Sermon: Following God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion
Scripture: Acts 8:1-8
“Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. 4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.”
Introduction: Rapid growth in Jerusalem, the rise of persecution and limited resources made the Apostles uncertain about their future and the future of the church. God’s vision for expanding the kingdom was certain. There are various ways to fulfil His mission. They probably did not understand the role persecution and adversity would play. In Acts 8, the apostles were realigning ministry functions and sending forth preachers and witnesses to new strategic directions. Persecution caused the leadership to adapt to changes quickly. The church had to become a missionary movement. Leaders must collaborate and communicate to improve decision making, to improve personal performance, counting the cost, and focusing on mission continuation. They must re-vision God’s mission for expansion to the whole world. The persecution forced the church to decisions that would unlock the full potential of the Church in terms of scope, efficiency, and effectiveness. The Church at Jerusalem became the Church on the move.
Acts 8 marks the beginning of the expansion of the Church. Christ in his final charge to his disciples commanded them to wait in Jerusalem until they were endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit. They were commissioned to carry the Gospel message to Jerusalem and all Judea, then to Samaria and finally, to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the entire world. Jesus gave them the mandate and a pattern for expansion. One of greatest blessings of the church leadership was realizing that if Church expansion is going to be successful, the responsibilities of ministry must be shared by all believers. Every believer has been empowered to effective witnesses for God. Just as several Greek speaking Jews had been selected and appointed to serve in the capacity of deacons, taking care of the daily administration of the food supply and perform other needed ministry responsibilities, the scattered believers must take on additional responsibilities.
Two of the most outstanding deacons, Stephen and Philip became good examples for all. As persecution increased at Jerusalem, the church was forced to scatter, spreading the message of Christ everywhere they went. The Jewish leaders rejected the preaching of Stephen and stoned him to death. Stephen became the first martyr of the Christian faith. He exemplified his spiritual graces at the highest level. He died praying and asking forgiveness for those who falsely accused him, ejected his message, and finally killed him. In his death, Stephen manifested a supernatural grace, endurance and meekness that could only come from the power of the Holy Spirit. The persecution designed to stop the church, fueled its growth and development. The more they persecuted the Christians, the more the church grew. The fire of the Holy Spirit could not be put out. This persecution caused faithful Christian to spread to the surrounding cities, preaching the gospel wherever they went. Most of the original apostles remained at Jerusalem, but believers scattered spreading the message everywhere. The church was on the move because they re-visioning God’s mission for expansion for the Church and its influence in the world. It must have been wonderful meeting daily, breaking bread and fellowshipping in Jerusalem. It was comfortable and secure, then persecution came, increased, and then became unbearable. The Church must transition, believers must scatter, and ministry responsibilities must be shared.
Acts 8 introduces us to several individuals involved in the movement of the church. There was Saul of Tarsus, a zealous persecutor; Philip, a deacon and faithful preacher; Simon Mangus, a clever deceiver who desired the praise of men; and an Ethiopian eunuch, a concerned seeker and minister of Finance of Ethiopia. All played an important part in the expansion of the church. In this transitional chapter, the message of Jesus Christ goes to the crossbreed Jews of Samaria, and to a gentile Ethiopian eunuch. The Church's only ambition was to be obedient to God. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit to be effective in ministry. The Holy Spirit’s power was present with them, confirming the word they preached. Philip led the charge to Samaria. Read the following verses.
1. God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Means All Believers Sharing Ministry Responsibilities. Acts 8:4-8 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.”
When persecution increased at Jerusalem, Philip went to Samaria and preached a revival like few ever seen in history. His powerful preaching followed by miracles, healing and deliverance turned the whole city upside down. Seldom in our time do we hear of “great joy” coming to a whole city because of one man’s ministry. But this is what happened when Philip went to Samaria. “Greater works than these shall you do”, were the words of Jesus and in Philip’s ministry, it didn’t take long to see it come to pass. Notice this revival was the result of Apostle’s willingness to share ministry responsibilities with others. Reaching the world with the message of salvation can only be accomplished when believers share the responsibility and do their part in ministry.
The apostle had set strict guidelines for the selection of these deacons, then they entrusted the ministry in their hands. Philip was the ideal person to begin the ministry expansion to Samaria. He was a Grecian Jew, with a Greek name. The Samaritans were probably more receptive to Philip than they would have been to the Hebrew speaking Jews from Jerusalem. After more than 700 years of conflict between the Jews and the Samaritans, the Holy Spirit directed Philip to venture in the region. Philip was not appointed, he was led. Philip preached Jesus unto them. He was not promoting politics, social services, civil rights, current events, or any other popular subjects of his day. He preached Jesus. The church today needs to remember that people still need the Lord. Jesus the Christ still saves, heals, and delivers. When we preach Jesus, God will still confirm the word we preached.
The people of Samaria responded to Philip’s message, "they gave heed with one accord." God demonstrated His power among them, and miracles were done in the name of Jesus. The bound were set free, sicknesses were healed by the power of God and there was great Joy in the city! The church was on the move because ministry responsibility was shared. Restructuring the church for expansion caused the apostles to select ministers that cared.
