Feb 14 - The Church Is Scattered

Read Acts 8:1-8

Context: Stephen has just finished giving an amazing speech about who Jesus really was, convicting the Sanhedrin of his death. They were furious at him, dragged him outside of the city and stoned him. They set their coats down at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Text:
1And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ[a]there. 6When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7With shrieks, evil[b] spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8So there was great joy in that city. (NIV)
Footnotes:
Acts 8:5 Or Messiah
Acts 8:7 Greek unclean
taken from www.biblegateway.com

God's will WILL be done. Jesus had told his followers that they were to take good news 'to the ends of the earth.' Yet they were still hanging around Jerusalem -- there was so much to do just to convince the local people that Jesus was the Christ.

Yet Jesus had said 'Go.' Unfortunately the only way God could get their attention and obedience was through tragic and violent means -- while we don't always understand his use of these tactics, we can comprehend that he has a bigger plan that must be followed.

I imagine that each one of disciples felt that he or she was justified in the way the ministry was going. After all, they were sharing all they owned, providing others with all that was needed, teaching and preaching, healing, and worshiping daily. If any of them felt that they weren't doing enough, they could just turn around and find another group to minister to...children, seniors, the lame, the Pharisees.

But God wanted width, not depth. So he caused them to be kicked out of the city to spread the news.

I know that there are times when I heard God's instructions but, instead of just obeying, I got sidetracked into busyness with very worthwhile things. I've needed a kick in the seat of the pants to get me back on the right track...more times than I wish to admit. How about you?