Everyday Mission: “Next Man Up” (Acts 8:1–8) - Week 10

Last week, we saw the early church experience both incredible growth and deep loss—thousands coming to faith, but also the first martyrdom with Stephen’s death. This week, we pick up the story in Acts 8, where persecution breaks out in Jerusalem, scattering believers throughout Judea and Samaria. What looks like a setback is actually the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Holy Spirit is moving the mission of Jesus forward, not just through the apostles, but through everyday people—ordinary followers who carry the good news wherever they go.

The text highlights that it wasn’t the apostles who were scattered, but regular believers. These weren’t professional preachers or church leaders; they were people like you and me, empowered by the Spirit to share the story of Jesus in their own words and lives. The mission of God has always moved forward through everyday people, not just the “qualified” or the “gifted.” Our own stories, even if we feel unqualified or ordinary, are the means by which God brings the gospel to new places and new people.

Philip, one of these everyday believers, goes to Samaria—a place despised and avoided by Jews for centuries. The gospel moves not just through everyday people, but to overlooked people. The Samaritans were outsiders, considered heretics and half-breeds, yet God’s mission intentionally moves toward them. This is a portrait of God’s heart: He pursues those who feel overlooked, unloved, or on the margins. The story of Jesus is for those who think they have no place with God, and the Spirit sends His people to cross boundaries and break down barriers.

The gospel is inherently relational and reconciling. As God reconciles us to Himself through Christ, He also calls us to be ministers of reconciliation to others—especially those we might otherwise ignore or avoid. The joy that breaks out in Samaria is a foretaste of what God wants to do in our own city: to bring deep, lasting joy as the good news of Jesus is shared by everyday people with those who need it most. We are not on the practice squad; we are in the game, filled with the Spirit, sent to our neighbors, our city, and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Everyday mission moves through everyday people God’s mission is not reserved for the spiritually elite or the professionally trained. From the very beginning, the gospel has advanced through ordinary believers who simply share what Jesus has done in their lives. Our sense of inadequacy is not a barrier; it is often the very context in which God’s power is displayed. The Spirit qualifies and empowers us, making our everyday lives the frontlines of His mission. [14:36]
• 2. The gospel moves toward overlooked people God’s heart is revealed in His pursuit of those on the margins—people who are ignored, avoided, or considered outsiders. The mission of Jesus intentionally crosses boundaries of ethnicity, class, and history. We are called to see and move toward those whom society overlooks, knowing that God’s love is especially powerful in places of deep need and brokenness. [23:08]
• 3. Reconciliation is both vertical and horizontal The good news is not just about our relationship with God being restored, but also about breaking down barriers between people. As we are reconciled to God, we are freed to pursue reconciliation with others, even those we might naturally avoid. The gospel compels us to cross divides and embody the unity and love that Christ has made possible. [29:43]
• 4. Joy comes when the gospel is shared When the good news of Jesus is proclaimed and received, it brings a joy that surpasses any temporary happiness. This joy is not rooted in circumstances, but in the reality of God’s love breaking into lives and communities. Our city, like Samaria, can experience deep joy as we faithfully share the story of Jesus with those around us. [32:23]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:32] - Backyard Gathering and Football Woes
• [02:54] - From Triumph to Tragedy: Stephen’s Martyrdom
• [03:33] - Persecution and Scattering of the Church
• [06:19] - Jesus’ Promise in Acts 1:8
• [08:09] - The Holy Spirit’s Surprising Game Plan
• [09:23] - Ordinary Believers Preach the Word
• [12:03] - The Priesthood of All Believers
• [13:15] - What Does “Preaching” Really Mean?
• [15:16] - Everyday Mission: A Personal Story
• [17:52] - Lasting Fruit from Ordinary Faithfulness
• [19:49] - Jesus’ Pattern: Calling Everyday People
• [21:44] - The Gospel Goes to Samaria
• [23:08] - God’s Mission to the Overlooked
• [25:43] - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
• [27:50] - God Loves the Overlooked Through Us
• [29:43] - The Ministry of Reconciliation
• [31:01] - New Identity and Unity in Christ
• [32:23] - Joy in the City
• [33:38] - Sent by the Spirit, No Practice Squad
• [34:18] - Prayer for a Captivated Church

Bible Reading

Acts 8:1-8 (ESV) —
1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6 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.
7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
8 So there was much joy in that city.

- Acts 1:8 (ESV)

8 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.

- 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (ESV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 8, who was scattered from Jerusalem, and who stayed behind? What did those who were scattered do as they went? ([10:05])
2. What was significant about Philip going to Samaria, and how did the people there respond to his message? ([21:44])
3. In Acts 1:8, what did Jesus say would happen when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers?
4. What was the result in the city of Samaria after Philip preached and people responded to the gospel? ([32:23])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to use “everyday people” rather than just the apostles to spread the gospel after the persecution in Jerusalem? ([14:36])
2. What does Philip’s mission to Samaria reveal about God’s heart for people who are considered outsiders or overlooked? ([23:08])
3. How does the idea of reconciliation in 2 Corinthians 5 connect to the story of the gospel moving into Samaria? ([29:43])
4. The sermon mentioned that the gospel brings a joy that is different from temporary happiness. What do you think is the difference between the joy described in Acts 8:8 and ordinary happiness? ([32:23])

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that “everyday mission moves through everyday people.” Do you ever feel unqualified or too ordinary to be used by God? What holds you back from sharing your faith in your daily life? ([14:36])
2. Think about your own story. Has the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus made a real difference in your life? How could you share that story with someone this week, even if it feels small or simple? ([13:56])
3. Philip went to Samaria, a place Jews usually avoided. Are there people or groups in your life that you tend to overlook, avoid, or even judge? What would it look like to move toward them with the love of Jesus? ([23:08])
4. The sermon asked, “Who are the people in your life that are overlooked? Who’s overlooked by you?” Can you name someone specific? What is one step you could take to reach out to them this week? ([26:27])
5. The gospel is both vertical (reconciling us to God) and horizontal (breaking down barriers between people). Is there a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation? What would it look like to take a step toward healing that relationship? ([29:43])
6. The city of Samaria experienced “much joy” when the gospel was shared. What would it look like for our city or neighborhood to experience that kind of joy? What role could you play in that? ([32:23])
7. The sermon said, “You’re not on the practice squad; you’re in the game.” What is one way you can step into the mission of God this week, trusting the Holy Spirit to empower you? ([33:38])