July 30th
Acts Pt. 3
Turning Adversity into Opportunities
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
—Acts 1:8
God uses DIFFICULTIES to grow us.
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.
—Acts 8:1 (ESV)
Jesus’ Instructions…
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
—Acts 1:4-5,8 (ESV)
People everywhere are searching for Christ.
“In the midst of a generation screaming for answers, Christians are stuttering.” —Howard Hendricks
“Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium.” —Paul Harvey
Characteristics of Fishermen:
1) Optimistic
2) Patient
3) Intentional
4) Persistent
God uses UNLIKELY PEOPLE to accomplish his plan.
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
—Acts 8:5 (ESV)
We are all broken…
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
—2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)
Jars of clay is a metaphor that speaks to our human condition.
1) We are all FRAIL AND EASILY BROKEN.
Genesis teaches us that we are made of dirt…
then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
—Genesis 2:7 (ESV)
By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
—Genesis 3:19 (ESV)
2) We are all needing TO BE BROKEN.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
—James 1:2-4 (NIV)
God uses THE GOSPEL to transform lives.
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
—Acts 8:5-8 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…
—Romans 1:16 (ESV)
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Next Steps:
1. Today I accept Jesus as my Savior for the first time
2. When I face difficulties, I will see it as an opportunity for growth.
3. Despite my brokenness, I recognize that the Lord desires to use me.
4. Like Philip, I commit to proclaiming the Gospel to the One More.