October 05, 2025

ACTS: THE CITY IS COUNTING ON YOU

October 05, 2025

 Pastor Jonathan Falwell

It’s an encouragement to see believers obeying God’s instructions, isn’t it? In fact, that’s how we know we are His children (1 Jn. 5:3). In Matthew 28:19, Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the good news. In today’s sermon Acts 8, we see such harsh persecution coming upon the Christ-followers in Jerusalem that the believers scattered to other places. Some went to Judea, Samaria, and some to the uttermost parts of the earth. Was this to destroy the church? Not at all. This was God’s way of placing believers in other cities and towns so the truth of the Gospel of Christ could spread to everyone. Acts 8 gives us a record of Philip making his way from Jerusalem to Samaria, then going one-hundred miles south, to Gaza. There, he met the eunuch of Ethiopia, the secretary of the queen’s treasury, who was returning to Ethiopia from Jerusalem. He was studying a scroll from Isaiah. Philip led him to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, baptized him, and the man returned to his own country, to share the good news, while Philip continued elsewhere!

Focal Passages: Acts 8

Joy in the city:

  • Read Acts 8:1-4. Whose death is Saul consenting to in vs. 1? Why did the persecution escalate now? Who are ‘they’ who were scattered? Did anyone remain in Jerusalem? Why were Judea and Samaria important?
  • After Stephen’s stoning, what happened in the life of Saul? What did all the people who had gone to other cities do? Where did Philip go? What do you remember about Philip from chapter 7?
  • How did the people of Samaria respond? Did Philip only preach? During the time Jesus was preaching, what term did Jews apply to Samaritans (Mt. 15:26-27)? Why were they so hated? What was the result of Philip’s preaching and healing in the Name of Jesus?
  • Does it seem from the text that the persecution in Jerusalem had extended to Samaria? Why do you think it hadn’t? How long had it been since Jesus visited Samaria with the Gospel? If there were people who had been saved when the woman at the well was, would the city have probably been ready for teaching? Are you as obedient to the call of God as Philip?

The right motivation:

  • Read Acts 8:9-13. In vv. 9-11, can you relate Simon’s charlatanry to someone you remember out of your youth (when ‘magic’ acts seemed real)? In vs. 12, what happened as Philip preached?
  • How did Simon respond? Where in the passage is Simon’s brokenness over his sin, and his repentance? What did he think of the miracles? What could he see himself doing? Why did Philip let Simon be baptized without questioning him more closely? Do you take people’s declaration of belief at face value until God intervenes?
  • (Not in the sermon:) Please read vv. 14-17. Who came to Samaria? What were their roles? What had Jesus given to Peter in Mt. 16:19? What did they do? Did the Holy Spirit come?
  • Read Acts 8:18-23. Why did Simon desire to have the Holy Spirit? Who realized immediately what his desire was? How did Peter respond?

Understanding the call:

  • Read Acts 8:25-27a. When Peter and James were satisfied the Samaritans were in the good hands of Philip, what did they do? (Meanwhile, back in Samaria) …What did an angel tell Philip to do? How does the Bible describe that trip? In vs 27, what did he do?
  • How far was it from Samaria to Gaza by this route? Does God’s call seem absurd to you?
  • Read vv. 27b-34. Can someone tell what happens in this passage? When we truly are wanting to be used by God, will He furnish everything we need, as we are obedient? How do you know this?

Power in the Word:

  • Read verses 39-40. When you witness, who is the One who will give you courage and utterance? Do you believe that? Which verse is the essence of the salvation message?
  • As we witness, who is it all dependent upon?

TAKE AWAYS:

  • Remember the hope for your city is not found in its economic success or political standing, it comes from the Gospel.
  • Never forget your personal calling is to evangelize.
  • You are not required to ‘know it all’ but you are required to speak His Name.

Close:

There are so many verses we can learn from in this chapter (as in every chapter of the Bible)! We know we have a tendency to desire a comfortable life while we live the dash—that area between the date of our birth and the date of our death on our tombstone. Does God want us comfortable? Not necessarily. He wants us useful. If this page were filled with zeros on every line, front and back, representing eternity, they would be nothing but a start—we can’t even imagine eternity. Our days on earth would hardly be a speck. We have a few short years in which to make a difference in someone’s life by heeding God’s call to be a light to the path of everyone we meet. Philip was. He went where God told him, 65 miles north, then 100 miles south, then back again (another route). He didn’t complain, whine, tell God it was too cold or hot, rainy or dry. He obeyed and then rejoiced at the results God gave. And when we lead someone to Christ, we don’t have the ability to see their heart—whether it is regenerated or not. That is God’s job. But we do need to tell them our sin has separated us from God, and we cannot save ourselves. It takes an act of God to give repentance to the heart. He provided the Savior, and He will save those who believe in Him. He is a wonderful Savior, a mighty God, an everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

By Sandy Day
October 05, 2025                                                                                                       

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