Scattered, Smothered, & CoveredLesson Text: Acts 8:1-4

Heritage Addition church of Christby Jim Bradshaw

Sunday Evening, July 5, 2015

Since its founding over 1.8 Billion orders of Hash Browns have been served!

Act 5:38-39 NKJV And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; (39) but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Scattered from PersecutionStephen was martyredA. He spoke Boldly

1. Act 7:51-54 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. (52) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, (53) who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." (54) When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

2. Stephen was murdered, Acts 7:55-60

Scattered from Persecution

B. A Boiling Point had been reached!!!1. 20,000 of the now 55,000 population were Christians.2. Act 6:7 NKJV Then the word of God spread, and the

number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

C. Due to being scattered Christianity would change, Rom. 8:28.

Smothered with the Word of GodPrayed for Boldness

Act 4:29-31 NKJV Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." (31) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Smothered with the Word of God

Leaders of the church made the Word a Priority

Act 6:2 NKJV Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

Act 6:4 NKJV but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Smothered with the Word of God

When the Word of God Increases We GROW

Act 6:7 NKJV Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Act 8:4 NKJV Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

Smothered with the Word of God

To GROW

1. We Must Prayer for Boldness.

2. We Must Place the Word as our #1 Priority.

3. We Must Smother Booneville with the Word of God.

Covered with the Blood of ChristWhy would you continue to preach Christ when you are persecuted, imprisoned, and now murdered?

Act 5:28-31 NKJV saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" (29) But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. (30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. (31) Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Covered with the Blood of Christ

Act 4:19-20 NKJV But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Covered with the Blood of ChristMat 26:28 NKJV For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Rom 5:9 NKJV Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Col 1:14 NKJV in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Col 1:20 NKJV and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Heb 13:12 NKJV Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

Covered with the Blood of Christ

1Jn 1:7 NKJV But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1Jn 1:9 NKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Gal 3:27 NKJV For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.