2. God’s Mission For Kingdom Expansion Means Exalting Jesus. Acts 8:12-13 “But now the people believed Philip's message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized.”
Philip demonstrated his love for God and His mission by exalting the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. He wanted people of Samaria to experience the grace of God in their lives. Even though people were healed and delivered, Philip wanted them to have something more. He wanted them to be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. After hearing about the great revival, Peter and John went from the church at Jerusalem to pray for these converted Samaritans that they might receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. God bridges the gap between His people at Jerusalem and His people at Samaritan, lest the Samaritan think that they are a move of God independent from the saints at Jerusalem. God bridges the gap by filling these with the Holy Spirit in response to the ministry of Peter and John. The church can always move forward when her ministers demonstrate genuine love and caring for all of God’s people. The racial barriers were removed, and true fellowship was nurtured. Peter and John took on a new role to continue church expansion and God was exalted. These ministry workers were flexible and cooperative. There were no personality clashes or ego trips. The kingdom of God was expanded, and Jesus was exalted. God’s mission for expansion means Believers must share the ministry responsibilities and share in building God’s Kingdom and exalting Jesus Christ. Ministry gifts working together in unity, creates a atmosphere in which the Holy Spirit was free to demonstrate His Power and changing lives. God’s mission for expansion also includes exposing hypocrites and wrong motives.
3. God’s Mission for Expansion Includes Exposing Hypocritical Motives. Acts 8:18-21 “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”
When there is a great manifestation of God's power, there is a temptation for some to try advance their personal ambition at the expense of God’s church. Simon Magus, the town sorcerer, who had previously deceived the people by claiming to be some great one, became a follower of Christ. Listen to Acts 8:12-13,
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”
Simon who believed and baptized in the name of Jesus, became a follower of Jesus, and supported the ministry of Philip. When he saw the ministry of Peter and John, He greatly admired them. He marveled at the power of God demonstrated through the laying on of the apostle’s hands. He desired to be used by the Holy Spirit to get people filled with the Holy Spirit, so He could be admired in the eyes of the people. As a practicing Magi, Simon had been famous, admired and sought after. He offered to buy this gift from Peter and John at any cost. Peter confronted Simon because his motives were not right. We too must be careful about our motives. The desire to be admired among people is very real, even in the church.
The temptation Simon faced is still with us today. Some seek God's power for personal benefit or a source of spiritual pride. Every spiritual gift and talent given by God are for the benefit of people and the advancement of His kingdom expansion. We should avoid attempting to use God’s power for selfish gain. Some Christians who boast of their superior spirituality have the wrong motives exposed by their boasting. Peter confronts Simon’s hypocrisy head on.
We have receive the gift of the Holy Spirit for personal transformation, to be effective witnesses, to channels of God’s healing and deliverance, but also to confront error and deception. Peter was used by the Holy Spirit in every facet of ministry. Instead of Simon’s motivation being from a pure heart of benevolence and love for the souls of men, His desire flowed from a heart of pride, seeking vain glory, and love of admiration and money. Simon’s desire to be able to confer the Holy Ghost unto everyone he laid his hands had the wrong motivation. Simon’s request revealed the contents of his heart. Peter quickly judged him and pronounced a fearful judgment on him and his money. Just as deception was exposed and judged at Jerusalem, It is exposed and condemned at Samaria.
God sees and judges the heart, the motives, and the intentions. The confession of our mouth will sooner or later, expose the condition of our heart. Our motive must be acceptable, and our heart’s condition pure. Is your heart right with God? Are your motives pure--and does God see the contents of the heart as holy, sincere, and benevolent affections towards him? God knows the motives; and with absolute certainty he will judge; and with perfect justice he will pronounce our doom or bestow our reward. It will always be according to the affections of the heart.
God’s mission for expansion invites believers to share the ministry responsibilities, while doing ministry that expands God’s kingdom and exalts the name of Jesus Christ, but it also means exposing hypocrites and identifying wrong motives. The church was on the move and their vision was constantly expanding. In this atmosphere, the Holy Spirit was free to demonstrate God’s power was present and working among them. Philip was so successful Samaria, the Holy Spirit called him to venture into unchartered territory, and Philip dared to go.
4. God’s Mission for Expansion Means Following Holy Spirit’s Lead.
Acts 8:26-31, 35-39 “But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Get up, and go to the south, to the road which goes from Jerusalem to Gaza, through the waste land. 27 And he went and there was a man of Ethiopia, a servant of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, and controller of all her property, who had come up to Jerusalem for worship; 28 He was going back, seated in his carriage, and was reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, Go near, and get on his carriage. 30 And Philip, running up to him, saw that he was reading Isaiah the prophet, and said to him, Is the sense of what you are reading clear to you? 31 And he said, How is that possible when I have no guide? And he made Philip get up by his side… 35 So Philip, starting from this writing, gave him the good news about Jesus. 36 And while they were going on their way, they came to some water, and the Ethiopian said, See, here is water; why may I not have baptism? 38 And he gave orders for the carriage to be stopped, and the two of them went down into the water, and Philip gave him baptism. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away; and the Ethiopian saw him no more, for he went on his way full of joy.”
