ACTS: THE CITY IS COUNTING ON YOU

2025-10-05 Jonathan Falwell

Acts 8:1–40 (NKJV)

1. Joy in the city (vss1-8)

Acts 8:1-8 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. 4Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.

• There was persecution at every turn, yet they did not fear
• They “went” (vs 4)
• God moved and “there was joy in that city”
• Why? Obedience to the call on their lives!

2. The right motivation (vss 9-24)

Vss 9-13 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

• Simon the Sorcerer saw the power of the Gospel
• He believed but focused on the wrong thing – “what can this do for me”

Vss 18-19 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

• When your motivation to serve or go is based on anything other than God’s purposes, your efforts might have some impact but ultimately will fail

3. Understanding the call (vss 25-33)

Vss 25-27a So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. 26Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27So he arose and went…

• The angel called v26
• So he arose and went – vs27
• This road was a “desert road” as a result of the destruction of Gaza in 322BC and 96BC. By this time, a new road would have been built. When God sent Philip down a deserted road which probably made no sense, he didn’t question, he obeyed.
• There are many who are simply waiting for your obedience

Vss 27b-28 And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.

• Their eternity depends on your availability

Vss 29-31 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

4. Power in the Word (vss 34-40)

vss 35-37 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

• Philip “preached Jesus to him”
• Our ability to evangelize is not dependent on your knowledge, talent, and words
• It is dependent the name of Jesus
• Verse 37, while missing in many “modern translations” of the Bible encapsulates the essence of the Gospel and the process of conversion

Action:

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