ACTS 8:1-8
"Now Saul was consenting to his death......."
"The world's stones will be our God's seed" At the end of last week's text, the church looked defeated by the hands of the enemy. The religious leaders who killed Jesus, alongside all those who were angered by the word of God, stoned Stephen and scattered the church. Just like the moment when the world crucified Jesus, it looked as if the world had won.
However, in this week's text we see that the stones of this world are often times used as seeds for God! The world kills one of the first deacons of the church and then uproots the entire church movement that was on fire for God. This looked like such a failproof plan to quiet the mouths of those who were spreading the Gospel. Oh how God had other plans for the enemy's attempt to quiet His movement.
What we will see is that when the world scatters the people to quiet them, God planted the people to become even louder! Wherever each person was scattered to, a new church was planted! The Gospel would end up spreading more than anyone could imagine!
God's word tells us in Genesis in the story of Joseph, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." We see God work in the same way today. Many of us will experience stones thrown by the world for our faith in Jesus. During the last 2 months it has seemed like every chapter is rooted in the promises of warfare for those who follow Christ. But do not overlook that with every stone that is thrown, God is there providing for His children.
For example, if you just look back at many of the "difficult moments" in your life, you will see that God was present and working, using those circumstances for your good and His glory. In death, sickness, and persecution, we see God present and planting seeds. God scatters to plant and prunes so that we can grow back stronger. This is how God has worked in our lives since the beginning of time. Our job is to trust and to be faithful. To know that God loves us, is present, and has a wonderful plan, no matter if we can see it or not. Let the testimonies of the Bible be fuel for your testimony today!
Stay faithful church.
However, in this week's text we see that the stones of this world are often times used as seeds for God! The world kills one of the first deacons of the church and then uproots the entire church movement that was on fire for God. This looked like such a failproof plan to quiet the mouths of those who were spreading the Gospel. Oh how God had other plans for the enemy's attempt to quiet His movement.
What we will see is that when the world scatters the people to quiet them, God planted the people to become even louder! Wherever each person was scattered to, a new church was planted! The Gospel would end up spreading more than anyone could imagine!
God's word tells us in Genesis in the story of Joseph, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." We see God work in the same way today. Many of us will experience stones thrown by the world for our faith in Jesus. During the last 2 months it has seemed like every chapter is rooted in the promises of warfare for those who follow Christ. But do not overlook that with every stone that is thrown, God is there providing for His children.
For example, if you just look back at many of the "difficult moments" in your life, you will see that God was present and working, using those circumstances for your good and His glory. In death, sickness, and persecution, we see God present and planting seeds. God scatters to plant and prunes so that we can grow back stronger. This is how God has worked in our lives since the beginning of time. Our job is to trust and to be faithful. To know that God loves us, is present, and has a wonderful plan, no matter if we can see it or not. Let the testimonies of the Bible be fuel for your testimony today!
Stay faithful church.
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Romans 8 as God's word speaks on God's plan in suffering.
Posted in Year One
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