Snapshots of Growth God is always working! Today we’ll spend time in Acts 8:1-8 and look at four snap shots of how God works in stormy chaotic situations, to better see and understand how God grows His Kingdom bigger and our souls deeper.

The Passage: Acts 8:1-8,AndSaulapprovedoftheirkillinghim.OnthatdayagreatpersecutionbrokeoutagainstthechurchinJerusalem,andallexcepttheapostleswerescatteredthroughoutJudeaandSamaria.2GodlymenburiedStephenandmourneddeeplyforhim.3ButSaulbegantodestroythechurch.Goingfromhousetohouse,hedraggedoffbothmenandwomenandputtheminprison.

4Thosewhohadbeenscatteredpreachedthewordwherevertheywent.5PhilipwentdowntoacityinSamariaandproclaimedtheMessiahthere.6WhenthecrowdsheardPhilipandsawthesignsheperformed,theyallpaidcloseattentiontowhathesaid.7Forwithshrieks,impurespiritscameoutofmany,andmanywhowereparalyzedorlamewerehealed.8Sotherewasgreatjoyinthatcity.

The Snapshots: SNAP SHOT 1 - Saul “A Dangerous Time”: a Chaotic stormy season of brutal, violent, and gut-wrenching persecution

SNAP SHOT 2 - Apostles & Godly Men “Chaos”: People who are called running right past people who are hurting, grieving, seeking, hating…Seed standing right next to soil!

SNAP SHOT 3 - The Believers “New Season”: God using ordinary people to scatter the Gospel all over the area. The Kingdom is expanding!

SNAP SHOT 4 - Philip “Joy”: Philip travels down to Samaria, a place of long-standing tension between the Jews and the scattered tribes of Israel. Also, represented in Samaria are people from allover the area. The Gospel is finally spreading outside from a Jewish audience.

The Principles: Principle #1: God works in the impossible

Principle #2: God works in confusing storms

Principle #3: God works through our lives

Principle #4: God works the Long Game

Further Study / Pondering: Persecution: Acts 9:1, 13, 21, 22:4-5; 19, 26:10-11, Galatians 1:13 His Call / Word: Isaiah 55:8-11, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 2:7-10

Part 19 Snapshots Of Growth

(Acts 8:1-8)