TITLE: FROM PROBLEMS TO POSSIBILITIES
TEXT: ACTS 8:1-8
INTRODUCTION
A. “This is the worst day/year/week/moment of my life…”
B. Everything seems to go wrong
C. Job would understand
D. However
PROBLEMS
A. Stephen is Murdered
1. After preaching, Philip was cast out of the city and stoned
2. While being stoned he called on God, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
3. He knelt down and cried out, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”
4. When he had said this, he died.
B. The Church is Scattered
1. The church was scattered and needed to leave Jerusalem
2. Saul made havoc of the church, entered houses, and drug off men and
women, committing them to prison.
POSSIBILITIES
A. Philip preaches in Samaria
1. With one accord, they heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did
2. Unclean spirits, crying loudly, came out of many who were possessed
3. Many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
B.And there was great joy in that city
HOW?
A. The saints were scattered, but not shattered
1. They looked up to God versus down at their problems (2 Chron 20:12, “…For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”)
2. What they had on the inside was greater than what was happening on the outside (Col 1:27, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”)
3. Who they had with them was greater than who was against them (John 15:15, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things
that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”)
B. From the problems, God stretched them for new possibilities
1. Digging New Wells
2. Plowing New Ground
3. Engaging New People
Challenge for the Week: That I will see my problems and possibilities
