commitment to God's purposes, often requiring believers to set aside their own desires and plans. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice of seeking God's direction and aligning one's actions with His will. It is through this submission that believers experience the fullness of God's plan for their lives and contribute to His kingdom work. [01:06:44]

Bible Passage: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you are struggling to surrender to God's will. What steps can you take today to begin aligning this area with His purposes? How can you seek His guidance more intentionally?

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Day 5: Mission of the Church

Description: The Holy Spirit empowers the church not just for personal edification but for mission. Believers are sent out to proclaim the gospel to the world, demonstrating Christ's love and grace to all people. This mission is central to the identity of the church and the calling of every disciple. The early church's growth, despite persecution, exemplifies the power of the Holy Spirit in driving the mission forward. Believers today are called to continue this mission, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those around them and living out their faith in tangible ways that reflect God's love. [01:08:24]

Bible Passage: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your role in the mission of the church. How can you actively participate in sharing the gospel and demonstrating Christ's love in your community? What specific actions can you take this week to fulfill this calling?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit as depicted in Acts chapter 8. We explored how the early church, despite facing persecution, grew and expanded through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The narrative of Philip's missionary journey to Samaria highlighted the unexpected ways God uses adversity to spread the gospel. Philip, filled with the Holy Spirit, performed miracles and preached the good news, leading many Samaritans, including a magician named Simon, to believe and be baptized.

We also delved into the tension between the Jewish Christians and the Samaritans, emphasizing that the gospel is for all people, transcending cultural and racial boundaries. The apostles initially hesitated to accept the Samaritans' faith, but the Holy Spirit confirmed their salvation, demonstrating that God's love and salvation are universal. This theme of inclusivity is reinforced by Paul's writings in Galatians, which declare that in Christ, there is no division between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female.

The sermon concluded with a call to self-examination regarding the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We were encouraged to assess our faith, our desire to flee from sin, the evidence of the Spirit's gifts and fruits in our lives, and our commitment to seeking God's will. The Holy Spirit empowers us not just for personal transformation but to be sent out into the world to share the gospel. We were reminded that our mission is to proclaim Christ's love and grace to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.

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Key Takeaways

1. control. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live out their faith authentically. [01:05:34]
4. God's Will Over Personal Will: Believers are called to actively seek and live according to God's will rather than their own. This involves surrendering all aspects of life to God and being open to His guidance in every area, including marriage, parenting, service, and finances. True discipleship requires a wholehearted commitment to God's purposes.

5. Mission of the Church: The Holy Spirit empowers the church not just for personal edification but for mission. Believers are sent out to proclaim the gospel to the world, demonstrating Christ's love and grace to all people. This mission is central to the identity of the church and the calling of every disciple.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[14:25] - Opening Prayer
[40:45] - Introduction to Acts Chapter 8
[41:05] - The Movement of the Church
[42:00] - Growth and Persecution
[42:47] - Internal Conflict and Resolution
[43:14] - Stephen's Martyrdom
[44:05] - Philip's Missionary Journey
[45:07] - Preaching in Samaria
[46:17] - Persecution and Expansion
[48:33] - Simon the Magician
[50:08] - Competing Powers
[52:12] - Jesus' Heart for Samaritans
[54:32] - The Gospel for All People
[57:25] - Confirmation of Salvation
[59:10] - Simon's Misunderstanding
[61:41] - Evidence of the Holy Spirit
[66:44] - Seeking God's Will
[68:24] - Mission of the Church
[77:05] - Closing Remarks and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the circumstances that led Philip to preach in Samaria? ([45:07])
How did the Samaritans respond to Philip's preaching and miracles? ([45:23])
What was Simon the magician's reaction to Philip's ministry, and what did he try to do? ([49:12])
How did the apostles react to the news of the Samaritans accepting the gospel? ([57:25])

Interpretation Questions

How does the scattering of believers due to persecution demonstrate God's sovereignty in the growth of the church? ([46:17])
What does the acceptance of the Samaritans into the early church reveal about the inclusivity of the gospel? ([54:32])
How can the presence of the Holy Spirit be identified in a believer's life according to the sermon? ([01:05:34])
What does it mean to actively seek and live according to God's will rather than our own? ([01:06:44])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced adversity. How did you see God working through that situation to bring about growth or new opportunities? ([46:17])
In what ways can you help break down cultural, racial, or social barriers within your community to share the gospel more effectively? ([54:32])
Identify one area in your life where you see the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work. How can you nurture and grow in that area? ([01:05:34])
Are there aspects of your life where you are still holding onto your own will rather than surrendering to God's will? What steps can you take to fully submit to His guidance? ([01:06:44])
Think of someone in your life who might feel excluded or marginalized. How can you demonstrate Christ's love and inclusivity to them this week? ([54:32])
How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions, such as in your relationships, work, or service? ([01:06:44])
Reflect on the mission of the church to proclaim Christ's love and grace to everyone. What specific actions can you take this week to share the gospel with someone in your life? ([01:08:24])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "In times of struggle, we should remember that God, even in the midst of our struggles, is with us and has a plan to work through these struggles. And this is what Philip experiences, right? He's persecuted, and he has to go away from all the people and places that he knows, but instead of just feeling sorry for himself, he begins to preach." [47:34] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The gospel unites humanity more significantly and more powerfully than anything else in human history. The gospel unites across everything more significantly than anything else ever has." [54:32] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Spirit of God is bigger than just helping you become the best Christian you can be. The Spirit of God is actually empowering you to see the world and the people around you as an opportunity for his gospel to go forward." [01:08:24] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers us not only to do the ministry of God but to even sometimes correct the gospel. To correct our false beliefs and false understandings. But the Holy Spirit can do that." [01:00:22] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The Holy Spirit that empowered the apostles in the book of Acts is the same Holy Spirit that empowers your disciples today. And God, I pray we would live with that same conviction to take your love and your grace and your gospel to a world that desperately needs you." [01:11:20] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "You know, since the beginning of the church, all the way back here in Acts, even to modern day, persecution is one of the tools that the enemy uses to stop the expansion of the church. But you know what's kind of crazy? That God takes that tool and flips it around and uses persecution as a way to expand the church." [45:57] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The Holy Spirit is working in a way that we don't fully get. And so later on, we have this moment in Cornelius where Cornelius and his family actually receive the Holy Spirit before they're even baptized. And so you have these moments where the formula that we're kind of looking for doesn't always make sense." [58:34] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The Holy Spirit showing up is giving validity to the apostles about their faith. You see, it says, now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaritans had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit for he had not yet fallen on any of them." [57:25] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Are the gifts of the Spirit evident? Are you beginning to see the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit in your everyday life? You know, there's a lot of places in the New Testament where the gifts and the fruit are mentioned, right? And there's some of them that are specifically given to the church so that the church can be unified and so that the church can grow." [01:04:45] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Are you actively seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in your marriage, in your parenting, in your service to the church, in your finances? You see, there's a bit of Simon in all of us. Where we're okay with God helping out in some areas but he's not welcome in others." [01:07:28] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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