Unstoppable: The Book of Acts: Philip - The Waiter Turned Evangelist - Pastor Ben Hodges

SERMON NOTESActs 8:1-8The Holy Spirit Moves the Church Outward.- After Stephen’s martyrdom, persecution scattered the believers.- What looked like defeat became mission fuel. “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word” (v.4).- The Spirit used suffering to push the church beyond Jerusalem, just as Jesus said in Acts 1:8.- Sometimes, more than we like to consider, the Holy Spirit Disrupts Our Comfort to accomplish His Mission.Acts 8:9-25Only The Holy Spirit, Not the Spirits of This World, Lead to Real Life- Scripture is clear: there is one Holy Spirit who gives life, and there are counterfeit powers that lead to bondage.- Simon the Magician displays some behaviors that look right, but he sees the Church / the Spirit as a vehicle for his own advancement.- The Holy Spirit confronts our pride—will you humble yourself, or be drawn to personal power?- The Holy Spirit invites real faith—will we believe with a repentant heart, not just the lips?- The Holy Spirit cannot be bought—will you receive Him as gift, not use Him as tool?- The Holy Spirit demands repentance—will you surrender?Acts 8:26-35The Holy Spirit Welcomes The Outcast and Hungry- The Ethiopian from the land furthest south of Egypt – the southern end of the Earth.- “Candace” is a title of the Queens of the region.- Eunuch’s were created to be trusted over harems, money, and personal matters.- This Eunuch was either a ‘God-Fearer’ (unconverted worshipper) or a Gentile-to-Jewish convert.- Leviticus rules kept him out of the inner courts of the temple.- The Holy Spirit welcomed him into the family of God.Acts 8:36-40The Holy Spirit Can Lead Your Life – and it will be an amazing life.- Be on the lookout for ‘divine appointments.’- Get a handle on the basic story of the Bible so you can share it.- Get comfortable with your own story, your testimony and be prepared to share it.- Encourage someone, then point them to the source to encouragement..