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A Harvest of Souls for the Kingdom of God
Scriptures: Acts 8:1-8, 26-39
A Harvest of Souls for the Kingdom of God
Scriptures: Acts 8:1-8, 26-39
Acts 8:1-8 (KJV)
8 And
Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great
persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all
scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the
apostles.
2 And
devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As
for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling
men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore
they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And
the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 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.
8 And
there was great joy in that city.
Notes:
- Although it may have been seen that the believers where persecuted and where fleeing but they preached the Gospel everywhere they went.
- They would have been refugees in other countries, but this did not stop them in preaching the gospel.
- Not all fled. The apostles remained. Even so in our current time, not all who are persecuted will flee their nations.
Migration
and the Gospel in UK/Europe
- Today we will be using UK as a contact to the continent of Europe. There is currently an influx of migrants from Asia, Middle-East and Eastern Europe.
- The current migrant crisis in Europe brings an opportunity for people to hear the gospel for the first time.
- It is important for people to encounter the true gospel, especially since most of them are vulnerable.
- Even non-Christians can spot a fragmented gospel; this is one of the reasons many do not want to have anything to do with the “church”.
- While Europe is one of the most secular continents of our generation, UK is one of the most secular countries in Europe.
- Not all migrants are faithless. Some of the Middle-Eastern migrants are Middle-Eastern Orthodox who need a COMPLETE GOSPEL and need to break from the hold of RELIGION and DENOMINATION.
- Many are shocked when they realise that the indigenous people of UK are so removed from Christianity.
- The Pentecostal churches do not always give them a “home from home”. So they end up in the traditional orthodox churches and eventually look to have their own buildings and community.
- While some flee persecution, others are still being persecuted in those countries.
Prayers:
- The truth of gospel that changes and transform lives will encounter these hungry people.
- We will not look to build community but violently recover the souls of men at Calvary.
- We will surrender our lives to be built up as “pillars” and “rods of His strength” so that we can recover souls of men at Calvary.
- Economic growth and personal comfort will not be hindrances to those who fled persecution from their countries but instead they will look to harvest souls for the Kingdom like the believers of old.
- For those who have not fled persecution, the Lord will make them true martyrs and witnesses for His Kingdom in their home countries.
- Ask the Lord to break the hold of religion and denomination in the UK and beyond.
Acts 8: 26 - 39
26 And
the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south
unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And
he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority
under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure,
and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was
returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then
the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And
Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said,
Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And
he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that
he would come up and sit with him.
32 The
place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the
slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In
his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his
generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And
the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet
this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then
Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him
Jesus.
36 And
as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said,
See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And
Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he
answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And
he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the
water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And
when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away
Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But
Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities,
till he came to Caesarea.
Notes:
- Some of the people fleeing their countries, are “middle-class” and sometimes men of importance in their home countries.
- Some may have encountered the gospel but no one to help them rightly divide the word of truth.
- Even though the eunuch never saw Philip again, he experienced an exchange of life and he could go away spreading this joy.
- Philip was obedient to the Holy Spirit and so He was lead to where to minister.
- Philip could have wanted to stay and build a thriving church/community but the Spirit of the Lord took Him away.
- Every village he passed through heard the good news.
Prayers:
- Holy Spirit, guide my path.
- Lord Jesus, as you live in me, give me the words to speak and let me know when to speak and to whom to speak it to.
- Lord, give me the courage to go immediately when you instruct and not delay.
- As people journey in and out of the UK and Europe at large, let your true gospel transform lives.
