Filled VIII Change the World

*FILLED VIII “What is this world coming to?”*
*Mat 13:44* “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
*Mat 13:45* “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
*Mat 13:46* who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it

UNTIL NOW….

*Act 8:1* 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.


1. We see so many current events that (we think) affects the church.
2. Persecution sets the stage throughout History of God moving.
3. “THE BLOOD OF MARTYRS IS THE SEED OF THE CHURCH,” WROTE THE SECOND-CENTURY CHURCH FATHER, TERTULLIAN.
4. We have to ask ourselves not “what will happen to us?” but yet What does God want me to do now?


*Act 8:4* Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word


1. The word of God changes people not alienation
2. The word of God is seen as well as heard through relationships and love not Gossip and hate
3. You cannot legislate morality.



*Act 8:14* Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, *Act 8:15* who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit


1. The church has to be unified in this effort or there will be a battle amongst us
2. Opinions can get in the way of kingdom thought processes


*Act 8:26* Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.
*Act 8:27* And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship
*Act 8:28* and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
*Act 8:29* And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”


1. How does community change for the better? One person at a time.
2. It is up to us to hear the spirit and respond


*Act 8:39* And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
*Act 8:40* But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

a. on to the next!

Conclusion: What part do you play in this fulfillment of His will?