How precious is a single soul in the sight of the Lord! To bring one person to the faith, God sends an angel to Philip, and commissions him to go to Gaza. Philip dared to leave a great revival in Samaria to answer a call in the desert. Philip dared to go into the desert, where he meets a lone traveler on his way back home. This African traveler is wealthy, influential, but limited in knowledge of the Scriptures. He was a eunuch, a man willing castrated he might trusted with great authority as he climbed the ladder of success. He has arrived at the top, He is the minister of finance for the queen of Ethiopia. However, he had an inner emptiness that no amount of material success could fill. His recent worship experience in Jerusalem, most likely put him in touch with the Jesus movement, the birth of the Church and its rapid growth. It’s quite possible, his experience left him wondering about many things.
On his return journey, riding on his chariot, he searched the scriptures. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Philip appeared having been supernaturally commanded by God to go where the Ethiopian was. Philip dared to obey the command of God. Then, Philip dared to listen as the Ethiopian was reading. Sometimes, we are so anxious to talk, we forget to listen. When Philip understood the Ethiopian’s struggle, he offered to explain the scriptures from Isaiah that he was reading. Philip preached unto him Jesus Christ, the one about whom the passage was written. The Ethiopian’s eyes were opened to faith in Christ, and he believed in his heart, received the free gift of God’s grace, and was baptized the same day.
Philip dared to allow God to lead him to new phrases of ministry. He dared to leave the comfort of Jerusalem, and venture into Samaria. After successful ministry among the Samaritans, now he must carry the gospel to a lone African gentile on the road to Gaza. God demonstrates that the gospel is for all people of all colors, races, cultures, and religious backgrounds. A new situation, but the same old message, Philip preached Jesus unto him. It is the message of Jesus that wins men to Him. God led Philip into a still wider circle to reach an Ethiopian of a different race. The Holy Spirit leads his people into missions in and beyond the home community. Since we are a part of that same church on the move, we must remember that the Spirit’s call is progressive and continuous. We must remain open because God has prepared plans and people of which we are not aware. God's church is still on the move. This lesson is crucial because it helps us see the importance of evangelism in the church. There are various ways of evangelizing. The best method is still personal soul winning. This means work for every believer; it means a willingness to go and follow God’s lead. It is the most effective way to reach people with the gospel. God knows the location of every hungry heart. As believers we must dare to follow the example of Philip, and be used to expand God’s kingdom, and change the world. Today, the Church has unlimited ways and means available means to reach a lost world for Christ. Technology has only enhanced our reach, we still have ministry tracts, Christian literature, media, and mass crusades and conferences, but remember, Philip left a large crowd in Samaria to win one for Jesus in the desert. God used that one to change the nation of Ethiopia.
All men were born into sin, and most men don't even know it. They don't know how to have their sin forgiven or how to be set free. There is only one way they can know about forgiveness, healing, and restoration, they must be told. How can they hear if no one tells them? If each believer does their part in witnessing, all will have the opportunity to know. God could have chosen to do this work through angels, yet he chose to use believers. We are His church. When believers move into action, the church moves into action. Stephen was a believing layman. Philip was a believing layman. They willingly shared the ministry responsibility. They cared enough to proclaim the good news of God’s saving power in Jesus Christ everywhere they went. Every Christian should share the ministry responsibility and care about the souls of men. We are called to be personal soul-winners. God has given us the power to be effective in the e work of ministry, wherever and whenever He gives us the opportunity. It may be in a place like Jerusalem, or Samaria or even on a desert road in Gaza. We must follow His lead. This is a chapter on the expansion of the Church through evangelism. The believers scattered by persecution were not ordained clergy, but they went everywhere telling the good news.
This is not an image of glamorous public ministry, but one of faithful witnessing about Jesus with everyone they met. The early church members were willing to share the ministry responsibilities to increase the effectiveness of the church. They were believers who genuinely cared for all people and were concerned about the salvation of mankind. Their leaders were willing to confront and condemn hypocrisy and then provide directions for repentance and restoration. Finally, the early church members dared to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit as He unveiled God’s continuous and progressive plan to save the world. We are a part of that same church, the church of the move. As seen in the life of Philip, when God’s Spirit is at work in us, a response is demanded. The kind of response necessary is an obedience motivated by an inner drive for kingdom expansion. It is a motivation empowered by the Holy Spirit, giving new life, and overflowing with joy. We move into action seeking to win the world for Christ. We go sharing His message, caring for His people, demonstrating His power, and Fulfilling His purpose, that God may be Glorified. It is the work of the Spirit in our life and ministry that the world may know the only true God, who is a sending, seeking, and saving God of Grace and Love. And every believer is called into God’s mission for Kingdom Expansion. Amen, and Amen!
