
Scattered but not Shattered
Acts 8:1-8
“On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. 2Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 3Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison. 4So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word. 5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. 7For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8So there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:1-8, CSB
God is at work through our disruptions but we must be willing to do three things.
1. We must be willing to
We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. 10We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. 11For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh. 1 Corinthians 4:8-11, CSB
For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
In the midst of every difficulty we can rest assured that:
• God is at work
• God is at work
• God is at work
2. We must be willing to
3. We must be willing to
Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated, 15but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 3:14-15, CSB