Sunday Evening July 5, 2015

1. Scattered, Smothered, & Covered
Lesson Text: Acts 8:1-4
Heritage Addition church of Christ
by Jim Bradshaw
Sunday Evening, July 5, 2015

2. Since its founding over 1.8 Billion orders of Hash
Browns have been served!

3. Act 5:38-39 NKJV And now I say to you, keep away
from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or
this work is of men, it will come to nothing; (39) but
if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even
be found to fight against God.”

4. Scattered from Persecution
Stephen was martyred
A. He spoke Boldly
1. Act 7:51-54 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in
heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as
your fathers did, so do you. (52) Which of the prophets
did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those
who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you
now have become the betrayers and murderers, (53)
who have received the law by the direction of angels
and have not kept it." (54) When they heard these things
they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with
their teeth.
2. Stephen was murdered, Acts 7:55-60

5. Scattered from Persecution
B. A Boiling Point had been reached!!!
1. 20,000 of the now 55,000 population were Christians.
2. Act 6:7 NKJV Then the word of God spread, and the
number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem,
and a great many of the priests were obedient to the
faith.
C. Due to being scattered Christianity would change,
Rom. 8:28.

6. Smothered with the Word of God
Prayed for Boldness
Act 4:29-31 NKJV Now, Lord, look on their threats, and
grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may
speak Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to
heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the
name of Your holy Servant Jesus." (31) And when they
had prayed, the place where they were assembled together
was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,
and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

7. Smothered with the Word of God
Leaders of the church made the Word a Priority
Act 6:2 NKJV Then the twelve summoned the multitude
of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should
leave the word of God and serve tables.
Act 6:4 NKJV but we will give ourselves continually to
prayer and to the ministry of the word."

8. Smothered with the Word of God
When the Word of God Increases We GROW
Act 6:7 NKJV Then the word of God spread, and the
number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and
a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Act 8:4 NKJV Therefore those who were
scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

9. Smothered with the Word of God
To GROW
1. We Must Prayer for Boldness.
2. We Must Place the Word as our #1 Priority.
3. We Must Smother Booneville with the Word of God.

10. Covered with the Blood of Christ
Why would you continue to preach Christ when you are
persecuted, imprisoned, and now murdered?
Act 5:28-31 NKJV saying, "Did we not strictly
command you not to teach in this name? And look,
you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and
intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" (29) But
Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We
ought to obey God rather than men. (30) The God of
our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by
hanging on a tree. (31) Him God has exalted to His
right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance
to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

11. Covered with the Blood of Christ
Act 4:19-20 NKJV But Peter and John answered and said to
them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you
more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak
the things which we have seen and heard."

12. Covered with the Blood of Christ
Mat 26:28 NKJV For this is My blood of the new
covenant, which is shed for many for the remission
of sins.
Rom 5:9 NKJV Much more then, having now been justified
by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Col 1:14 NKJV in whom we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Col 1:20 NKJV and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself,
by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having
made peace through the blood of His cross.
Heb 13:12 NKJV Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify
the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

13. Covered with the Blood of Christ
1Jn 1:7 NKJV But if we walk in the light as He is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of
Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 1:9 NKJV If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
Gal 3:27 NKJV For as many of you as were baptized
into Christ have put on Christ.