Faith in Action: Scattering the Good News

 

Summary

In the exploration of faith, it is highlighted that individuals are called to a life of faith that persists even amidst trials and tribulations, often referred to metaphorically as "fire." This life of faith is not a passive existence but an active commission, a directive that compels one to stand firm in their beliefs even when faced with adversity. The concept of "fire" represents the various challenges and hardships that one might encounter, including moments of self-pity and questioning. It is in these moments that individuals are encouraged to hold onto empowering truths, such as the idea that if God is for them, no one can be against them, and that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the name of Jesus.

The narrative continues by reflecting on the power of faith in action, as demonstrated through the early Christian community's response to persecution. Despite being scattered and facing the threat of death, the believers continued to preach the good news about Jesus wherever they went. This scattering was not a defeat but a fulfillment of Jesus' command to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The scattering led to the spreading of the gospel, as seen in the example of Philip in Samaria, who brought great joy to the city through his proclamation of the Messiah and the accompanying signs and miracles.

The message also touches on the modern context, where the proliferation of bad news can overshadow the good news of Jesus. Believers are reminded that their focus should be on the good news, which remains constant regardless of circumstances. The good news is not contingent on preparation for adversity but is a natural outflow of the faith within, providing hope and victory in all situations.

A personal anecdote is shared about an encounter with a former acquaintance known for partying. A simple, impromptu invitation to consider Jesus led to a moment of conviction for the individual, although the long-term impact was unclear. This story illustrates that the power of Christ can work through believers when they are willing to share the good news, even if the delivery is not polished or the response is not immediate.

The message concludes with a call to action, encouraging individuals to not only gather for worship and edification but also to scatter and share the good news of Jesus with others. This scattering is not just about speaking words but demonstrating the power of Christ working through believers. A prayer of confession and declaration is offered, affirming surrender to Jesus and victory over the enemy's works.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith is not merely a comfort in times of peace but a commission that empowers individuals to persevere and thrive even when facing the "fires" of life's trials and tribulations. This faith is a testament to the belief that God's presence and support are unwavering, regardless of external circumstances. [48:43]

- The early Christian community's response to persecution serves as a powerful example of how adversity can be transformed into an opportunity for spreading the gospel. The scattering of believers led to the fulfillment of Jesus' command to witness to all nations, demonstrating that what may seem like a setback can actually be a strategic advancement of the faith. [01:10:53]

- In a world often dominated by negative news, the good news of Jesus stands as an unchanging beacon of hope. Believers are encouraged to focus on this good news, allowing it to shape their perspective and actions, ensuring that their faith remains a source of hope and victory in all situations. [01:03:02]

- The power of Christ within believers can manifest in unexpected and simple ways, as illustrated by the personal story shared. This power does not require eloquence or perfect conditions but is effective when believers are willing to step out in faith and share the good news, trusting in the Holy Spirit to work through them. [01:30:26]

- Gathering as a community of faith is essential, but it is only the starting point. The true measure of faith is how it compels believers to scatter and actively share the transformative message of Jesus with the world, demonstrating the power of Christ in both word and deed. [01:19:48]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 8:1-8 - The scattering of believers and the spread of the gospel.
2. Romans 8:31 - "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
3. Proverbs 24:16 - "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the response of the early Christian community to persecution as described in Acts 8:1-8?
2. How does Romans 8:31 provide encouragement during trials and tribulations?
3. What does Proverbs 24:16 suggest about the resilience of a person of faith?
4. In the sermon, what personal anecdote did the pastor share to illustrate the power of sharing the good news of Jesus? ([01:28:35])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How did the scattering of believers in Acts 8:1-8 fulfill Jesus' command in Acts 1:8? ([01:10:53])
2. What does the phrase "faith in the fire" mean in the context of the sermon, and how does it relate to the trials faced by early Christians? ([45:01])
3. How can the concept of "if God is for us, who can be against us" from Romans 8:31 be applied to modern-day challenges faced by believers? ([47:31])
4. What does the pastor mean when he says that the good news of Jesus is a "natural outflow of the faith within"? ([01:03:02])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial or challenge you faced. How did your faith help you navigate through it? How can you apply the encouragement from Romans 8:31 in future challenges? ([47:31])
2. The early Christians continued to preach the good news despite persecution. How can you share your faith more boldly in your daily life, even when it feels uncomfortable or risky? ([01:00:45])
3. The pastor shared a story about a simple invitation to consider Jesus that led to a moment of conviction. Think of someone in your life who might be open to hearing about Jesus. What is one way you can share the good news with them this week? ([01:28:35])
4. In what ways can you shift your focus from the negative news around you to the unchanging good news of Jesus? How can this shift impact your daily interactions and overall outlook? ([01:03:02])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of both gathering for worship and scattering to share the good news. How can you balance these two aspects in your own faith journey? What specific steps can you take to ensure you are actively sharing your faith? ([01:19:48])
6. The pastor mentioned that the power of Christ within believers can manifest in unexpected and simple ways. Can you recall a time when you felt the Holy Spirit working through you in a simple act? How did it impact you and others? ([01:30:26])
7. How can you cultivate a mindset that sees trials and tribulations as opportunities for growth and spreading the gospel, rather than setbacks? What practical steps can you take to develop this perspective? ([45:01])

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as Active Commission
Faith is often perceived as a source of comfort, a spiritual blanket that wraps around us during peaceful times. However, it is much more than that; it is an active commission, a call to action that does not waver in the face of adversity. When life's trials and tribulations, metaphorically described as "fire," threaten to consume us, it is this active faith that empowers us to stand firm. This unwavering faith is a testament to the belief that God's presence and support are constant, providing strength to persevere and even thrive amidst challenges. It is a reminder that, as believers, we are not merely survivors but overcomers, equipped to face any obstacle with divine fortitude. [48:43]

"But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated." - Hebrews 10:32-33 ESV

Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate your faith in a current situation that feels like a "fire" in your life?

Day 2: Adversity as Gospel Opportunity
The early Christian community faced persecution with a resilience that turned their scattering into a strategic advancement for the gospel. This response to adversity serves as a powerful example for modern believers. What may appear as a setback can actually be an opportunity for growth and spreading the good news. The directive to be witnesses in all nations was fulfilled through the challenges they faced, showing that God's plans can prosper even in the most daunting circumstances. This takeaway encourages believers to view their own trials as platforms for witnessing and sharing the transformative power of Jesus. [01:10:53]

"And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs." - Mark 16:20 ESV

Reflection: What perceived setback in your life can be reimagined as an opportunity to share your faith?

Day 3: Good News as Unchanging Hope
In a world saturated with negative news, the good news of Jesus remains an unchanging beacon of hope. Believers are encouraged to focus on this good news, allowing it to shape their perspective and actions. This constant source of hope is not contingent on external circumstances but is a natural outflow of the faith within. It provides believers with the assurance of victory in all situations, ensuring that their faith remains a source of hope and strength, no matter the challenges they face. [01:03:02]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." - Romans 15:4 ESV

Reflection: How can you intentionally shift your focus to the good news of Jesus in your daily consumption of media?

Day 4: Christ's Power in Simplicity
The power of Christ within believers can manifest in the most unexpected and simple ways. It does not require eloquence or perfect conditions but is effective when believers are willing to step out in faith and share the good news. This power is not dependent on our abilities but on the Holy Spirit working through us. The personal story shared illustrates that even a simple, impromptu invitation to consider Jesus can lead to a moment of conviction, showing that the transformative power of Christ is always at work. [01:30:26]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15 ESV

Reflection: What simple action can you take today to share the love or message of Jesus with someone in your life?

Day 5: Scattering to Share Christ's Power
Gathering as a community of faith is essential, but it is only the starting point. The true measure of faith is how it compels believers to scatter and actively share the transformative message of Jesus with the world. This scattering involves not just speaking words but demonstrating the power of Christ working through believers in both word and deed. The call to action is clear: believers are to be agents of change, embodying the gospel in every aspect of their lives. [01:19:48]

"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: How can you demonstrate the power of Christ through your actions in your community this week?

Quotes

1) "Because of Jesus, you have been commissioned for a life of faith in the fire. A life of faith that is not passive, but active, even amidst trials and tribulations." [45:41] (Download)

2) "The good news of Jesus is not contingent on circumstances; it's a reflex that happens because of the faith within, providing hope and victory no matter what comes." [01:03:33] (Download)

3) "The reason you're still standing today is because of Jesus, and the reason you will win is because of Jesus. We have this undescribable hope because of Him." [49:15] (Download)

4) "You've been given the same faith as the heroes of faith in the Bible. Like Daniel in the lions' den, you have the power to stand firm in your beliefs." [50:27] (Download)

5) "The Believers who were scattered preached the good news about Jesus wherever they went. They turned their scattering into an opportunity to spread the gospel." [58:06] (Download)

6) "People are eager to hear the good news. They may not always react publicly, but they are watching and listening, hungry for the message of hope in Jesus." [58:34] (Download)

7) "Because of Jesus, we have a faith that is even stronger in the fire. It equips us to serve, to walk in integrity, and to be recognized as people of God." [01:23:38] (Download)

8) "If our gathering does not cause us to scatter and share the good news of Jesus, then we have missed the Gospel completely. We are called to action beyond the church walls." [01:14:27] (Download)

9) "The good news of Jesus being the absolute good news should overwhelm us to the point that we can't help but scatter it into the world, transforming lives wherever we go." [01:19:12] (Download)

10) "Because of Jesus in you, there can be more evidence of you happening to the events and attacks of the enemy rather than the attacks of the enemy happening to you." [52:08] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?